Released: 2017
“Safari Song” by Greta Van Fleet is a raucous, high-energy track that plunges deep into the themes of desire, love, and emotional plea. The song serves up a potent mix of electrifying guitar riffs and soulful vocals, telling the story of a person enraptured by love and longing. It’s a modern take with a classic rock heart, showcasing the band’s ability to channel the spirit of the 70s rock gods while infusing it with their fresh energy.
The song kicks off with a passionate call, as the protagonist invites this lady, this muse, to come down to his town, to his home. It’s a classic rock n’ roll proposition, rooted in the desire for connection, physical and emotional alike. The repeated appeals to “Oh mama,” a term of endearment that could be read in multiple ways, strikes a balance between wanting attention and expressing a deep-seated desire for love. The use of “mama” here isn’t maternal; it’s an old-school rock slang for a woman, a partner, echoing the intimate and somewhat pleading tone of blues-inflected rock.
As we delve into the chorus, “Ah mama, what you gonna do with all that love in your heart?” it’s a direct question that lays bare the essence of the song. The protagonist sees this love, feels it, and is almost overwhelmed by it; there’s too much love not to be shared, not to be expressed. This rhetorical question isn’t just about what the “mama” will do with her love, but it’s a plea for her to act on it, to not let it go to waste.
Further, the song transitions into expressing a desire not just for love, but for it to grow, to shine bright. It’s a push-and-pull of emotions and desires, with the protagonist wanting more than just superficial love; they’re searching for depth, for something that evolves and illuminates both their lives. The mention of “when your heart is in its place” hints at a need for emotional readiness, for the timing to be right for love to truly blossom.
The bridge reveals a vulnerability, a moment where the protagonist laid their heart on the line, “down on my knees.” This confession not just of love but of need, of not wanting to be left behind, brings a raw honesty to the track. It’s a moment of truth where pride is cast aside, showing how love can make one plead, beg, and still face the possibility of rejection. The “burnin’ fire” at the end encapsulates the intense, consuming nature of this love, an undying flame that remains, even with the prospect of being unreciprocated.
Overall, “Safari Song” is a powerful exploration of longing, love, and the complexities of human relationships. Greta Van Fleet channels the fire and fervor of classic rock, delivering a track that’s as much about the yearning for love as it is about its unyielding power to consume and compel us. It’s a modern anthem for the lovesick, wrapped in the bombastic cloak of rock’s golden era.
