[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
The Beatles — Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey
Album: White Album
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1423









Released: 1968
Length: 2:22
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Come on is such a joy
Come on is such a joy
Come on, let's take it easy
Come on, let's take it easy
Take it easy
Take it easy
Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey

(Whoo)
The deeper you go, the higher you fly
The higher you fly, the deeper you go
So come on
(Come on) come on
Come on is such a joy (come on)
Come on is such a joy
Come on, let's make it easy
Come on, let's take it easy (whoo)
Take it easy
Take it easy (whoo)
Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey, yeah
(Whoo)

Your inside is out when your outside is in
Your outside is in when your inside is out
So come on (whoo)
Come on (whoo)
Come on is such a joy
Come on is such a joy
Come on, let's make it easy
Come on, let's make it easy
Make it easy
(Whoo) make it easy
(Whoo)
Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey

Hey

(Hey) (whoo) Come on, come on, come on, come on
Comments (155)add comment
That freakin bass line....
If only Lennon had stayed engaged with the Beatles - lovely exuberant stuff. Unfortunately in some ways he decided he enjoyed playing with his Monkey more than Paul, George and Ringo.
Probably their worst song. Ugh.
Me and my Monkee
1968.....groundbreaking stuff.  I love the production.
 walk wrote:


Uh well let's see.. Radio Free Europe was probably REM's "breakout" song.

"Everybody's got something to hide" is a pretty throw-away track on an admittedly great Beatles album...  which by rights makes it very very excellent, but is it really more significant?  Hmmm. Smarter critics than me can debate that...

It's not like we're comparing "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" to "Radio Free Europe"... right?  =)
Speaking of significance, as a physician I say, "everybody's got something to hide" pretty frequently to let someone who has disclosed something dicey that I, and everyone else, is right there with them.   Every once in a while, one of the folks in the room responds with a wry little smile, or "Except you ..." or "Except me ,,,".   If the situation is right (once), I respond wth "Darn monkey" and remind the two of us that there was a time, so very long ago.

I rate this a 10. Production and construction is incredible. Rock on John. 
 LastChance wrote:

Such a joy!


Immediately boosted my previous rating from 6 (what the hell was I thinking?) to 9. Might go to 10 next time. 
Monkey - Lennon and heroin 

Slow Down - 1963 > Me and My Monkey some 5 or so years later. 
Wowsome musical evolution. 
 kingart wrote:

And they say the Beatles were not a "true" rock and roll band? ... Alrighty, then...




That's only because they were so Financially Successful, haters gonna hate.
So much JOY when they were ROCKING!
 surfrider4life wrote:

53 years latter and still OUTSTANDING!!!




YOU BET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
53 years latter and still OUTSTANDING!!!
And they say the Beatles were not a "true" rock and roll band? ... Alrighty, then...
 cosmiclint wrote:

I think it's up to us listeners to rip and upload the remastered songs as we add them to our collections. One of the local "classic rock" stations played the remastered stuff non-stop the other day and it sounded fantastic. Don't have much interest in the game, but I'm looking forward to picking the the CDs up.


 
The extreme track separation--percussion and background whooping in the left ear (my very f%$ed up left ear) and the guitar track in the right--makes this familiar song sound very weird...
 ubuntourist wrote:
Waiting for "Shock the Monkey" to follow. ;-)
 

+1
Waiting for "Shock the Monkey" to follow. ;-)

The Beatles 1969 photo sessions by rising70
https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_first_rays/

.
Such a joy!

George Harrison - "Something" Live, Concert for Bangladesh (1971):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvSOsuUyvAI

 Darrooon wrote:
Pure bliss.
 
and Radio Free Europe is pretty great too. But this little tossed-off number represents mindless joy, something I appreciate.

 gjr wrote:
how does this song POSSIBLY rate lower than REM "radio free europe"????????????????   are you kidding me or what????????  we need a new rating system here - rate songs on a scale of from 1 - Beatles.  right?? 
 

Uh well let's see.. Radio Free Europe was probably REM's "breakout" song.

