Monkey Gone To Heaven
Frank Black Lyrics

The song "Monkey Gone to Heaven" by Frank Black (of the Pixies) has been interpreted in numerous ways, but one of the most common takes on the song is that it's about environmental destruction and how human actions are leading to catastrophic consequences. The song starts by introducing an "underwater guy who controlled the sea" (possibly a reference to Poseidon or some other mythological figure) who gets killed by "ten million pounds of sludge from New York and New Jersey." This suggests that even powerful entities are vulnerable to the consequences of human waste and pollution.

The chorus repeats the phrase "This monkey's gone to heaven" four times in a row, which seems to suggest that the singer (perhaps representing humanity as a whole) is trying to come to terms with the idea that an innocent, non-human creature has ended up dying or going to heaven as a result of human actions. The second verse introduces a "creature in the sky" who gets "sucked in a hole," leading to a "hole in the sky" and potentially catastrophic global warming ("everything is gonna burn"). The reference to "taking turns" and "getting mine, too" suggests that the singer realizes that they are also complicit in environmental destruction and will face the consequences sooner or later.

The final section of the song plays around with numerology, with the suggestion being that if humans are only at level 5, then the devil is at level 6 and God is at level 7. This could be interpreted as a warning that humans need to get their act together to avoid descending into hellish conditions. Overall, "Monkey Gone to Heaven" is a haunting and thought-provoking song that uses apocalyptic imagery to warn us about the real-world consequences of environmental neglect and the need for humans to take responsibility for their actions.