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They stayed up all night, selling cocaine and hash
To an undercover cop who had a sister named Jan
For reasons unexplained, she loved the Monkey Man
Tweeter was a boy scout before she went to Vietnam
And found out the hard way, nobody gives a damn
They knew that they'd find freedom just across the Jersey Line
So they hopped into a stolen car, took Highway 99
And the walls came down
All the way to hell
Never saw them when they're standing
Never saw them when they fell
The undercover cop never liked the Monkey Man
Even back in childhood, he wanted to see him in the can
Jan got married at fourteen to a racketeer named Bill
She made secret calls to the Monkey Man from a mansion on the hill
It was out on thunder road, Tweeter at the wheel
They crashed into paradise, they could hear them tires squeal
The undercover cop pulled up and said, ''"Everyone of you's a liar
If you don't surrender now, it's gonna go down to the wire"''
And the walls came down
All the way to hell
Never saw them when they're standing
Never saw them when they fell
An ambulance rolled up, a state trooper close behind
Tweeter took his gun away and messed up his mind
The undercover cop was left tied up to a tree
Near the souvenir stand by the old abandoned factory
Next day the undercover cop was hot in pursuit
He was taking the whole thing personal, he didn't care about the loot
Jan had told him many times, ''"It was you to me who taught
In Jersey anything's legal as long as you don't get caught."''
And the walls came down
All the way to hell
Never saw them when they're standing
Never saw them when they fell
Someplace by Rahway Prison, they ran out of gas
The undercover cop had cornered them said, ''"Boy, you didn't think that this could last"''
Jan jumped out of bed said, ''"There's someplace I gotta go"''
She took a gun out of the drawer and said, ''"It's best if you don't know"''
The undercover cop was found face down in a field
The Monkey Man was on the river bridge using Tweeter as a shield
Jan said to the Monkey Man, ''"I'm not fooled by Tweeter's curl
I knew him long before he ever became a Jersey girl"''
And the walls came down
All the way to hell
Never saw them when they're standing
Never saw them when they fell
Now the town of Jersey City is quieting down again
I'm sitting in a gambling club called The Lion's Den
The TV set was blown up, every bit of it is gone
Ever since the nightly news show that the Monkey Man was on
I guess I'll go to Florida and get myself some sun
There ain't no more opportunity here, everything's been done
Sometimes I think of Tweeter, sometimes I think of Jan
Sometimes I don't think about nothing but the Monkey Man
And the walls came down
All the way to hell
Never saw them when they're standing
Never saw them when they fell
And the walls came down
All the way to hell
Never saw them when they're standing
Never saw them when they fell
I never have been a fan of recording companies "Super Groups." Anyone remember Damn Yankees? Yikes. The same with Wilbury. Does the combination of these musicians produce music superior to the artist's individual efforts?
Check out Al Kooper's antique "Super Session" LP. You won't be disappointed.
Does the combination of great musicians create better music than their solo efforts? Sometimes.
Like All-Star sport teams, a collection of great athletes doesn't always produce the results one would expect.
I'm glad you are a monkey woman too
[Wrong song, unclehud.]
This is a tribute to Bruce Springsteen and NJ. Springsteen's song, "Part Man, Part Monkey", inspired Dylan. If you listen to the song, it contains elements of Bruce"s stage act over the years, in particular his long hair screaming bouts with his dad over the war, the draft and waiting for the army to make a man out him. When I first saw him in Trenton NJ in '74, the stories he told were all events in his life and later in his autobio, I realized just how personal much of what he said on stage really was. It was my story I heard up on stage. I screamed at father he screamed back at me, worse than the violent typhoons he survived in the Pacific as a sailor in the Spanish Merchant Marines and then the US Navy for 20 years starting with WWII.
It moved myself and my friends, at the time, I was carrying a Draft Card in my wallet, even though the Viet Nam war was winding down, and Nixon was driven from office, it wasn't until March of next year in '75 that we were driven from Viet Nam in as much disgrace and loss as Nixon's exit from the White House, both featuring helicopters taking off from an embattled territory. These songs ring like the Liberty Bell did against slavery in Philadelphia when the Abolitionist Movement was founded and used the iconic bell as its symbol for the promise of freedom, and the not yet realization of all that high minded language in the Declaration of Independence. This song is the bitterness of that time so strong you can spit it out of your mouth just trying to lose the taste. Springsteen is much admired by many of his peers, always to my surprise that he was so accepted, by Lou Reed, Patti Smith and today, Jason Isbell who covers Born In the USA in the Springsteen Tribute, DEAD MAN'S TOWN. Dylan as Springsteen, Springsteen as Dylan, it happens in this song, like an episode of the Soprano TV show in a few minutes done only with words and music.
