[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Tanya Donelly — Moonbeam Monkey
Album: Beautysleep
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2356









Released: 2002
Length: 3:43
Plays (last 30 days): 2
I'm an angel dark, darker than loam
Come to steer your runaway home
I'm a moonbeam monkey on spec
Come to bring your strange kid back

No one saw him gimpy going round the bend
And no one but me knows the stuff it takes to mend him
I will get him back on the right track
I will bring your strange kid back

He saw something there, something in the ice
Sees it still when he closes his eyes
He's not talking, just taking it alone
I will bring his story home

He's not talking, just taking it alone
He's a good boy, your good son
I'm an angel dark, darker than loam
I will bring your strange kid home
Comments (173)add comment
never heard of before, but what a surprise. Very nice, thanks!
Sweeeet Lover of mine
 mach-hog wrote:

… haven’t you always wanted a monkey? 😉





Uhm... NO! 😜
Psychodelic Song. Great!l
 boatbyrd wrote:



Usually very low in density I think. IE; very aerated yet moist.



huh huh...he said moist...huh huh
 SmackDaddy wrote:

Something that rhymes with home. Also dark rich soil.



Usually very low in density I think. IE; very aerated yet moist.
 nanderson1 wrote:
In Bavarian German dialect it's exactly "Loam".



Sounds a bit like one of those tracks by the band Garmarna.
 sm11 wrote:

what's 'loam'?


Something that rhymes with home. Also dark rich soil.
… haven’t you always wanted a monkey? 😉
Man this track is haunting... but in a good way! :)
So close, no matter howww farrrr...

Nah just joking, great song, great vocals, easy 9 here, make it matter!
sounds like Laurie Anderson back vocals; cannot remember the tune at the moment but her vocals were always pure, with perfect enunciation. Won't compare the two but I heard the resemblence from another room - ended quickly
 sm11 wrote:
what's 'loam'?
 

A type of clay/ soil mix. ...I never heard of it until I was in western Massachusetts on vacation, and they were selling it in several places.
 sm11 wrote:
what's 'loam'?
 
A metaphor for death in this song.
Treacle
Would have been a really cool song, but that horrible repeating sound in the background ruins this for me, it's like a Chinese water torture 
"The Great Weirdness of 2020". I like that. My best assessment as of late was,

"Worst. Zombie. Apocalypse. Ever!" 
One of those songs, I didn't care for it much on first listen, but
liking it more and more....
 sm11 wrote:
what's 'loam'?
nounnoun: loama fertile soil of clay and sand containing humus.Geologya soil with roughly equal proportions of sand, silt, and clay.a paste of clay and water with sand, chopped straw, etc., used in making bricks and plastering walls.OriginOld English lām ‘clay’, of West Germanic origin: related to Dutch leem and German Lehm, also to lime1.Translate loam toUse over time for: loam  

what's 'loam'?
I'm a dancer and when I hear songs like this... (moody, theatrical, atmospheric) I just stop everything and move if I can - or imagine the setting, scene, conceptual choreography... Love this song. Thanks, RP. Goes in the Dance Playlist with Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, Blonde RedHead, Bat for Lashes etc....
 jambo wrote:
just gave it a 10 to try to bump it up from that creepy 6.66 rating. 
 
Me too.  And I don't think it's that creepy; sheesh.
just gave it a 10 to try to bump it up from that creepy 6.66 rating. 
O.o
 Proclivities wrote:

You went to a small, non-musical venue that seated 12,000 people?
{#Propeller}

 
For the Stones, yes..very small and yes it was half a Century ago.{#Tongue-out}


 entropy2go wrote:
Just added another entry to my 'greatest annoyances in life' list. Artist that use alarm sounds in their song that are similar to the ones you have on your alarm clock. ;-) I cringed every time I heard the buzzer.

 
Add sirens to a hole noises that should not be used.
May have been said, but this sounds like Jennifer Charles..  

Check out Lovage - Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By.   Mike Patton (we went to Eureka High Together) and Jennifer Charles get all sultry in this one. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6mAIR9-vgI
And always remember.. "Ladies Love Chest Rockwell."
should have called this "Song of the Gaelic female werewolf"
 Proclivities wrote:

Have you ever played a set of music to a small, mostly-disinterested group of people in a non-musical venue?  There's very little that is inspirational or rewarding about it; I imagine even less if one has achieved some level of success.  As you said, "who knows why she actually left"?

 
She could have had a physical ailment, technical issues, a mental health episode, a disagreement with management/band/location personnel, etc. Maybe she's a perfectionist that didn't feel she could do her best for her fans (the great majority of which probably would have been happy to see & hear her regardless of her condition). Maybe she was a prima dona that didn't want her schedule fucked with.
 TerryS wrote:

You are right, I went to a Stones show once where they only half showed up, despite there being at least 12,000 ticket holders in front of them.

