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Song Stories

“Monkey Gone to Heaven”

Pixies | 1989

Don't look for too much hidden meaning in the expression "Monkey Gone to Heaven," because according to the song's scribe, Black Francis (a.k.a. Frank Black), "The phrase 'monkey gone to heaven' just sounds neat." Despite his breeziness, the song -- as well as the album -- has heavy overtones, including references to God and environmentalism, subjects not normally referenced in rock songs. Why the heady allusions? As the Pixies fromtman said, "It wasn't like we thought we'd get played on the radio."

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Song Stories

“(We're Not) The Jet Set”

George Jones and Tammy Wynette | 1973

George Jones and Tammy Wynette were still married when they recorded the tongue-in-cheek "(We're Not) The Jet Set." The lyrics, written by Nashville songwriter Bobby Braddock, who also penned Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today," make fun of the good life by declaring, "We're not the Jet Set/We're the old Chevrolet set." Braddock recalled that while writing the song, he needed the name of a city that evened out the rhyme he had with "Riviera" and "Missourah." “I got out a Rand McNally atlas," he said. "In the first part are the maps. The last part is an alphabetical listing of cities. I wanted a rustic, small-time sound. I went to the listing for Missouri. And I found 'Festus.' I loved the sound of it."

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