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The Signifying Monkey
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A poem narrated and written by Doug Hammond. Backing track by Al Massey CC comedy challenge.
songwriter funk jazz composer nu jazz new age producer horns guitarist prog rock trumpet world meditation mystical sax brass music composer songmaker contemporary retro smooth
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Musician and songwriter creating music driven by distinctive melodies and groove stylings
Al Massey - Musician/composer/producer. Welcome to my musical world. Thanks so much for stopping by- Peace Profound
Song Info
Genre
Podcasts • Music Talk
Charts
Peak #1
Peak in subgenre #1
Author
Words - Doug Hammond; Music - Al Massey
Rights
2016
Uploaded
May 17, 2016
Track Files
MP3
MP3 11.4 MB • 320 kbps • 5:00
Lyrics
Doug Hammond(© 2005 - all rights reserved) Said the signifying monkey to the lion one day Hey there's a great big elephant down the way Going around talking I sorry to say About you mama in a scandalous way Yeah, he's talking about your mama and your grandma too. And he don't show too much respect for you. Now you weren't there and I'm sho am glad 'cause what he said bout you mama made me mad Signifying monkey stay up in your tree you always lying and signifying Signifying monkey stay up in your tree but you better not monkey with me The lion say yeah, well I'll fix him I'll tear that elephant limp from limb And he shook the jungle with a mighty roar took off like a shot from a 44. He found the elephant where the tall grass grows and said I come to punch you in your long nose The elephant looked up at the lion in surprise and said Boy you better pick on somebody your size The lion wouldn't listen he made a pass the elephant slapped him down in the grass. The lion roared and sprang from the ground and that's when the elephant really went to town. I mean he whupped that lion for the rest of the day. And I still don't see how the lion got away. But he dragged on off more dead than alive, and that's when that monkey started his signifying jive The monkey looked down and said oh wee, what is this beat up mess see. Is that you lion hey hey do tell, man he whupped you head to fare-de well. Give you beatin' that was rough enough , you suppose to be king of the jungle ain't that some stuff You big overgrown pussycat don't you roar or I'll come down there and whupped you some more The monkey got to laughing jumping around having so much fun but his foot missed the limb and he plunged to the ground The lion was on him with all four feet going to grind this monkey into hamburger meat The monkey looked up with tears in his eyes, and said please mister lion, I apologize I meant know please let me go and I'll tell you something you really need to know. The lion stepped back to hear what he said, and that monkey scamped up the tree and got away What I wanted to tell you the monkey hollowed then That if you fool with me, I sic the elephant on you again The lion just shook his head and said you jive if you and your monkey children want to stay alive up in them trees you better stay And that's where they are to this very day. Signifying monkey stay up in your tree you always lying and signifying but you better not monkey with me
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Swampman And The Machine
Jun 12, 2017
How do you do it cuz so many different creations in your music
Andrew N Project
Dec 28, 2016
Excellent both groove and narration - it makes me get great feeling! Real pleasure while listening... Love the song...
UtopiaNex
Jun 03, 2016
Really like the way you have managed to fit the music to the words very good, nice groove as always and quite funny too. Great production :)
futurejazz
May 26, 2016
Hey Al slammin beat adds impact to the words soundscape set by wonderful keys and percussion like the lean bass and drums behind the core spoken parts great listen got me laughing...
Geoffrey Orbegoso
May 25, 2016
Driving, narrative poem-song. Clever in its complexity yet straightforwardness. Skillfully arranged. Now I feel like I'm in the "Discipline" period of Crimson. Different and wonderful!! Excellent work!
Falken
May 25, 2016
Very cool musac/soundscape that somehow enhance the poem. Nice and fat slap-bass!Also like the guitars you added. Well done my friend!
Pinecats
May 23, 2016
Wow...this is QUITE the tune Al! Instrumentally just awesome as is always the case with you..and that story...man, what a tale! Well narrated and lesson learned! A great listen and a fine piece of work for the challenge. Good entry Al!
Dollar Bill and the Unmentionables
May 23, 2016
The music is flat out fantastic, a tiny hint of King Crimson but so very not, I could listen to this all day. And the poem and the delivery, well that's icing on the cake. Impressive on every level, stunning work Al and Doug!
KAUL
May 23, 2016
Oh that Monkey had a mouth on him...Gates was a genius indeed. This music is as tight as it gets in every aspect. The opening is really cool and the story line is carried so well in this composition! Great sounds and melodies! The Signifying Monkey is well represented here!
Alan L Cole
May 22, 2016
Had to look up this African-American folklore reference influence - from a different play book I'd say Al but not musically. Very cool and original for me. I really enjoyed it when you turned up the burner at the 4:23 mark - smookin'.
Michael Bennett
May 22, 2016
Lots of energy going on with your music backer and fits perfectly with the poem and very apt for the challenge. Nice work, Al!
Musan Dera
May 22, 2016
First of all, it's such a good basic melody you are starting with. It's the musical base tune for this track. A very good building up at the intro. Synths, a guitar and bass. 0:52: The poem starts. I wonder how you got it fit into this track. Wasn't it difficult to get everything at the same speed? Music and the poem teller make a perfect match, anyway, but I think you could listen to music or poem separately as well. This reminds me of your "Detective Chronicle", where you used telling (and laughing) voices too. Very good, Al! And I hear that positive energy again too!
spinaceto
May 22, 2016
Extra cool intro!!! Loved the percussion part and the synth riff underlining the rythm shape. Excellent slap bass and guitar riff, clever blend of lyrics (spoken part ) and music..... I enjoyed this one Al!! So grooving and energy loaded! Great one my freind. :)
Sounds by Ramolly
May 22, 2016
Excellent song, super composition , you have a great mind Al, lots of imagery .
Carlo D'Anna
May 21, 2016
Very creative and wonderful! Some great verbal digressions as well!! Rocks solid and funny!!
Rodrica Rudge
May 21, 2016
Superb music - fits the poem perfectly! Very impressive work, love the high energy groove and the arrangement. You can turn your talents to any genre Al - great stuff!
Bob Forbes
May 21, 2016
Monkey on steroids :) High energy groove Al! Excellent work!