W.A.S.P. - Animal

The debut single for W.A.S.P.'s self-titled album, recorded in early 1984, came dangerously close to not being released at all after being deleted from the album. Capitol Records did not want to risk the CD being pulled from major retailers because it was deemed too contentious.

Following that, the record label planned to only distribute the single in Europe, in a black plastic bag with a warning tag regarding the sexual lyrics. The single was shelved after Capitol pulled out at the last minute, and the band was able to sign a one-off publishing deal with the independent label Music For Nations.

The single was finally released in April 1984, complete with the original sleeve and art depicting a codpiece and a circular saw blade.

According to a 1997 article that accompanied a reissue of W.A.S.P's debut album which features this track, the basis of the song, according to an article in Kerrang! Magazine was that Lawless had observed a photo of two lions mating in National Geographic Magazine.

The Kerrang! article was penned by Assistant Editor Dante Bonutto, who had written the magazine's first cover feature on the band, originally published in April 1984.

Lyrics

I got pictures of naked ladies

Lying on their beds

I whiff that smell and the sweet convulsion

Starts a-swelling inside my head

I'm making artificial lovers for free

I start to howl I'm in heat

I moan and growl and the hunt drives me crazy

I fuck like a Beast

I come round, round I come feel your love (like an animal)

Tie you down, down I come steal your love (like an animal)

I come round, round I come feel your love (like an animal)

Tie you down, down I come steal your love

I'm on the prowl and I watch you closely

I lie waiting for you

Well I'm the wolf with the sheepskins clothing

I lick my chops and you're tasting good

I do whatever I want to do, yeah

I'll nail your ass to the sheets

A pelvic thrust and the sweat starts to sting ya

I fuck like a beast

I come round, round I come feel your love (like an animal)

Tie you down, down I come steal your love (like an animal)

I come round, round I come feel your love (like an animal)

Tie you down, down I come steal your love

Come ride, savage seduction

Ride, ride, ride