Dance Monkey (Tones And I)

“Dance Monkey” by Tones And I is a song that explores the pressures and expectations placed on artists by their audiences, using the metaphor of a monkey performing tricks.

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The song’s lyrics, such as “Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me, oh-oh-oh,” and “You look so good that I might break a rule,” suggest a scenario where the artist feels compelled to entertain and perform for the audience, much like a monkey performing tricks for an audience’s amusement.

The repetition of “dance” emphasizes the continuous demand for performance.

The line “You say it’s not real, but I say it’s not work” highlights the artist’s internal conflict, where they feel the performance is not genuine but also recognize that it is their job.

The song captures the tension between artistic expression and commercial demands, resonating with many artists who feel the pressure to constantly deliver for their audience.