In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I shake my head and shiver
They smile and they stab my back
As they shake my hand
Send out an S.O.S. please
I'm marooned in monkeyland.
I'm idly staring at the sky
Did anybody hear me cry
A billion stars are a moving sight
To all you out there reading this tonight
It's just a trick of the light
I have to know what is real and what is illusion
Tell me how does it feel beyond this confusion?
Is there anyone there?
Do I dismiss this with a sigh?
And let the answers pass me by?
Is my creator God or a man?
Does someone somewhere care and understand?
It's just a trick of the light.
I have to know what is real and what is illusion
(Rest of chorus)
Is there anyone there?
Life's an optical illusion like other optical illusions
Beware
They smile and they stab my back
As they shake my hand
Send out an S.O.S. please
I'm marooned in monkeyland.
I'm idly staring at the sky
Did anybody hear me cry
A billion stars are a moving sight
To all you out there reading this tonight
It's just a trick of the light
I have to know what is real and what is illusion
Tell me how does it feel beyond this confusion?
Is there anyone there?
Do I dismiss this with a sigh?
And let the answers pass me by?
Is my creator God or a man?
Does someone somewhere care and understand?
It's just a trick of the light.
I have to know what is real and what is illusion
(Rest of chorus)
Is there anyone there?
Life's an optical illusion like other optical illusions
Beware
Lyrics submitted by mightypotato, edited by SaeedRNR, Marnik
Monkeyland Lyrics as written by John Lever Dave Fielding
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It expresses a sense of disorientation and confusion in the face of a world that seems duplicitous and uncertain. The protagonist is wary of those around them, who may appear friendly but are ready to betray them. The phrase "marooned in monkeyland" adds a sense of isolation and desperation. The question "Is there anyone there?" gives us a sense of loneliness and a desire for understanding. The protagonist seems to be searching for some kind of connection or meaning in a world that seems confusing and uncertain.
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Mark's note from their official site (thechameleons.com):
"By the late seventies Middleton had become a very dull and insular place to live. Although nearby Manchester has always been a fresh and interesting place to hang out, whenever I was skint, which was most of the time, I'd feel very trapped in Middleton. The first section really refers to people I found myself surrounded by early on in the band's development, all of which served to remind me of the depth of the rut we had all seemingly fallen into. The song as a whole was inspired by what the author Colin Wilson described as "the triviality of everydayness". Ironically, several years later, Middleton's nickname with those that lived in other areas around Manchester was 'Monkeytown'."
A million stars are a moving sight To all you out there Reading this tonight
=
A million stars are a moving sight To all you out there Hearing me tonight
It’s actually about being stranded in the Heywood which is the town next to Middleton
Music industry is full of sharks who do not care about what musicians feel. They're just there to make you sign contracts, suck your creativity and drop you off. Confusion and illusions. " They smile and then stab my back as they shake my hand." Millions stars is just a trick of the light... Illusions.