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The Kinks — Apeman (live)
Album: To the Bone
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 727









Released: 1994
Length: 3:56
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I think I'm so sophisticated, 'cause I'm living my life like a good homo sapiens
But all around me everybody's multiplying, and they're walking round like flies, man
So I'm no better than the animals sitting in the cages in the zoo, man
'cause compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees -- I am an apeman

I think I'm so educated and I'm so civilized 'cause I'm a strict vegetarian
And with the over population, and inflation and starvation, and the crazy politicians
I don't feel safe in this world no more, I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore, and make like an apeman

I'm an apeman
I'm an ape, apeman
Oh, I'm an apeman

I'm a king-kong man
I'm a voodoo man
Oh, I'm an apeman

'cause compared to the sun that sits in the sky
Compared to the clouds as they roll by
Compared to the bugs and the spiders and flies
I am an apeman.

La la la la...

In man's evolution he's created the city and the motor traffic rumble
But give me half a chance and I'd be taking off my clothes and living in the jungle
'cause the only time that I feel at ease is swinging up and down in a coconut tree
Oh what a life of luxury -- to be like an apeman

I'm an apeman
I'm an ape, apeman
Oh, I'm an apeman

I'm a king-kong man
I'm a voodoo man
Oh, I'm an apeman

I look out the window, but I can't see the sky
The air pollution is a-fogging up my eyes
I want to get out of this city alive
And make like an apeman

La la la la...

Come on and love me -
Be my apeman girl
And we'd be so happy -
In my apeman world

I'm an apeman
I'm an ape, apeman
Oh, I'm an apeman

I'm a king-kong man
I'm a voodoo man
Oh, I'm an apeman

I'll be your Tarzan and you'll be my Jane
I'll keep you warm and you'll keep me sane
We'll sit in the trees and eat bananas all day
Just like an apeman

I'm an apeman
I'm an ape, apeman
Oh, I'm an apeman

I'm a king-kong man
I'm a voodoo man
Oh, I'm an apeman

I don't feel safe in this world no more, I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore, and make like an apeman

La la la la...
Comments (174)add comment
Like the studio version much better!
Nice Segway Bill, nice
I look out the window, but I can't see the sky
The air pollution is a-fogging up my eyes


I could be wrong, but "a-fogging up my eyes" is not quite the lyric line I heard.

 kingart wrote:
This IS the same band that cranked out You Really Got Me, right?

 

 
you really got it.....{#Dancingbanana}

Ok, who's on first? Ray Davies or Ray-gaye....{#Jump}


 Easyrider wrote:
{#Bananapiano}What was he on when he wrote this song!
 
You've got the right idea, Donovan used bananas (mellow yellow), why not Ray?
{#Bananapiano}What was he on when he wrote this song!
Nice..,never heard this version, I dig the Caribbean vibe
What on earth..?!
I always refer to the Kinks as 'way ahead of their time', but this one doesn't fit that picture.. If anything it's timeless ;)
smiley.....not for me....thanx.......
One of the highlights of the Closing Ceremony in London was seeing and hearing Ray and Dave.
 Misterfixit wrote:
I be taking measurements at the Home Store — I'm da Tapeman;

I be workin' at de funeral home — I be da Crepeman

I be working at da auto body shoppe — I be da Shapeman

I be swinging dat Grim Reaper — I be da Takeman

I be stealin' and takin' bribes — I be da Statesman

I be goin' out wid dat little Suzie — I be da Dateman

I be gettin' horizontal with dat Little Suzie — I be da Mateman

I be coming home after midnight — I be da Lateman

I be God — I be da Fateman

 
I'm joining amoreena in amazement!
Man, this sounds like serious song stuff... just for the hell of it, someone should match this with some chords.
You're the Taleman! {#Clap}
 unclehud wrote:

I am a Navy vet and was quite taken aback by this thread.  FOLKS: The song has nothing to do with the military. Nothing.  
 
Human beings in military service place their lives at complete risk.  Everybody knows that, and it's part of the deal if you volunteer.  Perhaps it's cold-blooded of me, but I have this attitude: you signed on for this, mate, now sail with dignity like a responsible adult — and quit whining.  
 
It's like complaining that your job requires a long commute; didn't you consider that before you accepted the job?  Even if you didn't, you made your deal with the devil; accept it, keep your weapons clean and stand your watch without complaint.
 
To h8trhater:
  You belied you name, sir/ma'am.  I'll back a veteran's right to free speech even if I abhor what they are saying.  They've been there, done that, and earned an extra-special right to say anything they jolly well please.
 
To LowPhreak:  I think I said the same thing you did, just differently phrased  Thanks for your service, bud.  I'll buy the next round.
 
To Tagish_girl:  Everything you said is spot on, sweetheart.  No one can truly know if they haven't done it themselves, and I appreciate the sacrifice you make as your partner serves.
 
LowPhreak hated all over Tagish_girl and her "spot on" comments, which I admired, so how could H8rhater not belie his name and join the fray?  She is also probably not your "sweetheart" (condescending much).  What I find odd is that you somehow managed to support them both at the same time. 

As for your comment about how you somehow have more rights to say what you please because you served in some manner... you have no "extra-special" rights to say anything.  I'll back everyone's right to free speech and would not apportion "extra special" rights to anyone regardless of their background.  I believe you fought for that (perhaps not).   

BTW:  One thing you were right about, though, is that this song has NOTHING to do with the military.  Lost in the stupidity of this thread, for which I am partially responsible, is that fact that this is a GREAT live version of a great Kinks classic. Been a Kinks fan all my life.  Dave Davies is feeling better after being ill for several years.  He recently collaborated with William Shatner on the version of Mr. Spaceman that appears on the Shat's CD Seeking Major Tom.  Let's hope that Dave and Ray will get together and give us another great Kinks CD soon.



When I was a kid, this is one of the hits I was totally crazy about when my 9 years older brother played them.
I really, really love this song, its playful silliness, the contradiction between its rather loomy lyrics and the joy of the music. It's the only Kinks song I know... but it made an impression!
Ah, there's no way I can describe why, but it really made my day every time I heard it.
This live version is fun, but the studio version is just burned into my memory, so I gave it it 'only' a 7...
The air pollution is fucking up my eyes

Hilarious.
 
This IS the same band that cranked out You Really Got Me, right?

 
This sux
       {#Lol}..like to see that ! {#Arrowd}
Dancing in my house with my knuckles dragging on the floor
Kinks, yes !

Tasty stuff ...
 h8rhater wrote:
Not a very honorable US Army vet with comments like that Mr. "Neofeudal Amurka" (whatever the hell that means).  It strains credulity to believe that you are a vet given your inability to separate the Soldier from the mission. 

You must've been one of those REMFs. 
 
I am a Navy vet and was quite taken aback by this thread.  FOLKS: The song has nothing to do with the military. Nothing.  
 
Human beings in military service place their lives at complete risk.  Everybody knows that, and it's part of the deal if you volunteer.  Perhaps it's cold-blooded of me, but I have this attitude: you signed on for this, mate, now sail with dignity like a responsible adult — and quit whining.  
 
It's like complaining that your job requires a long commute; didn't you consider that before you accepted the job?  Even if you didn't, you made your deal with the devil; accept it, keep your weapons clean and stand your watch without complaint.
 
To h8trhater:
  You belied you name, sir/ma'am.  I'll back a veteran's right to free speech even if I abhor what they are saying.  They've been there, done that, and earned an extra-special right to say anything they jolly well please.
 
To LowPhreak:  I think I said the same thing you did, just differently phrased  Thanks for your service, bud.  I'll buy the next round.
 
To Tagish_girl:  Everything you said is spot on, sweetheart.  No one can truly know if they haven't done it themselves, and I appreciate the sacrifice you make as your partner serves.


just missed my exit - makes me the lateman
I'm an ape-woman

 LowPhreak wrote:


Well geez...I guess if the poor soja-boy is suffering so much, he could just get the hell out of the military - or should not have joined in the first place, knowing that both Iraq and A'stan are big, fat lies.

 {#Idea}

Simple concept, no?

(BTW...I'm a US Army vet.)

 
Not a very honorable US Army vet with comments like that Mr. "Neofeudal Amurka" (whatever the hell that means).  It strains credulity to believe that you are a vet given your inability to separate the Soldier from the mission. 

You must've been one of those REMFs. 

 Misterfixit wrote:
I be taking measurements at the Home Store — I'm da Tapeman;

I be workin' at de funeral home — I be da Crepeman

I be working at da auto body shoppe — I be da Shapeman

I be swinging dat Grim Reaper — I be da Takeman

I be stealin' and takin' bribes — I be da Statesman

I be goin' out wid dat little Suzie — I be da Dateman

I be gettin' horizontal with dat Little Suzie — I be da Mateman

I be coming home after midnight — I be da Lateman

I be God — I be da Fateman

 

You be a good writer—Ain't no fake, man.
Very annoying
I be taking measurements at the Home Store — I'm da Tapeman;

I be workin' at de funeral home — I be da Crepeman

I be working at da auto body shoppe — I be da Shapeman

I be swinging dat Grim Reaper — I be da Takeman

I be stealin' and takin' bribes — I be da Statesman

I be goin' out wid dat little Suzie — I be da Dateman

I be gettin' horizontal with dat Little Suzie — I be da Mateman

I be coming home after midnight — I be da Lateman

I be God — I be da Fateman

 starfishNcoffee wrote:
David Gregory
 

harsh
I've got an S on my shirt, I am a capeman.
Seattle 1976 ! —- >>Memorable concert<<<—— . It's a wonder that the Davies brothers are still alive.  The album cover
could have shown another type of axe and been spot on. Great talent(s)——-great R & R. Perhaps not enough
recognition for their historical musical contributions. Ray could pulled off the 'tongue in cheek' as well as anyone and
Dave was a virtuoso.
     The Kinks                      

 Stingray wrote:
The Kinks are so much better than their good music!
 
Do you sometimes get the idea that Stingy writes all his stuff in German and then puts it through the Google translator?

 lmic wrote:

These puns leave me agape, man!

Bill - evermore Kinks, please!!!
 
I smoke ganja. I'm an escapeman.

Self edit: Oops, didn't see peacockangel's firstie below.
Fun...but would imagine myself enjoying this much more with a drink in my hand hearing this in person...perhaps with a slightly tipsy gal at my side wishing to dance with me. Ok, now I want it all.
I just HAD to dance to this one - didn't know it was the Kinks right away. It sounded a little like Peter Tosh to me.  Love the song! {#Dancingbanana}
 LowPhreak wrote:


Well geez...I guess if the poor soja-boy is suffering so much, he could just get the hell out of the military - or should not have joined in the first place, knowing that both Iraq and A'stan are big, fat lies.

 {#Idea}

Simple concept, no?

(BTW...I'm a US Army vet.)

 

Was that really called for?
 Tagish_girl wrote:


Hey, Military Wife talking here.  Don't judge a man till you've walked a mile in his shoes (or desert boots).  Soldiers experience and feel things that no civvie could ever even think of understanding.   They take the good times where they can. There are too few.  And you could be dead in an hour.
 

Well geez...I guess if the poor soja-boy is suffering so much, he could just get the hell out of the military - or should not have joined in the first place, knowing that both Iraq and A'stan are big, fat lies.

 {#Idea}

Simple concept, no?

(BTW...I'm a US Army vet.)

Lovin' it!

DANCE, all you primate doods!!  {#Dancingbanana}
Not only does this version have a groove that makes the morning dance-worthy, but it reminds us to be properly humble. Yes?
I believe we should live life like a dream ~ so does that make me an escape man?
My Dutch friend's name is "EEP"

Who is he, then...?
The Kinks are so much better than their good music!
 shayde wrote:
I sometimes help decorate, and I am a drapeman.

 
I help my wife with breakfast on Saturdays, so does that make me a Crepeman!!!

 Tagish_girl wrote:


Since I quit exercising, I'm outta shape, man.
 
No thanks, I'm not hungry.  I just ate, man.

This is fricken fun!
{#Puke}{#Puke}{#Puke}
{#Bananapiano}
Wow Bill, you really are a die hard Kinks fan!
"Cause only one of us would have even thought to pull this out


This is why the kinks blow me away....amazing band!
I'm lo-fi, so I guess I am a tapeman.

No bones about it.
SmackDaddy wrote:


No he's not. Anyone that considers any part of a war could be considered "good times", especially an illegal clusterfck, is not right in the head. It's that simple.


If you're human you have to find the good times where you can. That might not be right in the head, but from what my brother tells me you find a way to laugh even when you're miserable and scared to death. If you haven't been in one (illegal or not), talk to people who have.

Tagish_girl wrote:
....Don't judge a man till you've walked a mile in his shoes (or desert boots). Soldiers experience and feel things that no civvie could ever even think of understanding. They take the good times where they can. There are too few. And you could be dead in an hour.

