Black Mambo

Black Mambo is the second track on and first single from Glass Animals' debut album ZABA. In a literal sense, the song is about a sloth and a mole facing off in a game of dominoes. In a track-by-track, frontman Dave Bayley mentions that he thought of the song material while watching Breaking Bad. In Breaking Bad, Walter White is constantly facing off against adversaries that he seems outmatched by. Though usually the underdog, he uses his intellect to achieve his goals. With this in mind, the song is more vaguely about this notion: being outmatched by an opponent but trying to keep step with them.

[Verse 1] "What’ll it be now Mr. Mole?" Whispers sloth in curls of smoke "Take a back seat, or play pharaoh Dance with me and shake your bones" [Chorus] Slow down It’s a science He’s been waiting to Bring you down Snake eyed With a sly smile He can hold you And shake you dry [Verse 2] Leopards laze each on plush pillows Slender capes of red and chrome Paperback dreams in their deep doze Twitch their toes to black mambo [Chorus] Slow down It’s a science He’s been waiting to Bring you down Snake eyed With a sly smile He can hold you And shake you dry [Verse 3] Wanna play cheat now says the sloth A domino flush to his nose Tickle that cheek and take your throne Pump your veins with gushing gold [Chorus] Slow down It’s a science He’s been waiting to Bring you down Snake eyed With a sly smile He can hold you And shake you dry [Outro] We can hold you We can hold you We can hold you We can hold you We can hold you We can hold you We can hold you We can hold you