"Living Like an Animal" is a powerful, socially conscious track from Billy Strings' 2017 debut solo album, Turmoil & Tinfoil. The song reflects on the struggles of those caught in a broken system, feeling "down on all fours" while trying to survive in a world that can feel indifferent to human effort.

Key features of the song include:

Thematic Message: Billy Strings has described the song as prying into "issues of personhood and community". It explores the feeling of being trapped by circumstances, with lyrics that depict the singer as "rotting from the inside out" and "hiding in the shade".

Raw Instrumentation: The studio version stands out for its clawhammer banjo work, providing a gritty, "old-timey" foundation for the track.

Improvisational Nature: Strings intentionally left the song free-form and unwritten, allowing it to flow into extended jams during live performances.

Live Staples: On the touring circuit, it is frequently paired with other high-energy tracks; notable versions include transitions into Me and My Uncle or The Cuckoo.