In the fall of 2008, MonkeyJunk was nominated for a Maple Blues Award for best new artist - a rare feat only having been in existence for 6 months and not having released a record yet . . . In February 2009, MonkeyJunk represented Ottawa, Canada at The International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, TN competing amongst 100 bands from Poland, Croatia, Norway, Italy, Israel, Sweden, France, Australia and North America. After the smoke cleared on Beale St., MonkeyJunk had placed THIRD OVERALL!
In April 2009, MonkeyJunk released their debut CD Tiger In Your Tank to critical acclaim thanks to strong support from radio internationally - namely satellite radio, CBC Radio (Canada Live and Saturday Night Blues) as well as many specialty blues radio shows from all over the world including North America, Europe, and South America. MonkeyJunk's song Small Time Evil was featured on fellow Canuck Dan Aykroyd's internationally syndicated "House Of Blues Radio Hour" Oct 4th 2009 as the "blues breaker of the week". The rest of the year saw the band tour from coast to coast in Canada and at prestigious festivals such as Fredericton, NB's Harvest Jazz & Blues festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, Mont Tremblant Blues festival, Toronto Beaches Jazz festival and others. To finish out the year, MonkeyJunk appear in Europe for the first time at the renowned Blues-Sur-Seine festival in Mantes-La-Jolie, France.
2010 started off with a bang at the Maple Blues Awards - Canada's National Blues Music Awards program. MonkeyJunk was nominated for 6 awards and won 5 of them including Entertainer of The Year and Electric Act of the Year. Tony D won for Guitar Player of the Year and Steve Marriner took the honours for Male Vocalist of the Year and Harmonica Player of the Year. At Canadian Music Week in Toronto in March 2010, Monkeyjunk beat out such respected artists as Jim Byrnes, Harrison Kennedy, Colin Linden and Colin James to win Best Blues Artist at the Canadian Independent Music Awards.
It kept rolling on for MonkeyJunk - they were nominated for a 2010 Blues Music Award (formerly WC Handy Awards) for Best New Artist Debut for Tiger In Your Tank and WON IT! They also performed at the awards ceremony as the finale for the show held at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, TN on May 6, 2010. This is likely the most prestigious award the band has been honoured with to date. MonkeyJunk is the second ever Canadian act in 30 years to win a Blues Music Award (second only to Jeff Healey who won an award last year). Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Pinetop Perkins and many other blues legends were present and the band feels very lucky to be recognized in such highly esteemed company.
The rest of 2010 will see the band touring coast to coast in Canada and internationally - appearing at your favourite juke joints, dive bars, theatres and festival stages. As well, Tiger In Your Tank has been re-released internationally on the Vizztone Label and distributed by RedEye around the world.
Go get yourself some MonkeyJunk!
http://www.monkeyjunkband.com
Matt Sobb plays LOS CABOS DRUMSTICKS and DREAM CYMBALS
Steve Marriner uses Lone Wolf Harp Co. products
With These Hands
MonkeyJunk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I won't quit ‘till the job is done
And I'll work as hard as I can
To prove that you're the one
I'll run my fingers through your hair
And if you get scared
I'll hold you just as tight as I can
I'm gonna give you everything
I've never won a fight in my life
But for you, I will never fail
However unlikely lightning may strike
Believe and you will prevail
Baby these hands can heal and they can make you feel
True love like no other can
I'm gonna give you everything
With these hands.
With these hands, with these hands
I'm gonna prove my love
With these hands, I'll give you all
You've been dreaming of
No matter when or where, baby I'll be there
Ready to be your man
I'm gonna give my love to you
With these hands.
So let me make it clear to you, my dear
I've got to know that you understand
I'm gonna hold on to you
I'm gonna hold on to you
I'm gonna hold on
Gonna hold on to you.
No matter when or where, baby I'll be there
Ready to be your man
I'm gonna give you everything
With these hands.
With these hands
With these hands
With these hands
The song "With These Hands" by MonkeyJunk is a love song filled with promises of the lengths the singer is willing to go for their loved one. The first verse emphasizes the singer's willingness to work as hard as they can to prove their love, even though they may not be used to manual labor. The phrase "I'll run my fingers through your hair" suggests a tender moment where the singer is trying to comfort their loved one, who may be scared or unsure. The chorus repeats the statement "I'm gonna give you everything" and emphasizes the use of the singer's hands to demonstrate their love. The second verse underscores the singer's dedication to their partner by stating that they have never won a fight before, but they will never fail their loved one. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the singer's willingness to give their all with their hands. The bridge clarifies and restates the singer's commitment to hold on to their loved one and be there for them whenever they need.
Overall, the song is a romantic message from the singer to their partner, expressing their deep devotion and willingness to work hard and never give up on their love. The image of the singer's hands is used as a metaphor for their dedication and effort to make their relationship work.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not much of a labouring man
I'm not used to physical labor
But I won't quit ‘till the job is done
I'll persist until the job is completed
And I'll work as hard as I can
I'll put in the maximum effort
To prove that you're the one
To show my dedication to you
I'll run my fingers through your hair
I'll affectionately touch you
And if you get scared
If you get afraid
I'll hold you just as tight as I can
I'll embrace you with all my strength
I'm gonna give you everything
I'll give you my all
With These Hands.
Using my own physical efforts
I've never won a fight in my life
I've never been victorious in physical conflicts
But for you, I will never fail
I'll always be there for you, no matter what
However unlikely lightning may strike
Despite difficult circumstances
Believe and you will prevail
Have faith, and you'll overcome any obstacle
Baby these hands can heal and they can make you feel
I can comfort and bring joy with my touch
True love like no other can
A unique and genuine affection
With these hands, with these hands
Again, using my physical efforts
I'm gonna prove my love
I'll demonstrate my affection for you
With these hands, I'll give you all
I'll give you everything I have
You've been dreaming of
What you've desired
No matter when or where, baby I'll be there
I'll always be present for you
Ready to be your man
I'm committed to you
So let me make it clear to you, my dear
Allow me to confirm something
I've got to know that you understand
I need to be sure you comprehend
I'm gonna hold on to you
I'll cling to you
With these hands
Once again, through physical effort
I'm gonna give you everything
I'll provide you with all I have
With these hands.
By using my own physical abilities
With these hands
Again, through physical effort
With these hands
Once more, emphasizing the use of physical labor
Contributed by James W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.