Monkey
Counting Crows Lyrics


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All dressed up
No place to go
Hey monkey, when you gonna show your face around me?
I know all the wrongs and rights
And I just want a little light to fall on me

Hey monkey, where you been?
This lonely spiral I've been in
Hey monkey, when can we begin?
Hey monkey, where you been?

We'll I'm all messed up
That's nothing new
Hey monkey, when you open up your blue eyes,
I don't know if I'm wide awake or dreaming
But all I ever need is everything

Hey monkey, where you been?
This lonely spiral I've been in
Hey monkey, when can we begin?
Hey monkey, where you been?

Just get the world off your shoulders
and close your pretty blue eyes
Hey monkey, what's life without an occasional surprise?

Got nowhere but home to go
Got Ben Folds on my radio right now
I'm in trouble for the things I need
Hey monkey don't you want to be needed too?

Hey monkey, where you been?
This lonely spiral I've been in




Hey monkey, when can we begin?
Hey monkey, where you been?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Counting Crows' song Monkey convey a sense of loneliness and longing, as the singer addresses a monkey who seems to represent his inner desire for companionship, understanding, and emotional connection. The opening line, "All dressed up, no place to go" suggests a feeling of being stuck or directionless, and the repeated question asking the monkey when it will show its face around him reveals a sense of anticipation and hopefulness. The singer then laments his own shortcomings and expresses a desire to have some clarity or guidance, saying "I know all the wrongs and rights, and I just want a little light to fall on me."


The chorus brings about a sense of urgency as the singer asks the monkey where it has been and when they can begin to find the connection that he desperately needs. The second verse gives a sense of confusion as he mentions being "all messed up" and not knowing if he is "wide awake or dreaming" when the monkey finally shows up. However, he still feels that all he needs is the monkey's companionship and understanding. He then asks the monkey to close its eyes and let go of the world's burdens, to embrace the occasional surprise that makes life worth living.


Overall, the lyrics to Monkey convey a sense of yearning for understanding and connection, while also acknowledging the singer's own faults and confusion. The monkey serves as a symbol for the elusive but crucial emotional bond he seeks.


Line by Line Meaning

All dressed up
I'm ready and willing to go out and have fun.


No place to go
But unfortunately, I have nowhere to go at the moment.


Hey monkey, when you gonna show your face around me?
Monkey here is a representation of someone the singer is waiting for to come around and bring excitement into their life.


I know all the wrongs and rights
The artist has a good understanding of what's right and what's wrong.


And I just want a little light to fall on me
Despite their understanding, the artist wants a bit of guidance on their situation.


Hey monkey, where you been?
The singer is still eagerly waiting for the person they're calling 'monkey'.


This lonely spiral I've been in
The singer feels stuck in a rut of loneliness and needs a change.


Hey monkey, when can we begin?
The artist is asking for the monkey to bring some excitement back into their life.


We'll I'm all messed up
The artist is feeling mixed up and confused.


That's nothing new
Unfortunately, this feeling is not new to the artist.


Hey monkey, when you open up your blue eyes,
The singer still feels like their happiness is dependent on this 'monkey' person.


I don't know if I'm wide awake or dreaming
The artist is unsure of whether they're in reality or still dreaming of what could be.


But all I ever need is everything
The singer knows that they're asking for a lot from this person, but it's all they really want.


Just get the world off your shoulders
The singer wants their 'monkey' to relax and stop worrying about everything else in their life.


and close your pretty blue eyes
Continuing the above sentiment that rest and relaxation is key.


Hey monkey, what's life without an occasional surprise?
The artist reminds the monkey that life is all about occasional surprises and joy.


Got nowhere but home to go
The artist is stuck at home with nothing to do at the moment.


Got Ben Folds on my radio right now
But at least they have good music to listen to.


I'm in trouble for the things I need
The singer is aware that their needs may not be seen as typical or expected of someone in their position, leading to some issues.


Hey monkey don't you want to be needed too?
The artist reminds the monkey that they're also needed and appreciated in the artist's life.


Hey monkey, where you been?
Once again, the artist is still eagerly waiting for the monkey to show up.


This lonely spiral I've been in
The artist is still feeling stuck and alone.


Hey monkey, when can we begin?
The singer is still asking the monkey to bring some excitement and happiness to their life.


Hey monkey, where you been?
And they're still waiting for the monkey to show up.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID LYNN BRYSON, ADAM FREDRIC DURITZ, CHARLES THOMAS GILLINGHAM, MATTHEW MARK MALLEY, BEN G MIZE, DANIEL JOHN VICKREY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@CamVonBarren

All dressed up
No place to go
Hey monkey, when you gonna show your face around me?
I know all the wrongs and rights
And I just want a little light to fall on me
Hey monkey, where you been?
This lonely spiral I've been in
Hey monkey, when can we begin?
Hey monkey, where you been?
We'll I'm all messed up
That's nothing new
Hey monkey, when you open up your blue eyes
I don't know if I'm wide awake or dreaming
But all I ever need is everything
Hey monkey, where you been?
This lonely spiral I've been in
Hey monkey, when can we begin?
Hey monkey, where you been?
Just get the world off your shoulders
And close your pretty blue eyes
Hey monkey, what's life without an occasional surprise?
Got nowhere but home to go
Got Ben Folds on my radio right now
I'm in trouble for the things I need
Hey monkey don't you want to be needed too?
Hey monkey, where you been?
This lonely spiral I've been in
Hey monkey, when can we begin?
Hey monkey, where you been?



All comments from YouTube:

@bneyens

I love this song, it takes me back to being 20 years old in 2000

@hoarbaby

Same bro, glad I lived through the goat era

@pandemonionapandemiaprofal5679

Me too...

@InAnotherLife90

I could live inside this song forever. Indescribable feeling

@drinkuntilyoupodcast

This has been in my head all day

@3o3brine28

He wrote this song for Courtney Cox. They dated in 1996 and were fairly serious. I saw him talk about it in an an interview. She’s also in the video for ‘Long December’.

@docholiday13

Incorrect....This song is actually about a contemporary who happens to be in the lyrics btw. “Got nowhere but home to go / I’ve got Ben Folds on my radio right now.”

@TheJavaMonkey

One of my favorite songs. Since I was a baby, my older sister called me monkey... plus the lyrics have a lot of emotional weight to me.

@Camiel96

This song is like a comforting hug

@madwacka

I was so freakishly excited when I heard about this album coming out!!! I loved the way it rises and falls throughout the disc. awesome from start to finish. also, this song was the first time I ever heard the name Ben Folds...who I obviously rushed to listen to and found to be amazing!!!!

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