The original line-up consisted of lead singer Shannon Selberg, who later took up the bugle, guitarist Thor Eisentrager, bass guitarist Kevin Rutmanis, and drummer Sandris Rutmanis (soon to be replaced by Norm Rogers). The band had a hardcore sound characterized by blurred guitars, however the Cows took the formula a step further, creating a unique and unconventional style.
Stripping away anything that remotely resembled pop - including melody and catchy hooks and riffs - the Cows offered punk rock in its crudest form. John Dougan in All Music Guide described the group's distorted sound as "a feral racket that sounded as is if the guitars were being played with metal files". Lyrically, their songs dealt with just about anything, from losers in life to sex and bodily fluids. And Selberg's shrieking vocal style and general lunacy on stage provided the Cows with a bizarre, yet often engaging focus.
In 1987, the Cows released their debut album, Taint Pluribus, Taint Unum, landing a record deal with Amphetamine Reptile for the release of their second LP, Daddy Has A Tail. And by the time Cunning Stunts arrived in 1992, critics began to cite improvements.
However, while the Cows exhibited a more solid playing technique and greater songwriting focus, they stayed true to their punk roots and anti-commercial stance. "We play music that we like", said Eisentrager once. "We know how the world works. We're not trying to make music for mass consumption. Sometimes you get frustrated, but it's all about music. Episodically you get pissed off, but we've had a fair shake with the band, and we've had good tours. Basically we wish more people could get their hands on the records, but we know what we're doing and like what we do. It's not like somebody is trying ... to ignore us. It's just the nature of the beast".
After the release of Orphan's Tragedy in 1994, Roger decided to leave the Cows, fuelling rumors of a breakup. The rumors were silenced, however, with the release of Whorn in 1996. The album featured a new drummer, Freddy Votel.
In the wake of Whorn, talk of a band breakup emerged a second time when Selberg relocated from Minneapolis to New York City. But a new album again served as notice that the Cows were a healthy unit. Released in 1998, the eclectic Sorry In Pig Minor also saw the Cows, for the first time, exploring new ground. Although evidence of the old Cows remained, Sorry In Pig Minor was more varied in scope and texture. The opener, Cabin Man, was vintage Cows, yet tunes like the Latin-flavored El Shiksa and the jazzy Felon Of Troy proved that the group could handle more than punk.
After more than a decade of noise rock, the Cows disbanded in 1998.
They have a star on Minneapolis' First Avenue. Their singer, Shannon Selberg, has gone on with music, fronting the noise rock band The Heroine Sheiks.
Pussy Is A Monarchy
Cows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My conscience gets drowned
I move in and harass it
I make it my own
She says unto me:
Move over, leave me alone
I don't care what you've done
This thing's mono mono
It's a monarchy - ask me
Well, I drool pretty flowers
Pretend I don't mean no harm
Soon she's in my powers
I extend my arm
Then she spoke unto me:
Shut up and lay down on the floor
Don't move, don't talk no more
This thing's mono mono
It's a monarchy - agreed
I don't know where I get off
Why I can't play fair
Then she cuts my head off
Rolls it right down the stairs
Then she says to me:
Shove off and leave me alone
It's too late, I can't help you now
This thing's mono mono
It's a monarchy - agreed
Then she says unto me:
Move over, leave me alone
I don't care what you've done
This thing's mono mono
It's a monarchy - ask me
So watch where you snuggle
Don't do what I've done
Or you'll end up your own uncle
A skunk all over town
Then she says unto me:
Shut up and lay down on the floor
Don't move, don't talk no more
This thing's mono mono
It's a monarchy
The lyrics to Cows' song "Pussy Is A Monarchy" are quite abstract, but can be interpreted as depicting an individual's struggle with their own desires and impulses. The lyrics suggest that the singer's conscience is drowned out when they drink, causing them to act impulsively and recklessly. The metaphor of a monarchy is used to describe the power dynamics at play within oneself when it comes to desire - the desire for sex is depicted as a ruler that must be obeyed, regardless of the singer's better judgment.
The second verse introduces a female partner into the equation, who initially seems to be a willing participant in the singer's sexual advances. However, as the verse progresses, it becomes clear that the power dynamic has shifted - the partner tells the singer to shut up and lay down on the floor, suggesting that she is now in control. The final verse describes the aftermath of the encounter, with the partner telling the singer to leave her alone and warning against the consequences of giving in to one's desires.
Overall, the lyrics of "Pussy Is A Monarchy" examine the internal struggle between desire and morality, suggesting that the former often comes out on top. The use of abstract imagery and metaphorical language adds to the surreal and disturbing quality of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
When I drink, I ain't asking
I don't care about the consequences of my actions when I drink
My conscience gets drowned
My sense of right and wrong disappears when I'm under the influence
I move in and harass it
I deliberately ignore my conscience and do what I want
I make it my own
I take control over my conscience and silence it
She says unto me: Move over, leave me alone
The person's conscience is still present and trying to assert itself
I don't care what you've done
The person refuses to acknowledge their wrongdoing
This thing's mono mono
The person's conscience has become one with their desires, creating a single-minded focus
It's a monarchy - ask me
The person's desires have become the ruling power, with no room for moral objections or considerations
Well, I drool pretty flowers
The person's actions are deceptive and meant to hide their true intentions
Pretend I don't mean no harm
The person is intentionally misleading and acting innocent
Soon she's in my powers
The person's actions have succeeded in trapping their target
I extend my arm
The person is making a show of their power and control
Then she spoke unto me: Shut up and lay down on the floor
The person's victim becomes aware of their true intentions and asserts control
Don't move, don't talk no more
The person demands complete submission from their victim
This thing's mono mono
The person's single-minded focus on their desires has been transferred to their victim
It's a monarchy - agreed
The victim has no choice but to submit to the person's desires
I don't know where I get off
The person is aware of their own wrongdoing but is unable or unwilling to change
Why I can't play fair
The person is aware that their actions are unfair or cruel but doesn't care
Then she cuts my head off
The person's actions have consequences, even if they may not expect or intend them
Rolls it right down the stairs
The person's victim takes revenge and punishes them for their wrongdoing
It's too late, I can't help you now
The person realizes the consequences of their actions and it's too late to fix them
So watch where you snuggle
The person warns others to be careful when getting involved with them
Don't do what I've done
The person acknowledges their wrongdoing and warns others not to make the same mistakes
Or you'll end up your own uncle
The person is warning of the potential consequences of repeating their mistakes
A skunk all over town
The person is warning of the shame and notoriety that comes with repeated wrongdoing
Contributed by Eliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
johnymorda
i fully enjoyed this
Beavis
Caught in 4k
Brian Bell
Righteous. I can SMELL this song. It smells like real.