The band formed in late 2000, when ex-member Brent Knopf graduated from Dartmouth College and returned to Portland to collaborate with Harris and Seim. They played their first show in July 2001, at The Meow Meow, a now-defunct all ages venue in Portland.
Menomena self-released their debut album, I Am the Fun Blame Monster!, on May 20, 2003. The album was elaborately packaged in an 80-page flipbook that Seim designed and individually hand-assembled. It later received nationwide distribution through FILMguerrero in 2004. The title is an anagram for The First Menomena Album.
In 2005, Under an Hour was released as a three-track album of instrumental music written for and performed with Monster Squad, an experimental dance company based in Portland.
In August of 2006, Menomena signed with Barsuk Records although the band still maintains a relationship with their old label, FILMguerrero. It was stated that FILMguerrero would still be involved in their old catalog and future vinyl releases.
Menomena released their next album in 2007, titled Friend and Foe. It received relative critical acclaim -- while some websites like Pitchfork Media praised the album for its effective modular pop, others like PopMatters criticized it for presenting a sense of feigned maturity. Their record release show was held in their home town of Portland, Oregon. The packaging features artwork by graphic novelist/cartoonist Craig Thompson, consisting of die-cut shapes, decoder rings, and hidden messages. It was nominated for "Best Recording Package" at The Grammy Awards.
The band's following album, Mines, was released in July 2010.
In January 2011, Brent Knopf's departure was announced. He left the band under good terms in order to focus on his other project Ramona Falls.
Without Knopf, Menomena released their most recent album, Moms in September of 2012.
The band's name was chosen for "the way it rolls off the tongue, sexually, or something" and has no specific meaning, although it is often assumed to refer to the Piero Umiliani song "Mah Nà Mah Nà", a staple of The Muppet Show.
Danny Seim also has a side project began in the late 90's titled Lackthereof.
Running
Menomena Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it's safe to say i'm thinner
it's safe to say if we don't find food soon
we won't make it through winter
i'm walking, i'm running, i'm picking up steam
i'm threatening to explode
i'm going to make it, we're going to make it
before the cows come home
before the cows come through
it's safe to say i'm walking a lot
it's safe to say i'm thinner
it's safe to say if we don't find food soon
we won't make it through winter
The lyrics to Menomena's "Running" convey the desperation of a person who is struggling to survive in a harsh environment. The singer describes their constant movement through walking, running, and picking up steam. They are in danger of exploding from the pressure of their circumstances, but they are determined to push through and make it before winter arrives. The repeated refrain of "before the cows come home / before the cows come through" adds to the sense of urgency and scarcity.
The repetition of the opening lines emphasizes the physical toll that this struggle is taking on the singer. They are walking so much that it is safe to say they are thinner, which hints at a lack of sustenance. The singer's reference to the need for food before winter highlights the precariousness of their situation. Without finding food, they may not make it through the season, which adds an additional layer of stress and potential loss.
The repeated phrase "before the cows come home / before the cows come through" is an interesting choice because it suggests a rural setting in which cows are a prominent feature. This creates a specific image of a person or group of people trying to survive in a remote location where food is scarce and farms are few and far between. The repetition of the phrase also creates a sense of rhythm that adds to the song's intense atmosphere.
Overall, the lyrics to Menomena's "Running" are a poignant expression of the struggle to survive in harsh conditions. The repetition and urgency of the language convey a deeper sense of desperation and loss that resonates with the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
it's safe to say i'm walking a lot
I am doing a lot of physical activity, most likely walking long distances.
it's safe to say i'm thinner
As a result of all the walking, I have lost weight and am now thinner.
it's safe to say if we don't find food soon
If we cannot find food soon, it is highly likely that we will not survive the winter.
we won't make it through winter
If we are unable to find food before winter, we will not be able to survive until the end of the season.
i'm walking, i'm running, i'm picking up steam
I am trying to move as quickly as possible, with the urgency increasing as time passes.
i'm threatening to explode
My emotions are running high and I am on the verge of losing control.
i'm going to make it, we're going to make it
Despite the difficulties, I am confident that I will be able to find enough food to survive and take care of those around me.
before the cows come home
Before much longer or before the situation becomes any worse.
before the cows come through
Before we reach a point of no return or irreversible consequences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TAMMIE HARRIS, CAMERON WALLACE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind