About the song
In the vibrant tapestry of 1960s rock music, The Animals stand out as a band that infused their sound with raw energy, soulful melodies, and a touch of rebellious spirit. Their music, a captivating blend of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and British Invasion flair, resonated with audiences worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of popular culture. Among their illustrious repertoire of hits, one song stands out as an enduring testament to their musical prowess and unwavering spirit: “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show.”
Released in 1965, “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” emerged as a beacon of resilience and determination, capturing the essence of overcoming adversity and persevering in the face of challenges. The song’s title, a colloquial expression popularized in African American communities, perfectly encapsulates its underlying message: no matter the obstacles or setbacks one encounters, the show must go on.
From the opening chords, the song pulsates with an infectious energy, driven by Alan Price’s driving organ riffs and Chas Chandler’s thunderous bass lines. Eric Burdon’s vocals, imbued with both grit and soulful passion, take center stage, delivering the song’s message with unwavering conviction. The lyrics, penned by the songwriting duo of Sonny Burke and Howard Greenfield, paint vivid imagery of life’s trials and tribulations, yet they never lose sight of the underlying message of hope and resilience.
“One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” is not merely a song about overcoming challenges; it is a celebration of the indomitable human spirit. The song’s narrator, despite facing personal struggles and setbacks, refuses to be defeated. Instead, they draw strength from their inner resilience, determined to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles that lie ahead.
The song’s message resonates deeply with listeners of all ages and backgrounds, offering a timeless reminder that life is inevitably filled with ups and downs. However, it is our ability to persevere through these challenges, to find strength in our struggles, and to maintain a positive outlook that ultimately defines our character and shapes our destinies.
“One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” remains an enduring anthem of resilience and determination, a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and emerge stronger. The Animals’ electrifying performance and the song’s timeless message have cemented its place in the annals of rock and roll history, continuing to inspire generations of listeners to face their challenges with courage and determination.
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Lyrics
You know I got a letter from a friend of mine
In Newcastle-Upon-a’Tyne the other day
He said to me “Eric I heard you’ve been havin’ some trouble down in the smoke with the girls”
He said “You wanna catch that flyin’ Scotsman back up here to Newcastle,
‘Cause we’ve got enough females to go around up here
And I can figure you can find yourself a little somethin’
And because people around here don’t go away stealin’ each others loved ones away from one another,
Like they do down there in the smoke”
He also said in the letter that, ah,
Things don’t happen like that here on Tyne
And I believed every word he said, now
Things don’t happen like that here on Tyne
One more thing he told me now
Things don’t happen like that here on Tyne
He said to me babe
Things don’t happen like that here on Tyne
He said, all right, all right
So I’m sayin’ to you who are listen’
If you’ve been unlucky in love
And you’ve lost somebody love
And you hear a voice that comes to you in the middle of the night and says
It says I want you to get on up
Listen to me,
I want you to get on up and find yourself another one
If your havin’ breakfast one morning and out from behind the teapot a little voice says,
Listen, Hey! I want you to get on up now
If your out in the mornin’ on your job
And a voice come to you on your job and says,
Get up! Get Up!
And you know its not the foreman
Its a little voice that says
You wanna get up and walk …(?) women
Go on and find yourself somebody
That’s what you’d better do.
Because I’ll tell you one thing
There’s one thing I found out
One thing I found out
Took me a long time to find it out
Yeah it took me a long time to find out
But I, .think I got it now
Oh yeah..
One monkey don’t stop no show
Yes, its true baby
One monkey don’t stop no show
Don’t let one monkey stop up your show
One monkey don’t stop no show
One monkey don’t stop no show