The name "Uncle Deadly" is a reference to the Muppet by the same name, who is also known as the "Phantom of The Muppet Show". Always uncomfortable with having named named his first solo project after himself, Zahl decided to try a different approach for his next project. A friend of Zahl suggested that he choose a name from his favorite TV show from his childhood; Zahl's favorite show being "The Muppet Show". Fascinated by the duality of the name of the character "Uncle Deadly", Zahl named his new band after the character. He opted for his new project to have more of a theatrical aspect, in which he was to play a character based partly on himself, similar to the "band aliases" of Kaizers Orchestra.
Songs for the then-unnamed project were likely written sometime between the dissolution of Zahl and the founding of the new band. The recording sessions for Uncle Deadly's first album were held sporadically between July and October of 2009 in Morten Abel's Elektroland Studio in Stavanger, Norway. Zahl, Abel, Fjordheim all acted as producers, with Zahl's Kaizers Orchestra bandmate and friend Janove Ottesen producing one track and Fjordheim producing another on his own. Inge Riska, with some assistance from Fjordheim, acted as the album's audio mixer.
Uncle Deadly's first single, "Sneakin' Up", was released digitally in January 2010. Their first live performance as a group was on the Norwegian talk show Senkveld med Thomas og Harald on 29 January 2010, where they performed their second single, "Be Careful What You Wish For". In preparation for the release of the band's first album, Monkey Do, shot and directed the album's electronic press kit. Monkey Do was released in Norway on 1 February 2010, in a limited print of 2,000 copies. It debuted at the #8 spot in the Norwegian Top 40 album charts. During spring of 2009, the group embarked on a small tour of Norway, during which they also performed songs released under the Zahl name.
I Don't Mind
Uncle Deadly Lyrics
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dreaming about girls all night,
My recorded behavior says I'm no
savior but I'm alright
I wanna watch some TV cause I
just don't want to get myself involved
But there's only this Australian soap
on and that's the stupidest shit I know
But I don't mind
Wasting all my time
On you
I used to have a girlfriend now it's
over and I guess that all makes sense
Still sometimes I miss her and I
think that I can't be with someone else
She told me that she's fine and she
found another guy to put in my place
Yeah, that's a real comfort to hear
you're so easy to replace
But I don't mind
Wasting all my time
On you
I'm wasting all my time on you
And that's so not what I'm supposed to do
Well, anyways, I guess I'll see a movie
movie and just hang out by myself
I hope I don't sound crazy but
sometimes I just get sick of having friends
It's just that it's the same old conversations
And it never fuckin' ends
But at the same time
who am I to talk
I'm not that smart
I just like to pretend
But I don't mind
Wasting all my time
On you
I'm wasting all my time on you
And that's so not what I'm supposed to do
Still it's all I seem to do
The lyrics to Uncle Deadly's song, "I Don't Mind," explore the singer's ambivalence towards relationships and his seemingly aimless existence. The first verse sets the tone of the song as the singer wakes up in the morning, having dreamt about girls all night but ultimately dismisses the idea of getting involved. He decides to watch TV, even though the show on air is the "stupidest shit" he knows, indicating that he is dissatisfied with the current state of his life. Despite this, he repeatedly states in the chorus, "But I don't mind wasting all my time on you," suggesting that he is content with the mundane aspects of his life, even if they don't always bring him joy.
In the second verse, the singer reveals that he used to have a girlfriend, but the relationship is over. Although he claims that it makes sense, he admits that he still misses her and that it's hard to be with someone else. He acknowledges that his ex-girlfriend has moved on and found someone else to replace him, but this doesn't ease his dissatisfaction with his life. The repetition of the chorus highlights the singer's fatalistic attitude and indicates his resignation to his situation.
The final verse finds the singer contemplating his lack of meaningful relationships and wondering if he is even capable of having them. He suggests that having friends is a burden on him and that the conversations are always the same, indicating a sense of apathy towards social interaction. At the same time, he recognizes his own lack of intelligence and admits to pretending otherwise. This admission, coupled with the chorus, suggests a sense of genuine self-awareness on the part of the singer, but also a sense of hopelessness as he continues to waste his time on something that won't bring meaningful change to his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up and it's morning I've been
dreaming about girls all night,
I woke up this morning and realized all I seem to do is think about girls and nothing else.
My recorded behavior says I'm no
savior but I'm alright
Even though I have not been the best person in the past, I am comfortable with who I am now.
I wanna watch some TV cause I
just don't want to get myself involved
But there's only this Australian soap
on and that's the stupidest shit I know
I want to avoid the world by watching TV, but I can't stand this particular show that's on.
But I don't mind
Wasting all my time
On you
Even though I know I shouldn't, I am okay with wasting my time thinking about you.
I used to have a girlfriend now it's
over and I guess that all makes sense
Still sometimes I miss her and I
think that I can't be with someone else
I recently ended a relationship and although it makes logical sense, I still have moments where I miss her and struggle to move on.
She told me that she's fine and she
found another guy to put in my place
Yeah, that's a real comfort to hear
you're so easy to replace
My ex has moved on and found someone new, but her words of comfort only serve as a reminder that I was easily replaceable.
But I don't mind
Wasting all my time
On you
I'm wasting all my time on you
And that's so not what I'm supposed to do
Despite knowing that it's not healthy or productive, I continue to focus my energy and thoughts on you.
Well, anyways, I guess I'll see a movie
movie and just hang out by myself
I hope I don't sound crazy but
sometimes I just get sick of having friends
I plan on seeing a movie and spending time alone because, although it may seem crazy, I am tired of being around people.
It's just that it's the same old conversations
And it never fuckin' ends
Conversations with my friends are repetitive and seemingly never-ending, leaving me feeling drained.
But at the same time
who am I to talk
I'm not that smart
I just like to pretend
I recognize that I am not necessarily any better than my friends and only pretend to be smarter or more insightful.
But I don't mind
Wasting all my time
On you
I'm wasting all my time on you
And that's so not what I'm supposed to do
Still it's all I seem to do
Once again, I acknowledge that it's not ideal or recommended, but I continue to waste my time on thoughts of you, unable to move on.
Contributed by Declan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.