Monkey Man

The Maytals

About Monkey Man

"Monkey Man" is a 1969 song by the ska and reggae group the Maytals, reaching number 47 in the UK Singles Chart. The song is about a girl choosing another man over Toots. 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, most famously by British ska group The Specials, third-wave ska group Reel Big Fish, British singer Amy Winehouse, Japanese experimental rock band Melt-Banana, and Argentinian band Los Pericos. In 2009, Australian singer Kylie Minogue and The Wiggles recorded a version of the song to raise funds for UNICEF. 


Year:
1987
3:36
27 
#2

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Ay ay ay, ay ay ay, 
Tell you baby, 
You huggin' up the big monkey man 
You huggin' up the big monkey man 

I've seen no sign of you, I've only heard that you huggin' up the big monkey man  
I've seen no sign of you, I've only heard that you huggin' up the big monkey man  
Is not lie, is not lie, them a tell me, you huggin' up the big monkey man 
Is not lie, is not lie, them a tell me, you huggin' up the big monkey man 

Now I know that, now I understand, you turnin' a monkey on me
Now I know that, now I understand, you turnin' a monkey on me

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The Maytals

The Maytals, known from 1972 to 2020 as Toots and the Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group, one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music. Frontman Toots Hibbert, who died in 2020, was considered a reggae pioneer on par with Bob Marley. His soulful vocal style was compared to Otis Redding, and led him to be named by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 Greatest Singers. After Hibbert's death, the Maytals indicated that they would continue as a working group.Their 1968 single "Do the Reggay" was the first song to use the word "reggae", coining the name of the genre and introducing it to a global audience. The Oxford English Dictionary credits Toots and the Maytals… more »

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Written by: Frederick Hibbert

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


4 facts about this song

Reel Big Fish
1. The cover version: "Monkey Man" was covered by American ska punk band Reel Big Fish on their 2002 album "Cheer Up!" 2. Musical style: Reel Big Fish's version of "Monkey Man" incorporates elements of ska, punk, and rock which is typical of their style. 3. Live performances: The band has performed their version of the song at many of their live concerts.
The Maytals
1. Original creators: "Monkey Man" was originally written and performed by the Jamaican band The Maytals, led by Frederick "Toots" Hibbert. 2. Success story: After its release in 1969, "Monkey Man" quickly became a hit, reaching number 47 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970. 3. Iconic Rocksteady sound: The song is known for its vibrant rocksteady beat, a precursor to reggae, which was characteristic of The Maytals' early music.
The Wiggles
1. Kid-friendly version: Australian children's music group The Wiggles covered "Monkey Man" for their 2006 album "Racing to the Rainbow". 2. Guest appearance: "Toots" Hibbert himself featured in The Wiggles' version, making it a unique collaboration between the original artist and the children's band. 3. Positive Messaging: Like many of The Wiggles' songs, their version of "Monkey Man" incorporates upbeat tunes and positive messages suitable for their young audience.
Toots & the Maytals
1. Rebranding: After the initial success of "Monkey Man", The Maytals rebranded as "Toots & the Maytals", seeing continued success under this name. 2. Enduring popularity: "Monkey Man" remains one of Toots & the Maytals' most popular songs, frequently played at concerts and on radio stations that play reggae and ska. 3. Tribute: After the death of "Toots" Hibbert in 2020, many fans and musicians paid tribute to his legacy by listening to and performing "Monkey Man", among other hits by the band.

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