Monophonics were formed in 2005; originally a instrumental ensemble comprised of guitarist Ian McDonald, bassist Myles O’Mahony, saxophonist Alex Baky, trumpeter Ryan Scott, and drummer Austin Bohlman, the band has recently added the dynamic soul vocals of keyboardist Kelly Finnigan. The result is a psychedelic soul & heavy funk sound, which harks back to the stylings of the late 60’s and early 70’s, all while keeping its feet planted in the present.
As a mainstay of San Francisco venues such as The Independent, Brick and Mortar & Boom Boom Room, the Monophonics have created a national buzz and fervent local following, sharing the stage & bill with such names as The Budos Band, Orgone, Lonnie Smith, Kings Go Forth, Soulive, and many many more. Their touring schedule has brought their signature rowdy, hard-hitting live set to over 400 dates from California up to Motown and down to Louisiana establishing themselves as yearly residents at the legendary New Orleans Jazz Festival. The band has also played some of the major music festivals on the west coast including High Sierra, Joshua Tree, Blacksheep Family Reunion, and Las Tortugas.
Already in 2012 the band has signed on with top booking agency Intrepid Artists Int’l and has seen their touring schedule triple fast and has helped get them get in big festivals like Wakarusa in Arkansas and the Portland Waterfront Blues Fest in Oregon. Other big news in 2012 is the bands new record In Your Brain which was released and distributed worldwide May 15, 2012 by legendary label Ubiquity Records (Orgone, Shawn Lee, Breakestra, Connie Price, & The Keystones). It was recorded & produced by Ian McDonald and Kelly Finnigan in San Francisco and was mixed by Sergio Rios from ORGONE at Killion Sound in LA. With a transformation of the group in the last 18 months, they have matured and found our own sound. This new record sits on the fuzzy psychedelic side of Soul and Heavy Funk! Taking a cue from their San Francisco roots and greats like Norman Whitfield, George Clinton's Funkadelic, David Axelrod, and Sly Stone, the group has found their path which has taken on a direction that focuses on great tones using analog equipment, a simpler and more spontaneous songwriting approach and trying to always catch a vibe that brings back thoughts of the 1969 psychedelic movement!
Hanging On
Monophonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you know right from wrong
I'm holding on to what you gave me
While you push me to move on
We know we're fooling ourselves
So you put your mind at ease
Knowing that we can't do it again
While I keep on begging you please
Don't leave me hanging on
In and out of love
Don't leave me hanging on
In and out of love
Got me pacing the floor at night
About to walk an extra mile
Keeping me here for all your own reasons
I can see it in your smile
Emotions taking over now
Asking you to come home
Reminded you about happiness
No one wants to be alone
Don't leave me hanging on
In and out of love
Don't leave me hanging on
In and out of love
Don't leave me hanging on
In and out of love
In and out of love
Don't leave me
In and out of love
Don't leave me hanging on
In and out of love
Don't leave me hanging on
In and out of love
Don't leave me hanging on
In and out of love
In and out of love
Don't leave me
In and out of love
The song “Hanging On” by Monophonics talks about a romantic relationship that is struggling. The lyrics are a plea from one partner to another to not give up on the relationship and to keep holding on. The singer acknowledges that both of them are fooling themselves by pretending that everything is alright, but still begs their partner not to leave them hanging on in and out of love. The lyrics suggest that the couple has gone through difficult times, and now the singer is asking their partner to come back home and reminding them that no one wants to be alone.
The song is sung with a lot of emotion, and the instruments perfectly complements the lyrics. The drumbeat is slow and steady, and the guitar chords are hauntingly beautiful, and the horns add an extra layer of emotions. Overall, the song is a beautiful musical expression of the complexities of relationships.
There is some ambiguity to the song, as it could be interpreted as either a plea to a current romantic partner or a nostalgic song about a past relationship that the singer wants to revive. However, regardless of the interpretation, the lyrics convey the pain of love and the desire to make things work.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't keep on saying it's too late
Stop insisting that we can't fix what's broken between us.
That you know right from wrong
You claim to understand the situation, but you're not considering my perspective.
I'm holding on to what you gave me
I'm still hoping for a future with you based on the positive things between us.
While you push me to move on
You're urging me to let go of something that matters to me.
We know we're fooling ourselves
We're both aware that there are issues that need to be addressed, but we're avoiding them.
So you put your mind at ease
You're choosing the easy way out by ignoring the problems we face.
Knowing that we can't do it again
You doubt that we can save our relationship.
While I keep on begging you please
I'm pleading with you to give our love another chance.
Don't leave me hanging on
Don't leave me in suspense about where our relationship is headed.
In and out of love
Our love seems to waver and change frequently.
Got me pacing the floor at night
I'm constantly worried about the uncertain state of our relationship.
About to walk an extra mile
I'm willing to go above and beyond to make our love work.
Keeping me here for all your own reasons
You're holding onto me despite your doubts because there are benefits for you.
I can see it in your smile
I can tell that you're still attracted to me and our connection is still there.
Emotions taking over now
Our feelings are becoming overpowering and hard to resist.
Asking you to come home
I want us to be together and work things out.
Reminded you about happiness
I'm trying to help you remember the joy we've had in the past.
No one wants to be alone
It's natural to desire companionship and not face life's challenges alone.
Don't leave me
I need you in my life.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Austin Bohlman, Kelly Finnigan, Ian McDonald, Myles O'Mahony
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NatanPatel
Literally my favorite band ever.
@angelcitygirl
I discovered them recently. What an amazing sound. Reminds me of the Black Keys. Retro sounding 💗💗
@suemason3210
Love the authentic Northern Soul sound created. So difficult to believe that it’s relatively new music.
@hamburgerdog25
Colemine Records and Black Bird records are two labels that consistently put out incredible soul music even today. I know Monophonics is with Colemine but I don't know about any other labels they're with. I also suggest Durand Jones and the Indications, Kelly Finnigan, Kendra Morris, Thee Illusions, Thee Sacred Souls, The Sentiments, and theres plenty more out there to hear
@airbugmedia3561
My goodness these guys are incredible. Absolutely incredible. Time to find them on Insta.
@karimel-bouri3664
Amazing stuff 👏🏼 keep it up!
@phaserunner1230
Love this!
@HarmonyWalters-fz4vf
This song is great. 😎👍
@AllAboutFootball111
Fantastic!
@timmccoy2672
One word: Talent