Dance Like a Monkey
New York Dolls Lyrics

You're designed so intelligent
The singer assumes someone designed the listener to be intelligent and acknowledges their superior intelligence.

Ain't no way that was an accident
The singer confidently asserts that the listener was intentionally created with intelligence.

Come on shake your monkey hips
The singer instructs the listener to dance in a way that emulates monkeys, particularly their hips.

My pretty little creationist
The artist addresses the listener, who they see as a follower or believer in the creationist theory, and who they also admire for their looks.

Little girl you look so sweet
The artist calls out the listener again, this time referring to them in a somewhat patronizing and familiar way, while also complimenting their appearance.

You gotta dance like a monkey, dance like a monkey, child
The singer is insistent that the listener replicate the dancing of monkeys, speaking to them somewhat condescendingly by calling them 'child.'

You just started ten thousand years ago
The singer references the beginning of human creation or history, which, in their view, started ten thousand years ago.

Presto Adam and Eve and go man go
The artist references the biblical creation of Adam and Eve, using magic show language and urging them forward.

Abel died, Cain took his life
The artist references the story of Cain and Abel from the Bible's Old Testament.

And headed straight to the jungle to find a wife
The artist implies that Cain and his descendants went to live in the jungle after Cain killed his brother Abel.

Non-believers blame it all on apes
The singer suggests that opponents of creationism see humanity as the product of evolution from apes.

It's monkey time - I want to see you shake
The artist calls on the listener to dance like a monkey and expresses a desire to see them do so.

Evolution is obsolete
The singer implies that they view the theory of evolution as no longer relevant or accurate.

You gotta dance like a monkey, dance like a monkey, child
The singer reiterates the need for the listener to dance like a monkey, again calling them a child.

Stomp your hands and clap your feet
The singer instructs the listener to also make use of their hands in addition to their feet while dancing.

Oh one more time yo!
The artist calls for the music to be restarted, indicating the desire to keep dancing like a monkey.

c'mon pretty baby, won't you take a chance?
The artist addresses the listener as 'pretty baby,' asking them to participate in the dance despite the potential for objections from others.

Be my natural selection, dance dance dance
The singer describes the dance as a form of natural selection, urging the listener to participate.

Exorcise your demons with that monkey grin
The singer encourages the listener to relieve themselves of their problems by smiling like a monkey, showing a grin reminiscent of primates.

'Cause we're gonna inherit the wind
The artist suggests that by dancing like a monkey in defiance, they will be victorious, and come out on top.

Let 'em fight it out in the supreme court
The artist acknowledges the legal battle between creationists and evolutionists, ultimately dismissing its importance.

That's such a ignorant indoor sport
The artist sees arguing the merits of the theory of evolution as an intellectually inferior activity in comparison to dancing like a monkey.

Wave your arms and legs in the air
The singer reiterates the use of arms in addition to legs while dancing.

Rock it like a monkey like ya just don't care
The artist urges the listener to dance like they have no inhibitions, shaking their hips, and fully emulating the way primates move.

Evolution is so obsolete
The singer is repeated in their assertion that the theory of evolution is outdated or irrelevant.

Gotta stomp your hands and clap your feet - come on!
The singer once again instructs the listener to use both their hands and feet while dancing like a monkey, imploring them to do so.

You gotta dance like a monkey, dance like a monkey
The singer repeats the chorus, emphasizing the need to dance like a monkey.

Dance like a monkey, dance like a monkey, child
The artist once again calls out the listener, and again refers to them as a 'child', urging them to continue dancing like a monkey.

Dance like a monkey, dance like a monkey, child
The artist closes by repeating the instruction to dance like a monkey.