Top 5: Monkey Songs

     After being forced to take a week off due to time constraints, I'm back with a classic.  In college, my good friend and radio show partner, Bryan, had a theory about how to make sure any song you write is great.  He hypothesised that any song that mentioned monkeys has to kick ass.  Now, over the years I've come across a few songs that prove this theory wrong, or at least not as concrete as Bryan would like to convince you, but it hasn't made it any less fun a topic to talk about.  So, this week, in honor of Bryan and his theory, I give you the Top 5 Monkey Songs...

5. "Feather Pluckin'" - Presidents Of The United States Of America
     These guys could easily be considered the kings of the monkey song.  They at least 5 monkey songs on their first two albums.  This one is my favorite.  It talks about 10,000,00 monkeys playing guitar.  And it kicks ass.

4. "Brass Monkey" - Beastie Boys
     There is something about the Beastie Boys that cures any empty dance floor.  I've never seen a tepid response for the Beasties at a party and this song is one of their classic cuts.  I guarantee if you are DJing a get together of people 30 and younger and nobody is dancing, play Brass Monkey and your problems will be solved.

3." Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey" - Beatles
     Even the Beatles, the greatest pop band of all time, have a monkey song.  And it's one of their more kick ass numbers.  I'm not sure if Paul actually had a monkey or not, but I know if I was as rich as him there would be no way I wouldn't have a monkey.

2. "Monkey Man" - Toots & The Maytals
     This is a classic ska standard.  It is probably the most covered monkey song in existence.  Cover versions include, Reel Big Fish, The Specials, No Doubt and Amy Winehouse.  A kick ass song that will be played forever.

1. "Monkees Theme Song" - The Monkees
     This one kind of goes without saying.  The greatest monkey song ever written.  I defy anyone to not sing along anytime it's played.

Honorable Mentions - "Shock The Money": Peter Gabriel, "Bungle In the Jungle": Jethro Tull, "If I Had A Million Dollars": Barenaked Ladies (because haven't you always wanted a monkey?"), "Ghost Monkey": Taco (thanks Joe P)