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 NÃ Mah NÃ ", a staple of The Muppet Show.
Danny Seim also has a side project began in the late 90's titled Lackthereof.
The Monkey's Back
Menomena Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You paved the way but I lost track
Seize the day
I want my way
But the monkey's back
He grew such fingernails
He scratched he could impale
So I fed him poison grapes
He spit the seeds into my face
And he escapes
To germinate
Weave and till my skin
Sprout seeds, chrysanthemum
Pull the weeds from my chin
We begin
On this monkey's back
He paved the way but I lost track
Seize the day, I'm on my way
But the monkey's back
He grew such fingernails
He scratched, he could impale
Never fails to hear why
So I fed him poison grapes
He spit the seeds into my face
And he escapes
To germinate
Weave and till my skin
Sprout seeds, chrysanthemum
Pull the weeds from my chin
We begin
On the monkey's back
On the monkey's back
(unintelligible mumbled outro verse)
The Monkey's Back by Menomena is an interesting song whose lyrics have a deep meaning. The song appears to be about a man who is trying to rid himself of an addiction or bad habit, represented by the monkey on his back. The monkey refers to an addiction or a vice that the man is struggling with. The first verse talks about how the monkey paved the way, but the man lost track. It seems that the man may have started down the path of addiction willingly, but somewhere along the way, he lost control. The second verse is about how the monkey has become more powerful and dangerous over time. The man tries to fight back by feeding him poison grapes, but it doesn't work. This could signify how external factors such as therapy, rehab or cold turkey has not helped the person to come out of the addiction. The final verse talks about the man accepting his addiction and trying to work with it so that he can finally rid himself of it.
The lyrics of the song are pretty abstract, and the monkey could represent anything from addiction, fear, anger or even mental illness. Similarly, the 'poisoned grapes' could signify anything from drugs to therapy to other kinds of escape mechanisms that don't work.
Line by Line Meaning
On the monkey's back
Referring to the burden of problems and troubles that the singer is carrying.
You paved the way but I lost track
Acknowledging that someone helped the singer but the singer lost their way and cannot move forward.
Seize the day
Encouraging the singer to take control of their life and make the most of the current moment.
I want my way
The artist desires to have control over their own life and make their own decisions.
He grew such fingernails
Describing the monkey as becoming more dangerous and causing harm to others.
He scratched, he could impale
Detailing how the monkey has become a threat and could cause serious harm to those around them.
Never fails to hear why
Indicating that the monkey always listens for motives and reasons behind people's actions.
So I fed him poison grapes
Revealing that the artist has taken action to harm the monkey, likely to prevent further damage caused by the monkey.
He spit the seeds into my face
The monkey retaliates against the artist's actions and causes them harm.
And he escapes
The monkey avoids punishment and is free to continue causing problems.
To germinate
The seeds that the monkey spit out will grow and have consequences in the future.
Weave and till my skin
The artist metaphorically compares themselves to a garden, needing to be maintained and cared for.
Sprout seeds, chrysanthemum
Referring to the growth of new opportunities and positive experiences.
Pull the weeds from my chin
Metaphorically removing negative influences and unhelpful habits from the singer's life.
We begin
The start of a new chapter in the singer's life where they are focused on growth and positivity.
(unintelligible mumbled outro verse)
Unknown or unclear meaning due to the inability to understand the lyrics.
Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Adam Castledine
This really is tip top banana. A criminally under rated band.
Max Stone
First time listening to this band. I can really dig it.
HeroShot
Brilliant song! Thanks so much for posting this.
Klarisse
Damn, that bass line. <3
Ash P
A masterpiece
DaTeacha
Dude, I am floored that there are only 6750 views of this song (less views for other songs). Listen to this album at 1 in the morning with headphones for a truly moving experience...such an amazing record
Martyna
oh. sweet jeezas. i remember looong stoned night paining my mad images. swell times. cheers for sneaking this tune in :)
987IAM
one of there best
Bytorand1
That Beat :D
CapnEvander
Now, hear me out. Not many people do. I swear, I really really tiptoppo swear, this song used to be 3 minutes long. It's the thing kind of song is where you aren't aware lose track of what you're goi ng on. There's no way it was nine! minutes long? I've listened to it on the bus so many times. I can't believe it. It's over so fast. But now I'm listening ot it and what where what where did this ending come from? It repeats so many times. I lost track o fwhere I was. This song i sso loud. There's no way it was nearly nine minutes long. It is three montues long.