🐒 About the Song
If you were around in the late ’70s or early ’80s, you’ll remember Monkey — that gloriously dubbed Japanese fantasy about a mischievous monkey god, a monk, and their ragtag crew on a spiritual road trip to India.
The theme, “Monkey Magic” by Japanese rock band Godiego, is a total banger — part funk, part prog, part nonsense chant, and completely unforgettable.
It’s the sound of kung fu, clouds, and cosmic mischief rolled into one.
On ukulele, it’s outrageously fun: quick strumming, big harmonies, and full permission to yell “MONKEY MAGIC!” at the top of your lungs.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
We’ll play it in G major for easy, bright chords and open voicings.
You’ll need G, C, D, and Em — four chords of pure chaos.
Main progression: [G] – [C] – [D] – [G]
Bridge (instrumental feel): [Em] – [C] – [G] – [D]
Strumming pattern: bold and bouncy down–down–up–up–down–up at around 120 bpm.
It’s funkier than it looks — accent the upstrokes to get that ‘70s groove.
If you’re feeling brave, add percussive chucks (muted strums) on beats 2 and 4.
Singing tip: Channel your inner over-the-top narrator. The vocals are half chant, half sermon — dramatic and joyous.
Don’t underplay it; this song is supposed to sound like a cosmic superhero theme shouted from a mountaintop.
💡 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- The song was written by Yukihide Takekawa and performed by his band Godiego, one of Japan’s biggest rock acts at the time.
- The English dub version (broadcast by the BBC) kept the original Japanese music but added wild new voiceovers — including Monkey’s unforgettable cry: “With a cloud to ride and a staff of truth!”
- The track became a hit in the UK cult TV scene, turning Monkey into a beloved oddball classic.
- “Monkey Magic” has since been covered and remixed dozens of times — even by British indie acts who grew up watching it.
- The show’s closing theme, “Gandhara,” is also beautiful on ukulele — more meditative and melodic.
🌈 Final Word
“Monkey Magic” is unashamedly weird and wonderful — a rock hymn to mischief and enlightenment.
On ukulele, it becomes a joyous chant of cosmic nonsense, perfect for festivals, garden jams, or anyone with a taste for 70s oddities.
Play it loud, play it fast, and remember: the monkey is irrepressible.
