T.S. Monk is the son of the late jazz pianist and co-founder of bebop, Thel… Read Full Bio ↴T.S. Monk is the son of the late jazz pianist and co-founder of bebop, Thelonious (Sphere) Monk. T.S. is a drummer with a hard-bop sound. While he does cover some of his father's material, Monk Jr.'s sextet tended to focus on more obscure jazz tunes such as Clifford Jordan's "Middle of the Block" or Kenny Dorham's "Philly Twist". Their sound is sharp and tight, hewing close to arrangements by trumpeter Don Sickler, but with "consistently inventive" solos (AMG).

Monk's most recent album was released in 2002.

Oh! Oh! Speedo
T.S. Monk Lyrics

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Boys and girls

You are not what you've been told

Oh boy, oh girl

Those shadows

Drifting on the floor

Don't know you know

What your heart is for

Those creatures

In your bed at night

Don't care about

What you feel inside

Boys and girls

You are not what you've been told

Oh boy, oh girl

No fairy

Granting wishes three

Can tell you who

You are meant to be

No solider

Banging on your door

Can march you in

Someone else's war

Boys and girls

You are not what you've been told

Oh boy, oh girl

Overall Meaning

In the song "Oh! Oh! Speedo" by T.S. Monk, the lyrics convey a powerful message about being true to oneself, despite the pressures of society and the outside world. The opening lines suggest that the boys and girls listening to the song may have been told things that are not true about themselves, and that they need to discover their own identity for themselves. The refrain repeats this theme, emphasizing that they are not what society has told them they are, but individuals who need to carve their own path in life.

The next lines bring in more specific examples of external influences that can distort one's inner truth. Shadows on the floor, and creatures in one's bed at night, may represent fears and doubts that can cloud one's judgement and prevent them from seeing their true selves. Again, the emphasis is on the need to look inward and find one's own purpose, rather than letting external influences dictate one's life.

The final verses drive home the message even more. No fairy can grant wishes that will make someone figure out who they really are; no soldier can force someone to fight for a cause they don't believe in. In short, the onus is on the individual to seek out their true identity and not let anything or anyone else decide it for them.

Overall, "Oh! Oh! Speedo" is a powerful anthem for self-discovery and individuality, urging its listeners to be true to themselves regardless of societal expectations or outside influences.

Line by Line Meaning

Boys and girls
Everyone, regardless of gender

You are not what you've been told
Don't let society define your identity

Oh boy, oh girl
Everyone, regardless of gender

Those shadows
The doubts and fears in your mind

Drifting on the floor
Constantly present but unacknowledged

Don't know you know
You may not realize

What your heart is for
What your true passions and desires are

Those creatures
The demons or anxieties plaguing your thoughts

In your bed at night
Present in moments where you're alone with your thoughts

Don't care about
Don't take into account

What you feel inside
Your innermost emotions and experiences