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98 Percent Chimpanzee

Image of Kanzi

Above: Kanzi, a bonobo chimpanzee

 

Chimpanzees and bonobos ("pygmy chimpanzees") are our closest living relatives, sharing about 98 percent of their DNA sequencing with modern humans. Based on rates of evolution and the current fossil record, it is estimated that humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos all share a common ancestor about eight million years ago. Stone Age Institute researchers have taught modern apes to make stone tools for over two decades. This song is an homage to the Byrds recordings of the 1960s, with Nick Toth playing a 12-string Rickenbacker guitar."



1.

Ninety-eight percent chimpanzee
The other two percent that holds the key
That makes you you, and makes me me
We’re ninety-eight percent chimpanzee

2.

Ninety-eight percent chimpanzee
A big divergence in the family tree
Knuckle walking/bipedality
Ninety-eight percent chimpanzee

(BRIDGE)

Last common ancestor
Eight million years before us
Arboreal ape in a tropical land,
Last common ancestor
In Africa’s primal forest
One branch leads to Homo the other to Pan

"98% Chimpanzee"

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"98% Chimpanzee" © 2013. Music and Lyrics by Nicholas Toth and Kathy Schick, THE STONE AGE INSTITUTE®. All rights reserved.

Vocals:
Carrie Newcomer
and
Wild African Chimpanzees

Guitar, Bass, Hammond Organ:
Nicholas Toth

Drums, Percussion:
Tom Schoenemann

Percussion:
Kathy Schick

Engineer:
Kevin Loyal

Recording at Echo Park Studio, Bloomington
© 2013, THE STONE AGE INSTITUTE®.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Ninety-eight percent chimpanzee
Three times the cranial capacity
That lets us live symbolically
Ninety-eight percent chimpanzee

4.

Ninety-eight percent chimpanzee
The other two percent that holds the key
That makes you you, and makes me me
We’re ninety-eight percent chimpanzee