Animals (Remix) (feat. J. Cole)
Maroon 5
The Primal Urge: Exploring the Animalistic Desires in 'Animals (Remix)'
Maroon 5's 'Animals (Remix)' featuring J. Cole delves into the raw, primal instincts that drive human relationships, particularly those that are intense and consuming. The song uses animalistic metaphors to describe the predatory nature of desire and attraction. The lyrics 'Baby, I'm preying on you tonight / Hunt you down, eat you alive' vividly illustrate a sense of urgency and hunger, likening the pursuit of a lover to a predator hunting its prey. This metaphor extends throughout the song, emphasizing the uncontrollable and instinctual aspects of human desire.
The song also explores the paradoxical nature of such relationships. Lines like 'It's like we can't stop, we're enemies / But we get along when I'm inside you' highlight the conflict and tension that often accompany passionate relationships. The relationship is depicted as both destructive and addictive, with the lover being compared to a drug that the singer cannot quit. This duality is further emphasized in the chorus, where the singer acknowledges the impossibility of escaping this intense connection: 'You can start over, you can run free / But you can't stay away from me.'
J. Cole's verse adds another layer to the narrative, portraying the relationship as something fated and inescapable. He describes the lover as a 'gift from the Gods' and admits to being addicted, unable to function without her. This verse reinforces the theme of inevitability and the idea that some connections are so powerful that they transcend rational thought and control. The repeated refrain 'Don't tell no lies, you can't deny / The beast inside' serves as a reminder that these primal urges are an intrinsic part of human nature, impossible to suppress or ignore.