Raised in Cornwall, James began DJing at free parties and clubs in the area in the late 1980s. His debut EP Analogue Bubblebath, released in 1991 on Mighty Force Records, brought James an early following; he began to perform across the UK and continental Europe. James co-founded the independent label Rephlex Records the same year. His 1992 debut album Selected Ambient Works 85-92, released by Belgian label Apollo, garnered wider critical and popular acclaim. James signed to Warp in 1993 and subsequently released charting albums such as ...I Care Because You Do (1995) and Richard D. James Album (1996), as well as Top 40 singles such as "Come to Daddy" (1997) and "Windowlicker" (1999); the latter two were accompanied by music videos directed by Chris Cunningham and brought James significantly wider international attention.
After releasing Drukqs in 2001 and completing his contract with Warp, James spent several years releasing music on his own Rephlex label, including the 2005 Analord EP series under his AFX alias and a pair of 2007 releases as the Tuss. In 2014, he made available a previously unreleased 1994 LP as Caustic Window. He returned later that year with the Aphex Twin album Syro on Warp, winning the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. He has since released charting EPs including Cheetah (2016) and Collapse (2018).
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphex_Twin
Studio albums
Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (1992)
Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994)
...I Care Because You Do (1995)
Richard D. James Album (1996)
Drukqs (2001)
Syro (2014)
Tamphex
Aphex Twin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For whom time stands still once a month?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
For whom time stands still once a month?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax
Why stop when the period starts?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Why stop when the period starts?
Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax
Tampax
Why stop when the period starts?
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Why stop when the period starts?
Why stop when the period starts?
Why stop when the period starts?
Why stop when the period starts?
Why stop when the period starts?
Why stop when the period starts?
Why stop when the period starts?
Why stop when the period starts?
Tampax
Tampax
Tampax
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax
Tampax, Tampax
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Why stop when the period starts?
The lyrics of Aphex Twin's song Tamphex can be interpreted in many ways, but one possible interpretation is that the song critiques the stigma and taboo surrounding menstruation in society. The repeated lines "Are you one of those girls for whom time stands still once a month?" and "Why stop when the period starts?" suggest that the singer is addressing women directly, asking them if they are affected by menstruation and encouraging them to continue with their lives despite it. The mention of Tampax, a brand of tampon, reinforces the theme of menstruation.
The lyrics may also be seen as a commentary on gender roles and expectations. The phrase "one of those girls" suggests that menstruation is a female-specific issue, and the repetition of the question implies that it is a common experience for women. The call to "not stop" when the period starts could be interpreted as a call to resist traditional gender expectations that women should limit their activities and interests when menstruating.
In summary, the lyrics of Tamphex suggest a critique of the silence and shame that surrounds menstruation, as well as the traditional gender roles that limit women's agency during this time.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you one of those girls
For whom time stands still once a month?
Asking if you are a woman whose life is disrupted due to menstrual cycles every month.
Tampax, Tampax, Tampax
Mentioning the brand of menstrual pads as a recurring theme.
Why stop when the period starts?
Questioning why women should let their menstrual cycle hold them back from doing what they want.
Contributed by Caroline G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bruno Ramos
On repeat for an hour already \,,/ Not even a girl, but getting convinced I may be one of those girls lolol
Tim Turpin-Fleck aka The Curator
Exactly! Why stop when your period starts.
Captain Trips
My Mum, bless her, she hated this tune. She let me play whatever I wanted at high volume, but she insisted I turn Tamphex down, disgusted she was. Oh and she hated that track on AB4 that sounds like a tap dripping too.
Squange Flagion
👍
gazpacho jones
bless her
Liquid modernity tastes like urine
lmao
447GHT
Are you one of those girls for whom time stands still once a month? Are you one of those girls for whom time stands still once a month? Are you one of those girls for whom time stands still once a month? Are you one of those girls for whom time stands still once a month? Are you one of those girls for whom time stands still once a month? Are you one of those girls for whom time stands still once a month? Are you one of those girls for whom time stands still once a month?
Paul Maughan
Oh my,this is such an anthem.
Randomizer92mx
tampon anthem
RusoLarusso
dat bass line, 303 with distortion and a lot of knobbing, it even sounds like a scratch at some points.
Rich you are a fucking genius.