 
You went to a small, non-musical venue that seated 12,000 people?
{#Propeller}
 Proclivities wrote:

Have you ever played a set of music to a small, mostly-disinterested group of people in a non-musical venue?  There's very little that is inspirational or rewarding about it; I imagine even less if one has achieved some level of success.  As you said, "who knows why she actually left"?

 
You are right, I went to a Stones show once where they only half showed up, despite there being at least 12,000 ticket holders in front of them.
I am struck like a match!!!! Like this lots
Great lyric:

"I'm a moonbeam monkey on spec"
 Biscobret wrote:

If this is true, then that sucks.  Who knows why she actually left that day, but if it was because too few people showed up, it doesn't make sense to walk-out — at that point you are punishing those who came, and appeasing all of those people that said "nah, she won't make it worth it."  How about doing such a kick-ass set, everyone hears about it, and those who chose not to go regret it.  Doesn't that make more sense?

 
Have you ever played a set of music to a small, mostly-disinterested group of people in a non-musical venue?  There's very little that is inspirational or rewarding about it; I imagine even less if one has achieved some level of success.  As you said, "who knows why she actually left"?
Feels like this song belongs on Season 1 True Detective.
One to add to the Quirky/Edgy playlist. I can imagine this featuring in a Tim Burton film. #LikeLots 
 zepher wrote:

  "Dude, like this is totally a bad prank, right?
You are not sending me into outer f*cking space. . . right?!
Dude . . . DUUDE!"

 entropy2go wrote:
Just added another entry to my 'greatest annoyances in life' list. Artist that use alarm sounds in their song that are similar to the ones you have on your alarm clock. ;-) I cringed every time I heard the buzzer.

 
Yeah, the beginning sounds remind me of sonar ping or "dive, dive, dive" alarm from old WWII movies.


heh... just saw tanya donnelly this weekend, sitting next to me, enjoying a tasty burger at a local burger joint.
 Lauriea wrote:
starting to notice a theme here, a monkey thread

 
Back on the monkey treadmill.  "Glad you are a monkey woman, too, babe."


The first monkey to be sent successfully into space was Albert II, a male rhesus monkey, who made it to a height of 83 miles (134 km) on June 14, 1949. Albert II was carried aboard a V2 rocket as well, though his fate was not as lucky as that of the fruit flies: a problem with the parachute on the recovery capsule sadly led Albert II to his death from the force of the impact upon landing.

All of the monkeys were anesthetized during their missions, and implants and sensors – as well as cameras on later missions – allowed scientists to study the effects of weightlessness and radiation at high altitudes on living creatures. Without the sacrifice of these animals, there would have been much loss of human life during the space program.





starting to notice a theme here, a monkey thread
How is this whole album?  I love this track and a fan of TD....
...and I agree that the alarm clock is annoying.


                              {#Frustrated}              
 Danimal174 wrote:
You know, I always liked Belly pretty good, but I'm not a fan of Tanya Donelly, because of an incident that happened back in the day. My friend & I were headed down to Charleston, SC, to meet up with old friends and see a concert, and we hear that Tanya was doing a free in-store performance at an indie music store there. So, my friend & I got up early to drive down there to see the show. Well, we get there just as she's supposed to be starting, and we see her walking out. Apparently, she walked in the store, said "There aren't enough people here", and turned around & walked out. While I still think she's talented, her attitude that day made it hard for me to be a fan.
 
If this is true, then that sucks.  Who knows why she actually left that day, but if it was because too few people showed up, it doesn't make sense to walk-out -- at that point you are punishing those who came, and appeasing all of those people that said "nah, she won't make it worth it."  How about doing such a kick-ass set, everyone hears about it, and those who chose not to go regret it.  Doesn't that make more sense?
Dreamy, excellent

 
Just added another entry to my 'greatest annoyances in life' list. Artist that use alarm sounds in their song that are similar to the ones you have on your alarm clock. ;-) I cringed every time I heard the buzzer.
It took me a minute to partially remember but it reminds me of that Chicken Song by those long haired twins.
 Danimal174 wrote:
You know, I always liked Belly pretty good, but I'm not a fan of Tanya Donelly, because of an incident that happened back in the day. My friend & I were headed down to Charleston, SC, to meet up with old friends and see a concert, and we hear that Tanya was doing a free in-store performance at an indie music store there. So, my friend & I got up early to drive down there to see the show. Well, we get there just as she's supposed to be starting, and we see her walking out. Apparently, she walked in the store, said "There aren't enough people here", and turned around & walked out. While I still think she's talented, her attitude that day made it hard for me to be a fan.
 
