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Peter Gabriel — Shock The Monkey
Album: Shaking the Tree: 16 Golden Greats
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1324









Released: 1990
Length: 3:56
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Cover me when I run
Cover me through the fire
Something knocked me out the trees
Now I'm on my knees
Cover me, darling please

Hey, monkey, monkey, monkey
Don't you know you're going to shock the monkey, hey, hey

Fox the fox, rat on the rat
You can ape the ape, I know about that
There is one thing you must be sure of
I can't take any more
Darling, don't you monkey with the monkey

Hey, monkey, monkey, monkey
Don't you know you're going to shock the monkey, hey, hey
Shock the monkey, hey

(Monkey) Wheels keep turning
(A monkey) Something's burning
(Monkey) Don't like it, but I guess I'm learning

Shock, shock, shock
Watch the monkey get hurt, monkey
Shock, shock, shock
Watch the monkey get hurt, monkey

Cover me when I sleep
Cover me when I breathe
You throw your pearls before the swine
Make the monkey blind
Cover me, darling please

Hey, monkey, monkey, monkey
Don't you know you're going to shock the monkey, hey, hey
Shock the monkey, hey

(Monkey) Too much at stake
(A monkey) Ground beneath me shake
(Monkey) And the news is breaking

Shock, shock, shock
Watch the monkey get hurt, monkey
Shock, shock, shock
Watch the monkey get hurt, monkey

Shock the monkey
Shock the monkey
Shock the monkey, hey, hey
Shock the monkey

(Shock the monkey to life)
(Shock the monkey to life)
(Shock the monkey to life)
(Shock the monkey to life)
(Shock the monkey to life)
(Shock the monkey to life)
(Shock the monkey to life) Shock the monkey (shock the monkey)
(Shock the monkey to life) Shock the monkey (shock the monkey)
(Shock the monkey to life) Shock the monkey (shock the monkey)
(Shock the monkey to life) Shock the monkey (shock the monkey)

Shock the monkey (shock the monkey)
Shock the monkey (shock the monkey)
Shock the monkey
(Shock the monkey to life)
Comments (95)add comment
Originally released in 1982 on the "Security" Album.
Posted 8 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Touch my monkey!
TOUCH HIM! LOVE HIM!!
SHOCK HIM!!!
Posted 1 year ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
I assume his singing about himself, he does look like a monkey.
Posted 1 year ago by nightdrive    [ Reply ]
 GHoffmeyer wrote:

Genesis was SO MUCH better with him.   Night/Day.

I'd say more like 'apples/pomegranates'. Just completely different. Phil Collins is gonna write a rock opera about carpet crawlers?

I like apples and pomegranates, so hey.
c.

Posted 1 year ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 GHoffmeyer wrote:

Genesis was SO MUCH better with him.   Night/Day.



As much as I love early Genesis, I find that my favorite line up was the 4-some in the late 1970s.
Posted 1 year ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
I'd like to see Bill precede this song with The Rolling Stones' Monkey Man and the follow it with Low's Tonight the Monkey Dies
Posted 1 year ago by sjccroquet    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
 GHoffmeyer wrote:

Genesis was SO MUCH better with him.   Night/Day.




I agree!  But they were still great after he left, but not as good! The big decline started when they went top40/ pop! Although, they were still a lot better than the other top40/pop crappola that they were competing with on the radio, in the late 70s / 80s!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Genesis was SO MUCH better with him.   Night/Day.
Posted 2 years ago by GHoffmeyer    [ Reply ]
 nicolewe wrote:

I always thought this song was about lab monkeys used for testing...actually, he denies this and said it was a song about jealousy or something to that effect. 



Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
GREAT TUNE!   
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Everybody in my hotel room loves this song forever...  we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  love Radio Paradise...
Posted 6 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Everybody in my elevator be dancing like happy hippies... this song is soooo good for the ears...  we love this shocking song...  love Radio Paradise...  time flies when we're having fun...
Posted 7 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of homeless camps be dancing buck ass naked all over the mountains and beaches from sea to shining sea like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  we love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...  time flies when we're having fun...
Posted 9 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]


Everybody in my church loves this shocking song...
 

Still my mind...


Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 Magikal1act wrote:

The big question: will it continue? What will come next? Any guesses? Always best in threes if you ask me?
 
Who had Dave Matthews Band - Shake Me Like a Monkey?

