From the soulful crooning of a cat to the majestic roar of a lion, the animal kingdom has inspired countless musicians to create some truly unforgettable tunes. Are you ready to embark on a musical safari? This list of the best songs about animals explores the diverse ways artists have celebrated, mourned, and reflected upon our furry, feathered, and scaled friends. Whether you're a lifelong animal lover or simply appreciate a great song, this curated selection offers a captivating blend of genres and emotions, showcasing the powerful connection between humans and animals. From classic rock anthems to contemporary folk ballads, we've compiled a definitive ranking of the best songs about animals, guaranteed to resonate with your inner wildlife enthusiast. Prepare to discover new favorites and rediscover old classics – your playlist is about to get a whole lot wilder!
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Eye of the Tiger | Survivor | Working Class Dog | 1B+ |
| 2. Animals | Maroon 5 | V | 923M+ |
| 3. Dog Days Are Over | Florence and the Machine | 232M+ | |
| 4. I'm Like A Bird | Nelly Furtado | Whoa, Nelly! (Expanded Edition) | 153M+ |
| 5. War Pigs | Black Sabbath | Paranoid (Remaster) | 102M+ |
| 6. A Horse with No Name |
America George Martin | America | 99M+ |
| 7. Little Lion Man |
Mumford Sons | 99M+ |
1. Eye of the Tiger (1982)
Powerful Vocals: Survivor's iconic vocals drive the song's intensity, perfectly capturing the feeling of relentless determination and overcoming challenges, making it surprisingly fitting for an animal's struggle.
Driving Rhythm: The insistent, powerful rhythm is undeniably motivational and could easily soundtrack a triumphant animal overcoming adversity or achieving a goal.
Anthemic Quality: "Eye of the Tiger" transcends its human context; its universal themes of perseverance and triumph resonate deeply, making it applicable to any story of animal resilience.
2. Animals
Sound: Maroon 5's "Animals" features a driving, intense bassline and a catchy, repetitive chorus that makes it incredibly memorable and perfect for a playlist focused on animalistic energy.
Vocals: Adam Levine's raw, powerful vocals perfectly capture the song's predatory theme, adding to its visceral impact and making it a standout track.
Emotional Impact: While not explicitly *about* animals in a literal sense, the song's primal energy and themes of obsession evoke a powerful, almost animalistic feeling, making it a surprisingly fitting addition to this list.
3. Dog Days Are Over (Florence and the Machine)
Sound: "Dog Days Are Over" features a driving, anthemic sound built around powerful drums and soaring strings, creating a feeling of triumphant release perfectly suited to celebrating the power of animals overcoming adversity.
Vocals: Florence Welch's passionate and emotive vocals are central to the song's impact, conveying a sense of collective joy and liberation that resonates with the themes of animal resilience and freedom.
Emotional Impact: The song's uplifting message and powerful delivery make it an ideal choice for celebrating the spirit of animals, offering a soundtrack to stories of overcoming challenges and finding strength in community.
4. I'm Like A Bird
Sound: Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like a Bird" uses a bright, uplifting melody with a driving beat, creating a sense of freedom and flight that perfectly complements the animal theme.
Vocals: Furtado's soaring vocals evoke a feeling of liberation and joyful movement, mirroring the imagery of a bird in flight and enhancing the song's animalistic energy.
Emotional Impact: The song's overall message of hope and self-discovery resonates deeply, creating an emotional connection that elevates its appeal beyond a simple animal metaphor; it speaks to a universal desire for freedom.
5. War Pigs (1970)
Sound: While not explicitly about animals, "War Pigs" utilizes a heavy, almost animalistic riff that evokes a primal, visceral response, fitting the theme of powerful, untamed forces.
Lyrical Imagery: The song's imagery of war and destruction, though not directly involving animals, can be interpreted as a commentary on humanity's destructive nature, mirroring the sometimes destructive behavior observed in the animal kingdom.
Emotional Impact: The song's intense, chaotic energy can create a powerful, almost unsettling feeling, a feeling that may resonate with the raw, untamed power often associated with wild animals.