I'm with you. I'm against war (especially the types we've been having recently), but I'm for the soldiers. 
(There are some here who won't know what the **** that means!)
 SmackDaddy wrote:


No he's not. Anyone that considers any part of a war could be considered "good times", especially an illegal clusterfck, is not right in the head. It's that simple.
 

Hey, Military Wife talking here.  Don't judge a man till you've walked a mile in his shoes (or desert boots).  Soldiers experience and feel things that no civvie could ever even think of understanding.   They take the good times where they can. There are too few.  And you could be dead in an hour.
 GChevy410 wrote:

You are a Dick

 

No he's not. Anyone that considers any part of a war could be considered "good times", especially an illegal clusterfck, is not right in the head. It's that simple.

 

    1977  July 9    Seattle   ——->> Crowd on their feet for 2 + hours for the Kinks...

They opened with Lola - — - Well I've got to run and it's rather nippy out,

 I'd better thrown on my Neiman Marcus Wrap and make like a capeman.

(Oh god, forgive me)


Any man who has slept with Chrissie Hynde is ok in my book!
David Gregory

I was 10 in 1971 when I first heard this song. The BBC was airing it, I heard it alone in the basement of an Aunt's we were visiting in Norway. I recall being scared shitless when we subsequently walked through the densely forested mountain country side. My imagination ran wild with fears of trolls beneath bridges and Apemen in the trees.{#Stop}

I think I'm so educated and I'm so civilized
'cos strict vegetarian
....
i'm an ape man

{#Bounce}
Oh I love baked ham!
 Finafek wrote:

If I like the back of women's necks, does that make me a Napeman?

so sorry, couldn't resist



 
The puns. THE PUNS!! They're making my brain hurt!!!  {#Eyes} {#Lol}

When I dress as the big Kool-Aid pitcher...I'm a Grapeman.


Since I quit exercising, I'm outta shape, man.
LowPhreak wrote:
Did they give you a medal, or a chest to pin it on? Maybe they should have locked you up for the war crimes you were instructed to perform? Don't give me any shit either, sarge. I did my bit in the 1st Cav. too, but long before Bu$hCo took over.


You are a Dick

Finafek wrote:
If I like the back of women's necks, does that make me a Napeman? so sorry, couldn't resist




So if I were a gay interior designer would that make me a Drapeman?


I sometimes help decorate, and I am a drapeman.