Posted 12 years ago by sbegf    [ Reply ]
shock the monkey
Posted 12 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
I always thought this song was about lab monkeys used for testing...actually, he denies this and said it was a song about jealousy or something to that effect. 
Posted 12 years ago by nicolewe    [ Reply ]
What's with the Monkey Business? :)


Posted 13 years ago by sailorgirl    [ Reply ]
A true legend:)
Posted 13 years ago by Monicks    [ Reply ]
 michaeleconomy wrote:
"Now Playing:
Peter Gabriel - Shock The Monkey
Mark Knopfler - Punish the Monkey"

... don't think we don't see whats going on here Bill! 
 
The big question: will it continue? What will come next? Any guesses? Always best in threes if you ask me?
Posted 13 years ago by Magikal1act    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
Whenever I hear this song, I harken back to a bit of dialogue on the old sitcom Cheers.
Frasier Crane's finacé, the usually-cold-as-dry-ice Lilith, had just been to a bachelorette party at which a Puerto Rican male stripper bared all and pulled some hijinks with his member—to the music of this song. Lilith said, ''From now on, whenever I hear Shock the Monkey, I will think of Raoul.''
 
And now so will I. (LOL). 
Posted 13 years ago by Magikal1act    [ Reply ]
 michaeleconomy wrote:
"Now Playing:
Peter Gabriel - Shock The Monkey
Mark Knopfler - Punish the Monkey"

... don't think we don't see whats going on here Bill! 

 
Wait, wait.  What's going on, now?

Posted 13 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
"Now Playing:
Peter Gabriel - Shock The Monkey
Mark Knopfler - Punish the Monkey"

... don't think we don't see whats going on here Bill! 