Great commentary. Thanks!
I'm going to assume this was written by Bob Dylan. Having spent about a freakin' career by now bad-mouthing Dylan (you know, parents' gen's idol; gotta diss the seniors), I admit to really very much digging this song. Please don't tell anyone. Could ruin my rep.
I mean, and this is just my opinion, but these lyrics easily put this song among his best stories.
I approve of making fun of Springsteen through song
This is a tribute to Bruce Springsteen and NJ. Springsteen's song, "Part Man, Part Monkey", inspired Dylan. If you listen to the song, it contains elements of Bruce"s stage act over the years, in particular his long hair screaming bouts with his dad over the war, the draft and waiting for the army to make a man out him. When I first saw him in Trenton NJ in '74, the stories he told were all events in his life and later in his autobio, I realized just how personal much of what he said on stage really was. It was my story I heard up on stage. I screamed at father he screamed back at me, worse than the violent typhoons he survived in the Pacific as a sailor in the Spanish Merchant Marines and then the US Navy for 20 years starting with WWII.
It moved myself and my friends, at the time, I was carrying a Draft Card in my wallet, even though the Viet Nam war was winding down, and Nixon was driven from office, it wasn't until March of next year in '75 that we were driven from Viet Nam in as much disgrace and loss as Nixon's exit from the White House, both featuring helicopters taking off from an embattled territory. These songs ring like the Liberty Bell did against slavery in Philadelphia when the Abolitionist Movement was founded and used the iconic bell as its symbol for the promise of freedom, and the not yet realization of all that high minded language in the Declaration of Independence. This song is the bitterness of that time so strong you can spit it out of your mouth just trying to lose the taste. Springsteen is much admired by many of his peers, always to my surprise that he was so accepted, by Lou Reed, Patti Smith and today, Jason Isbell who covers Born In the USA in the Springsteen Tribute, DEAD MAN'S TOWN. Dylan as Springsteen, Springsteen as Dylan, it happens in this song, like an episode of the Soprano TV show in a few minutes done only with words and music.
Epic...
Is that a requirement?
Arrogant and Condescending comment.
For some of us the so called fun did not produce quality.
Just Top 40 Radio fodder.
"Arrogant and condescending"? Wow. You must have just learned those words because they don't really fit there sport.
Your comment suggesting lack of quality actually qualifies for arrogance and condescension considering you are no authority on song writing. Your opinion? Sure. But that's it. And no one really gives a f***.
Wardleader wrote:
It moved myself and my friends, at the time, I was carrying a Draft Card in my wallet, even though the Viet Nam war was winding down, and Nixon was driven from office, it wasn't until March of next year in '75 that we were driven from Viet Nam in as much disgrace and loss as Nixon's exit from the White House, both featuring helicopters taking off from an embattled territory. These songs ring like the Liberty Bell did against slavery in Philadelphia when the Abolitionist Movement was founded and used the iconic bell as its symbol for the promise of freedom, and the not yet realization of all that high minded language in the Declaration of Independence. This song is the bitterness of that time so strong you can spit it out of your mouth just trying to lose the taste. Springsteen is much admired by many of his peers, always to my surprise that he was so accepted, by Lou Reed, Patti Smith and today, Jason Isbell who covers Born In the USA in the Springsteen Tribute, DEAD MAN'S TOWN. Dylan as Springsteen, Springsteen as Dylan, it happens in this song, like an episode of the Soprano TV show in a few minutes done only with words and music.
It moved myself and my friends, at the time, I was carrying a Draft Card in my wallet, even though the Viet Nam war was winding down, and Nixon was driven from office, it wasn't until March of next year in '75 that we were driven from Viet Nam in as much disgrace and loss as Nixon's exit from the White House, both featuring helicopters taking off from an embattled territory. These songs ring like the Liberty Bell did against slavery in Philadelphia when the Abolitionist Movement was founded and used the iconic bell as its symbol for the promise of freedom, and the not yet realization of all that high minded language in the Declaration of Independence. This song is the bitterness of that time so strong you can spit it out of your mouth just trying to lose the taste. Springsteen is much admired by many of his peers, always to my surprise that he was so accepted, by Lou Reed, Patti Smith and today, Jason Isbell who covers Born In the USA in the Springsteen Tribute, DEAD MAN'S TOWN. Dylan as Springsteen, Springsteen as Dylan, it happens in this song, like an episode of the Soprano TV show in a few minutes done only with words and music.
I loved reading this comment.
Only 2 Wilburys are still with us. : (
Don't kill my vibe!!
Perhaps your taste in music is skewed. The TW's are a bunch of musicians who've (had) made it. They were having fun. They were in it for themselves and they shared it with us. The music they put out was quality...and fun. This song is part of that.
Arrogant and Condescending comment.
For some of us the so called fun did not produce quality.
Just Top 40 Radio fodder.
Good call. Cheers Bob
Did they form this band because it was fun?
Because they surely didn't form it to make great music.
Did they form this band because it was fun?
Because they surely didn't form it to make great music.
Nadler and Schiff
The reasoning has to do with "Tweeter" - neither of the Democrats you cited has a propensity for using Twitter as a forum as much as our current Commander-in-Chief.
Trump and Boris Johnson?
Nadler and Schiff
Tempus fugit.
But music transcends.
Trump and Boris Johnson?
My rating increases from 8 - Most Excellent to 9 - OUTSTANDING
It moved myself and my friends, at the time, I was carrying a Draft Card in my wallet, even though the Viet Nam war was winding down, and Nixon was driven from office, it wasn't until March of next year in '75 that we were driven from Viet Nam in as much disgrace and loss as Nixon's exit from the White House, both featuring helicopters taking off from an embattled territory. These songs ring like the Liberty Bell did against slavery in Philadelphia when the Abolitionist Movement was founded and used the iconic bell as its symbol for the promise of freedom, and the not yet realization of all that high minded language in the Declaration of Independence. This song is the bitterness of that time so strong you can spit it out of your mouth just trying to lose the taste. Springsteen is much admired by many of his peers, always to my surprise that he was so accepted, by Lou Reed, Patti Smith and today, Jason Isbell who covers Born In the USA in the Springsteen Tribute, DEAD MAN'S TOWN. Dylan as Springsteen, Springsteen as Dylan, it happens in this song, like an episode of the Soprano TV show in a few minutes done only with words and music.
This was a pleasure to read.
I Scare Myself
Into the Fire
Amazing Grace
The Loner
Sour Times
Acid Tongue
Driven to Tears
Still a Freak
Excitable Boy
End of Days
Speed the Collapse
Don't Wanna Know About Evil
I Close My Eyes
Baby Did a Bad Thing (Feel like crying)
If There's a Rocket Tie Me To It
and the best.....Tweeter and the Monkey Man (..and the walls came down, all the way to hell)
Helping me make signs for the protests tomorrow in San Diego. Daughter protesting in SF.
As true then Steuss then as it is now. Cracking tune and no mistake!
+1
On this track, they didn't let him sing quite the way that he normally does. The backing and the chorus dilutes it nicely.
It moved myself and my friends, at the time, I was carrying a Draft Card in my wallet, even though the Viet Nam war was winding down, and Nixon was driven from office, it wasn't until March of next year in '75 that we were driven from Viet Nam in as much disgrace and loss as Nixon's exit from the White House, both featuring helicopters taking off from an embattled territory. These songs ring like the Liberty Bell did against slavery in Philadelphia when the Abolitionist Movement was founded and used the iconic bell as its symbol for the promise of freedom, and the not yet realization of all that high minded language in the Declaration of Independence. This song is the bitterness of that time so strong you can spit it out of your mouth just trying to lose the taste. Springsteen is much admired by many of his peers, always to my surprise that he was so accepted, by Lou Reed, Patti Smith and today, Jason Isbell who covers Born In the USA in the Springsteen Tribute, DEAD MAN'S TOWN. Dylan as Springsteen, Springsteen as Dylan, it happens in this song, like an episode of the Soprano TV show in a few minutes done only with words and music.
Damn,,,, great comment and story. Thanks for the education. Never knew this was connected to Bruce. Listening now, brings a whole different appreciation.
Thank You
Holy s***.
I'm a NJ boy, by way of Brooklyn, but my first real taste of Bruce (aside from a few whiffs of Rosalita and Hard to be a Saint in the City) was Born to Run that came BLASTING out of a first floor dorm room window at 100 Beacon Street in Boston in the spring of 1975. Along with a mini weather system cloud of pot smoke. I was strolling on the sidewalk and stopped dead.in.my.tracks. Bruce had me at hello. Talk about being arrested by sound. And everything Wardleader wrote rings as true as a bell.
I became acquainted with Born to Run in northern Manitoba as I looked for employment while USWA brothers and sisters at the coal mine in SE British Columbia were on strike. Summer 1976.
