"Monkey Man" is a song by English rock and roll band the Rolling Stones featured on their 1969 album Let It Bleed.
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Monkey Man" is considered one of the Stones' strangest songs. Featuring an unmistakable opening of twinkling piano and whining guitar, "Monkey Man" was recorded in April of 1969. The lyrics are dense but certainly not leaden, with Jagger at one point singing:
It is also an example of the rare few self-referential songs in their repetoire (other examples would be "Torn And Frayed", "Jigsaw Puzzle" and "Dance Part I"), as evidenced in the line:
"I hope we're not to messianic or a trifle too satanic--we love to play the blues"
It is thought the song is about the use of drugs which the Stones were taking part in at the time. The song is probably best remembered for its center and ending. An extended guitar solo by Richards takes over from Jagger's singing near the middle of the song and leads into an arching piano solo by Nicky Hopkins. After Jagger resumes singing with the refrain of "I'm a monkey." He at one point begins to scream and wail the line in what many consider to be one of his greatest displays of vocal range. The tambourine on the song is performed by producer Jimmy Miller while Bill Wyman plays vibes.
A working version of the song was known as "Positiano Primo", and was composed by Mick and Keith while on holiday in Italy in 1968.
The Stones performed "Monkey Man" heavily on their 1994/1995 Voodoo Lounge Tour. A performance of the song was captured and released on Live Licks from their 2002/2003 Licks Tour.
While the song has been used in many movies and television shows such as Entourage and was covered on an episode of 21 Jump Street it is probably best remembered for its use in Martin Scorsese's 1990 film Goodfellas.
"Monkey Man" is a 1969 song by the vocal group the Maytals. The song is a jab at their producer, Leslie Kong. Toots & the Maytals re-recorded the song on True Love with third wave ska band No Doubt. The song is frequently covered by other groups.
