Synopsis

George Michael performs "Monkey" in a stark white studio setting, dressed in a white T-shirt and black hat, while the image shifts between color and grayscale. The video is intercut with energetic footage from the Faith Tour, showing Michael singing, dancing, and working the stage alongside his band and dancers. The performance-driven visual emphasizes the song's rhythmic intensity and presents Michael as both a polished pop star and a commanding live performer.

Factoids & Trivia

• The "monkey" in the song is a metaphor for drug or alcohol addiction. Michael said the idea came from watching a friend struggle with addiction and not knowing how to help.

• The video features choreography associated with Paula Abdul, who also worked on the staging for Michael's Faith Tour.

• The version promoted with the single and video was a substantially reworked production by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis rather than the original album recording.

• "Monkey" became Michael's sixth solo number-one single in the United States and the fourth number-one single from Faith.

• The song was also Michael's first number-one hit on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.

• The concert footage gives the video a documentary-like connection to the Faith Tour, making it function partly as a showcase for Michael's stage performance.