I think this song might actually be about Robbie's problems with his own character and behaviour. It makes a lot of sense to think of the monkey as being a self-destructive, outrageous side to Robbie, that he was beginning to see as a separate personality and more trouble than it was worth.
The scene with the monkey having a "good time" while Robbie cleans his shoes and watches pay-per-view TV seems to show just how detached Robbie is becoming from his "monkey" and its behaviour, but at the same time he can't seem to do anything to stop it. "Trying to understand why he did what he did, Why he did what he did when he did," Robbie says, the voice of reason, while the "monkey" spends his (Robbie's) money and generally acts like a reckless clown. The last line would be a pretty fair estimation of Robbie's feelings, I would guess.
I like your guess, I agree. One thing about the part "why he did what he did" Its that he feels connected to Sundance kid who still bugs many film lovers why he let himself get killed. Robbie probably feels that maybe Sundance kid also had a destructive part that is out of control. Like we are looking to music to define our existence so is Robbie William doing true film and music, with references to lithium and Sundance kid.
I like your guess, I agree. One thing about the part "why he did what he did" Its that he feels connected to Sundance kid who still bugs many film lovers why he let himself get killed. Robbie probably feels that maybe Sundance kid also had a destructive part that is out of control. Like we are looking to music to define our existence so is Robbie William doing true film and music, with references to lithium and Sundance kid.
@kirotourmaline To quote Robbie himself......"I had a conversation with a girl in a pool in Singapore. She said, 'How do you write a song?' I said,'You write about anything that comes to mind: give me two things and I will write a song for you this afternoon.' She said, 'Monkeys and rollerblades."
@kirotourmaline To quote Robbie himself......"I had a conversation with a girl in a pool in Singapore. She said, 'How do you write a song?' I said,'You write about anything that comes to mind: give me two things and I will write a song for you this afternoon.' She said, 'Monkeys and rollerblades."
Nice theories by everyone else, but it's a lot simpler than that.
Nice theories by everyone else, but it's a lot simpler than that.
@kidego
My I remind you of a line in "Come Undone"?
"If I stop lying I'd just disappoint you"
So... how much do you think is true in that story?
And furthermore; the monkey with the rollerblades aren't the main motive in the song, just a metaphor and a quirky image.
@kidego
My I remind you of a line in "Come Undone"?
"If I stop lying I'd just disappoint you"
So... how much do you think is true in that story?
And furthermore; the monkey with the rollerblades aren't the main motive in the song, just a metaphor and a quirky image.
I think this song might actually be about Robbie's problems with his own character and behaviour. It makes a lot of sense to think of the monkey as being a self-destructive, outrageous side to Robbie, that he was beginning to see as a separate personality and more trouble than it was worth.
The scene with the monkey having a "good time" while Robbie cleans his shoes and watches pay-per-view TV seems to show just how detached Robbie is becoming from his "monkey" and its behaviour, but at the same time he can't seem to do anything to stop it. "Trying to understand why he did what he did, Why he did what he did when he did," Robbie says, the voice of reason, while the "monkey" spends his (Robbie's) money and generally acts like a reckless clown. The last line would be a pretty fair estimation of Robbie's feelings, I would guess.
I like your guess, I agree. One thing about the part "why he did what he did" Its that he feels connected to Sundance kid who still bugs many film lovers why he let himself get killed. Robbie probably feels that maybe Sundance kid also had a destructive part that is out of control. Like we are looking to music to define our existence so is Robbie William doing true film and music, with references to lithium and Sundance kid.
I like your guess, I agree. One thing about the part "why he did what he did" Its that he feels connected to Sundance kid who still bugs many film lovers why he let himself get killed. Robbie probably feels that maybe Sundance kid also had a destructive part that is out of control. Like we are looking to music to define our existence so is Robbie William doing true film and music, with references to lithium and Sundance kid.
@kirotourmaline To quote Robbie himself......"I had a conversation with a girl in a pool in Singapore. She said, 'How do you write a song?' I said,'You write about anything that comes to mind: give me two things and I will write a song for you this afternoon.' She said, 'Monkeys and rollerblades."
@kirotourmaline To quote Robbie himself......"I had a conversation with a girl in a pool in Singapore. She said, 'How do you write a song?' I said,'You write about anything that comes to mind: give me two things and I will write a song for you this afternoon.' She said, 'Monkeys and rollerblades."
Nice theories by everyone else, but it's a lot simpler than that.
Nice theories by everyone else, but it's a lot simpler than that.
@kidego My I remind you of a line in "Come Undone"? "If I stop lying I'd just disappoint you" So... how much do you think is true in that story? And furthermore; the monkey with the rollerblades aren't the main motive in the song, just a metaphor and a quirky image.
@kidego My I remind you of a line in "Come Undone"? "If I stop lying I'd just disappoint you" So... how much do you think is true in that story? And furthermore; the monkey with the rollerblades aren't the main motive in the song, just a metaphor and a quirky image.