Tweeter and the Monkey Man

The Traveling Wilburys

About Tweeter and the Monkey Man

"Tweeter and the Monkey Man" is a song by the British–American supergroup the Traveling Wilburys that first appeared on the 1988 album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1.

Year:: 1988
: 5:27
: 516 Views
Playlists:: #1

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The Traveling Wilburys were a British-American supergroup consisting of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty. Originating from an idea discussed by Harrison and Lynne during the sessions for Harrison's 1987 album Cloud Nine, the band formed in April 1988 after the five members united to record a bonus track for Harrison's next European single. When this collaboration, "Handle with Care", was deemed too good for such a limited release, the group agreed to record a full album, titled Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. Following Orbison's death in December 1988, the Wilburys continued as a quartet and released a second album, titled Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, in 1990. The project's work received much anticipation given the diverse nature of … more »

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10 facts about this song

Band Members The Traveling Wilburys consisted of some of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll - George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne - and they jointly wrote "Tweeter and the Monkey Man."
Influence The song was heavily influenced by Bruce Springsteen with its New Jersey references, possibly paying homage to him or gently teasing him.
Lead Voice In "Tweeter and the Monkey Man," the lead vocals are primarily provided by Bob Dylan, showcasing his distinct style.
Length With a running time of 5 minutes and 30 seconds, it is one of the longer tracks on the Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 album.
Controversy The song’s story-type lyrics sparked debate among fans about its true meaning, with some suggesting it was a dig at Bruce Springsteen, given the multiple references to his recurrent themes and locations.
Performance "Tweeter and the Monkey Man" isn't a widely performed song. After The Traveling Wilburys, only Dylan has performed the track live, which he did during his 1997 tour, altering the lyrics slightly.
Narrative The song takes the form of a narrative and follows the characters 'Tweeter' and the 'Monkey Man', creating a rich story within the lyrics.
Song Style "Tweeter and the Monkey Man" is one of the few Traveling Wilburys songs not to feature the group's characteristic sound of harmony singing, focusing instead on Dylan’s solo voice.
Music Video There was no official music video made for this song which is unique, considering the star power of the band.
Response Despite its controversial interpretation, the song continues to be a favourite among Traveling Wilburys’ fans for its storytelling and Dylan’s exceptional vocal performance.

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"Tweeter and the Monkey Man Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/14328802/The+Traveling+Wilburys/Tweeter+and+the+Monkey+Man>.

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