Animals (Martin Garrix song)

"Animals"
Single by Martin Garrix
from the EP Gold Skies
Released17 June 2013 (2013-06-17)
Recorded2013
GenreBig room house[1]
Length5:04
LabelSpinnin'
Songwriter(s) [2]
Producer(s)
  • Martin Garrix
Martin Garrix singles chronology
"Just Some Loops"
(2013)
"Animals"
(2013)
"Wizard"
(2013)
Alternative UK and US cover
2023 reissue cover
Music video
"Animals" on YouTube

"Animals" is a big room house instrumental by Dutch DJ and record producer Martin Garrix, released as a digital download on 17 June 2013 on iTunes. The song quickly became popular within the EDM culture, leading to Garrix becoming the youngest producer to ever have a song reach number one on the electronic music store Beatport.[3] The track was a commercial success, reaching the top ten or topping on a number of electronic music charts and even some mainstream ones. It became number 1 on singles charts in the United Kingdom, French-speaking Switzerland and Belgium. In the United States it reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Dance chart.

Composition and release

[edit]

Prior to release, the track gained buzz after being played anonymously with speculation increasing about the author after Dutch record label Spinnin' Records released a clip of the track online only titled "Animals (Teaser)".[4] It started to reach even more speculation after a Vine video featuring Agnes from Despicable Me was posted.[5][6] The track was, at various times, attributed to other acts like Hardwell, GTA, Sidney Samson[7] and Bassjackers[8] before the actual identity of the producer was revealed.

According to Garrix, the melody was based on a previous, never-released track that he composed two years prior, and the "ruthlessly minimalist"[9] rhythmic sound (the drop) is an interpretation of Busta Rhymes' "What It Is".[10] and the first part is inspiring to a song by Aura Qualic called D.A.T.A. The song is mostly instrumental; the only sung verse is We're the fucking animals, which is spoken by a friend of Garrix,[11] has a low pitch, and appears two times.

Critical reception

[edit]

In 2016, Billboard named "Animals" Garrix's second-best song, behind "In the Name of Love". The review noted how Garrix "ushered in a new dance era and crowned the then-17-year-old, leader of the new school", further describing the song as "big, brash and infectious, everything a festival anthem should be. It still sounds dope so many years later".[12]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Animals booked initial success at electronic music festivals and venues like Ultra Korea, Tomorrowland, Governors Beach Club, Amsterdam Dance Event, and Ultra Music Festival, to name a few. Subsequently, it rose to number one at the online music store, Beatport 100. In the period of August to October, the track began to climb up dance hit-lists as well as mainstream singles charts across continental Europe, getting all the way to top on Belgium's Ultratop 50.[13] In November, the single debuted at number one on UK's Official Singles Chart, ahead of tough competition from Lily Allen's 2013 John Lewis Christmas advert cover single "Somewhere Only We Know" (which reached number one the following week) and Ellie Goulding's Children in Need 2013 cover "How Long Will I Love You?".[14] Garrix became the second-youngest artist to enter at the top of the UK Singles Chart with their debut single behind Billie's "Because We Want To" in July 1998.

In the United States, "Animals" was the first instrumental track to reach the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 since Kenny G's "Millennium Mix" of "Auld Lang Syne" in 1999.[15]

As of August 2024, the song's music video has over 1.7 billion views on YouTube.[16]

Usage in media

[edit]

"Animals" was used in a commercial for video game Madden NFL 25.[17] It was added in the March 2014 update of another game, Asphalt 8: Airborne. [18] "Animals" was also featured on Just Dance 2016 along with an extreme routine.[19] The instrumental version of the song was also featured in FIFA Online 3, an online free-to-play version of the FIFA series video game.

In April 2014, the track was also used in the Dior advertisement for their "Addict Fluid Stick" lipstick and lipgloss range.

