Monkey Man
Toots & The Maytals Feat. Ben Harper Lyrics

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Ay ay ay, ay ay ay,
Tell you baby,
You huggin' up the big monkey man
You huggin' up the big monkey man

I've seen no sign of you, I've only heard that you huggin' up the big monkey man
I've seen no sign of you, I've only heard that you huggin' up the big monkey man
Is not lie, is not lie, them a tell me, you huggin' up the big monkey man

Is not lie, is not lie, them a tell me, you huggin' up the big monkey man

Now I know that, now I understand, you turnin' a monkey on me
Now I know that, now I understand, you turnin' a monkey on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Toots & The Maytals' "Monkey Man" are full of playful language, metaphors, and allusions to infidelity. It tells a story of a woman who is cheating on her partner with another man, whom the singer refers to as a "big monkey man." The repetition of "huggin' up" and "monkey man" suggests that this is a physical relationship, and that the woman is embracing and sleeping with this other man.

The singer, who has not seen the woman himself but has only heard about her infidelity, is hurt that his partner could betray him, hence the line "Now I know that, now I understand, you turnin' a monkey on me." The use of the phrase "turning a monkey on me" suggests that this is not the first time the woman has cheated on him, and that he feels he has been fooled or played for a fool.

Overall, "Monkey Man" is a witty and evocative song that uses clever wordplay to describe a hurtful situation. It showcases Toots & The Maytals' talent as songwriters, and their ability to infuse traditional Jamaican music with modern influences.

Line by Line Meaning

Ay ay ay, ay ay ay,
Expressing surprise, disbelief, or pain.

Tell you baby,
Addressing the subject of the song, directing attention to them.

You huggin' up the big monkey man
You are embracing and being intimate with another man.

I've seen no sign of you, I've only heard that you huggin' up the big monkey man
I have not witnessed this myself, but I am aware of rumors that you are being unfaithful.

Is not lie, is not lie, them a tell me, you huggin' up the big monkey man
I believe the rumors, and am certain that they are true.

Now I know that, now I understand, you turnin' a monkey on me
I have come to the realization that you are being unfaithful and betraying me.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: FREDERICK HIBBERT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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