Code Monkey
Jonathan Coulton Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Code Monkey get up get coffee
Code Monkey go to job
Code Monkey have boring meeting
With boring manager Rob
Rob say Code Monkey very dilligent
But his output stink
His code not “functional” or “elegant”
What do Code Monkey think?

Code Monkey think maybe manager want to write god damned login page himself
Code Monkey not say it out loud
Code Monkey not crazy, just proud

Code Monkey like Fritos
Code Monkey like Tab and Mountain Dew
Code Monkey very simple man
With big warm fuzzy secret heart:
Code Monkey like you

Code Monkey hang around at front desk
Tell you sweater look nice
Code Monkey offer buy you soda
Bring you cup, bring you ice
You say no thank you for the soda cause
Soda make you fat
Anyway you busy with the telephone
No time for chat
Code Monkey have long walk back to cubicle he sit down pretend to work
Code Monkey not thinking so straight
Code Monkey not feeling so great

Code Monkey like Fritos
Code Monkey like Tab and Mountain Dew
Code Monkey very simple man
With big warm fuzzy secret heart:
Code Monkey like you
Code Monkey like you a lot

Code Monkey have every reason
To get out this place
Code Monkey just keep on working
See your soft pretty face
Much rather wake up, eat a coffee cake
Take bath, take nap
This job “fulfilling in creative way”
Such a load of crap
Code Monkey think someday he have everything even pretty girl like you
Code Monkey just waiting for now
Code Monkey say someday, somehow

Code Monkey like Fritos
Code Monkey like Tab and Mountain Dew
Code Monkey very simple man

With big warm fuzzy secret heart:
Code Monkey like you

Overall Meaning

The song 'Code Monkey' is a satirical take on the mundanity of the life of a coder, represented by the singer Code Monkey, who despite being a hardworking employee and responsible team member is underappreciated and belittled by his boss Rob. Rob, the boring manager, acknowledges Code Monkey's diligence, but considers his output to be subpar, inefficient and unimpressive. In frustration, Code Monkey thinks that maybe Rob wants to write the "god damned login page himself," instead of providing constructive criticism or guidance.

The song captures the common sentiment of feeling in a dead-end job, where the monotony of work seeps into every aspect of life, leading to a sense of disillusionment and frustration. Even though he daydreams of quitting and being with the girl he likes, Code Monkey continues to push through his days, taking pleasure in the simple things like snacking on Fritos and drinking Mountain Dew. He even musters up the courage to compliment the girl he likes.

In essence, 'Code Monkey' comments on the under-appreciation of those who contribute towards tech companies' success, and how their dreams and aspirations often go unfulfilled, leading to feelings of despondency and an unshakeable desire to be appreciated for who they are, beyond their job titles or description.

Line by Line Meaning

Code Monkey get up get coffee
The software developer starts his day with a cup of coffee.

Code Monkey go to job
The software developer goes to work.

Code Monkey have boring meeting
The software developer has to attend a tedious meeting.

With boring manager Rob
The meeting is being conducted by uninteresting manager Rob.

Rob say Code Monkey very diligent
Manager Rob compliments the software developer's hard work.

But his output stink
However, the quality of the software developer's work is poor.

His code not “functional” or “elegant”
The code written by the software developer lacks efficiency and sophistication.

What do Code Monkey think?
The software developer is wondering what his manager is expecting from him.

Code Monkey think maybe manager want to write god damned login page himself
The software developer thinks that his manager probably wants to take over the task of writing the login page himself.

Code Monkey not say it out loud
The software developer doesn't voice his suspicion.

Code Monkey not crazy, just proud
The software developer is not paranoid about his manager but is proud of his coding skills.

Code Monkey like Fritos
The software developer enjoys eating Fritos.

Code Monkey like Tab and Mountain Dew
The software developer is fond of drinking Tab and Mountain Dew.

Code Monkey very simple man
The software developer is not a complex person.

With big warm fuzzy secret heart:
The software developer has a deep affectionate side.

Code Monkey like you
The software developer likes the person he is talking to.

Code Monkey hang around at front desk
The software developer spends time socializing at the front desk.

Tell you sweater look nice
The software developer compliments the individual's attire.

Code Monkey offer buy you soda
The developer offers to buy a soda for the person.

Bring you cup, bring you ice
The software developer offers to bring a cup and ice.

You say no thank you for the soda cause
The person declines the offer because they do not want to consume soda as it may lead to weight gain.

Soda make you fat
The software developer is aware that drinking soda can lead to weight gain.

Anyway you busy with the telephone
The individual is occupied with attending calls.

No time for chat
The person declines to chat due to their workload.

Code Monkey have long walk back to cubicle he sit down pretend to work
The software developer walks back to his cubicle to resume working.

Code Monkey not thinking so straight
The software developer is not able to concentrate properly on his work.

Code Monkey not feeling so great
The software developer is not feeling well.

Code Monkey have every reason
The software developer has numerous reasons.

To get out this place
The software developer wants to leave his current job.

Code Monkey just keep on working
Despite his desire to quit, the software developer continues to work.

See your soft pretty face
He derives motivation from seeing the individual's face.

Much rather wake up, eat a coffee cake
Despite this, he would prefer to wake up and indulge in coffee cake instead of coming to work.

Take bath, take nap
The software developer wishes to take a bath and nap instead.

This job “fulfilling in creative way”
The software developer feels that his job is creatively fulfilling.

Such a load of crap
However, he realizes that this notion is not true.

Code Monkey think someday he have everything even pretty girl like you
The software developer hopes to have everything he desires, including the person he is speaking with.

Code Monkey just waiting for now
However, for now, he is waiting patiently for this to happen.

Code Monkey say someday, somehow
The software developer hopes that someday in the future, his wishes will come true.

Code Monkey like you a lot
The software developer is really fond of the person he is speaking to.

Contributed by Asher M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS