Too Much Monkey Business

When you dive into *Too Much Monkey Business*, you encounter a raw energy, almost an urgency that invites you to move. The song, originally written and recorded by Chuck Berry, has that spark that made it resonate far beyond its initial release. It was one of the pieces that The Kinks included on their first album, released in 1964, and it's interesting to note that on that debut album, in addition to this one, they included another composition by Berry, *Beautiful Delilah*. For The Kinks, this meant having two tracks by this influential artist on their introduction to the world.

The story of *Too Much Monkey Business* dates back to April 1956, when Chuck Berry recorded it in Chicago, Illinois. It was a release by Chess Records, appearing first as a single and then as part of his debut album, *After School Session*, in 1957. The song performed well on the R&B charts of the time, showing its immediate impact. But its influence didn't stop there; later versions by artists like Elvis Presley and British Invasion bands, including The Beatles and The Hollies, demonstrate how deeply it resonated in the music scene. It is even said to have inspired Bob Dylan in his song *Subterranean Homesick Blues*.