Proudest Monkey

Album: Crash (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The lyrics are a timeline of Matthew's rise to fame, which is the subject of many of the songs of Crash. The song begins as a "humble" tune and gradually develops into a strutting, "proud" song. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Eric - Bloomingdale, IL
  • Dave sugggested at a 2006 concert in Saratoga, NY, that "Proudest Monkey" is about the human population destroying the world, and one monkey surviving and starting everything over again. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ted - Boston, MA
  • According to the biography Dave Matthews Band: Step Into The Light by Morgan Delancey, this was originally called "Route Two/Evolution," inspired by the band's arduous journey through a snowstorm to play a gig at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and represents their evolution from small-time Virginia rockers to superstars. After getting lost in the mountains along the way, they finally made it to the concert two hours late and improvised a rough version of the tune in lieu of a sound check.
  • This was used in the 2005 comedy-drama Standing Still, starring Amy Adams and John Abrahams.

Comments: 6

  • Pat from Columbus, InHere is the deal, Carter wrote this song and it is good.

    Pat
  • Bryan from Syracuse, NyThis is one of the best Dave Matthews Songs. He is an amazing song writer, this song is about growing up and moving on to bigger and better things. The idea of Maturity and "going to the city" is amazing. Love it!
  • Matt from Chicago, Il"I am a humble monkey" --->
    "I went to the city ... Now I am the proudest monkey"
  • Pat from East Hanover, NjThis song is written about himself, and his slow but steady rise to fame. Now he is the proudest monkey, you'l ever see. Excellent song. A great song to just unwind and relax to.
    -thanks
  • Joshua from Cincinnati, Ohthis song is about growing inti your own self and transformation
  • Locke from Blacksburg, VaThis song rocks!!!! It is def. one of my favorite DMB songs
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?