Manu Chao, born José-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao on June 21, 1961, in Paris, … Read Full Bio ↴Manu Chao, born José-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao on June 21, 1961, in Paris, France, is a multifaceted musician celebrated for his eclectic musical style and socially conscious lyrics. Chao's musical journey began in the vibrant Parisian music scene, where he immersed himself in diverse influences ranging from punk and rock to reggae and salsa. Co-founding the band Mano Negra in 1987, Chao showcased his knack for blending genres, resulting in international acclaim with albums like "Patchanka" (1988) and "Casa Babylon" (1994). Following the dissolution of Mano Negra in 1995, Chao embarked on a prolific solo career, marked by albums such as "Clandestino" (1998) and "Próxima Estación: Esperanza" (2001), where he continued to push musical boundaries while addressing social and political issues. Incorporating elements of street music and bar scenes from various cultures, Chao formed Radio Bemba Sound System, collaborating with musicians from Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina to create a vibrant fusion of sounds. His innovative use of technology, including recording exclusively on a laptop, reflects his commitment to artistic experimentation. Through his music, Chao has championed themes of cultural diversity, social justice, and global solidarity, earning him a revered status as a visionary musician and cultural ambassador.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manu_Chao

Discography
Clandestino (1998)
Próxima Estación: Esperanza (2001)
Radio Bemba Sound System (2002)
Sibérie m'était contéee (2004)
La Radiolina (2007)
Baionarena (2008)

The Monkey
Manu Chao Lyrics

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Now three little monkeys sat on a coconut tree
Discussing things has they are said to be
Said one to the other, "Now listen you two
There is a certain rumor that can't be true"

"That man descended from our noble race
The funny idea is a big disgrace
No monkey ever deserted his wife

Nor her baby and ruin her life"

I said, "Yeah, monkey speaks his mind"

"And another thing you will never see
A monkey build a fence around a coconut tree
And let all the coconuts go to waste
Forbidding all other monkeys to come and taste
Now if I build a fence around this tree
Starvation will cause you to steal from me"

I said, "Yeah, the monkey speaks his mind"

"Here is another thing a monkey won't do
Go out at night and get on a stew
Or use a gun a club or a knife
To take another monkey's life"

"Yes, man descended the worthless bum
But my god, brothers from us he did not come"

Yeah, the monkey speaks his mind

Overall Meaning

In "The Monkey," Manu Chao explores the idea that humans are not as noble as they often cast themselves to be. The song begins with three monkeys sitting on a coconut tree, discussing a rumor that human beings descended from their noble race. One of the monkeys states that the idea is a big disgrace, as no monkey has ever deserted his wife or her baby and ruined her life. The lyrics suggest that humans, on the other hand, often behave in ways that are far from noble. The song then goes on to explore other ways in which the behavior of monkeys is often superior to that of humans.

The message of the song is that human beings need to recognize their own shortcomings and learn a thing or two from the monkeys. The monkeys in the song are portrayed as wise and thoughtful creatures that are far more in tune with nature and in balance with the world around them than humans are. By contrast, humans are portrayed as selfish and destructive creatures that have lost touch with their natural environment and each other.

Overall, "The Monkey" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that challenges listeners to question our own assumptions about what it means to be human in a world dominated by technology and consumerism.

Line by Line Meaning

Now three little monkeys sat on a coconut tree
Three monkeys were sitting on a tree; possibly discussing something.

Discussing things has they are said to be
The monkeys were talking amongst themselves as monkeys do.

Said one to the other, "Now listen you two
One monkey addressed the other two monkeys, telling them to listen.

There is a certain rumor that can't be true"
The monkey suggests that there is a rumor about their existence that is definitely untrue.

"That man descended from our noble race
The monkey acknowledges that Man supposedly came from the same evolutionary ancestry as they did.

The funny idea is a big disgrace
However, the monkey finds the whole concept absurd and an insult.

No monkey ever deserted his wife
Monkeys never abandon their mates.

Nor her baby and ruin her life"
They never abandon their offsprings either.

I said, "Yeah, monkey speaks his mind"
The artist agrees that monkeys have an opinion, just like humans.

"And another thing you will never see
The monkey lists another example to explain himself.

A monkey build a fence around a coconut tree
Monkeys don't restrict other monkeys by creating barriers that prevent them from accessing what is naturally theirs.

And let all the coconuts go to waste
If they did, it would lead to scarcity and the wastage of coconut resources.

Forbidding all other monkeys to come and taste
Creating a fence will prevent other monkeys from accessing the resources, making them starve and die.

Now if I build a fence around this tree
The monkey proposes a hypothetical situation.

Starvation will cause you to steal from me"
If scarcity occurs, the monkeys that cannot access resources will have no other option but to steal from their fellow monkeys.

I said, "Yeah, the monkey speaks his mind"
The artist reaffirms that monkeys are vocal about their thoughts and opinions.

"Here is another thing a monkey won't do
The monkey lists another thing that they cannot do.

Go out at night and get on a stew
Monkeys don't eat each other.

Or use a gun a club or a knife
Monkeys, unlike humans, don't possess weapons to harm one another.

To take another monkey's life"
Killing another monkey goes against their values and instincts.

"Yes, man descended the worthless bum
The monkey insults humans by implying that they have lost their way in the evolution process and become helpless and useless.

But my god, brothers from us he did not come"
Despite sharing evolutionary ancestry, the monkey still sees a line dividing humans from monkeys.

Yeah, the monkey speaks his mind
The singer's final conclusion is an affirmation of monkeys' capability to express themselves.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, PEARL KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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