Jonathan Coulton Re-records 'Code Monkey' For Us

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Jonathan Coulton Re-records 'Code Monkey' For Us

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday October 16, 2012 @07:49AM from the hat-tip-to-you-sir dept.

Back in 2006, we discussed Jonathan Coulton's 'Code Monkey,' a song about the plight of under-appreciated developers. In the years since, Coulton's efforts to produce geek-oriented songs have propelled him to a successful music career. To mark Slashdot's 15th anniversary, he was kind enough to do a brand new recording of 'Code Monkey' for us. The video is embedded below, and here's a description from the email he sent to CmdrTaco: "It seemed fitting to do a new version of that song. I have all these gadgets that I buy and barely learn how to play, and when I heard you guys were looking for videos and things, it inspired me to sit down and actually try to get some of them working. What you see is me doing a version of Code Monkey performed live on electric guitar and laptop. The grid with lights is a monome running Pages, Polygomé and mlrv on my mac. You're also hearing some loops and noises from Ableton Live, controlled by footswitches, the monome, and the little keyboard, which is an OP-1. Back in 2006 I didn't know what I was doing, and with all these gizmos, I still don't. So that's a relief." Thanks, Jonathan.

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Code Monkeys! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 07:57 · Score: 1

Nice, I loved that show Code Monkeys, which showed me this song. :) then I saw that old /. Article.
1. Re:Code Monkeys! by dotHectate · 2012-10-16 09:04 · Score: 1
  
  As an aside, Code Monkey's is currently on Netflix instant streaming. I've been watching it since my path was the opposite (knew the song, never saw the show).
  
  --
  Patience is a virtue, but haste is my life.
Ya know .... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 07:58 · Score: 1, Funny

Back when I was a coder in the 90s, we listened to metal, Green Day and other punk bands, Sisters of Mercy, NIN, and things like that.
I couldn't relate to this ... and I leave it at that.
1. Re:Ya know .... by Sable+Drakon · 2012-10-16 08:12 · Score: 2
  
  Must not have been a programmer for very long or you were with a company that didn't treat you like a slave.
  
  --
  The Amarri pray for god, the Caldari pray for profit. the Gallente pray for peace, but the Minmatar pray their ships hol
2. Re:Ya know .... by Anon-Admin · 2012-10-16 08:14 · Score: 2
  
  Wait! There are companies that dont treat you like a slave?
  I dont believe you!
3. Re:Ya know .... by Sable+Drakon · 2012-10-16 08:17 · Score: 1
  
  The AC seems to have found one. If it's true, I might actually be impressed!
  
  --
  The Amarri pray for god, the Caldari pray for profit. the Gallente pray for peace, but the Minmatar pray their ships hol
4. Re:Ya know .... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 08:28 · Score: 0
  
  Agreed. I like that someone wrote a song about being a coder, and I like Coulton's "RE: Your Brains", but I don't like "Code Monkey". It doesn't offend me or anything, but I don't relate to it and I don't enjoy listening to it.
5. Re:Ya know .... by crazyjj · 2012-10-16 08:36 · Score: 0
  
  There are companies that dont treat you like a slave?
  They're rumored to exist--in the same way Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster are too.
  
  --
  What political party do you join when you don't like Bible-thumpers *or* hippies?
6. Re:Ya know .... by neminem · 2012-10-16 09:09 · Score: 1
  
  Mine doesn't either. You could even figure out what it was, if you looked through my slashdot comments enough - someone made a positive post about the company's products some months back, and I said hi on behalf of them. :D
7. Re:Ya know .... by Nocturnal+Deviant · 2012-10-16 09:10 · Score: 1
  
  i am stuck between modding you insightful, or simply typing to say that i cant even mod this funny with how accurate it is...
  
