“Animal” was the first track to be released from Andrew Ripp’s 2015 self-titled album. The track premiered on August 21, 2015 on American Songwriter. In an interview accompanying the song’s premiere, Ripp described its meaning as overcoming fear:
[Animal] represents the heart of the record lyricall...
[Verse 1]
I've been no stranger to these faces
Fear is a monster; it's so relentless
Keep having dreams of breaking walls down
I see them crumbling; the sky is endless
[Pre-Chorus]
I took my troubles to the riverside
I drank the water and I came alive
[Chorus]
My heart is beating like an animal
Oh, nothing is impossible
I'm never going back again; I'm never giving up
Load up the guns; I'm gonna run like an animal
[Verse 2]
Wide open spaces
No limitations; it's like a first kiss
I'm made for running with the horses
Don't try to stop me; you know it's pointless
[Pre-Chorus]
I took my troubles to the riverside
I drank the water and I came alive
[Chorus]
My heart is beating like an animal
Oh, nothing is impossible
I'm never going back again; I'm never giving up
Load up the guns; I'm gonna run like an animal
[Bridge]
Stronger than I've ever been before
There is so much more inside of me
My lungs are filling up
Must be something in the air I breathe
That puts the fire in me
I cannot get enough
(Mountain high; valley low)
(I'm gonna run wherever I go)
(All I see, all I know)
(I'm gonna run wherever I go) Mountain high
(Mountain high; valley low) Valley low
(I'm gonna run wherever I go) I'm gonna run
(All I see, all I know)
(I'm gonna run wherever I go) I'm gonna run
[Chorus]
My heart is beating like an animal
Oh, nothing is impossible
I'm never going back again; I'm never giving up
I'm never going back again; I'm never giving up
I'm never going back again; I'm never giving up
Load up the guns; I'm gonna run like an animal
Andrew Ripp released Animal on Fri Aug 21 2015.