The band released their debut album, Good Feeling (1997), to moderate success where it debuted at number nine on the UK Albums Chart and was later awarded a silver certification from the BPI in January 2000. The band gained greater success with their second album, The Man Who (1999), which spent nine weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart, totalling 134 weeks in the top 100 of the chart. In 2003, The Man Who was certified 9× platinum by the BPI, representing sales of over 2.68 million in the UK alone. Following this success, the band released their third effort, The Invisible Band (2001) album. The Invisible Band went on to match the success found with their previous album, where it debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and spent a total of four weeks at the top spot, fifteen weeks in the top ten, and a total of fifty-five weeks in the top 100 chart, as well as peaking at thirty-nine on the US Billboard 200 album chart, spending a duration of seven weeks in the Billboard 200 chart. A year following the release of The Invisible Band, the BPI awarded Travis with a 4× platinum certification for the album.
In recent years, the band's discography has included studio albums 12 Memories (2003), The Boy with No Name (2007), Ode to J. Smith (2008), Where You Stand (2013), Everything at Once (2016) and 10 Songs (2020). In 2004, the band released their first greatest hits album, Singles, which spent nineteen weeks in the top 100 of the UK albums chart. Travis have twice been awarded best band at the BRIT Awards and were awarded the NME Artist of the Year award at their 2000 ceremony, and in 2016 were honoured at the Scottish Music Awards for their outstanding contribution to music. The band are widely said by the media to have paved the way for other bands such as Keane and Coldplay to go on to achieve worldwide success throughout the 2000s, particularly with the success of The Man Who.
Craft Recordings celebrated the 20th anniversary of Travis' breakthrough year with two simultaneous releases: Live at Glastonbury '99, plus expanded editions of The Man Who – both of which were released on 21 June 2019.
We Are All Monkeys
Travis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Others think they're gorgeous but inside they feel shit
Many think they're brainy but they haven't a clue
And I think I'm clever 'cause I'm singing this to you
[Chorus]
We are wrong, we are wrong
We are all so, so wrong
We are false, we run true
We should be in the zoo with our uncles
And if you don't believe
Go and climb up a tree and you'll love it
You're a fool to believe anymore
So believe you're a monkey
All the clever monkeys telling us what to do
Telling us to stay in line and join the monkey queue
Thinking that they're special cause they went to private zoo
One day soon they're gonna end up in a monkey stew
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Travis's song "We Are Monkeys" bring to light the shortcomings of human beings, who see themselves as clever, attractive or intelligent, without realizing their own flaws. The song is a commentary on human nature and the idea of superiority that we often hold over other animals. The song suggests that we should recognize ourselves as monkeys and accept our inherent primal nature rather than pretending to be superior beings.
The first verse of the song feels like a warning about people who think too highly of themselves, claiming to be clever or attractive without any real substance or depth. The second verse highlights the irony of people who tell others what to do and give advice when they themselves lack the wisdom to make good decisions. Together, these two verses suggest that we should look within ourselves and accept that we are not perfect, rather than pretending to be something we are not.
The chorus is where the song's message is most strongly conveyed. The repetition of "We are wrong, we are wrong" emphasizes the idea that we are all flawed, imperfect beings. The phrase "we are monkeys" is a metaphor for our primal nature, which we try so hard to cover up with our fancy clothes and highfalutin language. The line "we should be in the zoo with our uncles" is a playful jab at our animalistic tendencies, suggesting that we belong in cages just like monkeys do.
Overall, the song's message is about accepting ourselves and embracing our true nature, rather than trying to be something we're not. It encourages us to recognize our primal instincts and urges, and reminds us that we are all just monkeys after all.
Line by Line Meaning
People think they're funny when they haven't the wit
Some people try to be funny but lack clarity in their delivery of jokes.
Others think they're gorgeous but inside they feel shit
Many people have a positive self-image but struggle with internal insecurities.
Many think they're brainy but they haven't a clue
Some individuals think they are intelligent, but they lack understanding of important information.
And I think I'm clever 'cause I'm singing this to you
The singer believes he is smart because he is expressing his opinions through his music.
We are wrong, we are wrong
Human beings often make mistakes.
We are all so, so wrong
Everyone is prone to being incorrect at times.
We are monkeys
Humans share common ancestry with primates.
We are false, we run true
Although humans are capable of being deceitful, they also have inherent goodness within them.
We should be in the zoo with our uncles
People sometimes behave poorly and exhibit primal instincts.
And if you don't believe
If someone is skeptical of the idea that humans have similarities to primates.
Go and climb up a tree and you'll love it
If someone spends time in nature, they may be more accepting of the concept that humans are primates.
You're a fool to believe anymore
It is foolish to ignore scientific evidence of human evolutionary history.
All the clever monkeys telling us what to do
Those in positions of power, who may view themselves as superior or more intelligent, often attempt to control others.
Telling us to stay in line and join the monkey queue
People in authority may try to impose conformity or obedience on others.
Thinking that they're special cause they went to private zoo
Some individuals may believe they are superior due to their privileged background.
One day soon they're gonna end up in a monkey stew
The powerful may experience the same fate as those they subjugate.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANCIS HEALY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind