Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: ska
Song Meaning of “Monkey Murders” by The English Beat
Monkey Murders, by The English Beat, paints a dark and chilling picture of a world gone mad. It speaks of a society where lawlessness and violence have become the norm, and justice is nowhere to be found. The lyrics tell the story of how the chaos of a chaotic world has affected the wellbeing of the people living in it.
The song opens with a warning of imminent danger, as the singer describes seeing “monkeys on the run” in the street. The image of chaotic and potentially dangerous animals running around hints at the underlying unease that plagues this society. The people in the song are living in fear, worried for their lives in a world where danger lurks around every corner.
The chorus employs an animalistic metaphor to hammer home the idea that “rations and war” have been declared, and that human life has become reduced to a game of survival. The song warns us that when power is taken away from the people, corruption and anarchy will follow—“only the strong can survive”.
The song ends on a desperate, yet powerful note, as the singer cries out to an absent leader—asking them to take control of the situation and save the day. This plea for help serves as a plea to all of us to recognize the madness and take action against it. Monkey Murders serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice and fighting to create a better world.