Introduction and Short Summary of the Song
In 1968, Elvis Presley recorded “Too Much Monkey Business” as part of his studio sessions at Western Recorders in Hollywood, during a period when he was beginning to move away from formulaic soundtrack material and back toward more personal, musically satisfying projects. Originally written and recorded by Chuck Berry in 1956, the song was one of the earliest examples of Berry’s witty, rapid-fire lyrical style. Presley’s version retained the playful, humorous spirit of the original but delivered it with his own swagger and energy. While it was never released as a single, the track became part of Presley’s album Singer Presents… Elvis Singing Flaming Star and Others (1968), a budget compilation marketed through Singer sewing machine stores.
Origins of the Song
“Too Much Monkey Business” was written by Chuck Berry, who included it as the B-side of his single “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” in 1956. The song was groundbreaking for its narrative style, with Berry delivering a series of humorous vignettes that reflected the frustrations and absurdities of everyday life. Its machine-gun vocal delivery, almost spoken more than sung, anticipated later genres like rap and set the tone for countless rock lyricists.
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Presley was an admirer of Berry’s work and had previously performed other Berry compositions such as “Memphis, Tennessee” and “Johnny B. Goode” in live shows. Recording “Too Much Monkey Business” in 1968 allowed him to reconnect with his rock-and-roll roots at a time when he was preparing for his artistic rebirth in the ’68 Comeback Special.
Why Elvis Released “Too Much Monkey Business”
The track was not intended as a chart single. Instead, it was recorded as part of a series of studio cuts meant to fulfill RCA’s demand for fresh Presley material outside of film soundtracks. RCA issued it on Singer Presents… Elvis Singing Flaming Star and Others, a promotional album tied to the upcoming television special sponsored by Singer.
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Although relegated to a budget release, Presley’s “Too Much Monkey Business” carried symbolic weight. It showed him revisiting the raw energy of 1950s rock-and-roll and reconnecting with the rebellious humor of Berry’s songwriting, just as he was preparing to step back into the musical spotlight.
The Message Conveyed in the Song
The lyrics of “Too Much Monkey Business” are a humorous commentary on life’s daily hassles—workplace frustrations, financial worries, relationship troubles, and the general sense of being constantly hassled. Each verse presents a different scenario, ending with the refrain:
“Too much monkey business,
For me to be involved in.”
The song essentially expresses weariness with the nonsense and chaos of everyday existence. It is humorous, sarcastic, and delivered at a breakneck pace, making it one of Berry’s most distinctive compositions.
Presley’s version stays true to the humor while adding his own vocal punch. His phrasing is less rapid-fire than Berry’s, but it carries a swagger that emphasizes the comedic frustration of the lyrics.
The Recording and Musical Characteristics
Presley’s 1968 version of “Too Much Monkey Business” blends rock-and-roll grit with studio polish.
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Vocals: Presley delivers the lyrics with a mix of humor and grit, leaning into the song’s conversational style. His performance is playful but commanding, showing his ease with rhythm-heavy material.
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Instrumentation: Electric guitar riffs drive the track, supported by bass, piano, and drums. The arrangement is tighter and more polished than Berry’s original but retains the rock-and-roll spirit.
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Mood: Fun, sarcastic, and slightly rebellious, the song conveys exasperation with a wink.
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Style: Rock-and-roll with blues influences, updated for the late 1960s but still rooted in Berry’s 1950s innovations.
The recording feels looser and more energetic than much of Presley’s soundtrack output of the era, foreshadowing the rawness he would embrace in his 1968 TV special and 1969 Memphis sessions.
Cultural and Commercial Impact
Commercially, “Too Much Monkey Business” did not chart, as it was never released as a single. Its placement on a budget compilation limited its exposure. However, for dedicated fans, it became a notable track because it marked Presley’s return to rock-and-roll material outside of film soundtracks.
Culturally, the recording reinforced Presley’s debt to Chuck Berry, one of his key influences. By covering Berry’s witty, fast-paced song, Presley acknowledged the humor and innovation that had shaped rock-and-roll from its earliest days. It also reminded audiences that Presley still had the energy and charisma to tackle rock songs with conviction.
Legacy of “Too Much Monkey Business”
Today, Presley’s version of “Too Much Monkey Business” is appreciated as a hidden gem from his late 1960s recordings. While it lacks the prominence of his major hits, it demonstrates his ability to inject humor and energy into material that might have seemed lightweight in lesser hands.
For fans, it stands as evidence of Presley’s transition from the formulaic years of Hollywood back to the spirit of rock-and-roll that had defined his early career. The track’s playful defiance and vocal swagger hint at the renewed vitality that would soon fuel his legendary ’68 Comeback Special.
More broadly, the song highlights the cultural bridge Presley built between Chuck Berry’s groundbreaking work and the mainstream pop audience. By reinterpreting Berry’s rapid-fire humor with his own vocal style, Presley ensured that the song reached a wider audience and underscored the enduring relevance of Berry’s songwriting.
More than five decades later, “Too Much Monkey Business” remains a fascinating footnote in Presley’s catalog. It is not just a cover but a marker of his artistic reawakening, a moment when the King of Rock and Roll revisited the roots of his musical kingdom and prepared to reclaim his throne.