it's been said before, but not on this site seemingly, but this song seems to be about the ruinous effect on the environment of human pollution. Black Francis said that the inspiration for the song was a sense of anger at the destruction of the natural world, and this is clear from the lyrics...
In the first verse some kind of underwater worker is killed by all the trash from N.Y and N.J being dumped in the sea. I think the line "this monkey's gone to heaven" refers to this fellow. Humans are 'monkeys' we evolved from them, and this one has died and gone to heaven.
The second verse continues on a broader note, refering to the depletion of the ozone layer ("there's a hole in the sky") and the global warming consequences thereof ("everything's gonna burn...") this is everybody's problem: ("we'll all take turns") and now I think that the line about the monkey going to heaven instead refers to the singer dying due to the collapse of the earths environment.
I've no idea how the final verse relates to this, although I like the interpretation given by tenniel above.
"Humans are 'monkeys' we evolved from them, and this one has died and gone to heaven."
"Humans are 'monkeys' we evolved from them, and this one has died and gone to heaven."
This is the most obvious example.
I think that they are actually referring to how we are destroying the planet and simply for power. Humans evolved from monkeys; evolved being the key word. However, we seem to have the comprehension and foresight of our hominid brothers. I am not saying that monkeys are not intelligent creatures, but you would think that our capacity of understanding would be better. It's kind of ironic really, humans are being referred to as monkeys-destroying the planet and...
This is the most obvious example.
I think that they are actually referring to how we are destroying the planet and simply for power. Humans evolved from monkeys; evolved being the key word. However, we seem to have the comprehension and foresight of our hominid brothers. I am not saying that monkeys are not intelligent creatures, but you would think that our capacity of understanding would be better. It's kind of ironic really, humans are being referred to as monkeys-destroying the planet and killing each other and all-however, monkeys, as far as observations go, are more in tune with nature. Whereas we humans continually try to find new ways to destroy each other and further distance ourselves from nature.
I think that "the guy undersea" is the ecosystem of the hydrosphere.
As far as man is 5; devil is 6; god is 7 goes... I think that if we were to look at the biblical aspect, we would see that God is the greatest conceived being. Therefore, man starts out at 5, and since we have an obsession with linear time frames, he ends at 7. Man is a priori at birth because he is an innate being; he is 5. He then grows through life and becomes tainted and disillusioned by the want and the need of power. Power consumes man and he would sell his soul to attain as much power as he can consume; now man is at 6, the middle of his life. On man's death bed he realizes that power is not worth anything at the end of his life. Notice how this is all linear. He then dies, and lets go of all the power he has acquired throughout his life and he reaches a state of nirvana; now man is 7.
If God is the ultimate being, and nothing greater than God can be conceived, then it would make sense that on the linear scale, he is the highest and ultimate number. Perhaps the reason he is "7" instead of "10" is because "7" is the highest conceivable state of being.
yeh, that sounds cool only there would be no heaven if we are evolved from monkeys.
I think it means something like a grease monkey or just a plain laborer.
yeh, that sounds cool only there would be no heaven if we are evolved from monkeys.
I think it means something like a grease monkey or just a plain laborer.
Yeah, this makes sense. But I don't think the "underwater guy who controlled the sea" is some kind of worker. I believe he's referring to Neptune. If Neptune is the “spirit of the sea” who was killed by the sludge from New York and New Jersey it fits perfectly with your interpretation of the song. I’m a go with that.
Yeah, this makes sense. But I don't think the "underwater guy who controlled the sea" is some kind of worker. I believe he's referring to Neptune. If Neptune is the “spirit of the sea” who was killed by the sludge from New York and New Jersey it fits perfectly with your interpretation of the song. I’m a go with that.
i agree with TwotoneTwo. We evolved from a common ancestor according to the currently accepted theory of evolution. It would be impossible to coexist with a species that we would have evolved from. Sorry to stray from the meaning of the song. But i am an academic asshole _
i agree with TwotoneTwo. We evolved from a common ancestor according to the currently accepted theory of evolution. It would be impossible to coexist with a species that we would have evolved from. Sorry to stray from the meaning of the song. But i am an academic asshole _
it's been said before, but not on this site seemingly, but this song seems to be about the ruinous effect on the environment of human pollution. Black Francis said that the inspiration for the song was a sense of anger at the destruction of the natural world, and this is clear from the lyrics...