Posted 13 years ago by michaeleconomy    [ Reply ]
My all time favorite song, ever. I have never tired of it and I don't think I ever will. 
Posted 13 years ago by Magikal1act    [ Reply ]
ludwig7 wrote:
I'd always assumed this song was about animal rights or something, never having been able to fully make out the lyrics. But at that show he introduced it in a context that made it seem like it was more of an antiwar song or somesuch (I can't fully remember--the haze in my head at the time has combined with my hazy memory to blot it out). Anyone have the full scoop?
I remember reading somewhere once (there's solid info for ya') that he wrote this about his divorce.
Posted 17 years ago by mattt    [ Reply ]
Cruithne3753 wrote:
A sexual hand signal in conjunction with an infant oranutan . . . how is that even remotely appropriate?
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
Although I LOVE this song, I dont think its necessary to play it here, we can always hear it on the OTHER radio. . .
Posted 17 years ago by meower    [ Reply ]
Whenever I hear this song, I harken back to a bit of dialogue on the old sitcom Cheers. Frasier Crane's finacé, the usually-cold-as-dry-ice Lilith, had just been to a bachelorette party at which a Puerto Rican male stripper bared all and pulled some hijinks with his member--to the music of this song. Lilith said, ''From now on, whenever I hear Shock the Monkey, I will think of Raoul.''
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Stefen wrote:
Didn't the original video of this have a batch of monkeys in a white room or something?
Use this link to see the video or go to Google and type in "Shock the Monkey video": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70RNjLsuSk
Posted 17 years ago by cattgirl813    [ Reply ]
This is the song that introduced me to Peter Gabriel, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. How I love that man.
Posted 17 years ago by cattgirl813    [ Reply ]
Cruithne3753 wrote:
Don't you just hate it when some smartass points out that you've posted a picture of an ape, not a monkey? Just think of it as "QC" for RP posts.
Posted 17 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
excuse me, but is it me or this is indeed just a very feeble pop song?
Posted 17 years ago by federico    [ Reply ]
Cruithne3753 wrote:
the delicate art of utilizing "the shocker" hahaha
Posted 17 years ago by go_ski_mully    [ Reply ]
Didn't the original video of this have a batch of monkeys in a white room or something?
Posted 17 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by Cruithne3753    [ Reply ]
Mangoman wrote:
...music isn't about just making a few nice sounds over and over again. Pop song construction may not be brain surgery, but it's amazing how few pop musicians are truly gifted in it.
While I don't feel the same way you do about Gabriel or this song, it's a great point, conceptually. It's like pizza or biscuits (the Southern American kind, not cookies) - simple recipes. Deceptively simple. But it's a great discovery to find somebody who does it well. Sometimes the simplest things require the greatest effort to master.
Posted 17 years ago by ploafmaster    [ Reply ]
Yes!
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Ouch! Stop it!
Posted 17 years ago by photomuse    [ Reply ]
Mangoman wrote:
Pop song construction may not be brain surgery, but it's amazing how few pop musicians are truly gifted in it.
Thank God for that. I've never been big on formulaic, by-the-numbers pop. Glad Gabriel isn't either.
Posted 17 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Spank the monkey!
Posted 17 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
ozzy's version is better
Posted 17 years ago by tony620d    [ Reply ]
TheJack wrote:
Enough Peter Gabriel!!!
No, there is never enough!
Posted 17 years ago by brokemusician    [ Reply ]
Enough Peter Gabriel!!!
Posted 17 years ago by TheJack    [ Reply ]
connect the ape
Posted 17 years ago by noelbarnes    [ Reply ]
This song will now forever remind me of Southpark. The episode when Wendy breaks up with Stan, and Stan is told if he wants to win here back all he has to do is go stand outside her house, and hold a boombox over his head playing a Peter Gabriel song. This is the some he plays.
Posted 17 years ago by GChevy410    [ Reply ]
ElSupreme wrote:
Do you have a lizanse for tha meenkee?
Dooz zyur munkey bite?
Posted 17 years ago by Austin2Florida    [ Reply ]
pope183 wrote:
who iz mounkey ? Do noot shook zee mounkey!
Do you have a lizanse for tha meenkee?
Posted 17 years ago by ElSupreme    [ Reply ]
pope183 wrote:
who iz mounkey ? Do noot shook zee mounkey!
I still like this one even if it's overplayed.
Posted 17 years ago by Austin2Florida    [ Reply ]
Ham the chimp was not a monkey to monkey with for sure.
Posted 17 years ago by sutcliff    [ Reply ]
Don't you monkey with the monkey!
Posted 18 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
Avatard wrote:
Never felt this one.
Me neither. What did the monkey do to anyone? Spread ebola?
Posted 18 years ago by dolfan    [ Reply ]
newwavegurly wrote:
Seriously, never heard a German version of this song.
Yea it's here at the oasis. Check this, it's kinda cool once you know the English lyrics.
Posted 18 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
What did he just say?....
Posted 18 years ago by freeone1    [ Reply ]
mrselfdestruct wrote:
I'll set up a meeting between you two where you can teach him. Yep. It'll be awesome.
LMAO.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
Mangoman wrote:
Someone needs to teach him that music isn't about just making a few nice sounds over and over again. Pop song construction may not be brain surgery, but it's amazing how few pop musicians are truly gifted in it.
I'll set up a meeting between you two where you can teach him. Yep. It'll be awesome.
Posted 18 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
Govi wrote:
This always sounds like the Isley Brothers to me. More Isley Brothers, please!
??
Posted 18 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
I for one, enjoy Peter Gabriel very much... however, this tune always seems to get way too much play.
Posted 18 years ago by byrd    [ Reply ]
This always sounds like the Isley Brothers to me. More Isley Brothers, please!
Posted 18 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
Mangoman wrote:
A typical Peter Gabriel formula-- Create a simple, easily digestible short musical phrase, say very little, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat... Repeat again. Someone needs to teach him that music isn't about just making a few nice sounds over and over again. Pop song construction may not be brain surgery, but it's amazing how few pop musicians are truly gifted in it.