"Everybody's got something to hide" is a pretty throw-away track on an admittedly great Beatles album...  which by rights makes it very very excellent, but is it really more significant?  Hmmm. Smarter critics than me can debate that...

It's not like we're comparing "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" to "Radio Free Europe"... right?  =)
Pure bliss.
how does this song POSSIBLY rate lower than REM "radio free europe"????????????????   are you kidding me or what????????  we need a new rating system here - rate songs on a scale of from 1 - Beatles.  right?? 
Wow, finishing my work day here... {#Dancingbanana}

Please let me leave the office by not playing one awesome song after the other...
What a great song to start the day
 paulmack wrote:
Silly song, and still great. Maybe it's silly/brilliant.
 
It's silliant! . . . or is it brilly?

Silly song, and still great. Maybe it's silly/brilliant.
 OHMish wrote:
Did Bill get and put the new remastered albums in rotation?

 
I think it's up to us listeners to rip and upload the remastered songs as we add them to our collections. One of the local "classic rock" stations played the remastered stuff non-stop the other day and it sounded fantastic. Don't have much interest in the game, but I'm looking forward to picking the the CDs up.


Did Bill get and put the new remastered albums in rotation?

love this stuff .... wish these guys would've laid down more jam tracks .... are there such things out there?
just some rough funnin' around that goes on & on .... guess me & my monkey'll just have to take it easy.
 Shimmer wrote:
This song rocks, especially Paul on the bass.
 His Rickenbacker period I believe. 

I can't take it easy, not with this playing! Such a joy!
 davidyoull wrote:


Er...um...I don't know...who wants to tell this guy something about the Beatles being from, you know, NOT America?
 

You idiot.  I was obviously referring to LPCity recognizing a complete sentence when he sees one.  Moron.


 Hairfarmer wrote:

 
How about Plum Island?

comeoncomeoncomeoncomeoncomeoncomeon..........
 conglif wrote:


> I especially like the pandiatonic clusters, major tonic sevenths and ninths, and Aeolian cadences.


Aeolian cadences? 

Is that some kind of bird?

 
It's a Byrd, actually.




> I especially like the pandiatonic clusters, major tonic sevenths and ninths, and Aeolian cadences.


Aeolian cadences? 

Is that some kind of bird?

Great song, great album. But none of the release dates (of the original album) is correct in the RP data base... {#Rolleyes}
  Hawk24 wrote:
Most creative use of a fireman's bell in a pop song.
 
Theirs a new thread, More Fireman's Bell !
I especially like the pandiatonic clusters, major tonic sevenths and ninths, and Aeolian cadences.

 DeeCee1109 wrote:
Love The Beatles, grew up with The Beatles, my kids love The Beatles . . . But The White Album had some challenges and this one was one of those for me . . .
 
The thing about the White Album is that it covers everything. It has great music (Dear Prudence, to name but great one song), deliberately crappy music (Why Don't We Do It in the Road?), difficult music (this tune), even non-music music (Revolution 9), etc. It covers every rock sub-genre ever invented, and some that never were, and some that still might be. It's an entire lifetime's worth of music in about 80 minutes (it almost fits on a single CD).

So think of it this way: Only the Beatles could make you enjoy listening to bad music. That's why the White Album is the greatest record ever made.



Source: https://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p138/TrickyZ33/royalguard.gif


