Album: Doolittle (1989)

Charted: 60

License This Song 

• There was a god
  An underwater god who controlled the sea
  Got killed by ten million pounds of sludge
  From New York and New Jersey
  
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  
  The creature in the sky
  Got sucked in a hole
  Now there's a hole in the sky
  And the ground's not cold
  And if the ground's not cold
  Everything is gonna burn
  We'll all take turns, I'll get mine too
  
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  
  Rock me, Joe
  
  If Man is five, if Man is five, if Man is five
  Then the Devil is six, then the Devil is six
  Then the Devil is six, the Devil is six
  And if the Devil is six
  Then God is seven, then God is seven, then God is seven
  
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven
  This monkey's gone to Heaven Writer/s: Charles Thompson
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

• AnonymousOR he got the monkey off his back, which is a expression about getting off dope. The religious is a part of it of course but also that habit (monkey) went to heaven.
• Luiz from PortugalI always tought that the number was a geometric progression: the man is 5 which is the smallest and the devil is 6 which is bigger than 5 but smaller than 7. "Then god is seven..."
• Toot from Heaven Read an analysis of the Pixies in relation to the island of Puerto Rico where Frank Black was “Come on Pilgrim-ed” to in college, it will all makes sense.
• Eric from Boston, MaThe writer of the third fact is a little confused: the Christian New Testament is not part of Hebrew scripture. So this person's speculations about 666 and 7s in Revelations aren't relevant. I think it should just be left at the Frank Black quote.
• Myfirstname from Lima, PeruFirst time I heard this song I thought of curious george cause in one of his stories he gets in a rocket for a special mission (I know, kinda silly)but this put aside, it is an awesome song, mainly I think, about people being stupid.
• Mynamemyway from Not Tellin', VaIn biology class, we were talking about the pollution of the ozone layer and I was dissppointed to find that I was one of the few who believed in it. After the discussion, we took a test and, after I was done, I wrote down the 2nd verse of this song on the front and turned it in to my teacher. I thought it was witty.
• Steve from Towson, MdSeems pretty obvious to me that it's an environmentally based song about the human race destroying both the sea and the sky. "An underwater guy who controlled the sea" is Triton. A sea which we pollute on a regular basis. "The creature in the sky Got sucked in a hole. Now there's a hole in the sky". Are airbourne pollutants that have created a hole in the ozone layer. I am guessing the monkey reference- is they are just shy of being human and we "are" human but too stupid to realize we are destroying the earth- i.e. we are monkeys- just shy of being human.
• David from Fairfax, VaIf you go to a Baltimore Orioles game, this song gets played for several of the players when they come up to hit. That's a little bizarre if you ask me... except maybe the thing about 10 million pounds of sludge from new york and new jersey during a yankee game.
• Echo from Normalville, MaCan't believe no one's commented for this! it's a perfect example of the Pixie's amazing way to put something so complex and serious into something so light and seemingly nonsensical.
  Rock me, joe

More Songfacts:

Return To SenderElvis Presley

When the Elvis stamps came out in 1993, lots of folks used them to mail letters with bad addresses so they would be Returned To Sender.

Auld Lang SyneTraditional

The New Year's Eve favorite "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish song that roughly translates to "Days Of Long Ago."

Space OddityDavid Bowie

David Bowie's "Space Oddity" tells the story of an astronaut who cuts off communication and floats into space. The BBC used it extensively in their coverage of the 1969 moon landing - an odd choice considering the lyrics.

Friends In Low PlacesGarth Brooks

"Friends In Low Places" by Garth Brooks was written by two Nashville songwriters after a meal in a local restaurant. One of them forgot his money, but said not to worry, "I have friends in low places. I know the cook."

YYZRush

The instrumental "YYZ" by Rush got its title from the transmitter code for Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, near where the band is from.

RhiannonFleetwood Mac

"Rhiannon" is a Welch goddess. Stevie Nicks wrote the song, and it was a huge influence on her image, inspiring her flowing shawls and black outfits she began wearing on stage.

Editor's Picks

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

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

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.