  --
  -Noc
8. Re:Ya know .... by neminem · 2012-10-16 09:11 · Score: 1
  
  (For what it's worth, though, even if I do work at a company that doesn't suck, don't really like Fritos, Tab or Mountain Dew, and also have never tended to crush on people who aren't also geeks, which mostly precludes them being office receptionists... I still feel some relation to the protagonist of the song in question, dunno why.)
9. Re:Ya know .... by WillyWanker · 2012-10-16 09:27 · Score: 1
  
  You'd have more luck finding a leprechaun riding a unicorn down the streets of Atlantis.
This version going to get released? by Earl+The+Squirrel · 2012-10-16 07:59 · Score: 1

We going to see a version of this on his site?
1. Re:This version going to get released? by X0563511 · 2012-10-16 08:56 · Score: 2
  
  I hope not. He did not do it any service.
  
  --
  For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
2. Re:This version going to get released? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 09:03 · Score: 0
  
  There's one in every crowd.
  Now let's hear yours.
3. Re:This version going to get released? by X0563511 · 2012-10-16 09:13 · Score: 1
  
  I have created nothing worth posting, and I can't sing anyways (it would just be some trance). Lets hear yours? At least I know something about production.
  
  --
  For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
4. Re:This version going to get released? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 09:35 · Score: 0
  
  He did not do it any service.
  Yeah, if the original writer of the song found out about the hatchet job Jonathan Coulton's done to it, he'll be calling for blood.
5. Re:This version going to get released? by neminem · 2012-10-16 09:55 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Not implying anything about this particular version of the song, as I haven't listened to it yet, what with being at work, but I feel compelled to quote a great post I read on a forum a number of years ago, on this subject: "Just because someone thinks something isn't good doesn't necessarily mean they think they're better. Just because the guy from Phish can play guitar better than I can doesn't mean they're good."
6. Re:This version going to get released? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 15:51 · Score: 0
  
  I have created nothing worth posting, and I can't sing anyways (it would just be some trance). Lets hear yours? At least I know something about production.
  Jesus. Fucking. Christ.
  Ohhh, you're in "production". Whoopdie FUCKING doo!
  Your voice is an opinion - and a lousy one at that! I liked the new version. A lot. I also liked the old version from the early 2000s and I didn't think I'd like the new version. You are a no-talent ass-bag that whines when someone else takes their own artistic talent and puts another bend on something THEY created.
  FUCK YOU, you arrogant prick!
7. Re:This version going to get released? by X0563511 · 2012-10-17 01:38 · Score: 1
  
  FUCK YOU, you arrogant prick!
  I suggest you follow your own advice.
  
  --
  For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
8. Re:This version going to get released? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-17 05:56 · Score: 0
  
  Speaking of people I could never measure up to, a quote from Theodore Roosevelt:
  “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
9. Re:This version going to get released? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-18 09:24 · Score: 0
  
  It is now on his site, I asked for it for my wedding reception next week and after two emails traded back off I got this in my email box :)
  Hi again Eric,
  Hey guess what? Because of your request they made an mp3 of the
  slashdot version of "Code Monkey" and listed it for sale on the
  jonathan coulton website!! You'll find the song here, in the "New
  Folder" near the top.
  http://www.jonathancoulton.com/store/downloads/
  Best wishes, and hope this helps!
  (I've been a JoCo fan for a long time now, but I now find myself trying to figure out the appropriate word to describe to my new found level of appriciation for him as a fan)
original was better by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 08:19 · Score: 0

The original was a good song, but this new version is a lame attempt at being sentimental or something. F--. Would not listen again.
original with 2.2 million views
1. Re:original was better by Nerdfest · 2012-10-16 08:43 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  He's been doing a more sentimental version in his live shows for years. It is a sad little story, and it's nice to hear a different take on it every once in a while.
2. Re:original was better by X0563511 · 2012-10-16 08:57 · Score: 1
  
  Not with an annoying ride that includes a really high pitched beep (that sounds more like the whine from an old TV going bad...)
  
  --
  For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
3. Re:original was better by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 09:30 · Score: 0
  
  I appreciate his new take, it's definitely a worthy reinterpretation. My only complaint is that the vocals being so under volume makes it hard to listen to. He could use a little more diction or decibels (or both) on the vocal track.
  As another poster pointed out, there are several of the other instrumental tracks that also pierce through without any reason for it, just mixed poorly.
Assuming Jonathan sticks his head into this thread by Shemmie · 2012-10-16 08:21 · Score: 1

A big, big thank you for some of the best geek music ever. Code Monkey, RE: Your Brains, the Portal work, etc - Sir, you're a legend.
Damn Flash. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 08:22 · Score: 0

No suitable plugins were found.
Damn it!
Watching vs Listening by ardyng · 2012-10-16 08:30 · Score: 2

I found it interesting to watch this, then listen to it without the video.
I don't know why, but I think I enjoy it better without watching him. My only guess is that I can enjoy the music more when I'm not obsessing over what each button push and dial twiddle is doing. :)
I just want to know... by santajon · 2012-10-16 08:33 · Score: 1

how long of a user id Jonathan has.
Why no mention of by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 08:43 · Score: 0

Why no mention of Dr. Pepper?
Live? really? by fabriciom · 2012-10-16 08:44 · Score: 2

Code Monkey chose Ableton Live? Why code monkey? Why?
Great version by fox1324 · 2012-10-16 08:44 · Score: 1

Great song, great dynamics, thanks very much Jonathan. Keep it up! Now I want to go pick up a tele...
I much prefer "White Collar Holler" by Stan Rogers by wjeff · 2012-10-16 08:51 · Score: 1

It is a little dated, but then so am I.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsDkmVo2fg4

--
my old sig is obsolete, and I haven't come up with a stupid enough new one yet
What's this... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 08:53 · Score: 0

...site has been taken off-line due to Copywright violations.
Sincerely,
MPAA
How about a clean version of the TV show? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 08:54 · Score: 0

I was excited to see the first season available on DVD but the transfer was horrible, telecine/interlaced artifacts were a plenty. How about releasing a cleaned up version of the show? Oh, and releasing the second season on DVD too!
Never mind, this is just the song Code Monkeys.... too bad!
1. Re:How about a clean version of the TV show? by metalgamer84 · 2012-10-17 07:11 · Score: 1
  
  It looks fine on Netflix, check it out.
Creative Commons? Or... (c) ?!! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 09:00 · Score: 0

Is this released under a Creative Commons license?
Painful Beeping by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 09:06 · Score: 0

I am a big fan and was excited about the new version, but that high pitch beeping that starts about 24 seconds in is a killer (low - high - high). Its probably just me or my crappy monitor speakers, but I can feel the highs in my inner ear and my teeth. I'm looking forward to enjoying it at home, softened with an equalizer.
1. Re:Painful Beeping by Medievalist · 2012-10-16 10:46 · Score: 1
  
  Here, have some Sputnik.
Blast from the past by Mercano · 2012-10-16 09:16 · Score: 1

I first found JoCo from the original Slashdot post; I was quite excited to find out he was playing at the first PAX I attended (2008). I think I bounced from him to quite a few other geek-friendly music acts now in my iPod, Paul and Storm, Molly Lewis, Marian Call, the Doubleclicks... So, thanks, Slashdot!

--
#include <signature.h>
Login page by chebucto · 2012-10-16 09:22 · Score: 3, Informative

If you login from a story on Slashdot it kicks you back to the main page. Not very elegant, code monkey! :)

--
The English word fart is one of the oldest words in the English vocabulary.
1. Re:Login page by mynameisdom · 2012-10-16 10:09 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe chebucto wanna write goddamn login page himself. ;)
A critique by coward! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 09:22 · Score: 0

