Monkey
Robert Plant & Band Of Joy Lyrics

The lyrics to Robert Plant's "Monkey" offer a cryptic and enigmatic portrait of a troubled relationship, marked by deceit, desperation, and longing. The opening line, "Oh my my, little white lie, I swear I'm gonna make it right this time," suggests the singer is trying to make amends and come clean about a falsehood that may have damaged the relationship. However, he may have ulterior motives and may not be entirely sincere, hinting at a pattern of deception and manipulation.

The second verse, "It's like a radio turning way down low, telling me things I do not know I know," is metaphorical and could be interpreted in different ways. It could allude to the singer's inner voice or conscience telling him things he is not aware of, or it could refer to external forces, such as rumors or gossip, influencing his thoughts and behavior.

The chorus is both ominous and tantalizing, with the repeated refrain of "Tonight you will be mine, tonight the monkey dies." The monkey could be a symbol for a variety of things, from an addiction or obsession to a past mistake or regret. The line "Now who's to blame, we used to be the same, now you won't let me speak your name, what a shame," adds complexity to the narrative and suggests that both parties are responsible for the relationship's breakdown and that communication has become a barrier to reconciliation.

Overall, the lyrics of "Monkey" are open to interpretation and offer a tantalizing glimpse into the psyche of the singer and his troubled relationship. The imagery and metaphorical language create a vivid and haunting landscape that invites scrutiny and contemplation.