Shaved Gorilla

The Flaming Lips · Telepathic Surgery [1989]

We got a gorilla and we shaved him

And bought him a motorcycle

I swear if God only let us, we would change it

We don't care that much now

Shaved Gorilla

Shaved Gorilla stands as a vivid example of The Flaming Lips' early experimentalism, appearing on their 1989 album Telepathic Surgery. During this period, the Oklahoma-based band was refining a sound that blended psychedelic rock with quirky, avant-garde sensibilities. The track captures the group's willingness to embrace the bizarre, utilizing layered instrumentation and unconventional song structures that would later define their broader discography. While the band would eventually achieve wider commercial recognition with more polished productions, this recording highlights their foundational commitment to surrealism and sonic exploration. It remains a significant song in their catalogue, showcasing the raw energy and creative risk-taking that characterized their work in the late 1980s.