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.
Lotus Eaters
Moloko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plastic people silicon never let them in your home
Don't become a middle man keep your mouth shut if you can
Don't you tell them what you know they will go anyway the wind blows
Be my best friend be my baby I'll be there for you maybe
Don't get on the roller coaster ya burn your fingers on the toasters
Just a fair weather friend gone when the summer end
They will look into your eyes tell you pretty perfume lies
Talking all that mumbo jumbo people pass in solo limbo
See them slip see them slide but have you seen the nasty side
With all the smiling and kissing listen to the hiss hiss hissing
She slip she slide she don't know why she hide
Dizzy little missy with a twinkle in her eye bye bye
Finger lickin' good kill you if she could dig it when you're down send in the clown
Don't let them poke don't let them peek their friendly chat is cheap
You look so fine you look so hip you're styling makes me trip
Take your place if they could these are the people in your neighborhood
She slips she slides she don't know why she hide
Poking peeking sneaking cheating sniffing sliding
A running and hiding
Creeping crawling feeling and mauling
Fickle little tickles brains like pickles
She slip she slides she don't know why she hide
Dizzy little missy with a twinkle in her eye bye bye
Finger lickin' good kill you if she could dig it when you're down send in the clown
She slip she slid she don't know why she hide
Dizzy little missy with a twinkle in her eye bye bye
Finger lickin' good kill you if she could dig it when you're down send in the clown
The lyrics of Moloko's song Lotus Eaters warn against the dangers of getting too intimately involved with those who are fake and superficial. The spiky lady and shiny queen represent those who have achieved a level of success and popularity, but at what cost? The plastic people and silicon never let others in their homes, indicating that they are afraid of vulnerability and intimacy. The lyrics advise against becoming a middle man or being the messenger of their fake world. The lotus eaters in the last verse are a reference to Greek mythology, where people who ate the lotus plant were seduced by its addictively sweet taste and became passive and indifferent to everything else.
Throughout the lyrics, the imagery of slipping and sliding implies the instability of these fake people and how they are never to be trusted. The line "Don't get on the roller coaster, ya burn your fingers on the toasters" suggests that trying to fit into their world and ride their wave will only lead to harm. The chorus of "she slips, she slides, she don't know why she hides" is a warning to not get too caught up in their world and lose oneself in the process.
Overall, the lyrics of Lotus Eaters caution against being bewitched by artificial glamour and to be wary of those who only exist in the superficial. The song is a reminder to prioritize authenticity and honest relationships in a world where superficiality is often glorified.
Line by Line Meaning
Spiky lady shiny queen don't you tell them what you've seen
Be careful who you share your secrets with, even if they seem impressive and powerful.
Plastic people silicon never let them in your home
Don't trust those who are superficial and artificial.
Don't become a middle man keep your mouth shut if you can
Avoid getting involved in conflicts and don't speak up unnecessarily.
Don't you tell them what you know they will go anyway the wind blows
People will act on their own accord, regardless of your advice or knowledge.
Be my best friend be my baby I'll be there for you maybe
Don't rely too heavily on promises of loyalty, as they may not be entirely sincere or reliable.
Don't get on the roller coaster ya burn your fingers on the toasters
Don't take unnecessary risks or subject yourself to danger.
Just a fair weather friend gone when the summer end
People who appear friendly and loyal may only stick around when things are good or easy for them.
They will look into your eyes tell you pretty perfume lies
People may try to charm and deceive you with insincere flattery.
Slinky slimy lotus eaters Jeepers Creepers get a load of those peepers
Be wary of people who are seductive and manipulative, and who have deceitful intentions.
Talking all that mumbo jumbo people pass in solo limbo
Don't listen too closely to people who speak in nonsense or who are not being entirely truthful.
See them slip see them slide but have you seen the nasty side
Even those who seem charming and friendly may have a darker, more malicious side to them.
With all the smiling and kissing listen to the hiss hiss hissing
Despite appearances, there may be an undercurrent of deceit and betrayal among those who seem friendly and cheerful.
She slip she slide she don't know why she hide
Some people may try to blend in or hide their true selves to avoid being exposed.
Dizzy little missy with a twinkle in her eye bye bye
Some people may seem enchanting or alluring, but be mindful of their true motivations and intentions.
Finger lickin' good kill you if she could dig it when you're down send in the clown
Some people may appear friendly or helpful, but may actually only be interested in taking advantage of you when you're vulnerable.
Don't let them poke don't let them peek their friendly chat is cheap
Be cautious of people who pry or who seem insincere, as their efforts to be friendly may be superficial.
You look so fine you look so hip you're styling makes me trip
Some people may be impressed or enchanted by superficial qualities, rather than truly connecting on a deeper level.
Take your place if they could these are the people in your neighborhood
Be mindful of the kind of people you associate with, as they may not have your best interests in mind.
Poking peeking sneaking cheating sniffing sliding
Some people may be untrustworthy and engage in dubious or deceitful behavior.
A running and hiding, creeping crawling feeling and mauling
Some people may exhibit predatory or deceitful behavior, and it can be difficult to anticipate when they will strike.
Fickle little tickles brains like pickles
Some people may be unreliable or unpredictable, and it can be difficult to know what they are thinking or feeling.
She slip she slides she don't know why she hide
Some people may be guarded or secretive, perhaps with good reason.
Dizzy little missy with a twinkle in her eye bye bye
Be wary of people who seem captivating or charming, as they may have ulterior motives.
Finger lickin' good kill you if she could dig it when you're down send in the clown
Some people may seem benevolent or helpful, but may actually be looking to take advantage of you or cause harm.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARK ERRINGTON BRYDON, ROISIN MURPHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind