The song “Brass Monkey” by the Beastie Boys is a notable trail from their first showing album “Licensed to Ill,” released in 1986. The song’s title mention to a cocktail made from rum, vodka, and orange juice, known as a “Brass Monkey.” The lyrics of the song throw back the Beastie Boys’ signature atheistic and party-centric style, with references to drinking, dancing, and having a good time.
“Brass Monkey” quickly became one of the standout trails of the album, which itself became a landmark in the history of hip-hop music. “Licensed to Ill” was the first rap album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart, freezes the Beastie Boys’ place in music history and brick the way for their subsequent success.
The song’s catching beat, catchy chorus, and catchy lyrics helped propel it to mainstream success and bonded its status as a classic party anthem. Over the years, “Brass Monkey” has remained a favorite among fans of the Beastie Boys and hip-hop music in general, continuing to be played at parties and events around the world.
Lyrics
Brass Monkey
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey
Brass
Got this dance that’s more than real
Drink Brass Monkey, here’s how you feel
You put your left leg down
Your right leg up
Tilt your head back, let’s finish the cup
MCA with the bottle, D rocks the can
Ad-Rock gets nice with Charlie Chan
We’re offered Moët
We don’t mind Chivas
Wherever we go, we bring Monkey with us
Ad-Rock drinks three, Mike D is D
Double R foots the bill most definitely
I drink Brass Monkey and I rock well
I got a castle in Brooklyn, that’s where I dwell
Brass Monkey
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey
Because (brass)
I drink it anytime and any place
When it’s time to get ill, I pour it on my face
Monkey tastes def when you pour it on ice
Come on, y’all, it’s time to get nice
Cooling by the lockers, getting kind of funky
Me and the crew, we’re drinking Brass Monkey
This girl walked by, she gave me the eye
I reached in the locker, grabbed a Spanish fly
I put it in the Monkey, mixed it in a cup
Went over to the girl, “Yo, baby, what’s up?”
I offered her a sip (sip)
The girl she gave me lip (lip)
It did begin, the stuff wore in and now she’s on my tip
Brass Monkey
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey
Brass
Step up to the bar and put the girl down
She takes a big gulp and slaps it around
You take a sip, you can do it
You get right to it
We had a case in the place
And we went right through it
You got a dry martini, you thinking you’re cool
Take you place at the bar, I smack you off your stool
I’ll down a 40 dog in a single gulp
And if you got beef, you’ll get beat to a pulp
Monkey and parties and reelin’ and rockin’
Def-def, girls-girls, all y’all jockin’
The song and dance keepin’ you in a trance
If you don’t buy my record, I got my advance
I drink it, I think it, I see it, I be it
I love Brass Monkey, but I don’t give D it
We got the bottle, you got the cup
Come on everybody, let’s get f-
Brass Monkey
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey junkie
That funky Monkey
Brass Monkey!