Then 2 years later I heard Jungleland as I hitched away from a coal mine on the Argentina/Chile border. At 11:30 PM in the emptiness of the Patagonian desert. It was sublime.
A few days earlier I had hiked 5 days around the Paine Towers. Did not see a soul for 3 days. Glorious.
The entire album is streamed right here THE WILBURYS ARE HERE… ON ALL STREAMING SERVICES WORLDWIDE!
It moved myself and my friends, at the time, I was carrying a Draft Card in my wallet, even though the Viet Nam war was winding down, and Nixon was driven from office, it wasn't until March of next year in '75 that we were driven from Viet Nam in as much disgrace and loss as Nixon's exit from the White House, both featuring helicopters taking off from an embattled territory. These songs ring like the Liberty Bell did against slavery in Philadelphia when the Abolitionist Movement was founded and used the iconic bell as its symbol for the promise of freedom, and the not yet realization of all that high minded language in the Declaration of Independence. This song is the bitterness of that time so strong you can spit it out of your mouth just trying to lose the taste. Springsteen is much admired by many of his peers, always to my surprise that he was so accepted, by Lou Reed, Patti Smith and today, Jason Isbell who covers Born In the USA in the Springsteen Tribute, DEAD MAN'S TOWN. Dylan as Springsteen, Springsteen as Dylan, it happens in this song, like an episode of the Soprano TV show in a few minutes done only with words and music.
Holy s***.
I'm a NJ boy, by way of Brooklyn, but my first real taste of Bruce (aside from a few whiffs of Rosalita and Hard to be a Saint in the City) was Born to Run that came BLASTING out of a first floor dorm room window at 100 Beacon Street in Boston in the spring of 1975. Along with a mini weather system cloud of pot smoke. I was strolling on the sidewalk and stopped dead.in.my.tracks. Bruce had me at hello. Talk about being arrested by sound. And everything Wardleader wrote rings as true as a bell.
It moved myself and my friends, at the time, I was carrying a Draft Card in my wallet, even though the Viet Nam war was winding down, and Nixon was driven from office, it wasn't until March of next year in '75 that we were driven from Viet Nam in as much disgrace and loss as Nixon's exit from the White House, both featuring helicopters taking off from an embattled territory. These songs ring like the Liberty Bell did against slavery in Philadelphia when the Abolitionist Movement was founded and used the iconic bell as its symbol for the promise of freedom, and the not yet realization of all that high minded language in the Declaration of Independence. This song is the bitterness of that time so strong you can spit it out of your mouth just trying to lose the taste. Springsteen is much admired by many of his peers, always to my surprise that he was so accepted, by Lou Reed, Patti Smith and today, Jason Isbell who covers Born In the USA in the Springsteen Tribute, DEAD MAN'S TOWN. Dylan as Springsteen, Springsteen as Dylan, it happens in this song, like an episode of the Soprano TV show in a few minutes done only with words and music.
That has to rate as one of the most personal, profound, and intelligent comments I've read anywhere.
Thank you for that insight...
It moved myself and my friends, at the time, I was carrying a Draft Card in my wallet, even though the Viet Nam war was winding down, and Nixon was driven from office, it wasn't until March of next year in '75 that we were driven from Viet Nam in as much disgrace and loss as Nixon's exit from the White House, both featuring helicopters taking off from an embattled territory. These songs ring like the Liberty Bell did against slavery in Philadelphia when the Abolitionist Movement was founded and used the iconic bell as its symbol for the promise of freedom, and the not yet realization of all that high minded language in the Declaration of Independence. This song is the bitterness of that time so strong you can spit it out of your mouth just trying to lose the taste. Springsteen is much admired by many of his peers, always to my surprise that he was so accepted, by Lou Reed, Patti Smith and today, Jason Isbell who covers Born In the USA in the Springsteen Tribute, DEAD MAN'S TOWN. Dylan as Springsteen, Springsteen as Dylan, it happens in this song, like an episode of the Soprano TV show in a few minutes done only with words and music.
Ok then. I'm with you ^^. I think.
Only 2 Wilburys are still with us. : (
It moved myself and my friends, at the time, I was carrying a Draft Card in my wallet, even though the Viet Nam war was winding down, and Nixon was driven from office, it wasn't until March of next year in '75 that we were driven from Viet Nam in as much disgrace and loss as Nixon's exit from the White House, both featuring helicopters taking off from an embattled territory. These songs ring like the Liberty Bell did against slavery in Philadelphia when the Abolitionist Movement was founded and used the iconic bell as its symbol for the promise of freedom, and the not yet realization of all that high minded language in the Declaration of Independence. This song is the bitterness of that time so strong you can spit it out of your mouth just trying to lose the taste. Springsteen is much admired by many of his peers, always to my surprise that he was so accepted, by Lou Reed, Patti Smith and today, Jason Isbell who covers Born In the USA in the Springsteen Tribute, DEAD MAN'S TOWN. Dylan as Springsteen, Springsteen as Dylan, it happens in this song, like an episode of the Soprano TV show in a few minutes done only with words and music.
