The band is best known for their 1996 hit "Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand."
Years active:
1985–1991 (as I-Rails)
1991–1994 (O'Connor solo)
1996–present
Where The Monkey Meets The Man
Primitive Radio Gods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You always think you're so on top of thing
You can't remember where you've been
You can't remember who you're following
Where the river meets the ocean
Where the monkey meets the man
I think I can...I think I can...
You'll see your worlds turn inside out
You'll always see the biggest part of me
You'll live and die without a sound
You'll never even miss the scenery
Where the river meets the ocean
Where the monkey meets the man
I think I can...I think I can...
Where the river meets the ocean
Where the monkey meets the man
I think I can...I think I can...
Where the river meets the ocean
Where the hammer meets the hand
I think I can...I think I can...
Submitted by Michael Hack
The lyrics of Primitive Radio Gods' song Where The Monkey Meets The Man depict the feeling of being lost and disconnected from oneself. The repetition of the line "Where the river meets the ocean, Where the monkey meets the man" seems to indicate a search for a place or a state of being where one can find clarity and purpose. The opening lines, "You haven't changed a bit since then, You always think you're so on top of things," suggest a sense of disillusionment with oneself or with someone else. The singer of the song is unable to remember important aspects of their life, such as where they've been or who they're following, which adds to the feeling of being lost and out of touch.
The bridge "You'll see your worlds turn inside out, You'll always see the biggest part of me, You'll live and die without a sound, You'll never even miss the scenery" hints at a deeper existential crisis. The singer is unable to connect with the world around them and is going through life without really experiencing it. The repetition of "I think I can" at the end of each verse seems to suggest a determination to overcome this feeling of being lost and disconnected, but it's left unclear whether the singer is successful in their quest.
Overall, Where The Monkey Meets The Man is a poignant meditation on the struggle to find meaning and purpose in one's life. The song's repetitive structure and melancholic lyrics make it a powerful and evocative piece of music that speaks to the universal human experience of feeling lost.
Line by Line Meaning
You haven't changed a bit since then
You have not developed and evolved since some time in the past.
You always think you're so on top of thing
You have an inflated sense of superiority about your abilities and position.
You can't remember where you've been
You struggle to recall your previous experiences and origins.
You can't remember who you're following
You have lost track of the leaders and influencers you once followed.
Where the river meets the ocean
A metaphorical meeting point of two different worlds, symbolizing the unknown and unexplored areas of life.
Where the monkey meets the man
Another metaphorical meeting point, representing the point at which animal instincts and human intelligence merge.
I think I can...I think I can...
An expression of determination to push forward and navigate life's unknowns.
You'll see your worlds turn inside out
Your perception of reality will be completely disrupted and altered.
You'll always see the biggest part of me
You will only be able to see the external and surface-level aspects of who I am.
You'll live and die without a sound
You will pass through life without making any significant impact or leaving any notable legacy behind.
You'll never even miss the scenery
You will not have an appreciation for the beauty of the world around you or the experiences that could have enriched your life.
Where the hammer meets the hand
A different metaphorical meeting point, symbolizing the power struggle between individuals and groups with differing levels of authority and control.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER JOHN O'CONNOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind