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.
As the moon slips up, and the sun sets down,
I'm a highrise jockey, and I'm heaven-bound.
Do the workboot shuffle, loose brains from brawn.
I'm a monkey puzzle and the lid is on.
Can you guess my name?
Can you guess my trade?
I'm going to catch you anyway.
You might be right.
I'll give you guesses three.
Feel me climbing up your knee.
Guess what I am.
I'm a steel monkey.
Now some men hustle and some just think.
And some go running before you blink.
Some look up and some look down
from three hundred feet above the ground.
Can you guess my name?
And can you guess my trade?
Well, I won't rest before the world is made.
Arm in arm the angels fly.
Keep me from falling out the sky.
Steel monkey.
Steel monkey.
Steel monkey.
I work in the thunder and I work in the rain.
I work at my drinking, and I feel no pain.
I work on women, if they want me to.
You can have me climb all over you.
Now, have you guessed my name?
And have you guessed my trade?
I'm cheap at the money I get paid.
In the sulphur city, where men are men,
We bolt those beams then climb again.
Steel monkey.
I'm a highrise jockey, and I'm heaven-bound.
Do the workboot shuffle, loose brains from brawn.
I'm a monkey puzzle and the lid is on.
Can you guess my name?
Can you guess my trade?
I'm going to catch you anyway.
You might be right.
I'll give you guesses three.
Feel me climbing up your knee.
Guess what I am.
I'm a steel monkey.
Now some men hustle and some just think.
And some go running before you blink.
Some look up and some look down
from three hundred feet above the ground.
Can you guess my name?
And can you guess my trade?
Well, I won't rest before the world is made.
Arm in arm the angels fly.
Keep me from falling out the sky.
Steel monkey.
Steel monkey.
Steel monkey.
I work in the thunder and I work in the rain.
I work at my drinking, and I feel no pain.
I work on women, if they want me to.
You can have me climb all over you.
Now, have you guessed my name?
And have you guessed my trade?
I'm cheap at the money I get paid.
In the sulphur city, where men are men,
We bolt those beams then climb again.
Steel monkey.
Lyrics submitted by beasthound
Steel Monkey Lyrics as written by Ian Anderson
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I couldn't figure this one as I've never heard of a steel monkey, but I love this song, Ian & Martin showed they can still rock! Knowing Ian's songwriting, it must be more than just about high-rise steel workers; in the lyric about angels arm in arm helping him not fall from the sky evokes to me, images of the proverbial fallen angels.