There are at least four bands who were called The Monotones:

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.

Tell It To The Judge
The Monotones Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I heard this music while driving down the street
driving kind of slow when this rhythm hit my feet
my feet began to pat to this rock and roll jive
before i knew what happend I was doing 95

Tell it to the judge boys
Tell it to the judge

give me a break, I'm just learning to drive
I put the foot on the gas and it jumped to 95
believe me when I say it won't happen again
give me a break and I'll drive around the bend

Tell it to the judge boys
Tell it to the judge

after school you hit the strip
along the big highway
50 cents of gas is all you need
and soon you're on your way

officer won't you give me another chance
i'm driving with my trying to make her dance
believe when i say it won't happen again
give me a break and i'll drive around the bend

Tell it to the judge, boys
Tell it to the judge

Tell it to the judge, boys
Tell it to the judge

after school you hit the strip
along the big highway
50 cents of gas is all you need
and soon you're on your way
officer won't you give me another chance
i'm driving with my trying to make her dance
believe when i say it won't happen again
give me a break and i'll drive around the bend

Tell it to the judge, boys
Tell it to the judge

Overall Meaning

The Monotones's song, "Tell it to the Judge", tells a story of a young person who finds themselves caught up in the infectious rhythm of rock and roll music while driving on the street. The music's groove is so irresistible that despite their best efforts, they find themselves driving at breakneck speeds, hitting 95 miles an hour. The lyrics implore the listener to "tell it to the judge boys", suggesting that the singer is in some kind of legal trouble. They plead with the officer for another chance, promising to drive around the bend, to make amends and learn from their mistake.

The song captures the spirit of youthful exuberance and the allure of the open road, as well as the recklessness that can come with it. The "tell it to the judge" refrain implies a sense of defiance, a reluctance to take responsibility for one's actions, and a belief in the power of the music to absolve them of any wrongdoing.

Overall, the song is a delightful trip down memory lane, a reminder of a time when rock and roll was new and exciting, and the open road was an escape from the constraints of everyday life.

Line by Line Meaning

I heard this music while driving down the street
I was cruising on the road when I caught a tune

driving kind of slow when this rhythm hit my feet
I was taking my time behind the wheel until the beat took over my toes

my feet began to pat to this rock and roll jive
I couldn't resist tapping my feet to the rhythm of the rock and roll

before i knew what happend I was doing 95
Before I knew it, I was going a little too fast

give me a break, I'm just learning to drive
Please cut me some slack, I'm still new to driving

I put the foot on the gas and it jumped to 95
I hit the gas and suddenly found myself cruising at 95 miles an hour

believe me when I say it won't happen again
Trust me, that won't occur again

give me a break and I'll drive around the bend
Just let me off easy this time and I'll drive a bit more carefully

after school you hit the strip along the big highway
After classes, you hit up the main road

50 cents of gas is all you need and soon you're on your way
All you need is a bit of fuel, and then you're good to go

officer won't you give me another chance
Sir, can I please have another shot?

i'm driving with my trying to make her dance
I'm cruising with my girl, trying to get her in the mood

Tell it to the judge, boys
Let's hear what a judge has to say

Tell it to the judge
We gotta plead our case to a judge

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIM DAVIS, JIMMY SHERMAN, ROGER J. RAMIREZ, MARRICO KING, WONDOSAS MARTIN, COREY J. JOHNSON, RALPH LEVERSTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Hilltop Viewer

I love The Monotones music,they were so raw and talented,lovely doo-wop sound.Does anyone know who the backing musicians were for The Monotones or did they play there own instruments?I heard they recorded in Bell Sound Studios,New York City,like The Elegants and loads of other great artists.Thanks for the video DOO WOP!