B-side "Calling My Name" Length 3:32 | Recorded 2009 | |
Released March 16, 2010 (2010-03-16) Format 10-inch single
digital download Genre Alternative rock
new wave
dance-rock | ||
"Animal" is the lead single from Neon Trees' debut studio album, Habits. It debuted in October 2009 at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has reached a peak of number 13 in its twenty-two week on the chart. In Canada, the song debuted at number 95 on the Canadian Hot 100 and has climbed to number 29. The song has reached number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart after 32 weeks, making "Animal" their first number-one song on a Billboard chart. This also broke the record for the longest-length of time for a song to get to the top of that list after entering. The song reached number two on the Billboard Rock Songs chart. In one of the music videos of the song, the band is destroying an art gallery. On May 22, 2011, the song won Top Alternative Song in the 2011 Billboard Music Awards.
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It was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in November 2010.
In popular culture
The song received increased coverage after it was played on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight, Lopez Tonight, Conan, and Live with Regis & Kelly by the band. It was also featured on the TV shows Melrose Place and Secrets of Aspen. The TV show Glee's Dalton Academy Warblers performed a duet version in the episode "Sexy". It was sung by characters Blaine Anderson, played by Darren Criss, and Kurt Hummel, played by Chris Colfer, it peaked at number 62 on Billboard Hot 100. The song was also recorded in Simlish for The Sims 3.
The song has also been covered live by The Wanted, Train, Bridgit Mendler, Taylor Swift Panic! at the Disco, and Secondhand Serenade.
The song was released as downloadable content for Rock Band in August 2010. The song is also included on the soundtrack for the open world racing video game Forza Horizon. According to in-game files, the song was also originally meant to appear on Grand Theft Auto V's Non-Stop-Pop FM radio station, but it was not included in the final release of the game.
The song also appears on the trailer of the 2014 film, The Purge: Anarchy and the 2011 film, What's Your Number?
Charts and certifications
"Animal" was the first song to be number one on the Alternative Songs chart and to be in the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 since Linkin Park's "New Divide" in June 2009.