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.
Scottish Lips
Momus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because I have Scottish lips
You think you can tell me you love me
Because I have Scottish lips
You are listening hard to your glands
Because I have Scottish lips
You are dancing a fling in your knickers
Knows no bounds
It's the love that is known
The love that is known to baboons
Don't love me for my Scottish lips
But my truffles and my baklava
Grilled eggplant, delicious mint salsa
Love me for my cooking!
Don't be stupid, I'm joking
I'm only joking
Get lost if you tell me you love me
When it's all for my Scottish lips
Why don't you tell me you love me for stuff
That's a bit more important than this?
Tell me you love me in spirit
Tell me you love me in soul
Or you love me in mind
Even if it's a lie
And when I reply
Look me deep in the eye
Or at least try to look the other way
Just make sure your gaze never slips
Down to my Scottish lips
The song "Scottish Lips" by Momus is a quirky take on the phenomenon of people fetishizing certain physical attributes, in this case, Scottish lips. Momus, a Scottish singer-songwriter, is appalled by the fact that people are attracted to him only because of his Scottish lips. He satirizes this fascination by describing how people are "listening hard to their glands" and "dancing a fling in their knickers." These absurd illustrations highlight the ludicrous nature of objectifying someone solely based on their physicality. However, despite his feelings on this topic, Momus still finds humor in the situation by joking that people should love him for his cooking instead of his lips.
Through "Scottish Lips," Momus is subtly commenting on the way physical attributes have been commodified in popular culture. This song suggests that it is unfair to judge someone based solely on their physical appearance, even if it is a seemingly positive trait. In other words, objectifying and fetishizing someone may be flattering in the moment, but it is harmful in the long run as it takes away from the real qualities that define a person.
Overall, Momus's "Scottish Lips" is a witty and satirical song that exposes and criticizes society's tendency to fetishize certain body parts. While it highlights the ridiculousness of this mindset, it also underscores the importance of looking beyond appearances to truly appreciate the beauty of an individual.
Line by Line Meaning
Because I have Scottish lips
You think my ethnicity defines my worth or skill
You think you can tell me you love me
You assume I will fall for flattery
Because I have Scottish lips
You are sexually objectifying me
You are listening hard to your glands
You are being driven by lust, not reason
Because I have Scottish lips
You are subscribing to stereotypes about Scots
You are dancing a fling in your knickers
You are fantasizing about me inappropriately
Your love for my Scottish lips
Your love is shallow and superficial
Knows no bounds
You are obsessed with this physical attribute
It's the love that is known
It's the kind of love that animals feel
The love that is known to baboons
It's primitive and based on instinct
Don't love me for my Scottish lips
Don't reduce me to a physical attribute
But my truffles and my baklava
Love me for my culinary skills
Grilled eggplant, delicious mint salsa
Appreciate the effort I put into cooking
Love me for my cooking!
Acknowledge my talents beyond my appearance
Don't be stupid, I'm joking
I'm being sarcastic to illustrate my point
Get lost if you tell me you love me
I don't tolerate superficial compliments
When it's all for my Scottish lips
When you are only attracted to my appearance
Why don't you tell me you love me for stuff
Why not appreciate me for my personality or skills?
Tell me you love me in spirit
Love me for who I am inside
Tell me you love me in soul
Love me for the essence of who I am
Or you love me in mind
Appreciate my intelligence or humor
Even if it's a lie
Even if you're just trying to be polite
And when I reply
If I respond positively to your words
Look me deep in the eye
Be sincere and respectful
Or at least try to look the other way
Otherwise, don't bother telling me anything
Just make sure your gaze never slips
Don't objectify me or reduce me to my race or features
Down to my Scottish lips
Don't let physical attraction override all other aspects of who I am
Contributed by Sadie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aldo Charles
on Morality Is Vanity
I’ve been listening to this song last two weeks.