"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.
The Monkey Song
100 Monkeys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd sleep in the trees
I'd do my best to imitate the man
Who does his best not to imitate me
You know I'd have thumbs just like a man
But none of the obligations
Yeah everything I'm tied to now would be gone,
Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
I'd like to be a monkey, be monkeys with you
Cause I'm a monkey by myself with a lot of shit to do
I'd like to be a monkey, be monkeys with you
Cause I'm a monkey by myself
I'm in trouble with my family
I'm in trouble with the law
I'm in trouble financially
I guess you could say I get in trouble a lot
I've danced frantically in passion
I've lain motionless in apathy
But all I wanna do is swing in a tree away from the agony of
Love and sex and drugs (x3)
And all, and all of the lack there-ofs
I'd like to be a monkey, be monkeys with you
Cause I'm a monkey by myself with a lot of shit to do
I'd like to be a monkey, be monkeys with you
Cause I'm a monkey by myself
And if I was a monkey I'd be very, very funky
And abundance of bananas, monkey bitches and the skunky
Big red eyes and a big red ass
Chillin' in my monkey bungalow made of sticks and grass
The monkey life is the life for me
Not a pirate or MMC
MC spider monkey, the fly white hunky,
the king of the jungle, the pimp in the palm trees
Dipping, sipping on coconut wine
Blinging out my rings
Busting out my rhymes
Cruising in my pint size Escalade
Smoking Philly Blunts in the shade
This monkey's got it made
This monkey's got it made
This monkey's got it made
This monkey's got it made
The Monkey Song by 100 Monkeys expresses a longing to escape from the pressures and responsibilities of the human world and live a simpler life as a monkey. The singer fantasizes about having none of the obligations that come with being a human and instead living a carefree life in the trees, imitating the man who does his best not to imitate him. He expresses frustration with the many troubles he faces in his human life, including family issues, legal problems, and financial struggles. Despite experiencing intense emotions such as passion and apathy, the singer wishes to escape the pain and complexity of love, sex, and drugs, and instead swing away from it all as a monkey.
The song presents a contrast between the stress and difficulties of human life and the ease and freedom of monkey life. The lyrics are humorous and irreverent, with the singer imagining himself surrounded by monkey bitches and bling while cruising in a pint-sized Escalade and smoking Philly Blunts, all while living in a bungalow made of sticks and grass. Overall, The Monkey Song is a lighthearted commentary on the challenges of modern life and a playful expression of the desire to simplify and escape.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I was a monkey
I desire to be a monkey
I'd sleep in the trees
I would rest in the branches of trees
I'd do my best to imitate the man
I would strive to copy the actions of humans
Who does his best not to imitate me
The man endeavors to avoid being like me
You know I'd have thumbs just like a man
I would possess opposable thumbs similar to humans
But none of the obligations
However, I would not have any of the responsibilities
Yeah everything I'm tied to now would be gone, Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
Everything that restrains me currently would disappear completely
I'd like to be a monkey, be monkeys with you
I desire to join in monkey-like behavior with you
Cause I'm a monkey by myself with a lot of shit to do
Because I am a monkey alone with a lot of tasks to complete
I'm in trouble with my family
I am having issues with my relatives
I'm in trouble with the law
I have problems with the judicial system
I'm in trouble financially
I am having financial difficulties
I guess you could say I get in trouble a lot
One could argue that I encounter issues frequently
I've danced frantically in passion
I have vigorously danced out of strong emotion
I've lain motionless in apathy
I have remained still out of disinterest
But all I wanna do is swing in a tree away from the agony of Love and sex and drugs (x3)
However, all I truly want is to swing in a tree far from the anguish brought on by Love, sex, and drugs
And all, and all of the lack there-ofs
And all of the absences that are associated with them
And if I was a monkey I'd be very, very funky
If I were a monkey, I would be extremely cool and stylish
And abundance of bananas, monkey bitches and the skunky
I would have plenty of bananas, female monkeys, and marijuana
Big red eyes and a big red ass
Large eyes and a sizable behind
Chillin' in my monkey bungalow made of sticks and grass
Taking it easy in my monkey dwelling constructed from organic materials
The monkey life is the life for me
The lifestyle of a monkey would suit me perfectly
Not a pirate or MMC
I do not wish to be a pirate or MMC
MC spider monkey, the fly white hunky
A white, attractive male with great skills at rapping
The king of the jungle, the pimp in the palm trees
The ruler of the jungle who also acts as a pimp in the palms
Dipping, sipping on coconut wine
Immersing myself and consuming coconut-based alcoholic beverages
Blinging out my rings
Decorating my rings with valuable gemstones
Busting out my rhymes
Exhibiting and performing my lyrical creations
Cruising in my pint size Escalade
Driving around in my small Escalade
Smoking Philly Blunts in the shade
Enjoying Philadelphia-made cigars while sitting in shadowy areas
This monkey's got it made
I have everything I desire as a monkey
This monkey's got it made
I have everything I desire as a monkey
This monkey's got it made
I have everything I desire as a monkey
This monkey's got it made
I have everything I desire as a monkey
Contributed by Cameron I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ron Hachey
Just found out that Uncle Larry (Larry Abrams) has passed away. Had the pleasure of meeting him in Toronto at one of their concerts.He was a great musician and may he R.I.P
Ginger Ale
I didn't know that, thank you for letting me know. He was an outstanding musician, may he rest in peace
Zoe Harris
Omg that spider monkey line though lol
Sascha Liri
Oh. My. GOOOD I LOVE THIIIIIIIS!! *__* ♥ EARGASM!!
adash07
Where May I download this?
SarcasmRules9
Yep, Ben J. is singing this one
thenata1995
that's BEN!!! <3
thenata1995
BEN!!! ♥
Angie4FXD
or you can buy the album
andreachickie
@adash07 itunes! or go to 100monkeysmusic. com