DeeCee1109 wrote:
Love The Beatles, grew up with The Beatles, my kids love The Beatles . . . But The White Album had some challenges and this one was one of those for me . . .
Nicely put! I gave the song a 4. Important theme though.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
OK, so you're suggesting that just because something is a ''facet of life'' that makes it a suitable to immortalize in song and fable? Thanks. To paraphrase Bill Hicks, we really needed the help in lowering our standards down to absolute zero. This must explain all the tedious songs out there. Hey, tediousness is a facet of life! Oh, yeah, and the bombastic songs. Bombast is a facet of life! How about the shitty songs? Hey, shit happens, man! It's a facet of life! Let's all sing! All together, and shittily!
In a word: yes. You know what they say about paradigms: Shift happens.
MORE COWBELL!!!
Love The Beatles, grew up with The Beatles, my kids love The Beatles . . . But The White Album had some challenges and this one was one of those for me . . .
This song rocks, especially Paul on the bass.
Some people say the Beatles are pretty good, but I'd like to point out that there are some parts of this song that do not have any cowbell.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
OK, so you're suggesting that just because something is a ''facet of life'' that makes it a suitable to immortalize in song and fable? Thanks. To paraphrase Bill Hicks, we really needed the help in lowering our standards down to absolute zero. This must explain all the tedious songs out there. Hey, tediousness is a facet of life! Oh, yeah, and the bombastic songs. Bombast is a facet of life! How about the shitty songs? Hey, shit happens, man! It's a facet of life! Let's all sing! All together, and shittily!
Exactly right: all of the above are facets of life. If you despise some of them, close your ears.
On_The_Beach wrote:
I read that interview too, but I think John may have been being coy. The song is full of drug references. In the Lennon movie he told the "fan" who showed up at his door that his songs didn't mean anything. Like most songwriters, I think he wants the interpretation of his songs to be up to the individual listener rather than say "OK, here is the exact meaning of this song; there is no other option". So HIAWG may have been inspired by a Gun mag, but I'm pretty sure it's really about heroin. I mean come on . . . "She's well acquainted with the touch of the velvet hand like a lizard on a window pane. The man in the crowd with the multi-colored mirrors on his hobnail boots. Lying with his eyes while his hands are busy working overtime. A soap impression of his wife which he ate and donated to the National Trust. I need a fix 'cause I'm going down down to the bits that I left uptown I need a fix 'cause I'm going down"
While this is a good explanation, it is not what the song is about. According to John, in some other interview, the song is about sex. He wrote it while being away from Yoko in the early phase of their relationship, and was missing the physical aspect of that relationship.
This song is not only a perfect little pop gem, but it also fits perfectly into the entire album. George Martin rules almost as much as the Fab Four! - Riff
Hannio wrote:
Who says American schools aren't doing their job?
Er...um...I don't know...who wants to tell this guy something about the Beatles being from, you know, NOT America?
LPCity wrote:
The title of this song is a complete sentence.
Who says American schools aren't doing their job?
The title of this song is a complete sentence.
Pyro wrote:
I think it's the top (dome) of the cymbal....
Nope...according to all of the recording session docs, it's a fireman's bell. The crown of a cymbal doesn't make that kind of a sound.
Hawk24 wrote:
Most creative use of a fireman's bell in a pop song.
I think it's the top (dome) of the cymbal....
This song is not in need of cowbell! It rules....majestically. There should a rating of 11 - Majestic.
Most creative use of a fireman's bell in a pop song.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
OK, so you're suggesting that just because something is a ''facet of life'' that makes it a suitable to immortalize in song and fable? Thanks. To paraphrase Bill Hicks, we really needed the help in lowering our standards down to absolute zero. This must explain all the tedious songs out there. Hey, tediousness is a facet of life! Oh, yeah, and the bombastic songs. Bombast is a facet of life! How about the shitty songs? Hey, shit happens, man! It's a facet of life! Let's all sing! All together, and shittily!
Jeez, dude, lighten-the-fuck-up!
No it's not you dumbass, it's from Wild West Will Smith! God! kindermanltd wrote:
