(Woe is me, and I’ve been dyin’
Got to get that monkey off my back)
The fortune teller looked into my eyeballs
The wrinkles on her face about to crack
She said, “You best believe it
You ain’t goin’ anywhere
Unless you get that monkey off your back”
Whoo hoo yeah
Well, I made believe the devil made me do it
I was the evil leader of the pack
You best believe I had it all, and then I blew it
Feedin’ that fucking monkey on my back
Yow!
If you put it a spoon, man, I would boot it
Some king whose mental house was just a shack
Where do you draw the line when all your friends are dyin’?
You got to get that monkey off your back
Uh, uh, uh
Your crystal ball is where you chase the dragon
She said, “Now, bring me home his head inside a sack”
But now you find your crystal balls are dragging
Uh, uh, uh, got to get that monkey off your back
Yeah, yea hoo
The Struggle with Addiction in “Monkey On My Back”
“Monkey On My Back” by Aerosmith is a raw, honest portrayal of battling personal demons, specifically addiction. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone haunted by dependency, feeling trapped and desperate for freedom. Phrases like “got to get that monkey off my back” use the well-known metaphor of a burdensome problem, while references to fortune tellers and devilish influences highlight the struggle between fate and choice. The song’s gritty language and imagery underscore the desperation and chaos that addiction brings, making the listener feel the intensity of the narrator’s internal battle. Ultimately, the track serves as a plea for liberation and a cautionary tale about the consequences of losing control.
Song Credits
- Artist: Aerosmith
- Songwriters: Steven Tyler, Joe Perry
- Release Year: 1989
- Label: Geffen Records