Unsigned band from Los Angeles, California. Members: Ben Graupner, Jackson … Read Full Bio ↴Unsigned band from Los Angeles, California. Members: Ben Graupner, Jackson Rathbone, Jerad Anderson, Ben Johnson and Uncle Larry. Their music style is a mix of psychobilly, 2-step, blues and jazz.

"Two robots made music by banging stuff around. We stole their idea. Everything is done in one take, one track. No editing. We are not robots. We make up all the words as we go along. We're not responsible.

"Ben G - was assembled in the port of juarang, but his parts were made in thailand. traveled to the states in 91 with his brother and mule, and they never would've made it if ben wasn't a submersible, "that means i work underwater." ben started playing music two januarys ago.

Ben J. - discovered in the woods of illinois, captured and brought to NY where he learned to hit things in rhythmic fashion that pleas-eth the ear. rescued by spencer bell, and brought to WI where he continued to hit things in rhythmic delight for the band, The Stevedores. After braving the winters of WI, he migrated southwest to Los Angeles, and started hitting things in rhythmic fashion that so pleas-eth the ear as a 100 Monkey.

J. Action - parts made in indonesia, assembled in singapore, raised on airplane peanuts and bathed in airport restroom sinks, he was saved by texas. given a guitar and a coat he accidentally ventured into the unknown... a wormhole opened, and he found himself in La La Land. he learned how to stand where they told him to, say what they told him to and never lie. rescued by the 100 Monkeys, he now swings about the stage in gratitude.

J. Rad - an agile primate, swung on bars and competed as an acrobat for many years. Is of a rare breed, having the ability to communicate via sign language. He adapted to a coastal habitat, surfing and skateboarding as a way to pass time. However, it wasn’t until he mastered the technique of the singing strings and melodic hammer machine, that the 100 monkeys rushed to claim him as their own.

Uncle - Known only as Uncle since discovered at the age of four by a band of traveling musicians, he wouldn’t stop hitting things. For that reason he was given a drum and put to work. After learning the meaning of life at the age of seven he found learning every instrument a simple task. He proceeded to continue his travels and learned all knowledge worth learning. After happening upon a troupe of monkeys he officially became a monkeys’ uncle.

Smoke
100 Monkeys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I take myself down in my own reckoning
It's beckoning me on
Still there's something wrong with me
I don't know
Could it be all the smoke?

(All the smoke x4)

Oh woe oh woe oh woe is me
I drown in my own ecstasy oh woe
Oh woe
Away, away, away with me
I'm unimportant
C'est la vie

Away, away

All these thoughts roam in my head
Will protect me from those snazzy beds
So instead of nights spent warm in dream
I scream I'm a demon of lust

I love you much too much
I love it much too much
I love it much too much
I love it much too much

Must be some demon of lust
Must be holding a grudge
Must be some gluttonous
(Watch your mouth)

I love it much too much

(This is how we love it x4)

Well I'm drawn in the smoke
And I'm starting to choke
As I pull on my coat
With this lighter I hold
Oh it's the flame that's delivering another fine dose
(Sweet sweet smoke)

Yes I'm drowning in smoke
(Sweet sweet smoke)
And I'm starting to choke
As I pull on my coat
(Sweet sweet smoke)
With this lighter I hold
Oh it's the flame that's delivering
(Sweet sweet smoke)
Another fine dose
Sweet sweet smoke

Ask me how I cope with this I say
I'm a lazy masochist I know

I love you much too much
I love it much too much
I love it much too much
I love it much too much

Must be some demon of lust
Must be holding a grudge
Must be some gluttonous
(Say that)

I love it much too much

This is how we love it (x4)

Overall Meaning

The song "Smoke" by 100 Monkeys is a track that depicts a person's self-reflection and introspection about the choices they make in life. The first verse starts with the singer acknowledging their reckoning and how it beckons them. However, the singer also recognizes that there is something wrong with them but cannot quite place their finger on it. They ask if it could be because of the smoke, emphasizing it with the repetition of the phrase "all the smoke" four times. Through this, the song symbolically references smoking as a metaphor for the things that could be weighing the person down in their life, be it poor choices or harmful indulgences.

The second verse delves deeper into the singer's thoughts, with the lyrics describing how they protect their thoughts from "snazzy beds." Instead of spending peaceful nights dreaming, they shout and revel in being a "demon of lust," a symbol directly representing their indulgent and self-destructive behavior. The singer explains that they love too much and must be some demon of lust, holding a grudge or being gluttonous.

The chorus highlights the song's theme of indulgence, with the repetition of "I love it much too much," emphasizing the singer's conflict about their actions. They mention their coping mechanism, being lazy masochism, and express their affection for something they know is harmful. The song's overall tone is reflective and introspective, conveying a message about the consequences of making poor choices, even if they feel pleasurable or satisfying in the moment.

Line by Line Meaning

I take myself down in my own reckoning
I lower my own opinion of myself

It's beckoning me on
It's tempting and alluring me

Still there's something wrong with me
I sense that I have some problems

I don't know
I'm not sure what's causing these problems

Could it be all the smoke?
Is it possible that smoking is causing my problems?

Oh woe oh woe oh woe is me
I am feeling upset and distressed

I drown in my own ecstasy oh woe
I am overwhelmed by my own pleasure and enjoyment

Away, away, away with me
I want to escape and be alone

I'm unimportant
I feel insignificant and irrelevant

C'est la vie
That's life

All these thoughts roam in my head
My mind is filled with many thoughts

Will protect me from those snazzy beds
These thoughts are keeping me from sleeping comfortably

So instead of nights spent warm in dream
Instead of having peaceful dreams while asleep

I scream I'm a demon of lust
My thoughts and desires are overpowering me

I love you much too much
My love for you is overwhelming

Must be some demon of lust
Perhaps there is a dark force driving my desire

Must be holding a grudge
This force may be angered or resentful

Must be some gluttonous
It may be greedy and insatiable

Watch your mouth
Be careful what you say

Well I'm drawn in the smoke
I am entranced by the smoke

And I'm starting to choke
The smoke is having an adverse effect on me

As I pull on my coat
I put on my coat

With this lighter I hold
I have a lighter in my hand

Oh it's the flame that's delivering another fine dose
The flame is causing me to inhale more smoke

Yes I'm drowning in smoke
I am overwhelmed by the smoke

And I'm starting to choke
I am having trouble breathing

Sweet sweet smoke
Referring to the perceived pleasure of smoking

Ask me how I cope with this I say
If you asked me how I deal with my problems

I'm a lazy masochist I know
I am aware that I am indulging in self-destructive behavior

This is how we love it (x4)
This is how we indulge in unhealthy behaviors

I love it much too much
I have an unhealthy attachment to smoking

Contributed by Michael V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

Brianna Salazar

12y

Jackson's voice sounds SO different in this, but at times, you can definitely tell that it's him singing. This song is definitely my favorite from them, they're so unique. Jackson is so freaking beautiful, oh my god. <3