Monkey Man (The Rolling Stones song)

"Monkey Man" is a song by the English rock and roll band The Rolling Stones featured on their 1969 album Let It Bleed. It is the eighth track on the album. The song is often believed to be about a bad acid trip or heroin experience.

Composition and recording

Jagger and Richards wrote "Monkey Man". The song's introduction features distinctive vibraphone, bass and guitar, as well as tinkling piano. The song was recorded in April 1969. Richards plays the main guitar riff as well as the slide guitar solo, Jagger provides vocals, producer Jimmy Miller plays tambourine, Nicky Hopkins plays piano, Charlie Watts provides drums, while Bill Wyman plays vibraphone and bass.

Performances and covers

The Rolling Stones performed "Monkey Man" heavily on their 1994/1995 Voodoo Lounge Tour. A performance of the song features on Live Licks from their 2002/2003 Licks Tour.

Many movies and television shows (such as Entourage, or How I Met Your Mother) have used the song; It was covered in an episode of 21 Jump Street. It was also used in Martin Scorsese's 1990 film Goodfellas.

RJD2's hip hop quintet MHz sampled the opening of "Monkey Man" for their song "World Premier."

Adele's song "He Won't Go," on the album "21," also samples the opening piano riff of "Monkey Man."

Phish covered "Monkey Man" during ther Saturday afternoon set at Super Ball IX, their three day festival which took place at Watkins Glen International Speedway from July 1–3, 2011.