I don't blame her.  This has nothing to do with her music.
This is excellent!  Nuff said.  Well maybe even Most Excellent?!
 Danimal174 wrote:
You know, I always liked Belly pretty good, but I'm not a fan of Tanya Donelly, because of an incident that happened back in the day. My friend & I were headed down to Charleston, SC, to meet up with old friends and see a concert, and we hear that Tanya was doing a free in-store performance at an indie music store there. So, my friend & I got up early to drive down there to see the show. Well, we get there just as she's supposed to be starting, and we see her walking out. Apparently, she walked in the store, said "There aren't enough people here", and turned around & walked out. While I still think she's talented, her attitude that day made it hard for me to be a fan.
 

I have to share a story too,  Tanya Donelly's web designer was a young woman with very bad ears.  She had hearing aids in both ears and needed a surgery.  Tanya threw a fundraiser for her through her website and sent out merchandise to everyone that donated.  I sent $50 bucks to the cause and in return got a T-shirt (which was awesome since it replaced one that I'd lost to a GF in a break up), a couple of patches and a hand-written note from Tanya herself.  This was probably 5 or 6 years ago.
{#Devil_pimp}
 Danimal174 wrote:
You know, I always liked Belly pretty good, but I'm not a fan of Tanya Donelly, because of an incident that happened back in the day. My friend & I were headed down to Charleston, SC, to meet up with old friends and see a concert, and we hear that Tanya was doing a free in-store performance at an indie music store there. So, my friend & I got up early to drive down there to see the show. Well, we get there just as she's supposed to be starting, and we see her walking out. Apparently, she walked in the store, said "There aren't enough people here", and turned around & walked out. While I still think she's talented, her attitude that day made it hard for me to be a fan.
 
I was scheduled to do a book-signing at a local establishment. It had been advertised for three weeks prior to the actual date, and when I arrived there, no one had showed up. Yes, it's VERY discouraging, especially when you've put yourself out there with something you think is good and you get no response. I'm sorry Ms. Donelly wasn't happy with having a few people instead of a mosh-pit - not sure what she expected, but clearly, she had loftier ideals than what the Charleston public did. Feh.

She's still very talented and quirky, but I wouldn't ask for her autograph - then again, I wouldn't ask for anyone's autograph. {#Lol}



I'm an angel dark, darker than loam
Come to steer your runaway home
I'm a moonbeam monkey on spec
Come to bring your strange kid back

No one saw him gimpy going round the bend
And no one but me knows the stuff it takes to mend him
I will get him back on the right track
I will bring your strange kid back

He saw something there, something in the ice
Sees it still when he closes his eyes

He's not talking, just taking it alone
I will bring his story home

He's not talking, just taking it alone
He's a good boy, your good son
I'm an angel dark, darker than loam
I will bring your strange kid home



{#Motor}
love this song
 Felix_The_Cat wrote:
Reminds me of Mari Boine
 
The "ooh-hoo" bit sounds a lot like her, and I like the stark contrast with the ultra-low bass voice. This is really growing on me.

 fredriley wrote:
Nice monkey segue from Bonobo. Olé, Bill & Becky :)
 
{#Arrowu} This. Both for the minky connection and the blend of tracks. Nice. 
Reminds me of Mari Boine
Nice monkey segue from Bonobo. Olé, Bill & Becky :)
Cool and haunting.
First listen ... interesting and quirky.
I love the weirdness of this song.

I've always been a fan of Tanya.
Cool, like that stuff, iceprincess on drums ...

He saw something there, something in the ice
Sees it still when he closes his eyes
He's not talking, just taking it alone
I will bring his story home

 ginniet wrote:
Hauntingly interesting!
 
