Burnett helped start the careers of Counting Crows, Los Lobos, Sam Phillips, and Gillian Welch, and he revitalized the careers of Gregg Allman and Roy Orbison. He produced music for the television programs Nashville and True Detective. He has released several solo studio albums, including Tooth of Crime, which he wrote for a revival of the play by Sam Shepard.
The only child of Joseph Henry Burnett Jr. and Hazel Perkins Burnett, Burnett was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1948, and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. His grandfather worked as secretary for the Southern Baptist Convention. His father wanted to be a pro athlete and was courted by the Brooklyn Dodgers, but instead, he got a job in Fort Worth with the Tandy Corporation. Burnett was brought up in the Episcopal Church of his mother. He forgot the origin of his nickname, which he uses without a dash.
Burnett discovered music through his parents' 78 RPM phonograph records of Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, Dinah Washington, and the songs of Cole Porter. He was drawn to music that took him to unconventional places, and he felt no compulsion to stick to one genre. He heard Peggy Lee, Hank Williams, and the Beatles on the radio, was influenced by Buddy Holly, and revered Johnny Cash. He was smitten by the music of Howlin' Wolf, Skip James, the Stanley Brothers, and Jimmy Reed.
Dance Dance Dance
T-Bone Burnett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Puts her head on his shoulders
His eyes search for the door
Even as he pulls her closer
She is a raging beauty
He writes I love you truly
In lipstick on her mirror
I wanna make you happy
I wanna make you happy
I wanna make you happy
I wanna make you happy
His fingers brush her face
She quivers like a fawn
He's lost in her embrace
She turns around he's gone
She knows his lies are barefaced
As she descends the staircase
Her clothes are falling off her
He can't resist her offer
You wanna make me happy
You wanna make me happy
You wanna make me happy
You wanna make me happy
We do the monkey dance, it's a crazy feeling
Monkey dance, what we are concealing
Monkey dance, we shall be revealing
We do the monkey dance, when the blows all glance
Monkey dance, we do the monkey dance
She has a will of iron
He reads her Keats and Byron
Till she can go no further
He starts to read her Thurber
I wanna make you happy
I wanna make you happy
You wanna make me happy
You wanna make me happy
We do the monkey dance, it's a crazy feeling
Monkey dance, what we are concealing
Monkey dance, we shall be revealing
We do the monkey dance, when the blows all glance
Monkey dance, we become advanced
Monkey dance, we do the monkey dance
Monkey dance
T-Bone Burnett's song "Monkey Dance" is about a couple engaging in a volatile, passionate relationship that is characterized by deceit, lust, and an attempt to manipulate each other emotionally. The woman in the relationship is a "raging beauty" who puts herself on full display for her lover in hopes of inspiring him to love her more. However, despite his promises of love, the man cannot help but be distracted and aloof, constantly looking for a way out of the situation. Meanwhile, the woman is well aware of her lover's duplicitous nature, but she plays along anyway, knowing that she is just as involved in the dangerous game they are playing.
Throughout the song, the couple's emotions are on full display. They argue, they flirt, and they make up in a continual cycle. They engage in what the song calls the "monkey dance," which seems to refer to their twisted, lust-filled relationship. Despite the toxicity of their bond, they are locked into this pattern, unable to break free from it. In the end, they are left alone and broken, yet still bound to each other.
Overall, "Monkey Dance" is a complex and layered song that explores the darker side of human relationships. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of engaging in emotionally manipulative behavior, and the toll it can take on both parties involved.
Line by Line Meaning
She slides across the floor
She dances across the floor with grace and fluidity.
Puts her head on his shoulders
She leans on him for comfort and support.
His eyes search for the door
He is looking to escape, possibly because he feels trapped or overwhelmed.
Even as he pulls her closer
Despite his desire to leave, he can't help but be drawn to her.
She is a raging beauty
She is strikingly beautiful, but also fiercely passionate and independent.
He writes I love you truly
He professes his love for her, but his sincerity is questionable.
In lipstick on her mirror
He leaves a message on her mirror using lipstick, which could be seen as a romantic gesture or invasive.
Which leaves her in a furor
His actions cause her intense anger and frustration.
I wanna make you happy
He desires to bring her joy and contentment.
His fingers brush her face
He touches her gently and affectionately.
She quivers like a fawn
She responds physically to his touch, feeling vulnerable like a young deer.
He's lost in her embrace
He becomes fully immersed in the moment with her.
She turns around he's gone
When she looks for him, he has already left or disappeared, leaving her feeling abandoned or betrayed.
She knows his lies are barefaced
She recognizes that he is lying to her and being deceitful with little attempt to hide it.
As she descends the staircase
She leaves the scene or situation, possibly out of disappointment or frustration.
Her clothes are falling off her
She is physically undressing, perhaps as a seductive or desperate act.
He can't resist her offer
He gives in to her advances or pleas.
We do the monkey dance, it's a crazy feeling
Their relationship is tumultuous and unpredictable, akin to a wild and erratic dance.
Monkey dance, what we are concealing
Their behavior and emotions are masking or hiding deeper issues or secrets.
Monkey dance, we shall be revealing
Their actions will ultimately lead to unmasking or uncovering the truth about their relationship.
We do the monkey dance, when the blows all glance
Their dance intensifies and becomes more erratic when they face challenges or obstacles.
Monkey dance, we become advanced
Their relationship becomes more complicated and nuanced as they navigate their emotions and feelings.
Monkey dance, we do the monkey dance
Their behavior and interactions are repetitive and cyclical, characterized by the same patterns and issues.
She has a will of iron
She is strong-willed and determined in her actions and decisions.
He reads her Keats and Byron
He tries to connect with her through literature or poetry, but may be unsuccessful in doing so.
Till she can go no further
She reaches a breaking point or limit in their relationship or interactions.
He starts to read her Thurber
He changes his approach or tactics in trying to connect with her.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: T. BONE BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind