Cocoa Hooves

Glass Animals' 'Cocoa Hooves' is a rich tapestry of surreal imagery and introspective questioning, wrapped in the band's signature psychedelic sound. The song opens with the depiction of an old goat, a metaphor for a reclusive, wise figure who has seen the passage of time. This character, with his 'beard of grey' and 'leather gripped cane,' represents a life of solitude and contemplation. The lyrics suggest a sense of nostalgia and a longing for simpler times, as the hermit is surrounded by comforting, homey elements like 'home-baked perfume' and 'snug eiderdown bedclothes.' These images evoke a sense of warmth and safety, contrasting with the underlying tension in the song's narrative.

The chorus shifts the focus to a more direct and almost confrontational tone, urging the hermit to break free from his isolation. The repeated questions—'Why don’t you play with bows and arrows?' and 'Why don’t you dance like you’re sick in your mind?'—challenge the hermit to embrace chaos and spontaneity. This can be seen as a call to live more fully, to engage with the world in a way that is raw and unfiltered. The imagery of setting wings on fire suggests a desire for transformation, even if it means self-destruction. It's a powerful metaphor for breaking free from constraints and embracing one's true nature, no matter how wild or dangerous it may be.

The song's final verses delve deeper into the hermit's psyche, exploring themes of repression and unfulfilled desires. The lines 'You finger down that waxen line between your breasts' and 'A squeaky pain upon each breath' hint at a physical and emotional discomfort that the hermit endures. The mention of 'sex and violence' and the plea to 'stare back into my huge eye' further emphasize the struggle between isolation and connection, between safety and risk. Glass Animals masterfully blend these complex themes with their unique sound, creating a song that is both haunting and thought-provoking. 'Cocoa Hooves' invites listeners to reflect on their own lives and the ways in which they might be holding themselves back from truly living.