They met at a Sheffield party, when Murphy had no prior professional singing experience. Meanwhile, Brydon had a thirteen-year musical résumé, first with Chakk / Hula pioneering EBM (then, aka big beat). Subsequently, within dance music, he formed and produced various pop and house acts, e.g. producing Krush's hit "House Arrest" (1987, FON) and his 1993 Cloud Nine project. Murphy approached Brydon with the chat-up line "Do you like my tight sweater? See how it fits my body!", hence their debut album's title. Respectively, 'Moloko' originates from the Nadsat slang word for "milk" (from the Russian, молоко), in Anthony Burgess' novel "A Clockwork Orange".
Recorded while the pair were dating, Do You Like My Tight Sweater? gained notice on underground dance and trip-hop scenes, then more so with I Am Not a Doctor (Jul 1998, Echo). The latter yielded "Sing It Back", which broke Moloko into the mainstream. Remixed by house producer Boris Dlugosch, "Sing It Back (Boris Musical Mix)", was a massive Ibiza hit and entered the top-five of 1999 weekly UK singles charts, helped by a psychedelic video featuring Murphy in a very short metallic flapper dress and cap. "Sing It Back" was eventually featured on more than 110 music compilations. Dlugosch's remix also appears on faux radio station Rise FM in the action-adventure game "GTA: Liberty City Stories" (2005, Rockstar Games).
In 2000 Moloko started touring as a full band along with percussionist Paul Slowly, keyboardist Eddie Stevens, and guitarist Dave Cook.
The band also had chart success with "The Time Is Now", the first single from their third album, Things to Make and Do. This album had relied less on the leftfield beats of the previous albums, and featured more organic instrumentation.
Murphy and Brydon ended their relationship in 2001. After their breakup they recorded and released their fourth and final studio album, Statues, in 2003. Statues continued a segue into more traditional instrumentation, along with electronica elements from their earlier releases. The album majorly incorporated the theme of the couple's split: all of the songs deal with a troubled and/or ending romance.
In 2004 Moloko released a live DVD, 11,000 Clicks, recorded on stage at the Brixton Academy. It contained many of their well known songs including "Indigo", "Sing It Back", and "The Time Is Now".
After concluding the tour supporting Statues, Moloko mutually parted ways, with Róisín Murphy launching a solo career.
A "best of" album, Catalogue, was released in 2006. Murphy and Brydon, along with long-time Moloko guitarist Dave Cook, played a select number of acoustic radio performances to promote the album.
Since 2006 they have been on an indefinite hiatus.
If You Have a Cross to Bear You May as Well Use It as a Crutch
Moloko Lyrics
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If you have a cross to bear, it's only fair, that you use it as a crutch.
If you have a cross to bear, I think it's fair, that you use it as a crutch.
If you have a cross to bear, it's only fair, if you use it as a crutch.
Use it as a crutch...
I think it's fair, if you use it as a crutch.
The lyrics to Moloko's song "If You Have a Cross to Bear You May as Well Use It as a Crutch" suggest that if you have a burden or challenge to face, it's better to use it to your advantage rather than letting it weigh you down. The reference to a "cross to bear" is likely a biblical allusion to the suffering of Jesus Christ, who was forced to carry a heavy cross before his crucifixion. However, the song's context is secular and advises listeners to turn their struggles into strengths.
The lyrics provoke thought about the concept of acceptance and resilience. It's not easy to accept the challenges that life throws our way, but the song suggests that we may as well use them as a tool to help us overcome obstacles. Rather than being victims to our problems, we can use them to propel us forward and come out stronger on the other side.
Overall, this song seems to be an upbeat and encouraging message about how we can turn our troubles into opportunities for growth and learning. It's a reminder that difficulties in life are not insurmountable, but can be used to our advantage if we approach them with the right mindset.
Line by Line Meaning
If you have a cross to bear, I think it's fair, if you use it as a crutch.
The singer believes that if someone is enduring a hardship in life, it's reasonable for them to rely on it as a source of support or comfort.
If you have a cross to bear, it's only fair, that you use it as a crutch.
The singer believes that it's natural for someone to lean on their struggles as a means of coping or finding strength.
Use it as a crutch...
The singer emphasizes the idea of using one's burdens as a tool for support, implying that it's a valid and effective way of dealing with difficulties in life.
Contributed by Scarlett Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.