The Monkey
Elvis Costello & The Imposters Lyrics
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Was broadcast by Mr. Bartholomew
And now the world is full of sorrow and pain
And it's time for us to speak up again
You're slack and sorry
Such an arrogant brood
The only purpose you serve is to bring us our food
Outside the bars we use for keeping you out
You've taken everything that you wanted
Broke it up and plundered it and hunted
Ever since we said it
You went and took the credit
It's been headed this way since the world began
When a vicious creature took the jump from Monkey to man
Monkey to man
Every time man struggles and fails
He makes up some kind of fairy tales
After all of the misery that he has caused
He denies he's descended from the dinosaurs
Points up to heaven with cathedral spires
All the time indulging in his base desires
Ever since we said it
He went and took the credit
It's been headed this way since the world began
When a vicious creature took the jump from monkey to man
Monkey to man
Big and useless as he has become
With his crying statues and his flying bomb
Goes 'round acting like the chosen one
Excuse us if we treat him like our idiot cousin
He hangs up flowers and bells and rhymes
Hoping to hell someone's forgiven his crimes
Fills up the air with his pride and praise
He's a big disgrace to our beastly ways
In the fashionable nightclubs and finer precincts
Man uses words to dress up his vile instincts
Ever since we said it
He went and took the credit
It's been headed this way since the world began
When a vicious creature took the jump from monkey to man
Elvis Costello & The Imposters's song "Monkey to Man" is a critical commentary on the negative effects of human behavior on the environment and other living beings. The writer speaks from a non-human point of view about how humans have abused their power and abused nature. The first verse emphasizes how humans have lost their way and the consequences of their actions. Mr. Bartholomew is referred to as someone who "broadcasted" humanity's point of view and how it has led to "sorrow and pain." The second verse talks about the way people treat animals and emphasizes the arrogance and superiority humans feel towards them. The last verse talks about how humans justify their actions, even when they know they have caused harm.
The lyrics showcase a commonly known theory that humans evolved from monkeys; the song suggests that we struggle to accept this fact and often try to deny it. It's an ironic twist that the creatures we look down upon were once our ancestors. Furthermore, the lyrics suggest that humans have gone beyond what they need and have become "big and useless." They have created things like crying statues and flying bombs; things that are only significant to humans but are of no use or purpose to other creatures in this world.
In conclusion, "Monkey to Man" is a song that critiques the human behavior towards the environment and animal life. It emphasizes the arrogance and power that humans feel over other living beings and shows how this behavior has created chaos and harm all around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
A long time ago, our point of view
In the past, our perspective was disseminated by Mr. Bartholomew
And now the world is full of sorrow and pain
As a result, the world is filled with grief and suffering
And it's time for us to speak up again
We must now voice our opinions once more
You're slack and sorry
You are lacking and pitiful
Such an arrogant brood
A conceited group of beings
The only purpose you serve is to bring us our food
Your sole usefulness is in providing us with sustenance
We sit here staring at your pomp and pout
We watch you with disdainful amusement
Outside the bars we use for keeping you out
Through the barriers we use to exclude you
You've taken everything that you wanted
You have claimed everything you desired
Broke it up and plundered it and hunted
You have destroyed and looted it
Ever since we said it
From the moment we revealed it
You went and took the credit
You dishonestly attributed it to yourselves
It's been headed this way since the world began
This has occurred since the beginning of time
When a vicious creature took the jump from Monkey to man
When a cruel animal evolved into a human
Every time man struggles and fails
Whenever human beings struggle unsuccessfully
He makes up some kind of fairy tales
They invent some childish stories
After all of the misery that he has caused
Despite all of the suffering they have inflicted
He denies he's descended from the dinosaurs
They refuse to acknowledge their origins from prehistoric creatures
Points up to heaven with cathedral spires
They proclaim to be religious and reverent with their high church towers
All the time indulging in his base desires
While simultaneously giving in to their sinful needs
Big and useless as he has become
Despite being large and unproductive
With his crying statues and his flying bomb
And possessing weeping monuments and deadly machines
Goes 'round acting like the chosen one
They naively believe they are special and selected
Excuse us if we treat him like our idiot cousin
Forgive us if we ridicule and mock them like a foolish relative
He hangs up flowers and bells and rhymes
They adorn themselves with decorative flowers, chimes, and verse
Hoping to hell someone's forgiven his crimes
And pray that someone will absolve them of their wrongdoings
Fills up the air with his pride and praise
They boast and compliment themselves excessively
He's a big disgrace to our beastly ways
They are an embarrassment to our more animalistic customs
In the fashionable nightclubs and finer precincts
In the trendy clubs and upscale districts
Man uses words to dress up his vile instincts
They use language to disguise their wicked inclinations
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mysterycat74
Can we all start spreading the word about Elvis Costello to the younger generation??? They are totally missing out. Somebody do a Tik Tok to "Everyday I write the Book" or "Radio Radio" and let's get all the Gen Z'rs talking about this legend!
@moeshiner156
I second that motion!!
@cara7196
some of them are already on it. at least the ones i surround myself with.
@artistak1
I am same as you. I love his voice and music. I am from Japan and living in Oregon for 30 years.
I have been listening to his music for 37 years since my age of 18.
@vernpascal1531
@@artistak1 Nice. This is just one of 100's of good songs he has.
@vernpascal1531
I'd just add that I think Delivery Man and Punch The Clock are both great albums that should merit more acclaim. With every song being strong.
@garrettdavis6500
I LLLLOOOVVVEEE THIS VIDEO !!!! It's just so aggressively stoopid !!!!! LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!
@dragankostic26
It's bond mom to dother love letter
@geemarsh.7766
This sounds as fresh to me now as 'Radio Radio' sounded to 15 year old me. Always a fan. I can't think of any of Costello's diverse work that I haven't enjoyed.
@onthe1481
My top 5 vocalist of all time. I love Elvis's singing voice, it's completely his own I've never heard a voice like it. Love his music as well have just about everything he's done. Love the Imposters love the Attractions. Elvis Costello is Ace 🤙. I love his music so much that back in the day when I would buy CDs I'd buy two of the same CDs and give them away like "Motel Matches". I wanted everybody to hear Elvis Costello.