My older brother played this on repeat at night when we were going from Tennessee to Pennsylvania. We went every other day to see my grandpa in the hospital. Now every time I hear it it reminds me of peaceful nights in a crowded car, driving down a quiet highway as the sun either went down or started to come up. Thee only two people awake were me and my brother. He was always driving so he never realized I was awake. (somehow I had no notifications that I got likes and replies on this and when I looked back at this comment and saw them I got really happy)

Me: hey dad, what was your walk like to school when you were a kid? My dad:

I will never forget. 10 years ago I was on a road trip, and we put this album on as we drove through the Adirondacks. It was like the mountains were singing to us songs of legend. It's like their music was brought upon us by forces of nature. It is an album of modern mythology. Monumental. Monolithic.

I listened to this song when I first got my dog, 10 years ago. I had it playing when he was sniffing around my room, discovering his new home. He just passed away and here I am, listening to this masterpiece again, a decade later. It's a bittersweet feeling. Life is too short, especially for the beasts with those four dirty paws.

It's one of those songs that are happy and sad at the same time. So beautiful

I'm obsessed with songs that: 1. tell stories 2. tells that story in a way that has to be interpreted

Does anyone else get chills right before the beat drops and the birds start appearing one by one? It's just, like, the monster was running and then his allies arrived and now he's not alone. I don't know how to describe the feeling, but I'm definitely feeling something.

I never heard of monsters and men, I mostly listen to hard rock - metal. One day at the gym I heard little talks playing on the stereo, I loved the haunting sound of the song. So down the rabbit hole I fell of this amazing band! Absolutely love their music …

Oh no, Sully’s still stuck in the blizzard guys. Mikes gonna be devastated

My brother once played this song on a road trip, and the tune stuck with me. I could never remember any of the lyrics, so I couldn't find it. But, years later, I happened upon this band, and recognized the singer. So I went through all their song until I found it. And here I am Still as good as I remember it...

Their dueling voices are so distinct, you immediately know the artists. They are a perfect match.

I am an old woman. After listening to my favorites from the sixties, I suddenly found this one. I love it. Playing it again and again. So wonderful.....!

When you find a really cool flag and you wanna show your homie.

This song is obviously about a happy monster named Ted who has dirty paws, and likes to do jogs through the snow with his flag because he wants to have a beach body by the summertime. And the birds and creatures are there to cheer him on because Ted is a swell guy and they want him to follow his dreams of having a beach body.

Discovered this song while watching The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It sparked my thirst for travel and adventure then I played it on repeat for countless days and moths, dreaming of being able to go on my own adventure. Then my friends and I went on a hiking spree, visiting local mountains .Those were dark times for me but this song, the movie I discovered it on and the hiking trips helped me through that phase. Now, when I listen to this song, only memories of those hiking trips and that feeling of wanderlust are left. Might as well say that this song is therapeutic, at least for me. Looking forward to that day when I'm in Iceland with my family, driving around and listening to this song.

My sister passed away yesterday at 39....she loved this song and some how it popped up in the algorithm tonight! LOVE YA CRICKET!!!! 🦗🦗

All of you interpreting this, I'm just thinking about a literal battle between birds and bees and it's awesome

Isn't it talking about WW2? Damn so many interpretations, I love it

my family recently found out that my dad has advanced cancer. soon the treatment will begin. listening to this song now, that I'm falling into reality, that difficult days will come. But my father is the strongest person I have ever seen, he will recover, and everything will be fine again.

The song is a folksong about how it came to be that Iceland use to have no bees. The folk song is a story of how the bees were destroyed by a war between them and the birds and cats. Bees were introduced to Iceland from Norway.

How can you not love this song, or this band.

while everybody else is "singing" about their flabby ass this band sings about random stuff with deep meanings

Jumping up and down the floor My head is an animal And once there was an animal It had a son that mowed the lawn The son was an OK guy They had a pet dragonfly The dragonfly it ran away But it came back with a story to say Her dirty paws and furry coat She ran down the forest slope The forest of talking trees They used to sing about the birds and the bees The bees had declared a war The sky wasn't big enough for them all The birds, they got help from below From dirty paws and the creatures of snow La la la La la la la La la la La la la la So for a while, things were cold They were scared down in their holes The forest that once was green Was colored black by those killing machines But she and her furry friends Took down the queen bee and her men And that's how the story goes The story of the beast with those four dirty paws La la la La la la la La la la La la la la La la la La la la la La la la La la la la

Here from Walter Witty. My wonderful dog passed away last week . I had to lay her to rest . I’m heartsick and then I find this song. I had no idea what it meant. I read the words and it seemed nonsensical and confusing. People are talking about its meaning. For some reason I am drawn to it. Extremely bitter sweet. It’s like she is out there in a whole other world running with her friends . Busy . Doing what a beast with four dirty paws would be doing. Just a million miles away with a life that’s moving on. So many animals with her . The video is amazing . Simple and powerful. I’m so confused and not sure why this song is so intense for me. I just keep playing it. Wow . Thank you. 💔

A moment of silence for *_Me_* for trying to find this song for a very long time. _I deserve it._

at first i thought it was a good song, then i listened to the lyrics, its amazing.

