Monkey Gone to Heaven is a song by the Pixies. Recorded in November 1988 during the sessions for the band’s 1989 album Doolittle, it was released as a single in March 20, 1989, and included as the seventh track on the album when it was released a month later in April. The song was written and sung by frontman Black Francis and was produced by Gil Norton. Referencing environmentalism and biblical numerology, the song’s lyrics mirrored themes that were explored in Doolittle. Monkey Gone to Heaven was the first Pixies song to feature guest musicians: two cellists, Arthur Fiacco and Ann Rorich, and two violinists, Karen Karlsrud and Corine Metter. The band had signed to Elektra Records at the end of 1988, so the Monkey Gone to Heaven single was their first American and major label release.
Tracklist:
- Monkey Gone to Heaven
- Manta Ray
- Weird at My School
- Dancing the Manta Ray
Pixies
Black Francis: vocals, guitar
Kim Deal: bass guitar, vocals
Joey Santiago: lead guitar, backing vocals
David Lovering: drums
Additional musicians
Karen Karlsrud: violin (Monkey Gone to Heaven)
Corine Metter: violin (Monkey Gone to Heaven)
Arthur Fiacco: cello (Monkey Gone to Heaven)
Ann Rorich: cello (Monkey Gone to Heaven)
