The only two consistent members are Jon Snodgrass (guitar, vocals) and Paul Rucker (drums). It is a running joke in the band that their bassists never last long, and this gave rise to the title of their fourth album Who Wants To Play Bass? They have at points included Marko Desantis of Sugarcult and Bad Astronaut and Chad Price of ALL and Drag The River.
After a hiatus, they reformed to tour for the second half of 2007.
Blue Monkey
Armchair Martian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
this pained look in my eyes
it's painful to believe i put you out of mind
and out of sight, it's funny
tell the truth it's too easy to amuse
keeping people at a distance
they'll be your friend, they might pretend, believe it
you're always strong, and your baby's gone, believe it
do you recognize
this pained look in my eyes
it's painful to believe i put you out of mind
and out of time, it's funny
tell the truth it's too easy to abuse
keeping people at a distance
they'll be your friend, they might pretend, believe it
blue monkey...
you're always strong, and your baby's gone, believe it
it's funny, you're always strong when your baby's gone, believe it
alright boys, rock!
The lyrics of Armchair Martian's song "Blue Monkey" hint at the complexity of human emotion and relationships. The singer of the song seems to be addressing someone they have hurt and are trying to rekindle a connection with. The pained look in their eyes conveys a sense of guilt and regret for pushing this person away, but they also seem to be struggling with trust issues, keeping people at a distance to avoid being hurt.
The repetition of the line "keeping people at a distance" suggests this is a recurring pattern for the singer, one that they admit is easy but ultimately unfulfilling. The title "Blue Monkey" adds another layer of meaning to the song, as monkeys are often associated with playful, mischievous behavior but can also represent intelligence and adaptability. The color blue is traditionally linked to sadness and melancholy, so the combination of the two may symbolize the internal conflict the singer is experiencing.
Overall, "Blue Monkey" is a poignant reflection on the fragility of human connections and the difficulty of letting oneself be vulnerable in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you recognize this pained look in my eyes
Can you see the anguish in my expression?
it's painful to believe i put you out of mind and out of sight
I find it distressing to accept that I have forgotten about you and removed you from my view
tell the truth it's too easy to amuse keeping people at a distance
Admitting the truth is simple when I prevent others from getting too close
they'll be your friend, they might pretend, believe it
People might feign friendship with you, but it's deceiving
blue monkey...
An abrupt shift in the song's narrative or tone
you're always strong, and your baby's gone, believe it
You consistently display fortitude, although it's probable that you have lost someone dear to you
it's funny, you're always strong when your baby's gone, believe it
It's amusing or curious to note that you remain resilient despite your loved one's absence
do you recognize this pained look in my eyes
Can you discern the suffering etched on my face?
it's painful to believe i put you out of mind and out of time, it's funny
It's agonizing to entertain the notion that I've erased you from my thoughts and memories, yet it's ironic
tell the truth it's too easy to abuse keeping people at a distance
Telling the truth is too effortless when I isolate myself from others to prevent getting hurt again
they'll be your friend, they might pretend, believe it
People may pretend to be your friend, but it's not genuine
blue monkey...
Another sudden interjection, interrupting the previous lines
you're always strong, and your baby's gone, believe it
You maintain your strength despite losing someone close to you
alright boys, rock!
Closing statement or exclamation
Contributed by Elizabeth J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.