This reminds me of mornings with my father, sitting at the breakfast table and listening to this song. We tried to memorize the lyrics together and have singing competitions. It reminds me of hikes in the woods, the end of the trail always in sight, but never close. It reminds me of riding in the car, begging my father to turn down the radio while my sister begged him to turn it up. It reminds me of times when life was simpler, before I was aware of this cruel world of the killing black machines.

I know so many feel it's WW2, but it's now. It's every day we're alive. It's why this song brings tears to my eyes every time I listen, happy or sad, in the moment. Most of us hope for a better future, yet we despair for it coming. All I can say is I love you for making this music. I love you all. Thank you. You remind me of what it means to be human.

I was here in 2014, I was here in 2017, I was here in 2019 and now I'm back for this amazing song in 2021!

When I was 12, I had a teacher who would play this song, and probably other OMAM songs, in the morning before school started. I didn't really listen to music back then, and it was mostly background noise to me, but this video stood out to me, as well as the lyric about the dragonfly, but I didn't remember it word for word. He was a really good teacher, but left the school the same year as I did in order to pursue other dreams. When I started getting more into music, I really wanted to find this song, just because I had such fond memories of it, but I knew that I probably never would. The details I knew about it were just so vague. Today I was listening to music from another account, and this popped up in the reccommended. I stared at the thumbnail in disbelief because this was it. I had found the song I had been looking for for all these years. I really miss my teacher from when I was 12. I have very fond memories of that year, and he was probably the best teacher I've had so far.

God I love this group. Their songs feel like what I imagined a poem should feel like when they thought me about metaphors and poetry back in school; a creative metaphor that I can't fully grasp, but is deeply touching. Accompanied with the music and the dual voices that add wonder and fantasy, which makes me invested in the narrative, as nonsensical an weird as it can be. Such narrative also makes it a wonderfully unique "tale". All coming together in a beautiful harmony that captivates me with this "world" that they create in each song.

My mom used to play this. The more time that went on, she stopped playing it. Every time I play this, I get a flood of childhood memories. This is what childhood feels like.

-Here, let me tell you a story! -Cool! What story? -You figure it out!

Came to know this beautiful dirty paws song while watching SweethTooth Netflix movie 🍿 wow 9 years after the released of this song from monsters and men.

I made an animation with this song. Plus isn't this in The Secret life Of Walter Mitty, good movie by the way!

This song is actually about how the birds in the forests eat the beehives, first they knock the hive off the tree but their beaks are unable to break the shell so "they get help from below", "from dirty paws" (the foxes) "and the creatures of snow" ( other land animals). This is what it is actually about but its shown through an analogy of a giant beast (a bigfoot) fighting the bees with birds, very very clever!

"the beast with the 4 dirty paws"? I dedicate this song to my cat

I'm a big Sweet Tooth fan, anyone else here a fan of Sweet Tooth?

This might sound weird but I feel that this song puts the wonders back in the world that was lost so long ago.

You know.. It's funny how people interpret a song different ways... As a medic.. I ran this terrible car wreck back when this song came out.. The patient was dead nothing I could do.. tried my best to save them but they died.. This song played on the radio when I got back in the ambulance on the radio and it stuck with me.. Along with many other songs from this album.. I've always found this album sad due to the call I ran.. But it's just crazy cause I never actually watched this video until today and there's a whole diff spin.. A monster running through the snow?? When I hear this song I think of a dead person in a car but it's labled as a monster running through the snow in a war.. Maybe I am the monster just trying to make it idk anymore but I'll always love of monsters and men thank you guys and ladies you have helped me As medic more than you know

"Many stories start at the beginning, but this story starts here."

my daughter played monsters and men when she came home for the first time after being away for three months at high school, every time I play their songs it reminds me of her, sad and happy memories...

