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.
Judging by the look on the organ-grinder,
He'll judge me by the fact that my face don't fit.
It's touching that the monkey sits on my shoulder.
He's waiting for the day when he gets me,
But I don't need no alibi - I'm a puppet on a string.
I just need this stage to be seen.
We all need a pantomime to remind us what is real.
Hold my eye and know what it means.
'Cause I'm out of my mind.
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind.
Judging by the look on the organ-grinder,
He'll judge me by the fact that my face don't fit.
It's touching that the monkey sits on my shoulder.
He's waiting for the day when he gets me,
But I won't be your concubine I'm a puppet not a whore.
I just need this stage to be seen.
Won't you be a friend of mine to remind me what is real?
Hold my heart and see that it bleeds.
'Cause I'm out of my mind.
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind.
'Cause I'm out of my mind.
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind.
He'll judge me by the fact that my face don't fit.
It's touching that the monkey sits on my shoulder.
He's waiting for the day when he gets me,
But I don't need no alibi - I'm a puppet on a string.
I just need this stage to be seen.
We all need a pantomime to remind us what is real.
Hold my eye and know what it means.
'Cause I'm out of my mind.
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind.
Judging by the look on the organ-grinder,
He'll judge me by the fact that my face don't fit.
It's touching that the monkey sits on my shoulder.
He's waiting for the day when he gets me,
But I won't be your concubine I'm a puppet not a whore.
I just need this stage to be seen.
Won't you be a friend of mine to remind me what is real?
Hold my heart and see that it bleeds.
'Cause I'm out of my mind.
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind.
'Cause I'm out of my mind.
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind,
I'm out of my mind.
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Well, I partially agree with some of the comments here, but here's what I think.
I believe this is about how James thinks of what he's doing at that time in his life. He is playing into the world of glamour and fame, to get his name out there, to spread his thoughts and music, but he knows he must be careful not to be consumed by it. It's easy for a real artist to be bastardized by the world they get caught up in.
The first two lines (and the repetition of them in the second verse) are indicative of how the world today works - everything comes down to how people view you in the world, and that modern civilization worships outer beauty above all else. If you're not defined by your beauty you're not defined at all generally.
The phrase 'monkey on my shoulder' (usually 'monkey on my back') refers to an addiction or an obsessive need. Definitely something that wants to consume you or overtake you. But James knows the story here - he knows the monkey is there, and he knows how the world works. They will take anything they can and leave him barren and empty. And still he knows he must move forward, and so he will make no excuses, he will do what he must. Even if it means bending to the will of the world. He must play the part of the puppet and do as others say for the time being. But as he states in the second verse "I won't be your concubine - I'm a puppet not a whore", he won't let it go farther than that. They can tell him where to sing and when perhaps, but they can't change who he is or the message he has to tell.
The final two lines of both verses are James' plea to the public to hear his music and understand what he is trying to do here. His music is his heart and that is what he's trying to share.
The whole song is tied together with the line "I'm out of my mind". James doesn't like these games anymore than anyone else does, but it is the way the world works.