Roses & Frey - Dance Monkey Lyrics
They say, oh my god, I see the way you shine
Take your hand, my dear, and place them both in mine
You know you stopped me dead when I was passing by
And now I beg to see you dance just one more time
Oh I see you, see you, see you every time
Oh my, I, I like your style
You make me, make me, make me wanna cry
And now I beg to see you dance just one more time
So I say
Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh oh
I've never seen anybody do the things you do before
They say, move for me, move for me, move for me, ay ay
And when you're done, I'll make you do it all again
I said, oh my god, I see you walking by
Take my hands, my dear, and look me in my eyes
Just like a monkey I've been dancing my whole life
But you just beg to see me dance just one more time
Oh I see you, see you, see you every time
Oh my, I, I like your style
You make me, make me, make me wanna cry
And now I beg to see you dance just one more time
So I say
Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh oh oh
I've never seen anybody do the things you do before
They say, move for me, move for me, move for me, ay ay ay
And when you're done, I'll make you do it all again
Dance Monkey Analysis:
Story:
The song tells the story of a street performer, the narrator, who feels exploited by the audience's constant demand for entertainment. Despite their talent, the narrator is reduced to a performing "monkey" in the eyes of the audience who don't appreciate the artistry behind the performance.
Themes:
- Exploitation: The song critiques the way audiences can exploit and devalue artists through their expectations and demands.
- Artistic Frustration: The narrator expresses frustration at being reduced to a mere spectacle and not being recognized for their true artistic expression.
- Desire for Appreciation: Despite the frustration, the narrator still craves the audience's attention and validation.
Storytelling Lyrics:
- "You stopped me dead when I was passing by / And now I beg to see you dance just one more time" (repeated)
- "Just like a monkey I've been dancing my whole life / But you just beg to see me dance just one more time"
Song's Essence:
- "I've never seen anybody do the things you do before / They say, move for me, move for me, move for me, ay ay ay / And when you're done, I'll make you do it all again"
Protagonist:
The street performer, who feels exploited and frustrated by the audience's demands.
Key Words and Meanings:
- Dance: Represents performance, entertainment, and the expectations placed on the artist.
- Monkey: Metaphor for being reduced to a mere spectacle, lacking agency and appreciation.
- Beg: Highlights the power dynamic and the performer's dependence on the audience's validation.
Analyses:
- Subject Analysis: Exploitation, artistic frustration, and the desire for appreciation within the performer-audience relationship.
- Emotional Analysis: Frustration, sadness, and a longing for recognition.
- Semantic Network Analysis: Analyze the connections between words like "dance," "monkey," "beg," and "see" to understand the power dynamics and emotional undertones.
- Critical Analysis: Consider the song's message about consumerism, exploitation of artists, and the value of creative expression.
- Language Analysis: Analyze the lyrical style, repetition, and figurative language to understand the song's impact.
- Psychological Analysis: Explore the psychological impact of being objectified and the performer's struggle for self-worth.
General Message:
The song criticizes the exploitative nature of consumerism and urges the audience to appreciate artists beyond their ability to entertain. It encourages a deeper understanding of the value and effort behind artistic expression.
Conclusion:
"Dance Monkey" uses a catchy melody and relatable lyrics to highlight a complex social issue - the exploitation of artists. By personifying the performer as a "monkey," the song effectively critiques the audience's tendency to take artists for granted and disregard their artistic value.
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