joe cunningham: Music

• MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband)

The Monkey Song was originally a nursery rhyme for adults I composed sometime in my hazy 20s.

I'd like to thank the following:
Mike Judd, for the use of his painting.
My composition teacher, Dr. Steve Tittle (He’ll certainly be surprised as I never had a formal lesson with him!).
My technical and musical collaborator, John Bourassa,
Sidney Cunningham, for her photography.
Jenni Akitt and the staff of the Twin Butte Country Store for their musical hospitality.
Scott Macmillan for his encouragement.
The musicians on this little album:
Guitars – John Bourassa; Jim MacLennan, James Van Leeuwen
Vocals – Sidney Cunningham, John Bourassa, Mark Lawson, James Van Leeuwen
Drumset ,some percussion and some vocals was performed by yours truly.
I’d also like to thank the unknown musicians and technicians who created the soundfonts and technology that made my realization of these pieces possible.
Finally, thanks most of all to my wife, Janice Day, for patiently tolerating my self-indulgence and for all the books.

I'd like to have a monkey
If a monkey would have me
He'd treat me quite humanely
And I could climb a tree
I'd like to watch him play all day
And he'd like to watch me

I'd like to be a species
Living fair and free
Working, playing, sharing
Trying to let be
We wouldn't want to beat the world
But it can't seem to be


Watch out monkey where you play
Trees are burning every day
You know that more, more things are wrong
You don't need to hear my silly song

Watch out monkey what you say
They might think you're in the way
Watch out monkey what you do
They might blame it all on you

I'd like to have a monkey
If a monkey would have me
He'd treat me quite humanely
And I could climb a tree
We wouldn't want to beat the world (x2)