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!
Last one standing
Monophonics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These are words from my past
Slow down, don't read too quick
Let that good feeling last
'Cause your life, and my life
For something more in the world to see
If you're reading this it means that, oh I'm still alive
Do you believe me when I say
A winner never quits, and a quitter never wins, no no
Too many reasons not to stay
So I'll be the only one, when it's all said and done down here
I will be the last one standing
I will be the last one standing
Too long I lived in the dark
I was searching for the light
Too long I lived in the wrong
Always wondering what's right
But my life and your life
Is all the world will know
If you found this it means that, oh I'm still alive
And heaven hold the love that you gave me to survive
Do you believe me when I say
A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits, no, no, no
Too many reasons not to stay
So I'll be the only one when it's all said and done, down here
I will be the last one standing
I will be the last one standing
I will be the last one standing
No, I will be the last one standing
No, I will be
I will be the last man standing
The last one standing
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on and on
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on and on
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on strong
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on and on
The song "Last One Standing" by Monophonics is ultimately about the resilience of an individual in the face of adversity. The lyrics suggest that the singer has had a difficult past and has struggled to find their way, but they are determined to keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges that may come their way. The opening lines, "To whom it may concern, These are words from my past," suggest that the singer is addressing someone directly and possibly sharing some of their deepest struggles or emotions. The line "Slow down, don't read too quick, let that good feeling last" suggests that the singer is trying to provide some comfort or encouragement to the person reading, as if to say, 'take your time, appreciate these words'.
As the song continues, the singer reflects on the idea that each individual has something valuable to offer the world. They sing, "your life, and my life/ for something more in the world to see", suggesting that each person has their own unique contributions to make. The line "Do you believe me when I say a winner never quits, and a quitter never wins, no no" can be interpreted as a call to action to those who may feel discouraged in their own lives. The message is clear – don't give up, no matter how difficult things may become.
The repetition of "I will be the last one standing" at the end of each verse is a powerful statement of confidence and determination. It reinforces the idea that no matter what obstacles may come their way, the singer will continue to persevere. The song ends with the repeated phrase "I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on and on", emphasizing the idea of resilience and never giving up, even when the going gets tough.
Line by Line Meaning
To whom it may concern
These words are addressed to anyone who may come across this message
These are words from my past
The writer is reflecting on words they have written or said before
Slow down, don't read too quick
The writer is asking the reader to take their time and consider the message carefully
Let that good feeling last
The writer wants the reader to hold onto a positive emotion or memory
'Cause your life, and my life
For something more in the world to see
The writer believes that our lives have value and purpose in contributing to the world
If you're reading this it means that, oh I'm still alive
And heaven hold the life that you gave me to survive
The writer is grateful to be alive and acknowledges the role that the reader may have played in their survival
Do you believe me when I say
A winner never quits, and a quitter never wins, no no
Too many reasons not to stay
So I'll be the only one, when it's all said and done down here
I will be the last one standing
I will be the last one standing
The writer believes in the value of perseverance and determination, even when faced with obstacles or challenges. They want to be the last one standing.
Too long I lived in the dark
I was searching for the light
Too long I lived in the wrong
Always wondering what's right
The writer has struggled in the past to find guidance and direction in their life
But my life and your life
Is all the world will know
If you found this it means that, oh I'm still alive
And heaven hold the love that you gave me to survive
The writer sees their life and the reader's life as significant and meaningful, and is grateful for the love and support that has helped them survive
Do you believe me when I say
A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits, no, no, no
Too many reasons not to stay
So I'll be the only one when it's all said and done, down here
I will be the last one standing
The writer repeats their belief in perseverance and determination, and their desire to be the last one standing
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on and on
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on and on
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on strong
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on and on
The writer is determined to keep going, no matter what challenges they face
Writer(s): Kelly Finnigan, Austin Bohlman, Ian Mcdonald, Maxwell Ramey
Contributed by Mateo N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hedonismmagazine7539
To whom it may concern
These are words from my past
Slow down, don't read too quick
Let that good feeling last
'Cause your life, and my life
For something more in the world to see
If you're reading this it means that, oh I'm still alive
And heaven hold the life that you gave me to survive
Do you believe me when I say
A winner never quits, and a quitter never wins, no no
Too many reasons not to stay
So I'll be the only one, when it's all said and done down here
I will be the last one standing
I will be the last one standing
Too long I lived in the dark
I was searching for the light
Too long I lived in the wrong
Always wondering what's right
But my life and your life
Is all the world will know
If you found this it means that, oh I'm still alive
And heaven hold the love that you gave me to survive
Do you believe me when I say
A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits, no, no, no
Too many reasons not to stay
So I'll be the only one when it's all said and done, down here
I will be the last one standing
I will be the last one standing
I will be the last one standing
No, I will be the last one standing
No, I will be
I will be the last man standing
The last one standing
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on and on
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on and on
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on strong
I'm keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on, keepin' on and on
@beatle116
They don't make a volume button high enough for this Master piece.
@ColemineRecords
♥️
@derekcullum4788
I'm 61...this song has everything for me having lived and loved all the 60's and 70's sounds. has a touch of funk...a lot of Philly...motown and sooo much soul...got it all ..brilliant x
@ColemineRecords
We're happy to hear that, Derek! Thanks for the love!
@sethwoods8063
I'm 40, well said
@buddhabelly1000
So agree with you, Derek.
@Ana_D.C.
And Northern Soul’s essence too!
KTF (Keep The Faith) Derek! 👊🏽❤️🎯
@brucemorton245
62 here Derek and yeah! This kinda sound takes me back n keeps me feeling like a youngster. What great music.
@bbrother92
Protect this band at any cost!
@literallyshaking8019
That instrumental build in the middle is incredible.
You don’t hear music with this kind of “patience” much these days, gotta give things space to breathe.