This is the rythm used for will smith and his men in black song.
ThePoose wrote:
Silliness is a facet of life. To quote a Cat Stevens--sorry, Yusuf Islam--song: Tell me--where do the children play?
OK, so you're suggesting that just because something is a ''facet of life'' that makes it a suitable to immortalize in song and fable? Thanks. To paraphrase Bill Hicks, we really needed the help in lowering our standards down to absolute zero. This must explain all the tedious songs out there. Hey, tediousness is a facet of life! Oh, yeah, and the bombastic songs. Bombast is a facet of life! How about the shitty songs? Hey, shit happens, man! It's a facet of life! Let's all sing! All together, and shittily!
This is the rythm used for will smith and his men in black song.
Interesting. I assume their lyrics are musical in the sense they are tunes and sounds, not "poetry" or meaningful statemeants -- with some exceptions, such as "Yesterday" or "Revolution." What Lennon says is just what he says ("We were just a nifty pop band," which is true, really). I find almost nothing of much interest in his lyrics, plenty of dry wit, lots of sentiments, psychedelia, but little "meaning."
JMYoda wrote:
John Lennon's been quoted on both these songs. "Happiness is a Warm Gun" was a cover John saw on a Guns & Ammo type mag.
I read that interview too, but I think John may have been being coy. The song is full of drug references. In the Lennon movie he told the "fan" who showed up at his door that his songs didn't mean anything. Like most songwriters, I think he wants the interpretation of his songs to be up to the individual listener rather than say "OK, here is the exact meaning of this song; there is no other option". So HIAWG may have been inspired by a Gun mag, but I'm pretty sure it's really about heroin. I mean come on . . . "She's well acquainted with the touch of the velvet hand like a lizard on a window pane. The man in the crowd with the multi-colored mirrors on his hobnail boots. Lying with his eyes while his hands are busy working overtime. A soap impression of his wife which he ate and donated to the National Trust. I need a fix 'cause I'm going down down to the bits that I left uptown I need a fix 'cause I'm going down"
Oh.. Another monkey song!!!!
tapatia wrote:
I could be wrong, but I think "Happiness is a Warm Gun" is also about heroin. When I feel my finger on your trigger I know nobody can do me no harm Because happiness is a warm gun Bang bang shoot shoot
John Lennon's been quoted on both these songs. "Happiness is a Warm Gun" was a cover John saw on a Guns & Ammo type mag. And as for this song, John has said his "monkey" was Yoko! BTW This is the Beatles song M. Jackson needed to record. Not "Come Together" It would have been effin' hilarious.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
A silly ditty.
Silliness is a facet of life. To quote a Cat Stevens--sorry, Yusuf Islam--song: Tell me--where do the children play?
MORE COWBELL!
In my opinion, not one of the best tracks on the album. Purely because it's rivaling with songs like Dear Prudence, I'm So Tired and Blackbird...Everyone should own this album.
In my opinion, this track is definitely not one of the best on the album, but the white album is definately a must have.
cyberbug wrote:
ONLY TWO BEATLE SONGS ON MY CRAP LIST - YELLOW SUBMARINE AND OCTOPUS GARDEN - THIS IS ON THE "GOOD LIST" FROM, A LIFER BEATLE FAN
WHAT DO YOU HAVE AGAINST RINGO?
Sure I'll get bashed, but to me this album and Let It Be were the sound of the Beatles losing their way. Everything else, brilliant.
This is so 10 ..............................
KEViNYC wrote:
maybe so. But heroin addicts do use the phrase "monkey on your back" and John was definintely addicted. His song "Cold Turkey" is about withdrawal from Heroin.
I could be wrong, but I think "Happiness is a Warm Gun" is also about heroin. When I feel my finger on your trigger I know nobody can do me no harm Because happiness is a warm gun Bang bang shoot shoot
Is a monkey-themed song going to follow every Arctic Monkeys song?
Probably my least favorite Lennon song from the White Album
On_The_Beach wrote:
Is that cowbell I'm hearing, Mr. Walken?
I have to admit, this comment gave me a much needed laugh.
Bill, that wasn't Paul!
Michael Jackson's theme song....Awwww crickey, someone already made that joke.
ONLY TWO BEATLE SONGS ON MY CRAP LIST - YELLOW SUBMARINE AND OCTOPUS GARDEN - THIS IS ON THE "GOOD LIST" FROM, A LIFER BEATLE FAN
Fantastic Friday morning tune!!
One of the BEST song titles EVER.
Is that cowbell I'm hearing, Mr. Walken?
Verpeiler wrote:
Doesn't Jackson own the rights to pretty much every Beatles song?
