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Read the original blog post11.28am
31 March 2008
Offline
1
‘Tweeter And The Monkey Man’ is the ninth song on Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1.
The song was primarily written by Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, with lead vocals by Dylan. It was the longest song recorded by the band. See more…
‘Tweeter And The Monkey Man’ was like, really, Tom Petty and Bob – well, Jeff and I were there too, we were just sitting around in the kitchen – and he for some reason was talking about all this stuff which didn’t make much sense to me. You know, it was like Americana kind of stuff. And we got a tape cassette, put it on, and then transcribed everything they were saying.
It was just fantastic watching him do it, because he had like one take, warming himself up, and on take two he sang that ‘Tweeter And The Monkey Man’ right through, and then what he did was he changed some of the lyrics, maybe in about four places he changed a couple of lines and improved them, and dropped those lines in. And that’s it.
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11.57pm
19 September 2010
Offline I love this song!! It's such a catchy tune, and with all the Bruce Springsteen references it rules. Any other fans?
As if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
12.17am
1 May 2010
Offline
Tweeter? God .. is George tweeting from the other side using MonkeyMan handle? 
Here comes the sun….. Scoobie-doobie……
Something in the way she moves…..attracts me like a cauliflower…
Bop. Bop, cat bop. Go, Johnny, Go.
Beware of Darkness…
5.52am
1 May 2010
Offline Isn’t this mainly a Dylan song? But yeah I like the “and the walls came down” part.
I sat on a rug, biding my time, drinking her wine
3.00pm
1 May 2010
Offline I know, I was teasing SunKing 
Here comes the sun….. Scoobie-doobie……
Something in the way she moves…..attracts me like a cauliflower…
Bop. Bop, cat bop. Go, Johnny, Go.
Beware of Darkness…
5.22pm
20 December 2010
Offline Great song! I love the Traveling Wilburys
The further one travels, the less one knows
1.44am
1 May 2010
Offline I remember on the Traveling Wilburys DVD, George talked about how Dylan wrote this song and how he essentially “freestyled” the lyrics and came up with this crazy story on the spot. Maybe Dylan really was the first rapper.
I sat on a rug, biding my time, drinking her wine
11.33am
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline 
Could that be the first time the words “Dylan” and “rapper” were used in the same sentence? Unless of course the sentence is, “there isn't a rapper alive, dead or currently being conceived that could hold a candle to Dylan.” I could see that.
This really is a cool song. I picked up the Traveling Wilburys Collection not too long ago and play it quite often. I enjoy every song on it.
To the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
1.50am
4 December 2010
Offline I've never heard of this song before just now. It's very Dylan. Bob was always good at storytelling. I quite like the song.
Well we all shine on like the moon, the stars, and the sun.
5.55pm
25 October 2011
Offline I really love this song, it's one of my favourite songs by the Traveling Wilburys
When you've seen beyond yourself then you may find peace of mind is waiting there
7.43pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline It is one of the highlights of the Wilbury's catalogue. It sounds fantastic, the way Dylan phrases the lines, and as said previously the “and the walls came down” section is wonderful.
I wonder tho if i did get the references if that would lessen its appeal. If someone did the same type of thing with the beatles would it be as good or would i be complaining that its makes no sense and why that song was selected over another one.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
10.35pm
14 December 2009
Offline Zig said:
Could that be the first time the words “Dylan” and “rapper” were used in the same sentence?
Hey, I was calling “Subterranean Homesick Blues” the first rap song back in '86, Zig! (And I was probably only the 86,735th person to do so…)
I'm ashamed to admit that aside from the hit singles, I've never heard that Wilburys album, except once in its entirety in a record store upon its release. I suppose I should check it out one of these days!
Paul: Yeah well… first of all, we’re bringing out a ‘Stamp Out Detroit’ campaign.
10.44pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Vol 1 is a good album and definately deserves to be heard but Vol 3 isnt anywhere near as good.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
7.11pm
29 July 2012
Offline Verry Dylan, although the Wilbury harmonies are incredible
2.35pm
5 November 2011
Offline Love this song, and the story is pretty intense!
All living things must abide by the laws of the shape they inhabit
8.40pm
23 January 2011
Offline I really like this song, too! It’s very fun to sing.
"You can manicure a cat but can you caticure a man?"
John Lennon- Skywriting by Word of Mouth
11.37pm
1 December 2009
Offline Wanted to finally buy this album last week but it wasn’t in the bin in my local crappy record store… 
GEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
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