For more than twenty years he has been releasing, to only marginal commercial and critical success, playful and transgressive albums on labels in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan. In his lyrics and his other writing he makes seemingly random use of decontextualized pieces of continental (mostly French) philosophy, and has built up a personal world he says is "dominated by values like diversity, orientalism, and a respect for otherness." He is also known in certain circles outside the U.S. as a producer. He is fascinated by identity, Japan, the avant-garde, time travel and sex. Live Momus shows are rare but when he does perform he often sings the crowd favourite 'maf' from the Stars Forever LP.
He wears a patch over his right eye because he lost the use of it after contracting acanthamoeba keratitis from a contact lens case washed with Greek tap water.
Nick Currie currently resides in Osaka, Japan.
Is There Sex In Marriage?
Momus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The one hot question on their lips
Is how to stoke the appetite when it dips
Is there sex in marriage?
Mrs Rita Duckworth from LA
Wonders if her husband is suddenly gay
I say the chains of wedlock weigh so heavily
Calvin Coolidge at the rooster farm
The good Mrs Coolidge on his arm
Asked the farmer just how come
The rooster could perform so many times
The farmer said to Mrs Coolidge "My cock's harder!"
"Tell that to Calvin," she said, "he lacks ardour"
"Well that may be," the president replied
"Because it's not the same hen each time."
In Momus's song Is There Sex In Marriage?, the artist reflects on the topic of sex in marriage. The lyrics suggest that women often approach him for advice on how to rekindle their sexual desire in a marriage that has grown stale. The title question, "Is there sex in marriage?", is rhetorical and implies that the answer is often no.
Momus goes on to describe the case of Mrs. Rita Duckworth, who is concerned that her husband may be gay after his sexual appetite wanes. The artist suggests that the weighty chains of wedlock can contribute to the decline of intimacy, emphasizing the need for both partners to bear them together to maintain a healthy sex life. The lyrics culminate in a humorous anecdote about President Calvin Coolidge and his wife visiting a rooster farm. When the president inquires about the rooster's impressive reproductive abilities, the farmer responds with a double entendre, leading to a witty exchange with Mrs. Coolidge.
Overall, Is There Sex In Marriage? offers a cynical take on the topic of marital sex, presenting it as challenging and potentially unsatisfactory. However, the song also offers a lighthearted and humorous perspective on the topic, suggesting that it is not always as serious and bleak as it may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
When women come and see me for sex tips
Women come to me for advice on improving their sex lives
The one hot question on their lips
They all want to know how to rekindle passion when it has cooled down
Is how to stoke the appetite when it dips
Their main concern is how to bring back desire in their relationships
Is there sex in marriage?
They question whether married couples can still have satisfying sex lives
Mrs Rita Duckworth from LA
Referring to a specific woman from Los Angeles named Rita Duckworth
Wonders if her husband is suddenly gay
She suspects her husband may be homosexual
I say the chains of wedlock weigh so heavily
I explain that the responsibilities of marriage can become very burdensome
It takes two to bear them, sometimes three
Married couples need to work together to overcome these challenges, and sometimes outside help is necessary
Calvin Coolidge at the rooster farm
Refers to President Coolidge visiting a farm where roosters were bred
The good Mrs Coolidge on his arm
His wife was with him during the visit
Asked the farmer just how come
They inquired as to why the roosters mated so often
The rooster could perform so many times
The rooster was able to mate many times in a day
The farmer said to Mrs Coolidge "My cock's harder!"
The farmer boasted that his rooster was stronger
"Tell that to Calvin," she said, "he lacks ardour"
She remarked that the president may not have the same level of energy
"Well that may be," the president replied
Coolidge admitted that he may not have as much sexual stamina
"Because it's not the same hen each time."
He explained that the rooster was mating with different partners, whereas he was only with his wife
Contributed by Landon M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aldo Charles
on Morality Is Vanity
I’ve been listening to this song last two weeks.