Jackson owns the PUBLISHING rights to most of the early Beatles catalog...stuff that was originally published by Northen Songs LTD. I believe the Beatles still own everyting origianlly published under their own "Apple" label. Publishing rights mean he owns the rights to sheet music and the use of music for cover versions etc.....not the actual recorded songs, which are owned by EMI. That's why whenever you hear a Beatles song in a commerical or movie, it's a cover version. MJ owns the rights to those. I don't think Sony has majority ownership yet...although Jackson's financial problems may lead him to sell soon.
Everyone loves the Beatles!
I've always loved this tune!!
Verpeiler wrote:
Doesn't Jackson own the rights to pretty much every Beatles song?
Actually, since MJ is in so much debt, Sony owns the rights.....I believe.
SoundsGoodToMe wrote:
I believe Michael Jackson owns the rights to this song. Really.
Doesn't Jackson own the rights to pretty much every Beatles song?
Barman wrote:
This crap? Are we hearing the same stuff ? Would you love it if it was from a contemporary band?
I'm with you on this! I think Beatles was good, but not every single song.
Gregorama wrote:
Pure Rock & Roll Genius.
This crap? Are we hearing the same stuff ? Would you love it if it was from a contemporary band?
segueman wrote:
Don't recall John ever being addicted to heroin. It's supposed to be about John & Yoko. Yoko being the monkey. According to a quote I read from John.
maybe so. But heroin addicts do use the phrase "monkey on your back" and John was definintely addicted. His song "Cold Turkey" is about withdrawal from Heroin.
KEViNYC wrote:
I thought it was about John's heroin addiction (monkey on your back)
Don't recall John ever being addicted to heroin. It's supposed to be about John & Yoko. Yoko being the monkey. According to a quote I read from John.
A silly ditty.
cool!
ruthless wrote:
I believe you must have been taught English by Mrs. Edwards in the 7th grade also!!
Mrs Edwards taugh English in my school. Seriously.
chasech5 wrote:
Always one of my favorite Beatles songs. Seems to have inspired some speculation about their feelings about the Monkees at the time. Or so I've heard. I love the chaotic "C'Mon" chatter at the end.
I thought it was about John's heroin addiction (monkey on your back)
Me and my monkey are heading over to the "Trousers' forum
oppositelock wrote:
I was just going to say, that's just the right amount of cowbell! I think someone needs to come up with a cowbell Emoticon.
To set the ...ummm record straight, that's actually Paul wailing on a fireman's bell. The multiple takes gave him quite a sore shoulder, according to engineer Geoff Emerick's book.
tomnam wrote:
Now that's the way to play the hell out of a cowbell! These boys definitely wear gold-plated diapers.
I was just going to say, that's just the right amount of cowbell! I think someone needs to come up with a cowbell Emoticon.
Always loved this song
tomnam wrote:
Now that's the way to play the hell out of a cowbell! These boys definitely wear gold-plated diapers.
Now that's the way to play the hell out of a cowbell! These boys definitely wear gold-plated diapers.
I believe Michael Jackson owns the rights to this song. Really.
Come on! Come on!
Trippn' out and turnin' on with RP
Love the Beatles. But this song is not my favorite.
More cowbell.
Whirlpool wrote:
Not even U2 or Bruce Springsteen could compare to how great this band was.
Ouch. I get your drift, but . . . elevating both U2 and Bruce Springsteen to a contrast with the Fab Four? I doubt history will reach for such associations.
THE ABSOLUTE BEST BAND EVER! Not even U2 or Bruce Springsteen could compare to how great this band was.
Tux wrote:
As usual, completely overplayed and overrated. It was "the album of the week" here on a local radiostation. Man am I bored with this.
Take it eaaaasy... take it eaaaaaaasy so come on...
As usual, completely overplayed and overrated. It was "the album of the week" here on a local radiostation. Man am I bored with this.
depski2003 wrote:
And of course, we must acknowledge the ultimate superiority of the Beatles. 8)
Must we? 10 for the title 9 for the album (disc for you kids) 2 for the the song
mettle wrote:
Actually, as the noun of the preposition 'for', it's supposed to be 'me'. Not being a prescriptivist, however, I would instead appeal to your instincts as a fluent speaker of English and again, 'my monkey and I' just sounds pretentious or fritarded - take your pick.
I believe you must have been taught English by Mrs. Edwards in the 7th grade also!!
AphidA wrote:
Kick ass
And fun, too!
Gregorama wrote:
Pure Rock & Roll Genius.
TOTALLY AGREE !!!!