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.
The Pelican
Menomena Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I'm not looking.
Take it from my hook while it's still kicking.
Don't you feel it, when I start reeling?
I guess some things never change,
And I still hold the reins on what you're feeling.
What you're feeling.
When I'm enjoying.
Take it from my mouth while I'm still chewing.
Don't you feel it when I start pulling?
I guess some birds never learn,
One day these tides will turn and leave you nothing.
Leave you nothing.
We're poised to lock our horns up,
In some epic clash,
That we can't finish.
On our own,
We'll have to settle,
Swallow pride,
And hold our heads up high!
Stake it,
When you feel threatened.
Stake your claim on lands already taken.
Don't you feel it, when I start throwing stones
I guess some birds never learn,
One day these tides will turn and leave you nothing.
Oooh.
Leave you nothing.
Take it
The lyrics of Menomena's song "The Pelican" speak to the themes of power, control, and competition. The song opens with the lines "Take it, when I'm not looking. Take it from my hook while it's still kicking." Here, the singer is addressing someone who is taking advantage of them when they are vulnerable. This vulnerability could stem from a lack of attention or awareness, suggesting a power dynamic in which one party holds the upper hand. The lyrics continue in this vein, with the singer warning that "One day these tides will turn and leave you nothing," suggesting that the power dynamic is not permanent and that those who hold power may one day be left with nothing.
The second verse builds on these themes, with the singer asserting their control over the situation ("I still hold the reins on what you're feeling") and warning that "One day these tides will turn and leave you nothing." The final verse speaks to the idea of competition and the need to find a way to resolve conflicts: "We're poised to lock our horns up, in some epic clash that we can't finish. On our own, we'll have to settle, swallow pride, and hold our heads up high!" Here, Menomena acknowledges the reality of conflict and competition in human relationships but also suggests we can find a way to resolve these conflicts without becoming consumed by them.
Overall, "The Pelican" is a complex and thought-provoking song that explores themes of power, vulnerability, and competition through the lens of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Take it,
Accept it,
When I'm not looking.
Take it when I am not paying attention.
Take it from my hook while it's still kicking.
Take it from me when it is still active.
Don't you feel it, when I start reeling?
Don't you feel the consequences of my actions?
I guess some things never change,
I suppose some things stay the same.
And I still hold the reins on what you're feeling.
I am still in control of how you feel.
What you're feeling.
The emotions you are experiencing.
Take it,
Accept it,
When I'm enjoying.
Take it when I am enjoying myself.
Take it from my mouth while I'm still chewing.
Take it from me while I am still digesting it.
Don't you feel it when I start pulling?
Don't you feel the tension when I start to resist?
I guess some birds never learn,
I suppose some individuals never gain knowledge.
One day these tides will turn and leave you nothing.
Someday, the situation will change and leave you with nothing.
We're poised to lock our horns up,
We are ready to engage in a conflict.
In some epic clash,
In a big fight.
That we can't finish.
That we cannot resolve.
On our own,
By ourselves,
We'll have to settle,
We will have to come to an agreement,
Swallow pride,
Put aside our egos,
And hold our heads up high!
And maintain our dignity.
Stake it,
Claim it,
When you feel threatened.
When you feel insecure.
Stake your claim on lands already taken.
Demand ownership of things that are already possessed by others.
Don't you feel it, when I start throwing stones
Don't you feel the effects of my attacks?
Oooh.
Leave you nothing.
Deprive you of everything.
Contributed by Addison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AriWilde
[Verse 1]
Take it when I'm not looking!
Take it from my hook while it's still kicking!
Don't you feel it when I start reeling?
I guess some things never change
And I still hold the reins on what you're feeling
What you're feeling
[Verse 2]
Take it when, I'm enjoying!
Take it from my mouth while I'm still chewing!
Don't you feel it when I start pulling back?
I guess some birds never learn
One day these tides will turn and leave you nothing
Leave you nothing
"Okay!"
[Chorus]
We're forced to lock our horns up
In some epic clash that we can't finish
On our own we'll have to settle
Swallow pride and hold our heads up high
[Verse 3]
Stake it when you feel threatened!
Stake your claim on land already taken!
Don't you feel it when I start throwing stones?
I guess some birds never learn
One day these tides will turn and leave you nothing
Leave you nothing
Take it!
@electricguitar9484
childhood memories :,)
@nickmoore9843
The patient guitar and instrumental drop on this track is RAD!
@AnimeGirl2120
These guys need to hit the mainstream. That way, they'll hopefully make more money and make more albums :D
@andrewvincent5472
God damn! What a refreshing song!!! Really happy I stumbled upon randomly finding this clip!
Thanks for the upload!
@mimza123
Love this song so much.
@pastanro
Menomenal!!!!!
@KidteeHello
Still gets me everytime
@IamSalvatore
I was just about to upload this myself, but this works too. Cool that someone else did.
@camerongonzales1239
Dang this is great!!
@brandiarlene
this song makes my heart hurt a little.... in a beautiful way