6. A Horse with No Name (America ft George Martin - 1971)
Lyrical Imagery: "A Horse with No Name" paints a vivid picture of a desolate yet strangely beautiful landscape, focusing on the animal's journey and the surrounding environment, making it a compelling listen for animal lovers.
Ethereal Sound: The song's signature mellow, acoustic sound, driven by its distinctive guitar riff, creates a peaceful and evocative atmosphere perfectly complementing the theme of a solitary animal's trek.
Enduring Appeal: Its simple yet resonant melody and introspective lyrics have ensured the song's continued popularity across generations, making it a timeless classic within the animal-themed song genre.
7. Little Lion Man
Animal Metaphor: "Little Lion Man" uses the lion as a powerful symbol of inner struggle and the challenges of facing life's difficulties, making it deeply relatable to listeners facing their own "lions."
Emotional Resonance: The song's raw emotionality, delivered through Marcus Mumford's distinctive vocals and the band's powerful instrumentation, creates a moving portrayal of vulnerability and perseverance, perfectly capturing the spirit of overcoming adversity.
Musicality: Its blend of folk, rock, and banjo creates a memorable soundscape that perfectly complements the themes of the lyrics, adding to its overall impact and making it a compelling listen for animal-themed music lovers.
8. Bulls On Parade (Rage Against The Machine - 1996)
Sound: Bulls On Parade utilizes a powerful, driving funk metal sound, incorporating a heavy, repetitive riff that's both catchy and aggressive, perfectly capturing the energy of a charging herd.
Rhythm: The song's relentless rhythm and pounding percussion create a primal, almost hypnotic effect, making it incredibly infectious and suitable for headbanging.
Animal Imagery: The title and lyrics utilize the imagery of charging bulls to represent raw power and unstoppable force, creating a visceral connection to the animal kingdom within a politically charged context.
9. White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane - 1967)
Dreamlike Quality: Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" uses whimsical imagery and a hypnotic melody to create a surreal soundscape, perfectly capturing the unsettling yet captivating nature of Alice's journey down the rabbit hole, which can be seen as a metaphor for the animal kingdom's mysterious depths.
Vocal Performance: Grace Slick's distinctive vocals are both ethereal and commanding, adding to the song's mystical atmosphere and enhancing its overall impact.
Pyschedelic Soundscape: The song's psychedelic sounds and instrumentation contribute to a sense of wonder and unease, aligning well with the often unpredictable and surprising behaviors found in the animal world.
10. Who Let the Dogs Out (Baha Men)
Catchy Rhythm: "Who Let the Dogs Out" is built around an irresistible, repetitive rhythm that's impossible not to move to; its infectious nature makes it perfect for a high-energy playlist dedicated to animals.
Vocal Performance: The Baha Men's enthusiastic and playful vocals perfectly capture the lighthearted, fun energy of the song, enhancing its appeal to listeners.
Pop Culture Impact: Its memorable chorus and danceable beat have cemented its place as a party anthem and a fun, lighthearted addition to any collection of songs about animals.
11Buffalo Soldier
Bob Marley
1983
12The Lion Sleeps Tonight
The Tokens
1961
13Blackbird
The Beatles
1968
The Beatles (Remastered)
14Wild Horses
The Rolling Stones
1971
Sticky Fingers (Remastered)
15Hey Bulldog
The Beatles
1969
16Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
Elmo, Patsy
1979
17Rocky Raccoon
The Beatles
1968
18Animal
AURORA
2019
19Crocodile Rock
Elton John
1972
Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player
20Year of the Cat
Al Stewart
1976
Year of the Cat
21Honky Cat
Elton John
1972
22Dig a Pony
The Beatles
1970
23Piggies
The Beatles
1968
The Beatles (Remastered)
24Miike Snow
Animal
2009
25Alligator
Of Monsters and Men
2019
26Bird on the Wire
Leonard Cohen
1969
Songs From A Room
27Boris the Spider
The Who
1966
28Stray Cat Blues
The Rolling Stones
1968
29Me and My Monkey
Robbie Williams
2002