1) The … Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four bands who were called The Monotones:
1) The Monotones were a six-member Doo Wop band in the 1950s United States. They are considered a one-hit wonder, as their only song to reach widespread popularity was the doo-wop hit "(Who Wrote) The Book of Love", which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958.
The Monotones formed in 1955 when the seven original singers — all residents of the same housing project in Newark, New Jersey — began performing covers of popular doo-wop songs. The members of the Monotones were lead singer Charles Patrick, first tenor Warren Davis, second tenor George Malone, bass singer John Smith, second bass singer John Ryanes, and his brother, baritone Warren Ryanes. Charles Patrick's brother James was originally a member, but he left soon after the group's formation. In 1957 the group recorded their first song, "Book of Love". The song was released in 1958 and propelled the group to short-lived fame. Later releases never gained popularity. The Monotones disbanded in 1962. Surviving members have met to revive "Book of Love" several times since the breakup.
Don McLean, in his 1971 song "American Pie", made reference to "The Book of Love" as a symbol of the innocence of 1950s rock 'n' roll culture.
2) The Monotones were a Dutch band, who had a novelty hit with their song "Mono" in 1980. The Monotones were a side-project of another Dutch novelty act: Rubberen Robbie.
3) The Monotones are also a alt/indie band from the Midlands, UK.
4) The Monotones were a 1960s garage rock band from Southend-on Sea in Essex, UK.
All of these are not to be confused with the group Little Jerry and the Monotones.
Mono
The Monotones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fifties)
Mono!
Way back in the twenties a very clever turkey found a way
To bring the people music, the radio
He called it: hey, hey
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
Hi-fi stereo headphones
Stop it, I can't control it
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
Ultra high and ultra low
(Mono, mono)
I'm looking for a way to get back
(Mono, mono)
M-m-m-m, mono
The music of today is just a drag
I still recall the fifties (Fifties)
When rock and roll was heavy, it was fine
My head looked like a lolly
Just like Buddy Holly, what a time!
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
Rumble, wow and flutter
I don't care just like my mother
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
Ultra high and ultra low
(Mono, mono)
I'm looking for a way to get back
(Mono, mono)
M-m-m-m, mono
The music of today is just a drag
Listen, listen
Since I have a girlfriend
Disco comes to no end
I get mad
When I hear Perry Como
It really drives me mono
I feel sad
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
Hi-fi stereo headphones
Stop it, I can't control it
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
Ultra high and ultra low
(Mono, mono)
I'm looking for a way to get back
(Mono, mono)
M-m-m-m, mono
The music of today is just a drag
This record can be played on every modern lightweight pick-up
The stereo sound however can be reproduced only when stereo equipment is used
(Mono)
(Mono)
(Mono)
(Mono)
(Mono)
The music of today is just a drag
Listen, listen
Since I have a girlfriend
Disco comes to no end
I get mad
When I hear Perry Como
It really drives me mono
I feel sad
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
Hi-fi stereo headphones
Stop it, I can't control it
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
(Dum, dum, dirooda)
Ultra high and ultra low
(Mono, mono)
I'm looking for a way to get back
(Mono, mono)
M-m-m-m, mono
The music of today is just a drag
This record can be played on every modern lightweight pick-up
The stereo sound however can be reproduced only when stereo equipment is used
(Mono, mono)
(Mono, mono)
(Mono)
(Mono, mono) Get back, can you get back
(Mono, mono) I'm looking for a way to get back
(Mono, mono) Get back, can you get back
The Monotones song "Mono" is an ode to the past and the way music used to be enjoyed. The song begins by referencing how music was introduced to the masses through the radio in the 1920s. The clever turkey referred to in the lyrics is likely referring to radio DJ and founder of the first radio station, KDKA, in Pittsburgh in 1920, Frank Conrad. From there, the song dives into the nostalgia of the 1950s when rock and roll was at its peak. The singer longs for the simplicity and straightforwardness of the music of that era and even mentions Buddy Holly, a famous musician from the time.
The chorus of the song, "Mono, mono, I'm looking for a way to get back," is repeated throughout and serves as a plea for the listener to rediscover the joys of mono sound. The bridge mentions the singer's discontent with the current state of music and how even hearing certain artists like Perry Como make them feel sad. The lyrics are lighthearted and playful, but there is a deeper sense of longing for the past and the simpler times it represents.
Line by Line Meaning
Way back in the twenties a very clever turkey found a way to bring the people music, the radio
Back in the 1920s, a smart and resourceful person found a way to bring music to the masses through the invention of radio
He called it: hey, hey
He gave it a simple name, 'hey hey'
Come on girls, put your headphones on
Come on ladies, put on your headphones to enjoy the music
Hi-fi stereo headphones, Stop it, I can't control it
The high-fidelity stereo headphones are so good that I can't control my urge to listen and enjoy them
Ultra high and ultra low
The music has high and low frequencies which sound great on the headphones
I'm looking for a way to get back
I want to go back to the good old days of great music
The music of today is just a drag
The music today is not as good as it used to be, and is boring
When rock and roll was heavy, it was fine, My head looked like a lolly, Just like Buddy Holly, what a time!
In the days of heavy rock and roll, my head used to move with it, just like Buddy Holly's, and they were some great times
Rumble, wow and flutter, I don't care just like my mother
The sound of the music has some distortion and noise, but I don't care, just like my mother didn't care
Since I have a girlfriend, Disco comes to no end
Ever since I got a girlfriend, she keeps listening to disco music, non-stop
When I hear Perry Como, It really drives me mono, I feel sad
When I hear Perry Como, it makes me feel monotonous and sad
This record can be played on every modern lightweight pick-up, The stereo sound however can be reproduced only when stereo equipment is used
This record can be played on any modern turntable, but to experience the stereo sound, you need specialized stereo equipment
Get back, can you get back
Can we go back to the good old days?
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@yuKura2210
Когда я в первые услышал эту песню , я не понял , очень уж было круто! И мелодия из головы не выходила! Спасибо, мелодии и ритмы зарубежной эстрады!!!
@SmokieSmokie-px3qk
1980 год....самая редкая пластинка в городе Свердловске,ныне Екатеринбурге....я тоже видел эту песню по телевизору...
@imirmay4145
Новогодний выпуск, если точнее, под утро МЕЛОДИЙ И РИТМОВ, 80 или 81 год.
@frankpas3963
Volgens mij is die nerd Geert Jan Hessing volwaardig lid van het CAT-collectief, bij Rubberen Robbie
meestal te zien
in hoedanige staat met fles jenever. Creatief stelletje bij mekkaar hoor, kenne echt alles die jongens,
veel plezier van gehad! RIP Cees Bergman.
@tankstation1967
rip erwin van prehn
@user-qn1tj1uv1w
В новый год на советском тв это было круто
@MarkGelderland
De nerd met bril naast zanger Cees had aspiraties om acteur te worden denk ik, in de video van ''Let your hair hang down'' hangt 'ie de stoere drummer uit.
@RicardoUitermark
Hij doet ook de stem van Jantje van Ome Henk
@jackievandewijngaart6377
Helemaal grijs gedraaid toen...