Me And My Monkey

Album: Escapology (2002)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Robbie Williams told the story of this song to The Mail on Sunday: "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.'"
  • Before performing this song at his residency at Knebworth House in August 2003, Williams called it "a cautionary tale." The lyrics appear to be about Williams' tendency to engage in self-destructive behavior as a result of his fame, with the "monkey" referring to the British singer's past cocaine addiction. Williams struggled with cocaine dependency throughout his early career, and checked into rehab to overcome it in 1997.
  • Speaking to Music Week in June 2010, Williams' longtime collaborator Guy Chambers said "Me and My Monkey" was written "literally five minutes before we went on stage in Taiwan."
  • This is a track from Williams' fifth solo album, Escapology, which went to #1 in eight countries. "Me and My Monkey" wasn't released as a single, but still went on to become a live fan favorite.
  • Throughout the 2024 Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, the star is portrayed by a CGI chimpanzee. While "Me And My Monkey" doesn't appear in the film, both the song and the biopic depict journeys that are unpredictable and often tumultuous, mirroring the ups and downs of Williams' career in the music industry.

Comments: 1

  • Witchi from Bury Uk who is the monkey that the song is about?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.