This band takes me back to biking around the Seawall in Vancouver when I was in middle school and taking in the scenery with their music in my earbuds. I've come back almost a decade later and the nostalgia is hitting me like a freight train

What is this song about? Answer: the son, father and dragonfly are the families who sent their children off to war, coming back with a story to tell. The song is about WWII where the Bees are the axis powers and the birds are France and England. The Dirty Paws are the US and the creatures of snow are is Russia. When it says that the Bees declared a war it means it literally and the Queen Bee is Germany. The forest is Europe. The first verse is to lead on the metaphor that humans are animals in their bestiality in war. Although this also may be about WWI due to the "holes" reference representing the trenches and the killing machines being the newly introduced turrets and artillery. The US is called dirty paws due to its presence in most international wars. The four dirty paws are the wars that it's fought in ( Revolutionary, Civil, WWI, WWII ) those are the most significant at least. Sorry for the length I was just spewing my thoughts There are many possibilities as to what the meaning could be. I think the song is meant to be taken in whatever perspective you like. For instance I see it in 2 different ways. One being that its a child, who created a make believe land in their mind. "Jumping up and down the floor" is the child playing. "My head is an animal" could mean they are playing a game where they are the animal. The story from there can basically describe how vivid of an imagination the child actually has. My other theory is that it is a war between man and creatures of nature. Nature is fed up with how man is treating them, and decided to join forces and fight back.the dragonfly is relaying the message about what is going on to the child, so it can escape. Reason being is it says "the son was an okay guy." Therefore he was good and the dragonfly wanted him to escape before the war reached him. Again these are just theories that are probably wrong. We will never know unless the artist comes out and says what they meant by it, which I doubt they will. They probably like the fact that everyone is coming up with so many ideas, and decided to leave it a mystery. It;s about Vimy Ridge and how during WWII the allies were losing the air battle and invited Canadian ground troops to join the war. Honestly, this song's lyrics are very, very confusing. Nobody is really sure that their meaning IS the meaning. I only think the song if from a child's perspective, being the dragonfly. 'The dragonfly ran away' meaning that the child ran away from his family. The song tells the tale of a great war between two proud races, perhaps birds and bees, perhaps other 'creatures of snow.' Either way, the setting is evidently Iceland or a similar snowy land ravaged by the war. The 'killing machines' are large war vehicles, possibly the ones seen in the 'King and Lionheart video.' I believe that the song is most referencing WWI: The story of how the "bees" (Austria-Hungary) attacked the "birds" (Serbia) who called their allies "the dirty paws" (France, Britain) and the "monsters of snow" (Russia) to "kill the queen bee (German Empire and/or the emperor) and her men (Austria-Hungary). I think it’s a metaphor of how people sometimes think the world isn’t big enough for them all, and how wars can begin. The “dirty paws” are impure, but, they can be better than the people who are set on one belief and unwilling to Change.

Who's here after watching Sweet Tooth first episode? It was just perfect.

This album was released 11 years ago today! Never let your wanderlust go!

Here after watching the secret life of Walter Mitty

I feel like this song and Sweet tooth were literally built for each other. The perfect pairing.

For anyone wondering: The song is about WW2. Germany was the bees France and Britain were the birds Americans as dirty paws Russia as creatures of the snow "The forest" is Europe "The holes" are the trenches "The killing machines" are the newly introduced artillery and turrets The U.S. was called 'dirty paws' because of the presence in most international wars And "The four dirty paws" are the wars that were 'popularly' fought - Revolutionary, Civil, WW1, and WW2. Edit: I should have probably mentioned that this was my take on it, also this was like 5 years ago and I was kinda dumb back then. Still kinda am LMAO

Each song of this band is a story. And I like the way they tell these stories.

I finished high school, I had no idea of what to do with my life. I joined university, electronics engineering. I quit because I disliked the university. I decided to start a new career, I feel depressed about being old (most of the students were 18 and I was 21). I decided to apply to study abroad, now I'm in switzerland writing my thesis. (it's been a long journey and here is where this song comes in) So, don't be afraid of starting again. No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

" The Boy Broke his Father's rules slowly and then all at once".

"The bees had declared a war." This was not what Barry wanted for the bees when he won that trial.

Your songs saved my life from depression. Thanks ❤

I've been lostening to this song for like 10 years. Back in 2020 my wife and I decided to go to Iceland for our delayed honeymoon. We booked everything for march 2020, but then COVID came, and we had to cancel. Then we booked it again for september 2020 when the restrictions were lifted during summer, but then Iceland went into lockdown once again, and we had to cancel. We waited 3 years, but we got there march 2023, not accompanied by our wonderful little boy. And our trip could not have been more perfect. Iceland is a magical place, no wonder it gave us this genius of a band. Thank you!

I love setting it a higher speed just to watch the monster run...

A message to the future generations. Don't let this song die.

