The Main Monkey Business
by Rush

Album: Snakes & Arrows (2007)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the first instrumental Rush did in 11 years, since "Limbo" from Test For Echo. It's the second longest (6:01) in their history behind "La Villa Strangiato" from Hemispheres (9:34).
  • The original version before recording was around 18 minutes long according to an interview with Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee with HDNET. They referred the original as just plain "crazy" and said they toned it done for the CD release.
  • The title of the song comes from a phrase Geddy's mom used to describe someone up to no good.
  • In a Legends of Classic Rock interview, Geddy Lee said: "Long story short is, this person was up to hijinx and my mother was telling me, 'Well I think there was some monkey business involved,' and I said, 'What do you mean, monkey business? What kind of monkey business?' And she said, 'The MAIN monkey business.' So I love that phrase and every time I think of her saying 'The MAIN monkey business' it makes me laugh." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Mountlake Terrace, WA, for all above

Comments: 1

  • Charlie from Wilmington , DeThis song is one of the best I have heard from Rush in a long time. I have been listening since about 1979. I recently went to the Philly show with a friend who had heard of Rush but never saw them live. Needless to say he was totally impressed, he was in awe with Neil's drum solo.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.