Pixies - Monkey Gone to Heaven Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the guest musicians featured in 'Monkey Gone to Heaven'?

   The song features guest musicians including two cellists, Arthur Fiacco and Ann Rorich, and two violinists, Karen Karlsrud and Corine Metter. This was the first Pixies song to include outside musicians and a string section.

2. What record label released 'Monkey Gone to Heaven'?

   'Monkey Gone to Heaven' was released under Elektra Records. This song marked Pixies' first American and major label release after signing with Elektra at the end of 1988.

3. How did Frank Black come up with the concept for 'Monkey Gone to Heaven'?

   Frank Black developed the song's central hook, 'this monkey's gone to heaven,' well before writing the rest of the lyrics. The concept incorporates themes of environmentalism and humanity's relationship with the divine, inspired by personal musings on existence and mythological imagery.

4. How was the single 'Monkey Gone to Heaven' received commercially?

   The single reached number five on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and was well-received by critics. In the UK, it entered the charts at number 60, staying for three weeks. Critical acclaim included praise from Rolling Stone, NME, and Q magazine.

5. Did 'Monkey Gone to Heaven' have a music video?

   Yes, the music video was the Pixies' first. Filmed in black-and-white with occasional color bursts, it features the band playing on stage with various camera effects like slow-motion and fog. The string section musicians, however, do not appear in the video.

6. Which album features 'Monkey Gone to Heaven'?

   The song 'Monkey Gone to Heaven' is the seventh track on the Pixies' 1989 album, 'Doolittle.' It was recorded during the album sessions in November 1988 and released as a single in March 1989, a month before the album's release.