Track listing

[edit]
Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Animals" (original mix)5:04
German CD single and digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Animals" (radio edit)2:56
2."Animals" (original mix)5:04
Total length:8:00
UK and Irish digital download – Remixes
No.TitleLength
1."Animals" (UK radio edit)2:44
2."Animals" (Grum Remix)6:37
3."Animals" (Victor Niglio and Martin Garrix Festival Trap Mix)3:18
4."Animals" (Isaac Remix)4:15
Total length:16:54
SPRS Remixes Part 1
No.TitleLength
1."Animals" (Oliver Heldens Remix)4:22
2."Animals" (Jay Ronko Remix)4:13
3."Animals" (Victor Niglio and Martin Garrix Festival Trap Mix)3:18
4."Animals" (Botnek Edit)4:21
Total length:18:54

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[92] Platinum 70,000^
Belgium (BEA)[93] 2× Platinum 60,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[94] Platinum 60,000
Canada (Music Canada)[95] 2× Platinum 160,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[96] Gold 15,000^
Germany (BVMI)[97] Platinum 300,000^
Italy (FIMI)[98] 2× Platinum 60,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[99] Gold 7,500*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[100] 2× Platinum 20,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[101] Platinum 60,000
Sweden (GLF)[102] Platinum 40,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[103] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[104] 2× Platinum 2,000,000
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[105] 2× Platinum 3,600,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[106] Gold 4,000,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Country Date Version Format(s) Label Ref.
Worldwide 1 July 2013
  • Single version
  • radio edit
Digital download Spinnin' [107]
Germany 2 August 2013 Tiger [108]
Scandinavia 8 October 2013 disco:wax [109]
United Kingdom 10 November 2013
  • Silent
  • Republic
[110]
8 November 2013 Remixes – EP [111]
United States 17 September 2013 Single version [112]
Worldwide 16 January 2023
  • Single version
  • radio edit
  • remixes – EP
STMPD [113]

Parodies

[edit]