2023 and I still here! 🇧🇷

I first heard this song in sweet tooth back when it came out and I was rewatching it before season 2 comes, and I heard the song again on episode one and it made me fall in love with this song all over again. It's one of my favorite songs it is so good!!😭😭💕

OH MY GOD EVERYTIME I CICLK A SONG I DONT KNOW IT TURNS OUT AMAZING

It's cool to notice that the animal choices in this song are not random and their personification makes sense! Bees follow blindly a leader (the queen Bee) and because of that alienation, they could be easily misleaded in being soldiers for wars that they don't even know why they're fighting for. While birds can be seen as a symbol of liberty (of thinking, maybe?) And the fact that "the sky wasn't big for them all" implies that the queen bee used her soldiers and weapons as a leader, to censor the liberty of thinking and therefore stay in power. This band is something else, right?

Sweet Tooth brought me here :)

My dad used to play this at our old household when I was 4 or 5. I miss this. When he showed it one the big TV, and I listened to it, while looking at the furry thing holding the flag. My dad is still here. But he surely changed.

Who else has no idea what this song is about but still thinks it's a damn good song?

I finally found my jam! It was behind lots of condiments in the fridge!

Who's here in May 2024😂

I have a special needs son that had two brain surgeries when he was 2 he is 6 now and he absolutely loves this song it makes him so happy. He is my shining star thank you so so much it means more to me than anything else in this world.

"The forest of talking trees. " Ah so it's about Vietnam.

It's almost like it has the functions of a dream, Everything makes sense but its also complete nonsense at the same time.

It's 2024, and the experience I had last night riding into Mexico and hearing this song for the first time inspires me to be a better man, a better father, and it helps me to feel the gravity and importance of my actions as I untangle the American Flag hanging outside my office.

This song was so perfect for ending to episode 1 of Sweet Tooth, makes me cry every time I watch it

So i have seen that many people believe that the song is about WWII, but I think otherwise. I think this is a song about why cats hate birds and why the bees stay down low even though they can soar as high as birds. Story of song: The bees used to fly up high with the birds but then they were all like, "Dam birds, you're fat, get out of my sky!" So the birds went to the ground where they met the cats. The cats used to hide all the time but the birds promised them wings like theirs if they helped in the war, so the cats joined in under the name of "The Dirty Paws" The cats and the birds did win and the bees were to stay near land forever, but the birds did not keep their promise and ran away to the sky. So the cats got pissed and now enjoy killing birds in their spare time.

All of these interpretations, and I'm figuring out why the dragon fly ran away and didn't fly.

I just discovered this song on the radio. This is my new favorite song. This song reminds me of my dogs. I love you my Chico and my Benji, I would give up my life for you. You are my only true friends.

Sweet tooth anyone?

I was in high school, when this song first came out. It was played in the club where I met the love of my life. We danced to this song the entire night. We decided to get married and we played this song in our wedding. We had 70 kids together. Our first baby was named, Dirty paws. This song played in my retirement party. And this song was played in each of our 70 children's wedding. Ahhh they grow up so fast. Tomorrow I'll be dying and guess which song will be played in my funeral? ;)

Is the creature fucking Sullivan from monsters ink?

Don't worry , I'll make sure my generation never let this song die 😌

Such a great song. Not a song you would hear everyday on the radio.

There's something hauntingly wonderful about how these two voices mesh.

This song makes me cry and I have absolutely no idea why.

To my sister who died of neglect in Ripley County Jail. RiP my little girl

It's been eight years, but I'm till here, hoping for a brighter tomorrow, with music by my side.

Kid: "What is the birds and the bees?" Me: "Well you see" *shows kid this video* Kid: ... Kid: "So it is a war?" Me: "Exactly"

This is Of Monsters and Men? Where’s the “Hey!”? Oh, wait, there it is.

“The forest that once was green, was coloured black by those killing machines” I get human nature vibes from this lyric, such an amazing song 👍

The guitar in the beginning just takes me back to every peaceful moment I have witnessed in my life. I love this song beyond words.

Run Sully, run!

I don't know what it is about it, but this is one of my favorite music videos of all time

Gus slowly breaking the rules little by little

The creature looks like Sully, from Monsters Inc. Doesn't it?

Sullivan on his way home after failing in Monster Univ...

Hi everyone I'd just like to say that no matter what you may be going through in your life you are AMAZING and you are totally worth it! Have a great day (or night depending on where you live) :) :) :)

So nostalgic. Brings back so many warm memories of when I was 15 - 17 living life with no worries

Really glad that more people are finding out about this band, wether you heard this song from Sweet Tooth, other shows or have been a long time fan for years I'm glad that Of Monsters and Men is getting recognized again

"The forest of talking trees. " Gooooood Morning Vieeeetnamm.

What I love about Of Monsters and Men is that they lay in your hands what you make of the story, wether you take it in a literal way or you seen it rather figuratively

Sweet Tooth brought me here !

For the 100 time in 3 years, I’m back, listening to this song.

"Once there was an animal It had a Sun that mowed the lawn The Sun was an OK guy" Those blades of grass must be pretty charred by now...