Monkberry Moon Delight

Album This song officially appears on the Ram LP.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 1971
Timeline This song has been written (or started being written) in 1970 (Paul McCartney was 28 years old)

Master release


Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions








Related interviews


The Club Sandwich Interview

Winter 1994 • From Club Sandwich



Interview with Paul McCartney

September 2008 • From Let It Rock


Paul McCartney about the making of Ram

Jun 07, 2012 • From Pitchfork


You Gave Me The Answer (2021)

2021 • From paulmccartney.com


You Gave Me The Answer - RAM Special!

May 16, 2021 • From paulmccartney.com

Spread the love! If you like what you are seeing, share it on social networks and let others know about The Paul McCartney Project.

Song facts

Monkberry Moon Delight” is a song from 1971 album “Ram” credited to Paul & Linda McCartney. From Beatles Bible:

Inspired by his children’s use of wordplay, Monkberry Moon Delight featured lyrics chosen more for their phonetic sound than their meaning.

The title was derived from an alternative word for milk that the McCartney children used. Further inspiration came from the 1959 Leiber and Stoller song Love Potion No. 9.

Love Potion No. 9 featured a similarly surreal tale as McCartney’s later song, in which a man looking for love speaks to a gypsy who sells him the titular potion. It causes him to fall in love with all he sees, including a policeman on the street.

Monkberry Moon Delight takes the surrealism a step further, defying interpretation and logic to present an Edward Lear-esque stroll through the lighter recesses of McCartney’s imagination. As with The Beatles’ Glass Onion, it was almost a direct challenge for those fans who looked avidly for hidden meanings in his songs to spend hours poring over his wild free-association in search of autobiographical clues.

While the music is a light canter, McCartney’s vocals were strident and strained, recalling his classic rock ‘n’ roll performances in such songs as Long Tall Sally and Oh! Darling. Linda McCartney provided the perfect counterpoint with her backing vocals, delivered without affectation.

Monkberry Moon Delight was one of two Ram songs included in Blackbird Singing, McCartney’s 2001 collection of lyrics and poetry. It featured in the section headed The Business. The other Ram song in the book was Heart Of The Country.

Monkberry Moon Delight I liked, so much so that it’s in my poetry book.” Paul McCartney, Mojo magazine, July 2001

McCartney’s gruff delivery clearly found favour with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, who recorded Monkberry Moon Delight for his 1979 album Screamin’ The Blues. McCartney used Hawkins’ version in his pre-concert tape before his 1993 concerts.

When my kids were young they used to call milk ‘monk’ for whatever reason that kids do – I think it’s magical the way that kids can develop better names for things than the real ones. In fact, as a joke, Linda and I still occasionally refer to an object by that child-language name. So, monk was always milk, and monkberry moon delight was a fantasy drink, rather like Love Potion No. 9, hence the line in the song, ‘sipping monkberry moon delight’. It was a fantasy milk shake.

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney in "Man On The Run", by Tom Doyle:

I tried to avoid any Beatles clichés and just went to different places. So the songs became a little more episodic or something. I took on that kind of idea a bit more than I would’ve with The Beatles. I suppose I was just letting myself be free. So if I wanted to do “Monkberry Moon Delight” with a “piano up my nose”, then I figured, that’ll be ok.

Last updated on June 6, 2020

Lyrics

So I sat in the attic
A pillow up my nose
And the wind played a dreadful cantata (ta-ta ta-ta)

So was I bound to crack with my head in this hole
And the horrible sound of tomato (matoes, matoes).

Ketch up Ketch up Super doorsy
Don't get left behind
Ketch-up behind
Be left behind
Be left behind

When I rattled the brass I'd awoken
The sinews the nerves and the veins
My piano was boldly out-spoken
Had a chance to repeat its refrain

So I stood with a knot in my stomach
Then I gazed at that terrible sight
What do your stars conceal in a barrel
Sucking Monkberry moon delight

Monkberry moon delight
Monkberry moon delight

The sinews,
The nerves and the veins.
My piano was boldly outspoken,
In attempts to repeat its refrain.

So I stood with a knot in my stomach,
And I gazed at that terrible sight
Of two youngsters concealed in a barrel,
Sucking monkberry moon delight.

Monkberry moon delight,
Monkberry moon delight.

Know no banana is older than the rest
In my hair is a tangled buretta (re-ta re-ta)
And I would leave my pyjamas to Phyllis Budapest
Don't get the gist of your letter (letter Ooh)

Ketch-up Ketch up
Cats and kittens
Don't get left behind (get left behind)
Behind get left behind
Be left behind

When I rattled the brass I'd awoken
The sinews the nerves and the veins
My piano was boldly out-spoken
Had a chance to repeat its refrain

So I stood with a knot in my stomach
Then I gazed at that terrible sight
What do your stars conceal in a barrel
Sucking Monkberry moon delight

Monkberry moon delight
Monkberry moon delight
Moon delight

Monkberry moon delight
Monkberry moon delight
Monkberry moon delight

Officially appears on


Ram (Mono - promotional)

Official album • Released in 1971

5:28 • Studio versionB • Mono

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer
Denny Seiwell :
Drums, Tambourine
Hugh McCracken :
Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Heather McCartney :
Backing vocals
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 05, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram

LP • Released in 1971

5:28 • Studio versionA • Stereo

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer
Denny Seiwell :
Drums, Tambourine
Hugh McCracken :
Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Heather McCartney :
Backing vocals
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 05, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Thrillington

LP • Released in 1977

4:39 • Studio versionC • Stereo • Instrumental version

Percy "Thrills" Thrillington :
Producer
Richard Hewson :
Arrangements, Orchestration
Tony Clark :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Vic Flick :
Guitar
Clem Cattini :
Drums
Herbie Flowers :
Bass
Steve Gray :
Piano
Roger Coulan :
Organ
Jim Lawless :
Percussion
Alan Parsons :
Second engineer
Unknown musician(s) :
Alto saxophones, Clarinets, String section, Trombones, Trumpets, Tuba

Session Recording:
Jun 15, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 16, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 17, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 18, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road


RAM (by DCC Compact Classics)

Official album • Released in 1993

5:28 • Studio versionA1993.1 • 1993 remaster by Steve Hoffman

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer
Denny Seiwell :
Drums, Tambourine
Hugh McCracken :
Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Heather McCartney :
Backing vocals
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer
Steve Hoffman :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Nov 05, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram (1993)

Official album • Released in 1993

5:28 • Studio versionA1993 • Stereo • 1993 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer
Denny Seiwell :
Drums, Tambourine
Hugh McCracken :
Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Heather McCartney :
Backing vocals
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 05, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Thrillington

CD • Released in 1995

4:39 • Studio versionC1995 • Stereo • Instrumental version. 1995 remaster

Percy "Thrills" Thrillington :
Producer
Richard Hewson :
Arrangements, Orchestration
Tony Clark :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Vic Flick :
Guitar
Clem Cattini :
Drums
Herbie Flowers :
Bass
Steve Gray :
Piano
Roger Coulan :
Organ
Jim Lawless :
Percussion
Alan Parsons :
Second engineer
Unknown musician(s) :
Alto saxophones, Clarinets, String section, Trombones, Trumpets, Tuba

Session Recording:
Jun 15, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 16, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 17, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 18, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road


Ram - Archive Collection

Official album • Released in 2012

5:26 • Studio versionA2012 • Stereo • 2012 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer
Denny Seiwell :
Drums, Tambourine
Hugh McCracken :
Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Heather McCartney :
Backing vocals
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 05, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram - Archive Collection

Official album • Released in 2012

5:26 • Studio versionB2012 • Mono • 2012 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer
Denny Seiwell :
Drums, Tambourine
Hugh McCracken :
Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Heather McCartney :
Backing vocals
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 05, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram - Archive Collection

Official album • Released in 2012

4:39 • Studio versionC2012 • Thrillington: 2012 remaster

Percy "Thrills" Thrillington :
Producer
Richard Hewson :
Arrangements, Orchestration
Tony Clark :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Vic Flick :
Guitar
Clem Cattini :
Drums
Herbie Flowers :
Bass
Steve Gray :
Piano
Roger Coulan :
Organ
Jim Lawless :
Percussion
Alan Parsons :
Second engineer
Unknown musician(s) :
Alto saxophones, Clarinets, String section, Trombones, Trumpets, Tuba

Session Recording:
Jun 15, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 16, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 17, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 18, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road


Thrillington (Limited Edition - Marbled Black & Red LP)

Official album • Released in 2018

4:39 • Studio versionC2012 • Thrillington: 2012 remaster

Percy "Thrills" Thrillington :
Producer
Richard Hewson :
Arrangements, Orchestration
Tony Clark :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Vic Flick :
Guitar
Clem Cattini :
Drums
Herbie Flowers :
Bass
Steve Gray :
Piano
Roger Coulan :
Organ
Jim Lawless :
Percussion
Alan Parsons :
Second engineer
Unknown musician(s) :
Alto saxophones, Clarinets, String section, Trombones, Trumpets, Tuba

Session Recording:
Jun 15, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 16, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 17, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 18, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road


Bootlegs


MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol. 4

Unofficial album • Released in 2004

0:12 • Studio version


The Alternate Ram

Unofficial album • Released in 2004

5:22 • Studio versionB • Mono • Original mono promo LP, especially made for the American AM stations. All the songs have different mixes

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer
Denny Seiwell :
Drums, Tambourine
Hugh McCracken :
Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Heather McCartney :
Backing vocals
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 05, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram - Ultimate Archive Collection

Unofficial album • Released in 2015

5:26 • Studio versionA

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer
Denny Seiwell :
Drums, Tambourine
Hugh McCracken :
Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Heather McCartney :
Backing vocals
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 05, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram - Ultimate Archive Collection

Unofficial album • Released in 2015

5:26 • Studio versionB • Mono

Paul McCartney :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Mandolin (?), Piano, Producer, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals, Producer
Denny Seiwell :
Drums, Tambourine
Hugh McCracken :
Electric guitar, Mandolin (?)
Eirik Wangberg :
Mix engineer
Phil Ramone :
Recording engineer
Heather McCartney :
Backing vocals
Jim Guercio :
Recording engineer
Tim Geelan :
Recording engineer
Ted Brosnan :
Assistant recording engineer
Dixon Van Winkle :
Assistant recording engineer
Armin Steiner :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 05, 1970
Studio :
CBS Studios, New York City

Session Overdubs:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Session Mixing:
March-April 1971
Studio :
Sunset Sound Recorders Studio, Los Angeles, USA

Credits & recording details courtesy of Luca Perasi • Buy Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 on Amazon


Ram - Ultimate Archive Collection

Unofficial album • Released in 2015

4:39 • Studio versionC

Percy "Thrills" Thrillington :
Producer
Richard Hewson :
Arrangements, Orchestration
Tony Clark :
Mixing engineer, Recording engineer
Vic Flick :
Guitar
Clem Cattini :
Drums
Herbie Flowers :
Bass
Steve Gray :
Piano
Roger Coulan :
Organ
Jim Lawless :
Percussion
Alan Parsons :
Second engineer
Unknown musician(s) :
Alto saxophones, Clarinets, String section, Trombones, Trumpets, Tuba

Session Recording:
Jun 15, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 16, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 17, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 18, 1971
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road


Live performances

“Monkberry Moon Delight” has been played in 1 soundchecks.

Going further


Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989

With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.

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Contribute!

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b00kface 7 years ago

The mad howlings and ad-libing near the end sound like Hey Bulldog's conclusion.


Jack Cole 3 years ago

You've got some odd lyrics there. As PM himself says in the quote you've printed just before the lyrics "So if I wanted to do “Monkberry Moon Delight” with a “piano up my nose”, then I figured, that’ll be ok.". Then you've printed lyrics where he has a pillow up his nose.
Also it's "two youngsters concealed in a barrel" who are sucking the Monkberry Moon Delight


The PaulMcCartney Project 3 years ago

Hi Jack, thanks for noticing (and sorry for the late feedback). You're right, there are some inconsistencies, but the official lyrics at https://www.paulmccartney.com/albums/songs/monkberry-moon-delight indicate "A pillow up my nose". So the transcript of the interview in "Man On The Run" is wrong ? or McCartney didn't correctly remember those words? Or ...


Kees 3 years ago

Also « Phyllis Budapest » is « Philly Budapest », where Philly probably is a reference to Philadelphia. Makes more sense than a person called Phyllis Budapest



Jan Verner 1 year ago

Hi, this is wrong lyrics.

The right is:

So I sat in the attic, a piano up my nose
And the wind played a dreadful cantata
Sore was I from a crack of an enemy's hose
And the horrible sound of tomato

Ketchup, soup and puree
Don't get left behind
Ketchup, soup and puree
Don't get left behind

When a rattle of rats had awoken
The sinews, the nerves and the veins
My piano was boldly outspoken
In attempts to repeat this refrain

So I stood with a knot in my stomach
And I gazed at that terrible sight
Of two youngsters concealed in a barrel
Suckin' monkberry moon delight, ho!
Monkberry moon delight
Monkberry moon delight
Monkberry moon delight
Monkberry moon delight

Oh
Oh-oh, oh-oh

Well, I know my banana is older than the rest
And my hair is a tangled beretta (beretta, beretta)
And when I leave my pyjamas to Billy Budapest
And I don't get the gist of your letter

Catch up, cats and kittens
Don't get left behind
Catch up, cats and kittens
Don't get left behind


happyan 1 year ago

Yeah according to booklets from Ram archive collection, the right lyrics should be what Jan Verner displays here.


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