When you look, what do you see?
You only see the monkey not the man in me
But now I'm back, and that's a fact
Gonna show the next generation where I'm at

What I mean is to say
The way that I was is the same as I am today
Now if you're white, or if you're black
Remember you can't get the monkey off your back

And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man

I was lost, but now I'm found
Some might even say that I've been around
With the crowd I would move
Mr. sophisticated just can't lose

Now in the style that I was dressed
I was the steady reason no-one could test
Yeah I was smart and I was cool
No matter how hard they tried I was no-ones fool

And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man
And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man

Did you hear what I say?
Now did you hear what I say?

When you look, what do you see?
You only see the monkey not the man in me
But now I'm back, and that's a fact
Gonna show the next generation where I'm at

What I mean is to say
The way that I was is the same as I am today
And if you're white, or if you're black
Remember you can't get the monkey off your back

And now you're running and you're running and you're running away
You're running from the monkey man