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.
Here come the sidewalk boss again
Telling me how I can't cave in
That I'm a study in black
Need a pat on the back
I look up and smile
A picture of dissatisfaction
That he can only see as a junkie
Though I might be straight as an arrow
He's busy shaking hands with my monkey
Busy shaking hands with my monkey well I go in the car
Straight to the bar
Where my sweetie pours the beer
For the millions of fans ignoring the bands
He's in my ear
Wants me to live in denial
Says you've gotta settle for something
Though it might not be really living
Anything is better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing
No actor action man gonna move in to take my place
I'll be pumping out the product
Just a total waste
Look at your hands unoccupied
Look at the lengths you'll go to hide
You're under the veil
Pretending to fail
Gotta whole lot of empty time left to go
Now you've gotta fill it with something
I know what you can do don't you know
Anything is better than nothing.
No actor action man gonna move in to take my place
I'll be pumping out the product
Just a total waste
I'm here with my cup
Afraid to look up
This is how I spend my time
Lazying around, head hanging down
Stuck inside my imagination
Busy making something from nothing
Pictures of hope and depression
Anything is better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing
Telling me how I can't cave in
That I'm a study in black
Need a pat on the back
I look up and smile
A picture of dissatisfaction
That he can only see as a junkie
Though I might be straight as an arrow
He's busy shaking hands with my monkey
Busy shaking hands with my monkey well I go in the car
Straight to the bar
Where my sweetie pours the beer
For the millions of fans ignoring the bands
He's in my ear
Wants me to live in denial
Says you've gotta settle for something
Though it might not be really living
Anything is better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing
No actor action man gonna move in to take my place
I'll be pumping out the product
Just a total waste
Look at your hands unoccupied
Look at the lengths you'll go to hide
You're under the veil
Pretending to fail
Gotta whole lot of empty time left to go
Now you've gotta fill it with something
I know what you can do don't you know
Anything is better than nothing.
No actor action man gonna move in to take my place
I'll be pumping out the product
Just a total waste
I'm here with my cup
Afraid to look up
This is how I spend my time
Lazying around, head hanging down
Stuck inside my imagination
Busy making something from nothing
Pictures of hope and depression
Anything is better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing
Anything is better than nothing
Lyrics submitted by better_than_nothing, edited by Jate
New Monkey Lyrics as written by Steven Paul Smith
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Hi guys, this is my first post here so please be kind ;)
I've just discovered this song and it's now easily one my all time favorites. I cant stop listening to it. Here's my take on it, which I believe is about depression and drug addiction... and yes I know not all of his songs are about it, but this one definitely is (in my mind).
"Here come the sidewalk boss again Telling me how I can't cave in That I’m a study in black Need a pat on the back I look up and smile A picture of dissatisfaction"
People who don't know or understand him are are patting him on the back saying "It's all going to be ok, hang in there" and all he can do is give them a fake smile.
"That he can only see as a junkie Though I might be straight as an arrow He’s busy shaking hands with my monkey Busy shaking hands with my monkey"
He believes people are just pigeon-holing him as a depressive drug addict, even when he might be straight and not on drugs, that's all they see. They're shaking hands with his 'monkey' as in a drug problem is usually called 'a monkey on your back'.
"I go in my car Straight to the bar Where my sweetie pours the beer For the millions of fans ignoring the bands"
Pretty straight forward and literal in my opinion.
"He’s in my ear Wants me to live in denial Says, 'You’ve gotta settle for something'"
His 'addiction' is constantly telling him 'you're fine, you don't have a problem. Just be happy with what you've got'.
"Though it might not be really living Anything is better than nothing Anything is better than nothing"
Here he's trying to tell himself that even though he's depressed and addicted to drugs, he's still living... Which is better than being dead.
"No happy action man gonna to move in and take my place I’ll be pumping up the product Just a total waste"
He's never going to be a happy go-lucky person, he's resigned to being depressed and 'pumping up the product' (injecting heroin) even though he knows he could do much more with his life.
"Look at your hands unoccupied Look at the lengths you’ll go to hide You’re under the veil Pretending to fail"
He's a shy person who evades the spotlight.
"Got a whole lot of empty time left to go Now you’ve got to fill it with something I know what you can do, don’t you know? Anything is better than nothing"
His addiction is again creeping up and coaxing him into having another fix.
"No happy action man gonna to move in and take my place I’ll be pumping up the product Just a total waste"
Again, reiterating he's never going to be a happy go-lucky person, he's resigned to being depressed and using drugs even though he knows he could do much more.
"I’m here with my cup Afraid to look up This is how I spend my time Lazying around, head hanging down Stuck inside my imagination Busy making something from nothing Pictures of hope and depression"
How obvious does it have to be? He's heavily depressed and can't escape it unless he is using.
"Anything is better than nothing Anything is better than nothing Anything is better than nothing Anything is better than nothing"
He's still trying to convince himself that 'anything is better than nothing'... having a miserable life is better than having no life at all.