There's one in every crowd.
Now let's hear yours.
There's always one like that too.. "Do it yourself"
I think the original is simple clean and has a certain soul that relates to the poor code monkey.
This version--and please really not trying to show disrespect for a great talent--sounds more like the song was redone so some strange sounds discovered in a new plug-in could be used or I have a new midi-device that I have to play with.
It is a very busy sound scape with way too much extra stuff going on that ultimately detracts from the song. Everyone complains about Star Wars Super-Digital-Update-Awesomeness so it isn't blasphemy to say the original was more enjoyable.
Personally, I think if the computer tone runs were put much lower and farther back in mix and the vocals pull up it would be more enjoyable. Also, a more natural drum track would be do much more justice vs. the R&B kick sound static used. Hey, everyone's a critic :)
That was so beautiful... by sudden.zero · 2012-10-16 09:31 · Score: 1

... that I almost cried.
Please Ignore by Zumbs · 2012-10-16 09:47 · Score: 1

Posted to undo moderation error. Please Ignore. Sorry.

--
The truth may be out there, but lies are inside your head
Awesome by monk · 2012-10-16 10:48 · Score: 1

Loved the original, and this version is fun. The lights on the monome were a show all by themselves.

--
[-- Trust the Monkey --]
Code Monkeys t-shirt by heuermh · 2012-10-16 10:54 · Score: 1

Awesome song, and loved the show. I made a t-shirt inspired by the show here
http://www.spreadshirt.com/dave-black-C3376A7953673
If you would prefer to use a different t-shirt vendor, let me know and I can send the SVG or PNG design file.
Wait, what? by TimHunter · 2012-10-16 11:05 · Score: 1

Jonathon Coulton is a Mac-using hipster fag Apple fanboi? Say it ain't so, Jo!
1. Re:Wait, what? by 93+Escort+Wagon · 2012-10-16 17:03 · Score: 1
  
  Jonathon Coulton is a Mac-using hipster fag Apple fanboi? Say it ain't so, Jo!
  Yeah, it's terrible how he uses tools that help him accomplish his objectives and doesn't let mindless zealotry get in the way.
  
  --
  #DeleteChrome
Thank You Johnathan by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 12:33 · Score: 0

Thanks for all the great tunes. I do like the upbeat version better and so does my wife, but it's nice to shake it up once and awhile.
Say "Code monkey" and thou shal suffer the cons... by lowlands · 2012-10-16 12:46 · Score: 1

Anyone remember that a long time member of the Community used the phrase "Code Monkey"? It's been a few years but hearing this version I wish people would just first take a deep breath, count to ten and then focus on the things that really matter...
The song is on Rock Band by GlobalEcho · 2012-10-16 13:38 · Score: 1

You can buy Code Monkey (and other Coulton songs) on Rock Band. Hearing myself murder it, and then watching this version, reminds me how far I am from being a professional musician.
Wonderful by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-16 14:00 · Score: 0

I, for one, think it masterfully done.
cmdrtaco.net? by halcyon1234 · 2012-10-17 01:46 · Score: 1

http://cmdrtaco.net/2012/10/joco-re-records-code-monkey-for-slashdots-birthday/
Wait, Cmdr Taco has a blog? Since when? That's cool! Why didn't he start blogging a long time ago? It would have been cool to read tech news and articles posted by him.

--
UTF-8: There and Back Again
1. Re:cmdrtaco.net? by Qu4Z · 2012-10-17 12:44 · Score: 1
  
  Sadly I do not have mod points. But well played, good sir.
BEEP BEEEP BEEEP BEEEEEEEP!! by Mondoz · 2012-10-17 08:48 · Score: 2

Couldn't listen to the whole song. That high pitched beep beep beep was grating my ears.

--
/sig
Well, it got me by dosun88888 · 2012-10-17 16:14 · Score: 1

The original faster version made me cry the first time I heard it, and this got me again. Not sure what it is.
Monome is a glorified TV remote control by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-21 06:14 · Score: 0

I'd rather just waste the $500 on an iPad and then maybe write a Monome emulator for it.