soooo cool!
Ray's a God in my book. and ya know, he kinda looks like an ape.
If I like the back of women's necks, does that make me a Napeman? so sorry, couldn't resist ThePoose wrote:
I'm from South Africa, and I'm a Capeman.
Pazzat wrote:
I love pancakes, and I'm a crepeman.
I'm from South Africa, and I'm a Capeman.
LowPhreak wrote:
Did they give you a medal, or a chest to pin it on? Maybe they should have locked you up for the war crimes you . . .
No comment to add. Just tagging it.
Always liked this song.....think I prefer the studio version over this live one, but they have different "feels" to them....so I'm happy to hear this one today!
Did they give you a medal, or a chest to pin it on? Maybe they should have locked you up for the war crimes you were instructed to perform? Don't give me any shit either, sarge. I did my bit in the 1st Cav. too, but long before Bu$hCo took over. SFC_Oz wrote:
Ya, Good times... 172 Combat Patrols. Funny how songs put you back to a momment. Gotta go, my PTSD is flaring...
This is my SONG!
My Driver/Gunner in Iraq resembled an ape more than a human. 6 foot, 240 and bench-pressed 550. Felt a little more at ease in downtown Baghdad with an Apeman watching your back. We played this quite a bit for him out on patrols. Even stenciled an Ape on the side of our HMMWV. Ya, Good times... 172 Combat Patrols. Funny how songs put you back to a momment. Gotta go, my PTSD is flaring...
Pazzat wrote:
I love pancakes, and I'm a crepeman.
Look at those! Do you think they're fake, man?
Sucko-Barfo
smdeeg wrote:
Good song, but a dreadful rendition. Ugh!
agreed!
Good song, but a dreadful rendition. Ugh!
C57BL6 wrote:
sums up entirely why i am bailing japan and heading to samoa (hopefully!)
what a life of luxury, to have the coconut trees in my front yard in Samoa!
Kinks live in a great song,you really got me,it's a 9.
nigelr wrote:
Makes me want to weep, man. Compared to the original version, that is.
Great live rendition, tho',I just remember how outrageous the more up-tempo earlier version was when released!
Makes me want to weep, man. Compared to the original version, that is.
I teach at Hogwarts, I am a Snapeman.
Who was it faking the Jamaican accent?
oh yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! great message, funny as hell, and; you can dance to it.
lmic wrote:
These puns leave me agape, man! Bill - evermore Kinks, please!!!
STOP IT! My sides hurt!
sums up entirely why i am bailing japan and heading to samoa (hopefully!)
Happy Darwin Day! did
Pazzat wrote:
I love pancakes, and I'm a crepeman.
These puns leave me agape, man! Bill - evermore Kinks, please!!!
ThePoose wrote:
I love wine. That makes me a grapeman.
I love pancakes, and I'm a crepeman.
I loved them way back when and I laud them even more now.
Why is there no 11 rating ??? Ray Davies - the most under-rated songwriter of the 60's. If the beatles were not there who knows how much exaltation Ray would have had. What a fantastic live version.
For the anti-kinks, anti-evolutionists we can play "Ordinary Average Guy" by Joe Walsh.
YEA!!
Dedicated to all you entrenched evolutionists
I want to sail away to a distant shore and make like an ape man Im an ape man, Im an ape ape man
As the winter gloom creeps closer, I could not agree more. I want more !
Live is much better, THANKS!
i'm slowly realizing that i don't much like the Kinks...
BruceN wrote:
I find my head swaying back and forth and that is truly a fine thing .... what you said.
Ray and the Kinks LIVE! What a great Reggae version this is! Love it!!!
Euphemism wrote:
"You have not experienced Shakespeare until you have read him in the original Klingon."
NERD!!!!!!!11four
so happy to hear this again, and live. thanks
If you've ever heard this in Czech, it's even better. "You have not experienced Shakespeare until you have read him in the original Klingon."
Just heard the band APE from San Francisco play this on Friday night at Tiki Oasis 6 in San Diego. Cool to hear again.
normol wrote:
Whenever you can fit in a song by The Kinks........ well, it really, really seems fine
I find my head swaying back and forth and that is truly a fine thing .... what you said.
I love wine. That makes me a grapeman.
No one ever plays this song. And its the best Kinks song ever. THANKS BILL !!!!!!!
Apeman!!! This song was in the movie CLUB PARADISE with Robin Williams - It didn't make it on the soundtrack though. Such a great movie and song!!
This was my NUMBER ONE SONG when I was 8 years old. Love it!
Whenever you can fit in a song by The Kinks........ well, it really, really seems fine
The Kinks have sounded so much better live than this staid and boring rendition of an excellent tune.
My life's theme song. I am typing from the cramped office of a high-rise in, according to many lists, the largest city in the world. My little brown wife is, as I type, in the leeward hills of a tropical island, tending to our farm -- a tiny place populated with mango trees and grandchildren.
trekhead wrote:
Seriously?? I thought she got her start in Gospel, too. Different . Where, in the song is THAT?
'you're a beautiful; beautiful f*cked up man; you're setting up your razor wire shrine' :)
I like the Kinks, but this is one of their songs that sucks - it's just a stupid song.
catmaven wrote:
This was a groundbreaker as well as a piece of humor. It came out long before Caribbean influenced rock music in general, and the fake Jamaican accent was also before its time. Let a great group have a little fun, willya! But yes, it is an anemic version.
Kinda makes me think of that goofy TV ad where the Neanderthals are more polite than the homo sapiens in the restaurant...and I like the live sound, it's far more intimate than the studio version.
This was a groundbreaker as well as a piece of humor. It came out long before Caribbean influenced rock music in general, and the fake Jamaican accent was also before its time. Let a great group have a little fun, willya! But yes, it is an anemic version.
Great song, anemic performance. Ray sounds like he's hooked up to an IV ... or needs one.
chucklesalmon wrote:
Just stupid. Sounds like a bar band.
and you've been quite generous! ... please stoooop it
love this song; the studio version is much better, though...
TheLoneIguana wrote:
Would pair well with Talking Heads "Nothing But Flowers."
Would pair better with Rolling Stones': "Monkey Man." Doesn't play so well with the intelligent design crowd, though.