Contributors:

The TMBG FAQ

Jonathan Chaffer

Mark Pickett

Matt Shapiro

There seems to be a bit of confusion about the scientific classifications mentioned in the song, so here they are in a handy-dandy table:

• Class Mammalia
  • Subclass Prototheria
    • Infraclass Allotheria
      • Order Monotremata
      • Order Multitubercalata
    • Infraclass Eotheria
  • Subclass Theria
    • Infraclass Patriotheria
    • Infraclass Metatheria
    • Infraclass Eutheria

Now that that is clear, on to the song. It doesn't require much deep insight to see that the song is singing about mammals. No hidden meaning; The song simply lists some characteristics of the class and mentions quite a few of its members. Some interesting wordplay is associated with this, as the Johns allude to the human race as "the monkey with no tail." The song reminds many of "Schoolhouse Rock." Another note is that the song is unusual in covering the topic of mammals, whilst many other popular songs concern birds, flowers, and trees; less generalizations can be made about class Mammalia.