Their debut album, The Dust of Retreat came out in 2006. At this time, the band was signed to Artemis Records and had 8 members. In 2008 the band signed to Epic Records and (on 7 October) released two new albums, Animal! and Not Animal. The band originally planned to just release "Animal!". However, Epic disagreed on their song choice, and compiled a different list, which would later become "Not Animal". Eventually, after dispute over which version would be released, it was decided to release both at the same time.
In August 2009, 5 of the band's members left. They are all involved in other projects, most notably Pravada.
While the band, and Richard specifically have given many explanations to the band's name; this is all in fun. As the name was created as an anti-name; not meant to have any real meaning, just to make fun of other ridiculous names. The name "Margot" comes from Gweneth Paltrow's character in Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums".
The band's sound, categorized as "chamber pop", has been compared to the indie rock groups Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, and The Shins, while incorporating elements of singer/songwriters like Paul Simon and Conor Oberst.
Current Members are:
Richard Edwards - lead vocals, guitar, bells, melodica, banjo
Ronnie Kwasman - lead guitar
Tyler Watkins - bass guitar
Brian Deck - drums
Eric Kang - guitar
Cameron McGill
Former Members include:
Emily Watkins - keys, backup vocals
Andy Fry - guitar, bass, lap steel, percussion
Jesse Lee - cello
Casey Tennis - percussion
Chris Fry - drums, percussion
Go To Sleep You Little Creep
Margot & the Nuclear So and So's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
when i grow up to be a dog,
i'm gonna howl at you, dad.
hey, make me a snack.
go to sleep, you little creep.
your father loves you, but he needs peace.
why don't you give some to me if you can?
mama, give some to me if you can.
when i grow up to be a cow,
i'm gonna "moo" at you, man.
pour me some milk.
go to sleep, you little creep.
your father loves you, but he needs peace.
why don't you give some to me if you can?
mama, give some to me if you can.
honey, give some to me if you can.
oh, if you can.
go to sleep, you little creep.
your father loves you, but he needs peace.
so why don't you give some to me if you can?
mama, give some to me if you can.
darling, give some to me if you can.
oh, if you can.
The Margot & the Nuclear So and So's's song Go To Sleep You Little Creep, is a dark and somewhat disturbing lullaby laced with sarcasm and resentment, directed towards a child. The opening lines of the song, "when I grow up to be a dog, I'm gonna howl at you, dad," express the frustration and confinement the singer feels within their current circumstances. They long to break free from their current state of helplessness and vulnerability and assert their own dominance.
The repeated line "go to sleep, you little creep" is a taunt that highlights the singer's desire for the child to be quiet and obedient. The frustration is amplified when they say "your father loves you, but he needs peace," suggesting that the child is preventing the father from enjoying some time to himself. The repeated lines "why don't you give some to me if you can? Mama, give some to me if you can" highlight the singer's desire for attention and affection, which they feel they are lacking.
The second verse "when I grow up to be a cow, I'm gonna 'moo' at you, man, pour me some milk" takes on a similar theme, this time with more power and control. The singer is once again expressing themselves as a powerless entity (a cow), but one that can still assert themselves through their physical presence (mooing) and ability to demand resources (milk).
The song seems to be a commentary on the frustrations and resentment that can arise within family dynamics. The singer feels unacknowledged and unheard, and uses the song as a means of expressing that frustration. The song is a haunting reminder of the discomfort and disenchantment that can house themselves within the walls of a seemingly loving household.
Line by Line Meaning
when i grow up to be a dog,
In the future, I envision myself as a canine,
i'm gonna howl at you, dad.
I'll express myself vocally to you, father.
hey, make me a snack.
Could you make some food for me, please?
go to sleep, you little creep.
It's time for you to rest, my mischievous child.
your father loves you, but he needs peace.
Although your dad cares for you, he also requires some tranquility.
why don't you give some to me if you can?
If it is possible, would you mind sharing some of that peace with me?
mama, give some to me if you can.
Mother, if you're able to, may I also have some peace?
when i grow up to be a cow,
In the future, I envision myself as a bovine,
i'm gonna 'moo' at you, man.
I'll communicate by vocalizing like a cow to you, dude.
pour me some milk.
Could you please give me some milk?
honey, give some to me if you can.
If possible, could you give me some of that sweetness, honey?
oh, if you can.
If it's possible, that is.
darling, give some to me if you can.
If possible, my cherished one, could you share some of that peace with me too?
oh, if you can.
If it's possible, that is.
Contributed by Taylor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.