The Meaning Behind “Animal” by Katseye and a Flirty New Jam for the Summer

“Animal”, the latest single from Katseye, precedes the Los Angeles girl group’s upcoming EP, Wild. It follows their grungy hyperpop track “Pinky Up”.

The girls individually originate from various parts of the world. And in “Animal”, the global group speaks a kind of love language anyone can understand.

You’re the Boss, You Run the Circus, Baby

Katseye’s flirty track was co-written with Ed Sheeran. It echoes the primal sentiment in Sheeran’s 2017 hit, “Shape Of You”. And in the opening verse, you can imagine the narrator singing this as she readies herself in front of the mirror.

You’re the boss. You run the circus, baby. But let’s ditch shy refinement and calendars; tonight we are free from day jobs and deadlines.

You’re the boss, you run the circus, baby,
Take it up a notch, you’re so sophisticated,
Don’t wanna be on a schedule, you’re on your own time.
Off the scale that goes from hot to crazy,
Fingernails, one, two, three colors painted,
Crop top and baggy jeans holding your waistline.

And the girls’ stacked vocals give the tune a more communal party vibe than intimate communique. Sheeran’s instinct for writing childlike hooks helps transform “Animal” into an adult lullaby, though one bowdlerized enough for mass appeal.

You make the light and the shadows collide,
Your body gets twisted and tangled in mine.
Love so good, how could this be free?
I keep your secret safe with me.

You Move Like an Animal

One can see “Animal” competing for catchy song of the summer. Sheeran’s clean folk-pop softens the horny edges, giving Katseye’s tune a universal appeal that lands comfortably in a grocery store as well as the unhinged party on the dance floor.

Nobody knows you’re out of control,
But I see a side behind the closed doors.
They get a glimpse here on the dance floor,
You move like an animal.
Nobody knows you’re out of control,
But I see a side behind the closed doors.
They get a glimpse here on the dance floor,
You move like an animal.

Photo by Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images