In the first verse some kind of underwater worker is killed by all the trash from N.Y and N.J being dumped in the sea. I think the line "this monkey's gone to heaven" refers to this fellow. Humans are 'monkeys' we evolved from them, and this one has died and gone to heaven.
The second verse continues on a broader note, refering to the depletion of the ozone layer ("there's a hole in the sky") and the global warming consequences thereof ("everything's gonna burn...") this is everybody's problem: ("we'll all take turns") and now I think that the line about the monkey going to heaven instead refers to the singer dying due to the collapse of the earths environment.
I've no idea how the final verse relates to this, although I like the interpretation given by tenniel above.
couldnta said it better myself
couldnta said it better myself
"Humans are 'monkeys' we evolved from them, and this one has died and gone to heaven."
"Humans are 'monkeys' we evolved from them, and this one has died and gone to heaven."
This is the most obvious example. I think that they are actually referring to how we are destroying the planet and simply for power. Humans evolved from monkeys; evolved being the key word. However, we seem to have the comprehension and foresight of our hominid brothers. I am not saying that monkeys are not intelligent creatures, but you would think that our capacity of understanding would be better. It's kind of ironic really, humans are being referred to as monkeys-destroying the planet and...
This is the most obvious example. I think that they are actually referring to how we are destroying the planet and simply for power. Humans evolved from monkeys; evolved being the key word. However, we seem to have the comprehension and foresight of our hominid brothers. I am not saying that monkeys are not intelligent creatures, but you would think that our capacity of understanding would be better. It's kind of ironic really, humans are being referred to as monkeys-destroying the planet and killing each other and all-however, monkeys, as far as observations go, are more in tune with nature. Whereas we humans continually try to find new ways to destroy each other and further distance ourselves from nature.
I think that "the guy undersea" is the ecosystem of the hydrosphere.
As far as man is 5; devil is 6; god is 7 goes... I think that if we were to look at the biblical aspect, we would see that God is the greatest conceived being. Therefore, man starts out at 5, and since we have an obsession with linear time frames, he ends at 7. Man is a priori at birth because he is an innate being; he is 5. He then grows through life and becomes tainted and disillusioned by the want and the need of power. Power consumes man and he would sell his soul to attain as much power as he can consume; now man is at 6, the middle of his life. On man's death bed he realizes that power is not worth anything at the end of his life. Notice how this is all linear. He then dies, and lets go of all the power he has acquired throughout his life and he reaches a state of nirvana; now man is 7. If God is the ultimate being, and nothing greater than God can be conceived, then it would make sense that on the linear scale, he is the highest and ultimate number. Perhaps the reason he is "7" instead of "10" is because "7" is the highest conceivable state of being.
yeh, that sounds cool only there would be no heaven if we are evolved from monkeys. I think it means something like a grease monkey or just a plain laborer.
yeh, that sounds cool only there would be no heaven if we are evolved from monkeys. I think it means something like a grease monkey or just a plain laborer.
Yeah, this makes sense. But I don't think the "underwater guy who controlled the sea" is some kind of worker. I believe he's referring to Neptune. If Neptune is the “spirit of the sea” who was killed by the sludge from New York and New Jersey it fits perfectly with your interpretation of the song. I’m a go with that.
Yeah, this makes sense. But I don't think the "underwater guy who controlled the sea" is some kind of worker. I believe he's referring to Neptune. If Neptune is the “spirit of the sea” who was killed by the sludge from New York and New Jersey it fits perfectly with your interpretation of the song. I’m a go with that.
Actually there is a interview , where he gets asked whether the song is about Pollution and stuff and he says it is not.
Actually there is a interview , where he gets asked whether the song is about Pollution and stuff and he says it is not.
Actually there is a interview , where he gets asked whether the song is about Pollution and stuff and he says it is not.
Actually there is a interview , where he gets asked whether the song is about Pollution and stuff and he says it is not.
i agree with TwotoneTwo. We evolved from a common ancestor according to the currently accepted theory of evolution. It would be impossible to coexist with a species that we would have evolved from. Sorry to stray from the meaning of the song. But i am an academic asshole _
i agree with TwotoneTwo. We evolved from a common ancestor according to the currently accepted theory of evolution. It would be impossible to coexist with a species that we would have evolved from. Sorry to stray from the meaning of the song. But i am an academic asshole _