Monkey Gone To Heaven
The Pixies Lyrics

The lyrics to The Pixies' "Monkey Gone to Heaven" are complex and multifaceted. At its core, the song is a commentary on the destruction of the environment, specifically the impact of human pollution and waste on the natural world. The first verse introduces us to an underwater figure who controlled the sea, only to be killed by the ten million pounds of sludge that pour into the ocean every day from New York and New Jersey. This imagery sets the tone for the song as a whole, conveying a sense of human carelessness and destruction that has far-reaching consequences.

The second verse turns our attention to the sky, where a creature has been "sucked in a hole." This line could be interpreted as a reference to the depletion of the ozone layer, which protects the earth from harmful UV radiation. The line "if the ground's not cold, everything is gonna burn" emphasizes the idea that the damage we do to the environment has consequences that extend far beyond the initial act of pollution - it affects everything from the temperature of the ground to the stability of the planet's ecosystems.

The final verse brings in religious imagery, with the line "if man is five, then the devil is six, then God is seven." This could be a reference to the concept of numerology, which assigns symbolic significance to numbers. The number seven is often associated with completion and perfection, while the numbers five and six are seen as incomplete or imperfect. The repetition of the line "this monkey's gone to heaven" throughout the song suggests a sense of hopelessness - that the damage has already been done and there's no going back.

Overall, "Monkey Gone to Heaven" is a powerful commentary on the impact of human actions on the environment. It's a reminder that we need to take responsibility for our actions and make changes before it's too late.