The song Animals by Brett Ashby is poetic and deep, leading the listener to a world of deep symbolism and introspection. The lyrics flow with abstract images and spiritual as well as philosophical insight, as if the song were a travel through different spheres of existence. Her words are saturated with meaning about transformation, acceptance, and connection to something greater than one’s self.

But probably the most striking and striking aspect of this is their dreamlike nature. In it, Ashby paints these brilliant pictures using extremely out-of-place imagery, such as shells of sea, bones of crystal, and rings of fire on resin. All these put a certain type of mystery as if she describes another dimension-a dimension, just out of our reach. The repetition of the phrase “we are animals of the Underworld” comes to strengths in the unseen, primal force binding all life together. When Ashby invokes the Underworld, it is not just a place of anything dark or negative. The place which Ashby refers to seems pretty ancient and spiritual, some sort of foundation of creation in which souls and nature intermix.

Another important theme running through the song is self-discovery and growth. Lines like “I’m at the age I always wanted” are indicative of a point of realization; this is a point in life where Ashby feels aligned with her true self. The finding of “white feathers deep in my threads” may be indicative of guidance or signs from the universe, as in most cultures, white feathers have an association with spiritual messages or protection. Woven in these lyrical verses is just this feeling of gratitude, from such words as: “good grounded people, really being thankful, heartfully.” Ashby here appears appreciative with how to give respect due and focus on the beauty in life. 

The song also deals with duality: success and failure, isolation and connection, lower and upper world. Ashby admits that struggle and triumph both make one’s life; she even says, “Failure is brilliant.” A thought that invites each listener to open up toward experiences rather than be afraid to make mistakes or experience setbacks. The allusions to Indiana and the movement from the lower world to the upper world suggest a transformation, perhaps some sort of personal growth or realization.

Another interesting dimension in the lyrics is the way they combine historical, spiritual, and natural imagery. References such as “The Great Stupa of the Universal” and “gold flakes up river” have the ring of timelessness about them, joining some notion of ancient wisdom to the present moment. Such references give the song the tenor of meditation as Ashby invites the listener into some introspective observation on the meaning of life and one’s self within the universe

Overall, Animals is a very deeply richly visualized and philosophical song. With every lyric there’s the call of introspection toward an awareness that relates to everything. Painting a highly abstract yet strongly worded depiction of a very personal, yet universally relatable experience, Ashby brings this song. A message of discovery is around this song – discovery over one’s self, and then further exploration into life’s mysterious realms, even with unseen forces determining life’s very own fate. It’s such a poetic sort of way to say we all are part of something so much greater, and every moment in our lives-light or dark-is part of it.