This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
There are no monks in my band
There are no saints in this land
I'll be doin' all I can
If I die an honest man
Confusion is my middle name
Ask me again I'll tell you the same
Persuaded by one sexy dame
No I do not feel no shame
You are on the road
Can I get a little lovin' from you
Can I get a little bit of that done did do
You are on the road
Tell me now girl that you need me too
Tell me now girl cause I've got a feeling for you
Every man has certain needs
Talkin' 'bout them dirty deeds
To these needs I must concede
Livin' by my lowly creed
Woman please know that I'm good
Know that I did all I could
But yes it's true likelihood
Of being great is not so good
You are on the road
Can I get a little lovin' from you
Can I get a little bit of that done did do
You are on the road
Tell me now girl that you need me too
Tell me now girl cause I've got a feeling for you
There are no monks in my band
There are no saints in this land
I'll be doin' all I can
If I die an honest man
Virtue slipped into my shoe
No I will not misconstrue
More rockin' more rockin' now doobley do
Dancin' down your avenue
You are on the road
Can I get a little lovin' from you
Can I get a little bit of that done did do
You are on the road
Tell me now girl that you need me too
Tell me now girl cause I've got a feeling for you
There are no saints in this land
I'll be doin' all I can
If I die an honest man
Confusion is my middle name
Ask me again I'll tell you the same
Persuaded by one sexy dame
No I do not feel no shame
You are on the road
Can I get a little lovin' from you
Can I get a little bit of that done did do
You are on the road
Tell me now girl that you need me too
Tell me now girl cause I've got a feeling for you
Every man has certain needs
Talkin' 'bout them dirty deeds
To these needs I must concede
Livin' by my lowly creed
Woman please know that I'm good
Know that I did all I could
But yes it's true likelihood
Of being great is not so good
You are on the road
Can I get a little lovin' from you
Can I get a little bit of that done did do
You are on the road
Tell me now girl that you need me too
Tell me now girl cause I've got a feeling for you
There are no monks in my band
There are no saints in this land
I'll be doin' all I can
If I die an honest man
Virtue slipped into my shoe
No I will not misconstrue
More rockin' more rockin' now doobley do
Dancin' down your avenue
You are on the road
Can I get a little lovin' from you
Can I get a little bit of that done did do
You are on the road
Tell me now girl that you need me too
Tell me now girl cause I've got a feeling for you
Lyrics submitted by shut, edited by PEPPERMANIA
Funky Monks Lyrics as written by Chad Smith Anthony Kiedis
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
the introduction to this is brilliant
This song fucking rocks, I'd say maybe the best on BloodSugarSexMagik, or at least tied, anyway. I think most people have the right meanings of it, but I'll just add some stuff. the first two lines, 'There are no monks in my band, There are no saints in this land' refers to the fact that while they are not all good and pure like monks, neither is anyone else, so they shouldn't be judged for what they do. Also, when i first heard this song, i thought the chorus said 'You are all alone' instead of 'You are on the road', until i read the lyrics from the disc booklet and realised that it does sound more like the latter. But at the start of the very last chorus, I'm certain that John sings 'You are all alone' (listen for yourself). This is probably refering to the idea that, while they are sleeping with a lot of different women and always have some company, they are lonely because they don't have any proper serious relationships. Anyway thats my two cents worth, Peace
Yeah i agree with you FlynnZ maaan... at the end I am pretty sure John does say "You are all alone". And i agree with your reason why u think those would be the words. it makes perfect sense.
kiedis want to make TOTALLY clear we all under stand that just becuase they are living like monks they are not gonna stop lovin' the ladies N E one! and sex is one addiction that it is okay to let yourself get addicted to: 'To these needs I must concede Livin' by my lowly creed'
i agree... but i also think that it might be about girls fallin for the band while theyre on the road and being a little hesitant since theyre not gonna stay around for long..."you are on the road....can i get a lil lovin from you?" you know, the guys (ok, anthony!) are all about the sex an the girls might be foolish enough to want a serious relationship from the band members. this song is sayin that theyre not goin to slow down for anyone, to just accept it and give him what he wants.
i would!
yep I would too! I love this song, it's really fun to dance to! I agree w/redhedrocker, it might be about a groupie.
this song is funky, like nine cans of shaving powder, that's funky.
yeah anthony's sayin that he's a pretty good person but he just likes to get his dick wet but sometimes it doesn't work out because of the rough circumstances of being on the road. he's pointing out the negative aspects of being a famous rock star who everybody thinks is great...when really he's a humble man aware of his own problems and flaws. been a fan all my life, they really need to tour the states soon.
I think they missed something in there. Anyway I love this song. And ya it's about being on the road, going place to place, having sex w/ all different people. And so they're saying they don't feel guilty about it. and.. I guess they shouldn't.
There's more to this song than just sex. Anthony is telling us that he's a man with some weaknesses (just like the rest of us), he's not even close to being a perfect man and he would never want to be one. Being perfect would mean that he has nothing else to experience, he wouldn't learn from his mistakes beacuse he wouldn't make any. He lives doing the best things he can, taking advantage of his lifetime. (I didn't think of this song this way, until I read an interview, anyway, that's just my opinion )