The Monkey
J. C. Davis Lyrics

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Now there's a place right across town, whenever you're ready
Where the people gather 'round, whenever they're ready
And then the music begins to play
You feel a groove comin' on its way

Are you ready? Yes I'm ready.
You get yours, I got mine
For the monkey time, monkey time

Now this dance that the people do, don't know how it started
All I know is when the beat brings the feel
it's hard to get parted
And then the music begins to play
And automatically you're on your way

Are you ready? Yes I'm ready.
You get yours, I got mine
for the monkey time, monkey time

Do the monkey yeah,
Do the monkey yeah,
Do the monkey yeah, yeah
Do the monkey yeah, yeah

Twist them hips
Let your backbone slip
Now move your feet
Get on the beat

Are you ready? Yes I'm ready.
You get yours, I got mine
for the monkey time, monkey time

[spoken]
Say Fee, are you ready tonight?
I'm ready baby.
But you're ready for what, Fee?
I'm ready to do the monkey.
But are you ready for my monkey?
I'm ready, and my monkey's ready.
Your monkey?! Oooo, you'd better put that baby on a chain!
Say baby, my monkey know what he talkin' about.
Now stop it Fee!

Want a whole lot o' love tonight
Treat your monkey right

Want a whole lot o' love tonight
Monkey time tonight

Overall Meaning

The song "The Monkey" by J. C. Davis is about a place across town where people gather together whenever they are ready to listen to some music and start dancing. Davis talks about how the dance which these people do started, but he is not sure about it. However, one thing he is sure about is that when the music begins to play and the beat hits, you feel the groove coming on its way, and you are on your way to dance.

The song encourages the listener to do the monkey dance and move their hips, letting your backbone slip, and moving your feet to get on the beat. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, with the repetition of the phrase "Are you ready? Yes, I'm ready" emphasizes the invitation to the listener to participate in the fun.

The lyrics suggest that the monkey dance is a fun and straightforward dance that everyone can join in. The monkey here might be a symbol of having fun and going wild. The singer sets the tone of the song by asking if the listener is ready to join in with the monkey dance. The song's beat is infectious, and the singer encourages everyone to get on the beat, letting the music move them.

Line by Line Meaning

Now there's a place right across town, whenever you're ready
There's a gathering spot nearby whenever someone wants to head out and party.

Where the people gather 'round, whenever they're ready
People flock to that place any time they want to let loose.

And then the music begins to play
The party starts and the music kicks in.

You feel a groove comin' on its way
The beat makes everyone start to dance and lose themselves in the rhythm.

Are you ready? Yes I'm ready.
The lyrics are calling out to everyone at the party, asking if they're ready to let loose and dance.

You get yours, I got mine
Everyone can have their own fun at the party in their own way.

For the monkey time, monkey time
'Monkey time' represents the funky dance party atmosphere.

Now this dance that the people do, don't know how it started
The origins and meaning of the dance are unknown but everyone enjoys it anyway.

All I know is when the beat brings the feel
The only thing that matters is how the music makes everyone feel.

it's hard to get parted
People become so engrossed in the fun that they don't want to leave the party.

Do the monkey yeah, Do the monkey yeah, Do the monkey yeah, yeah Do the monkey yeah, yeah
The lyrics are encouraging everyone to join in on the dance and enjoy the funky monkey-themed party.

Twist them hips Let your backbone slip Now move your feet Get on the beat
The lyrics are providing instructions on how to do the monkey dance.

[spoken] Say Fee, are you ready tonight? I'm ready baby. But you're ready for what, Fee? I'm ready to do the monkey. But are you ready for my monkey? I'm ready, and my monkey's ready. Your monkey?! Oooo, you'd better put that baby on a chain! Say baby, my monkey know what he talkin' about. Now stop it Fee!
This dialogue is a playful exchange between two people about getting ready to enjoy the party and dance to the Monkey song.

Want a whole lot o' love tonight Treat your monkey right Want a whole lot o' love tonight Monkey time tonight
The lyrics are urging everyone to enjoy the party and have a great time during monkey time.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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