In December 2013, a SoundCloud user named McMaNGOS posted an edited version of "Animals" titled "Funnymals", which remixes the song's drop to the tune of "Old McDonald Had a Farm". The "Funnymals" edit gained prominence at the 2014 Ultra Music Festival, when Deadmau5 (who had made comments attacking Garrix on Twitter earlier in the day, and has been a prominent critic of "mainstream" electronic music) played the edit as part of his live set.[114][115]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mac, Ryan (18 August 2014). "Teenage Animal: Why Martin Garrix Is The Fastest-Rising Star in EDM". Forbes. Retrieved 14 May 2018. ...he is the new face in rapidly evolving genre that has embraced his big room anthems, particularly "Animals,"...
  2. ^ ASCAP - Martijn Garritsen
  3. ^ "Martin Garrix, the youngest ever Beatport #1 spot-holder, speaks about the journey so far". Beatport. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Martin Garrix - Animals (Teaser)". YouTube. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  5. ^ Mason, Kerri (20 May 2013). "Martin Garrix, 'Animals': Exclusive". Billboard.
  6. ^ "The Marketing Machines Behind New Wave of EDM Superstars (Part 1)". RaverRafting - We Are The Scene. Archived from the original on 2017-09-24. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  7. ^ 808sJake. "Martin Garrix - "Animals"". Complex.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Martin Garrix - Animals (Preview) -- Only The Beat". Only the Beat. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "Song of the Week: 'Animals,' Martin Garrix". The Star Ledger.
  10. ^ Small, Charlie. "60 SECONDS WITH: MARTIN GARRIX". DJ Mag. Archived from the original on 24 April 2015.
  11. ^ "Martin Garrix In The Studio With Future Music" (Interview). Future Music Magazine. 10 January 2014. 15:09.
  12. ^ Rishty, David; Bein, Kat (5 October 2016). "The 15 Best Martin Garrix Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Martin Garrix - Animals". ultratop.be. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  14. ^ "Martin Garrix pips Lily Allen to score debut chart topper with Animals". Officialcharts.com. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  15. ^ Grein, Paul (20 February 2014). "Chart Watch: An Instrumental Cracks The Top 40". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  16. ^ Spinnin' Records (17 June 2013). "Martin Garrix - Animals". YouTube. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  17. ^ EA Sports (21 November 2013). "MADDEN 25: WE GOT NEXT". YouTube. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  18. ^ Goncalves, Julien (4 April 2014). "Musique de la pub Dior Addict Fluid Stick : Martin Garrix fait résonner "Animals" En savoir plus sur" [Music from the Dior Addict Fluid Stick ad: Martin Garrix plays "Animals"] (in French). Charts in France. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  19. ^ Makuch, Eddie (26 September 2015). "Every Song in Just Dance 2016". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  20. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  21. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  22. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  23. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  24. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  25. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals" (in French). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  26. ^ "Martin Garrix Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  27. ^ "Martin Garrix Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  28. ^ Martin Garrix — Animals. TopHit. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  29. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 19. týden 2014 in the date selector.
  30. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 19. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  31. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals". Tracklisten. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  32. ^ "Martin Garrix Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  33. ^ "Martin Garrix: Animals" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  34. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  35. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  36. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  37. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  38. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  39. ^ "Chart Track: Week 46, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
  40. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals". Top Digital Download.
  41. ^ "Joel Corry Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  42. ^ "Top 20 Inglés Del 27 de Enero al 2 de Febrero, 2014". Monitor Latinoaccessdate=2018-05-02. 2013-02-02.
  43. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Martin Garrix" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  44. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  45. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  46. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals". VG-lista. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  47. ^ "Airplay 100 – 30 noiembrie 2014" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. 30 November 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  48. ^ "Media Forest – Weekly Charts. Media Forest. Retrieved November 18, 2014. Note: Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
  49. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  50. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  51. ^ "Russia Airplay Chart for 2014-02-27." TopHit. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  52. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  53. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201413 into search.
  54. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201428 into search. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  55. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  56. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  57. ^ "Martin Garrix – Animals". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  58. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  59. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  60. ^ "Ukraine Airplay Chart for 2014-04-21." TopHit. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  61. ^ "Martin Garrix Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  62. ^ "Martin Garrix Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  63. ^ "Martin Garrix Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  64. ^ "Martin Garrix Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  65. ^ "Martin Garrix Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  66. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2013". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  67. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2013". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  68. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2013". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  69. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2013" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  70. ^ "Top 100 Singles Jahrescharts 2013" (in German). VIVA. Viacom International Media Networks. Archived from the original on 20 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  71. ^ "Dance Top 100 - 2013". Mahasz. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  72. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2013" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  73. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2013" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  74. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2013" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  75. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2013" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  76. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2013 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  77. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2013". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  78. ^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  79. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2014". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  80. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2014". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  81. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2014". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  82. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  83. ^ "Dance Top 100 - 2014". Mahasz. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  84. ^ "FIMI - Classifiche Annuali 2014 "TOP OF THE MUSIC" FIMI-GfK: un anno di musica italiana" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  85. ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart 2014" (in Russian). TopHit. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  86. ^ "Top 100 Songs Annual 2014" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  87. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2014" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  88. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2014 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  89. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  90. ^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  91. ^ "Decade-End Charts: Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (2013-ON)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  92. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  93. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2014". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  94. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Martin Garrix – Animals" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  95. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Martin Garrix – Animals". Music Canada. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  96. ^ "Danish single certifications – Martin Garrix – Animals". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  97. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Martin Garrix; 'Animals')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  98. ^ "Italian single certifications – Martin Garrix – Animals" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  99. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Martin Garrix – Animals". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  100. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Martin Garrix – Animals" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  101. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Martin Garrix – Animals". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  102. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 50, 2013 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 1 November 2020. Scroll to position 9 to view certification.
  103. ^ "British single certifications – Martin Garrix – Animals". British Phonographic Industry.
  104. ^ "American single certifications – Martin Garrix – Animals". Recording Industry Association of America.
  105. ^ "Danish single certifications – Martin Garrix – Animals (Steaming)". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  106. ^ "Spanish single streaming certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 3 March 2014. Select Streaming under "Categoría", select 2013 under "Año". Select 6 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
  107. ^ "Animals - Single". iTunes. 19 July 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  108. ^ "iTunes - Musik – "Animals - Single" von Martin Garrix". iTunes.
  109. ^ "iTunes - Musik - Animals - Single av Martin Garrix". iTunes.
  110. ^ "Animals - Single". iTunes. November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  111. ^ "Animals (Remixes) - EP". iTunes. November 8, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  112. ^ "Animals - Single". iTunes. October 15, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  113. ^ "Album - Animals - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  114. ^ "Deadmau5 trolls Martin Garrix live at Ultra". DJMag. Archived from the original on 2 April 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  115. ^ Chau, Thomas (30 March 2014). "Deadmau5 Trolls Martin Garrix on Twitter, Plays 'Animals' Remixed with 'Old MacDonald' at UMF". PopCrush. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 31 March 2014.