The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
They're driving long nails into coffins
You've been having sleepless nights
You've gone as quiet as a church mouse
And checking on your rights
The boss has hung you out to dry
And it looks as though
They'll punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go
You've been talking to a lawyer
Are you going to pretend
That you and your employer
Are still the best of friends?
Somebody's going to take the fall
There's your quid pro quo
They'll punish the monkey
Punish the monkey, yeah
They'll punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go
Here comes a policeman
He won't be sidetracked
He's asking about a smoking gun
He's after the facts
It's a quiet life from here on in
You've dropped your poison cup
The telephone is ringing
But you're not picking up
Time's up, Sir Lord Flunkey
And everybody knows
They'll punish the monkey (punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey, yeah (punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go
Ooh, punish the monkey (punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey, yeah (punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go
Punish the monkey
Punish the monkey
Punish the monkey
Yeah, they'll punish the monkey
You've been having sleepless nights
You've gone as quiet as a church mouse
And checking on your rights
The boss has hung you out to dry
And it looks as though
They'll punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go
You've been talking to a lawyer
Are you going to pretend
That you and your employer
Are still the best of friends?
Somebody's going to take the fall
There's your quid pro quo
They'll punish the monkey
Punish the monkey, yeah
They'll punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go
Here comes a policeman
He won't be sidetracked
He's asking about a smoking gun
He's after the facts
It's a quiet life from here on in
You've dropped your poison cup
The telephone is ringing
But you're not picking up
Time's up, Sir Lord Flunkey
And everybody knows
They'll punish the monkey (punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey, yeah (punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go
Ooh, punish the monkey (punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey, yeah (punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go
Punish the monkey
Punish the monkey
Punish the monkey
Yeah, they'll punish the monkey
Lyrics submitted by bars.of.a.rhyme
Punish The Monkey Lyrics as written by Mark Knopfler
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooter_Libby