And they say subtle humour is lost on Americans. I presume you are being humourous btw!!
Posted 18 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
who iz mounkey ? Do noot shook zee mounkey!
Posted 18 years ago by pope183    [ Reply ]
A typical Peter Gabriel formula-- Create a simple, easily digestible short musical phrase, say very little, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat... Repeat again. Someone needs to teach him that music isn't about just making a few nice sounds over and over again. Pop song construction may not be brain surgery, but it's amazing how few pop musicians are truly gifted in it.
Posted 18 years ago by Mangoman    [ Reply ]
Shesdifferent wrote:
Cool emoticon but RP plays waaay too much Peter Gabriel
That's like saying, ' There's waaay too much peace in this world'.
Posted 18 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
Shesdifferent wrote:
Cool emoticon but RP plays waaay too much Peter Gabriel
(emphasis added) no kidding.
Posted 18 years ago by povarotti    [ Reply ]
psycholynx wrote:
Cool emoticon but RP plays waaay too much Peter Gabriel
Posted 18 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
I appreciate the contribution of Peter Gabriel to music, but sometimes simply cannot stand his histrionic voice. Too weird sometimes for me. :roll:
Posted 18 years ago by kerouvian    [ Reply ]
One of the best reminders of the 80's...
Posted 18 years ago by Old_Pool_Skunk    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
masterhead wrote:
I also own a Gabriel's album in German, not this one but PG3, Peter seems to enjoy German
The German version of Security sounds half-assed produced to me. A lot of the polish and extra sounds are sorely lacking.
Posted 19 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
psycholynx wrote:
that is majorly COOOL!!!!!!!! (pimp) (pimp) (pimp) (pimp)
Posted 19 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by psycholynx    [ Reply ]
masterhead wrote:
I also own a Gabriel's album in German, not this one but PG3, Peter seems to enjoy German
Probably a contractual obligation, like the Beatles' Spanish albums.
Posted 19 years ago by Trustocity    [ Reply ]
Get up and dance, yo! This ain't no disco, this is Radio Paradise! shhhhhhhhhhOCK
Posted 19 years ago by Trustocity    [ Reply ]
slogan for viagras next add campaign....
Posted 19 years ago by kevbo77    [ Reply ]
\:D/ \:D/ \:D/ \:D/ \:D/ \:D/ German/English - How bout we just say it's good both ways! \:D/ \:D/
Posted 19 years ago by diane    [ Reply ]
newwavegurly wrote:
You sure you're not confusing this with Nena's "99 Luft/Red Balloons"? Seriously, never heard a German version of this song.
UPLOAD, please?
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
bev wrote:
I have this album (vinyl) in German. I like it better than the English version, as well. And I don't really speak much German. It's something to do with his phrasings and some of the music is a little crisper!
I also own a Gabriel's album in German, not this one but PG3, Peter seems to enjoy German
Posted 19 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
Has matured nicely into a classic....and I couldn't stand it when it first came out. The video was disturbing. Peter Rules! Live version of STM is the best! A 10.
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
newwavegurly wrote:
You sure you're not confusing this with Nena's "99 Luft/Red Balloons"? Seriously, never heard a German version of this song.
I have this album (vinyl) in German. I like it better than the English version, as well. And I don't really speak much German. It's something to do with his phrasings and some of the music is a little crisper!
Posted 19 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
teadye wrote:
Great, but the version in German is better. As I remember it was played on the radio more than the English version when it first came out.
You sure you're not confusing this with Nena's "99 Luft/Red Balloons"? Seriously, never heard a German version of this song.
Posted 19 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
The clip to this song was played in HardRock Cafe in Belfast 2 weeks ago. A *very* nice surprise! Made the good diner even taste better.
Posted 19 years ago by Tux    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by bluedot: saw peter the other night in irvine ca. he sang one song whilst riding around on a SEGWAY! insanely hilarious!
Yeah, I was at that show too. Boy, I wanna hang out in Peter's rec room. He who has the most toys wins, eh? I'd always assumed this song was about animal rights or something, never having been able to fully make out the lyrics. But at that show he introduced it in a context that made it seem like it was more of an antiwar song or somesuch (I can't fully remember--the haze in my head at the time has combined with my hazy memory to blot it out). Anyone have the full scoop? I could probably wade through his website, but I've already made my contribution to witness.org.
Posted 20 years ago by ludwig7    [ Reply ]
Great, but the version in German is better. As I remember it was played on the radio more than the English version when it first came out.
Posted 20 years ago by teadye    [ Reply ]
one of the most innovative visual and musical artistes of our time :) :)
Posted 20 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
What can I say that hasn\'t been said. Peter is god. All hail Peter Gabriel!!!! \"Shock the monkey to life!!\"
Posted 20 years ago by serene23    [ Reply ]
saw peter the other night in irvine ca. he sang one song whilst riding around on a SEGWAY! insanely hilarious! go see peter. his new album is great and he's on top of his game! he puts on a very cool show... click here to see g.w. bush falling off a segway: https://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/030612/170/4dnhg.html
Posted 20 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by pkeys: I also saw him in San Jose on what I think was the same tour. One of the best concerts I ever saw, and somewhere I think I still have his "Little Red Book" that he gave away on the tour stashed away. More early PG! How about some stuff from I & II?
Posted 21 years ago by pkeys    [ Reply ]
I also saw him on what I think was the same tour. One of the best concerts I ever saw, and somewhere I think I still have his \"Little Red Book\" that he gave away on the tour stashed away. More early PG! How about some stuff from I & II?
Posted 21 years ago by pkeys    [ Reply ]