Is this a photo of Lou Reed?
Perhaps your taste in music is skewed. The TW's are a bunch of musicians who've (had) made it. They were having fun. They were in it for themselves and they shared it with us. The music they put out was quality...and fun. This song is part of that.
yes
I Scare Myself
Into the Fire
Amazing Grace
The Loner
Sour Times
Acid Tongue
Driven to Tears
Still a Freak
Excitable Boy
End of Days
Speed the Collapse
Don't Wanna Know About Evil
I Close My Eyes
Baby Did a Bad Thing (Feel like crying)
If There's a Rocket Tie Me To It
and the best.....Tweeter and the Monkey Man (..and the walls came down, all the way to hell)
Helping me make signs for the protests tomorrow in San Diego. Daughter protesting in SF.
Makes good sense except the wiki page refers to the song as a 'friendly homage' to Bruce Springstein, once acclaimed as the 'next Bob Dylan'.
Good fun song all the same. Dylan's vocals are excellent.
not sure if it's a love song - it's Bob, so I'm presuming more snark than love.
does anyone know what Bruce thinks of it? Insulted or flattered?
Is this a photo of Lou Reed?
Maybe someone asked him prior to singing the song: "Hey Bob, what's the meaning of this song"?
no, way too many references to Springsteen songs ("Thunder Road", jersey girl, janey, Highway 99 etc, characters on the run)
for the curious, songwriter breakdown on this record: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveling_Wilburys_Vol._1
They're ok but much less than the sum of their parts.
Absurd - especially since it's basically impossible for this group to be MORE than the sum of their parts.
They clearly had a grand old time making this album, as Dylan's friendly little poke at Springsteen here clearly shows.
They didn't exactly need each other to make it happen…probably saw this collaboration as a fun gig with soulmates in music (if not old friends) but "did their thing" as they always have done. Also, maybe, a chance to sell more output (agents and lawyers weighing in?). Still, I really like a few of the tracks from this CD.
They're ok but much less than the sum of their parts.
ottojschlosser wrote:
..... agree, see button below
{ 100 }
^ what I think.
Tom: "Let's let him do the Tweeter & Monkey Man number."
Roy: {rolls eyes... walks out of the booth}
die, infidel.....you are not worthy.........
Me too! By far. (And I like how they changed Jersey to Kingston...)
Tom: "Let's let him do the Tweeter & Monkey Man number."
Roy: {rolls eyes... walks out of the booth}
/2
msymmes wrote:
Stingray wrote:
Just suck it up. A mega band before they even got together !!
Oh shame ! jeff lynne work on this tune is just what was appropriate.
Everybody in my church loves this song...
jmassoglia wrote:
Then again anything Ted Nugent...
It's like all-star hockey games, fun to see them all in one place but it rarely makes for great hockey.
jmassoglia wrote:
Sorry, but that's where I was going when I first heard it, trying to recall who it was or, at any rate, who else performed it. It's that walls coming down thing...
This is a standout song in an album of great stuff.
Tastes vary. I, for one, think Dylan is part of the reason that this song is awesome. :)
Can't. Stop. Tapping. Woo!
Simply a 10..
So my 10 plus your 10 = pure music to our ears .. Hard to beat on long trips— blasting the Wilbury's
cranked up to max. People look at me like I've flipped but I like singing in my car, better than the shower
This album is a great one to sing along with.
Simply a 10..
"And Leon is getting laaaaarrrrrger."
Who did you mean: this guy or these guys?
Are you sick??
Having a hearing-problem?
Unbelievable statement!!!
You bring up Glen Frey as if he is an influence when you've got Harrison, Orbison, Petty and Dylan - LMAO
Talk to Glen Frey
Right!
Who is Frey....? In comparison?
A CLEAR "10"...!!!
George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan
Who did you mean: this guy or these guys?
You bring up Glen Frey as if he is an influence when you've got Harrison, Orbison, Petty and Dylan - LMAO
Talk to Glen Frey
Jeff Lynn
Roy Orbison
Tom Petty
His Bobness
And a Beatle.