And strangely alluring.........
.
Hauntingly interesting!
Danimal174 wrote:
Tanya was doing a free in-store performance at an indie music store. Well, we get there just as she's supposed to be starting, and we see her walking out. Apparently, she walked in the store, said "There aren't enough people here", and turned around & walked out.
...i played a show once where the promoters totally dropped the ball and literally only two people showed up at a great big operahouse venue - trust me, from firsthand experience following through with the concert, it's incredibly demoralising and awkward, both...
Staying on the simian theme, Bill, ya gotta play Shock the Monkey!
You know, I always liked Belly pretty good, but I'm not a fan of Tanya Donelly, because of an incident that happened back in the day. My friend & I were headed down to Charleston, SC, to meet up with old friends and see a concert, and we hear that Tanya was doing a free in-store performance at an indie music store there. So, my friend & I got up early to drive down there to see the show. Well, we get there just as she's supposed to be starting, and we see her walking out. Apparently, she walked in the store, said "There aren't enough people here", and turned around & walked out. While I still think she's talented, her attitude that day made it hard for me to be a fan.
This can do it for me!
Hard to believe a song could suck so bad as this one.
Dave_Mack wrote:
Any clue what this means? I'd be happy knowing what "on spec" means.
Coulda sworn she said "I'm a moonbeam monkey on smack", but I guess I wasn't listening closely enough.
xkolibuul wrote:
spookiest song I've heard in quite a while. hallow's eve just around the corner. reminds me what I like about this time of year at these temperate climes.
TD is my fav spooky girl, kristen is next.
spookiest song I've heard in quite a while. hallow's eve just around the corner. reminds me what I like about this time of year at these temperate climes.
lovely buns.... and uh other stuff
Magic or luck...Sailor Song next?
Anyone have an idea what the song even means?
I think the Cingular ringtone would fit better with this tune
I\'m still a cold italian pizza.
Thanks Bill for the bit about Mark Sandman on the duet. Makes the song extra haunting.
This song is haunting--in a good way...
Bad monkey! Bad! So I just un-mute RP after wading through a few business phone calls (damn work) only to hear this "song". Ugh.
I'd love to marry Tanya
Phone? I though there was a cricket in my room and started wandering around with a can of RAID. Cool song though.
Kind of a cool song, but can someone hang up the phone that's off the hook in the background? It's really distracting.
What a wierd combanation between spychadelic rock and 'nobody knows the trouble I've seen'.
Dug it until that monkey started howling....
Monkey Man Moonbeam Monkey what's next . . . The Monkees!
Wow. I must have been in a really bad mood when I rated this a 5. I'm liking it much better today.
wow that was cool! Love Tanya.. she is one of my favorites of all time... and this is new stuff from her. Way to go RP!
Wow her voice is haunting. This is the second time I've heard this song, and it just gives me chills. Also like the monkey theme that Bill has going. ;-)
Missed the song, but that is the best title I've heard in a long time.
djinnthespazz wrote:
When a builder builds a home 'on spec' - it's a speculative endeavor. The house doesn't have an owner, and may or may not sell when it hits the market.
Interesting, though, that spec homes are described as "custom" about 99% of the time in marketing materials. Yeah, yeah, totally off topic, I know.
bobringer wrote:
Damn, you don't mean Bill doesn't work 24/7/365? I thought he had magic powers and didn't need to sleep or eat... or brush his teeth or anything like that.
Stop bustin' on Bill- he's living the dream, man- if you're old enough, you'll remember- a Jetsons-like future, where you'll work 2 hours a day, assisted by a computer that makes your work easier. Okay, so a lot of IT folks out there have to work harder, perhaps, and we're not all working 2 hour days, but I feel ripped off- I want my nuclear-powered flying car, man.
Me like me some moonbeam mahn-keeh.
i love this transition from "bonobo" to "moonbeam monkey". ...but then again, i am quite the nerd.
Dave_Mack wrote:
"on spec" means.
When a builder builds a home 'on spec' - it's a speculative endeavor. The house doesn't have an owner, and may or may not sell when it hits the market. One definition.
in spite of the fact that I have every intention of not liking this tune,,,,I kind of like it
Any clue what this means? I'd be happy knowing what "on spec" means.
Changing my 3 to a 2. Arf!
ThirdRail_33 wrote:
Captain, they have spotted us on sonar!!!! Dive, dive, dive!!!
You are a jerk. I was reading this while drinking coffee and nearly choked trying to keep from laughing.
Captain, they have spotted us on sonar!!!! Dive, dive, dive!!!
wondertoofar wrote:
That may be but they seem to keep repeating themselves. I often notice the same songs following each other time and time again. Looks like Bill ain't workin that hard after all huh? Mix it up BoooiiiiiZZZZ!
Damn, you don't mean Bill doesn't work 24/7/365? I thought he had magic powers and didn't need to sleep or eat... or brush his teeth or anything like that.
No doubt about it, she is pretty talented...
Certainly needs less 'grillo' (Crickets for those who don't know Spanish. Its just that grillo is such a good word for that sound!)
It needs more cow bell before it gets into the really heavy riffs.
Something eerily compelling about this song. I shouldn't like it, but I do.
elphmorgan wrote:
Song called Moonbeam Monkey following on the heals of band called Bonobo, nice, added bonus for music being of similar genres. Love watching for the twisted connections in Bill's brain.
That may be but they seem to keep repeating themselves. I often notice the same songs following each other time and time again. Looks like Bill ain't workin that hard after all huh? Mix it up BoooiiiiiZZZZ!
Excellent
Song called Moonbeam Monkey following on the heals of band called Bonobo, nice, added bonus for music being of similar genres. Love watching for the twisted connections in Bill's brain.
TD, formerly of Belly. Remember "Feed the Tree"?
thewiseking wrote:
alas, i have fallen for another crazy girl.
Indeed. This haunts me. Don't know why. Reminds me that "the dingo took my baby"
Yecch.