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Like a Monkey in a Zoo Lyrics
i'm chained to the wall
i'm nothing at all
and my eyes look into the sunset thinking of better things to do
like a monkey in a zoo
the days go so slow
i don't have no friends
except all these people who want me to do tricks for them
like a monkey in a zoo
and it could happen to you
you could be in my place
no it wasn't always like this
oh but i never saw it coming
i'm so alone
but this is my home
and the bars that surround me keep me from knowing any better
like a monkey in a zoo
throw me a peanut
laugh and make jokes
but i've had enough peanuts and i'm ready to croak
like a monkey in a zoo
you come to look at me
you seem so amused
but things would look different
if you were in my shoes
i know it's my fault
but i want out
and when i cry out nobody seems to understand
like a monkey in a zoo
you say i'm cute
you don't know how much that hurts
you don't know how it feels to live in your own dirt
like a monkey in a zoo
and it could happen to you
you could be in my place
don't let yourself slip
don't keep egg on your face
i used to be happy
i can't remember those days
but i sold my freedom for free room and board
like a monkey in a zoo
i'm nothing at all
and my eyes look into the sunset thinking of better things to do
like a monkey in a zoo
i don't have no friends
except all these people who want me to do tricks for them
like a monkey in a zoo
you could be in my place
no it wasn't always like this
oh but i never saw it coming
but this is my home
and the bars that surround me keep me from knowing any better
like a monkey in a zoo
laugh and make jokes
but i've had enough peanuts and i'm ready to croak
like a monkey in a zoo
you seem so amused
but things would look different
if you were in my shoes
but i want out
and when i cry out nobody seems to understand
like a monkey in a zoo
you don't know how much that hurts
you don't know how it feels to live in your own dirt
like a monkey in a zoo
you could be in my place
don't let yourself slip
don't keep egg on your face
i can't remember those days
but i sold my freedom for free room and board
like a monkey in a zoo
Song Info
Submitted by
thedarkcanuck On Apr 23, 2006
More Daniel Johnston
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This is one of the most devasting songs I've ever heard. It tears me to pieces every time I hear it. Vic Chesnutt's version is excellent as well. Daniel Johnston is such an under appreciated force in music. He is succeeds in shining his transparent, beautiful soul in his songs.
This song makes me feel like there's a oversized beehive inside me and someone just hit it with a baseball bat. So soulful. One of my favorite songs ever.
This song really reveals the hypocrisy of psychiatric treatment in our society. It shows how society doesn't want to feel it hurt you overtly for being mentally ill, but is more then willing to make you a vegetable and minimize the hassle of dealing with you. Daniel's voice cries out for many forgotten souls languishing in their cages; like monkeys in a zoo.
@logicaldreamer: I think this song is about DJ's own fame; and as for psychiatric treatment being hypocritical, what would you suggest, leave mentally ill patients with all their emotions intact so they can suffer? Although psychiatry is an area where treatment is not very effective and has lots of side effects, as yet no-one has found anything any better.
As a mentally ill adult living with parents and in intensive therapy ... this is my song.