Monkey In Your Soul
Steely Dan Lyrics
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It's so hard to help you
I can't keep up with you no more
And you treat me like it's a sin
But you can't lock me in
You want me here with you right to the end
No thank you my friend
I fear the monkey in your soul
Won't you turn that bebop down
I can't hear my heart beat
Where's that fatback chord I found?
Honey don't you think it was wrong
To interrupt my song?
I'll pack my things and run so far from here
Goodbye dear
I fear the monkey in your soul
The lyrics to "Monkey In Your Soul" by Steely Dan are about a dysfunctional relationship where one person is constantly demanding more from the other person without reciprocating the same level of effort or appreciation. The singer expresses frustration with the other person's constant demands for more, even when they can't keep up. The line "I fear the monkey in your soul" adds a layer of complexity to the lyrics, suggesting that the other person has some deeper issue or problem that is causing them to behave this way. The use of the word "monkey" is interesting because it can be interpreted in many different ways - it could refer to a playful, mischievous spirit or something darker and more imposing.
The second half of the song shifts in tone and becomes more lighthearted, as the singer decides to leave the dysfunctional relationship behind. The reference to bebop and fatback chords in the second verse adds a musical dimension to the lyrics, suggesting that the singer is a musician who feels stifled by the demands of the other person. Ultimately, the singer decides to leave, saying "I'll pack my things and run so far from here, goodbye dear." The song ends with a repetition of the line "I fear the monkey in your soul," which suggests that the singer may still have some unresolved feelings or fears about the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I got one and you want four
You keep asking me for more than I can give
It's so hard to help you
You are difficult to assist and make things hard for me
I can't keep up with you no more
I'm not able to match your pace anymore
And you treat me like it's a sin
Your treatment of me makes it seem like I have done something wrong
But you can't lock me in
You cannot force me to stay with you
You want me here with you right to the end
You desire my presence with you until everything ends
No thank you my friend
I would prefer to decline your offer of staying with you
I fear the monkey in your soul
I am scared of the dark, dangerous desires within you
Won't you turn that bebop down
Can you please lower the volume of that fast-paced jazz music?
I can't hear my heart beat
The music is so loud that I can't feel in tune with myself anymore
Where's that fatback chord I found?
I seem to have misplaced or lost that particular chord in the music I was working on
Honey don't you think it was wrong
My dear, do you not see the mistake you have made?
To interrupt my song?
Why did you disrupt my creative process while I was singing?
I'll pack my things and run so far from here
I will gather my belongings and leave this place, separating myself from you
Goodbye dear
Farewell, my darling
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind