"What Would I Want? Sky" is a standout track by Animal Collective, released in 2009 as part of their Fall Be Kind EP. The song is notable for its innovative structure, lush soundscape, and historic use of sampling.
Key Features and Structure
- Historic Sample:
The song is the first ever to officially license a sample from the Grateful Dead. Specifically, it incorporates a vocal snippet from "Unbroken Chain," which forms the phrase "What would I want? Sky" and is woven into the second half of the track123. - Two-Part Composition:
The song is divided into two distinct sections:- The first half is a dense, psychedelic collage with complex, off-kilter drum breaks and swirling, layered vocals—a sound reminiscent of DJ Shadow’s sample-based work42.
- The second half shifts into a more melodic, blissful groove in 7/8 time, where the Grateful Dead sample appears, and the song becomes notably more accessible and euphoric425.
- Atmosphere and Mood:
The track balances experimental rhythms and textures with a sense of warmth and optimism. Critics have described it as both relaxing and exciting, with a mood that feels like drifting between sleep and wakefulness65.
Lyrical Themes
- The lyrics are abstract and introspective, touching on themes of anxiety, self-reflection, and the desire for lightness: "I should be floating, but I'm weighted by thinking"
and
"Will I get to move on soon?"
These lines express a longing for release from overthinking and a hope for emotional uplift45. - The refrain “I think I can, I think I can, I think I” (echoing the children’s story The Little Engine That Could) closes the song on a hopeful, mantra-like note64.
Reception and Legacy
- The song has been widely praised as one of Animal Collective’s best, with critics noting its seamless blend of experimentalism and pop accessibility47.
- Its use of the Grateful Dead sample was endorsed by Dead bassist Phil Lesh, highlighting a unique bridge between experimental pop and classic rock influences3.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Release | 2009 (Fall Be Kind EP) |
| Notable Sample | Grateful Dead’s "Unbroken Chain" (first officially licensed Dead sample in a commercial song) |
| Structure | Two-part: psychedelic intro, melodic 7/8 groove with sample |
| Lyrical Themes | Anxiety, hope, self-reflection, desire for emotional release |
| Reception | Critically acclaimed, considered a highlight of the band’s catalog |
| Legacy | Bridges experimental pop with classic rock, praised for innovation and emotional resonance |
"What Would I Want? Sky" is celebrated for its inventive structure, emotional depth, and its historic role in sampling, making it a defining track for both Animal Collective and experimental pop music1423.
