Monkey Island
J. Geils Band Lyrics
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Right in the middle of a zoo
Living home on monkey island, baby
Pretend to be a monkey too
Well, here I am on monkey island
Hiding behind a rock
I'm all dressed up with my monkey suit
Living home on monkey island, baby
Right in the middle of a zoo
Living home on monkey island, baby
Pretend to be a monkey too
Well there's one thing about these monkeys, baby
They don't know I'm around
But that's pretty good 'cause if they knew
They'll probably come and put me down
Living home on monkey island, baby
Right in the middle of a zoo
Living home on monkey island, baby
Pretend to be a monkey too
With my paisley tie and my one button suit
I'm about as close as I can get
I guess I must be doing okay
'Cause they haven't come and got me yet
Living home on monkey island, baby
Right in the middle of a zoo
Living home on monkey island, baby
Pretend to be a monkey too
The lyrics of J. Geils Band's song "Monkey Island" describe the singer's experience living on an island in the middle of a zoo, surrounded by monkeys. The singer is pretending to be a monkey as well, dressed up in a monkey suit and hiding behind a rock. Despite the risk of being discovered and "put down" by the monkeys, the singer seems to be doing okay, as they haven't come after him yet. The irony of the situation is that while the singer is pretending to be a monkey, he is the only one on the island who actually knows that he is human.
The song's theme seems to be about the desire to escape from the pressures of modern society and live a simpler, more primitive life. The singer is tired of the rat race and wants to retreat to a more natural state of being. However, he realizes that even in his escape, he is still subject to the rules of society, as symbolized by the monkeys who surround him.
Overall, "Monkey Island" is a playful and quirky song about the human desire to escape and live a more primitive life, but also the realization that even in our escape, we are still bound by the rules and expectations of society.
Line by Line Meaning
Living home on monkey island, baby
The singer is describing their current situation of living on an island among monkeys.
Right in the middle of a zoo
The island they are on is surrounded and a part of a zoo.
Pretend to be a monkey too
The singer is mimicking the behavior of the monkeys in order to fit in with them.
Well, here I am on monkey island
The artist is acknowledging their physical presence on the island.
Hiding behind a rock
The artist is currently hiding from the monkeys behind a rock.
I'm all dressed up with my monkey suit
The singer is wearing a costume or clothing that resembles that of a monkey.
Pretending to be something I'm not
The singer is acknowledging that wearing the monkey suit is not their true identity.
Well there's one thing about these monkeys, baby
The artist is now discussing the behavior of the actual monkeys on the island.
They don't know I'm around
The real monkeys are unaware of the artist's presence.
But that's pretty good 'cause if they knew
The artist recognizes that if the monkeys knew they were not a real monkey, they may become hostile.
They'll probably come and put me down
If the monkeys became aware of the singer's true identity, they may attack them.
With my paisley tie and my one button suit
The artist is describing their attire and standing out from the monkeys as a result.
I'm about as close as I can get
The singer recognizes that although they are trying to blend in, they will never truly be a monkey.
I guess I must be doing okay
The singer thinks they are doing a good job of pretending to be a monkey so far.
'Cause they haven't come and got me yet
The monkeys have not detected the singer's true identity, so they have not tried to attack them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER WOLF, SETH JUSTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gabriela Luz
No one could explain it
What went on that night
How every living thing
Just dropped out of sight
We watched them take the bodies
And row them back to shore
Nothing like that ever
Happened here before
On the east side of the island
Not too far from the shore
There stood the old house
Of fifty years or more
All the doors and windows
Were locked inside and out
The fate of those trapped in there
Would never be found out
There ain't no life on Monkey Island
No one cares and no one knows
The moon hangs cold on Monkey Island
The night has dealt the fatal blow
The fish jumped from the water
And started walking home
The birds all started screaming
And dove into the foam
The night came out of nowhere
And then a quiet rain
Footsteps through the darkness
Down a half forgotten lane
There ain't no life on Monkey Island
No one cares and no one knows
The moon hangs cold on Monkey Island
The night has dealt the fatal blow
There ain't no life on Monkey Island
The night has dealt the fatal blow
darkhorsejim
Incredible music during incredible times! I was a senior in high school when this came out, usually played on WBCN. I remember one night we took mescaline down at Lynn Beach & we sang along as loud as we could looking over to Nahant, tripping our brains out. And I still can't believe we used to drive around partying like that all the time & lived to tell about it!
Andy Fletcher
I literally flew my 64 Impala and 62 Impala several times. We generally stayed away fro windowpanes but would greedily devour several blotters, micro dots or barrels, then drive out in the desert stomping rats and chasing jackrabbits. Though this came out after I'd joined the Corps in 76. I still have the CD, and honestly, it's the only one of theirs I really like...And I REALLY like it. And yes, it's a wonder I still walk this planet. I miss indestructible Andy quite a bit.
Dean Horinek
It's a long way from Nahant to White Sands, the Trinity site and the Zia pueblo.
David Haener
THEY DON'T MAKE MUSIC LIKE THIS ANYMORE, WHAT A SHAME. WHAT A AWESOME, AWESOME SONG!
m ulenaers
I agree....
Nick Minardi
All the tracks on the album are awesome 🍻
R&R Peg
WOW. Its been a day since I heard this! so so good to hear it once again. So happy I got to see them open for Seger in Chicago 2 yrs ago. RIP J. Geils, Jr.
Diana Huss
Rest In Peace John Geils! Thank you for your songs that always bring back the best memories! <3
Charles Messinger
Peter Wolf along with the rest of J. Geils were the most underrated rock band of all time.
Rob Slater
Not by the bands that shared bills! Nobody wanted to follow them!