Lennon kicks the song off with a counter-rhythmic guitar line that intentionally confuses the listener's sense of timing. Just as you try to find the beat, the rest of the band slams in.
For Lennon, the "monkey" was just a playful, affectionate term for Yoko. While everyone else in the room was harboring resentment and keeping secrets, John felt entirely free and exposed. 🥁 A Masterclass in Sonic Overload
"Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey" serves as a brilliant bridge connecting the raw, energetic, floor-stomping Beatles of the Hamburg club days with the experimental, avant-garde musicians they became in the late '60s.