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.
Shawn Krueger
Momus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The fact that Shawn wants to propose to you in a Stars Forever song
And Emily, for all I know you may already know
I had to open my big mouth
To Spin and Rolling Stone, didn't I?
I tried to keep this secret on my own, but how could I?
When I told you I was born to be adored
A bunch of plastic roses from a funny one-eyed man
Even this one knee I'm on
Is another man's, Emily
I'm your sinister gorilla kissogram, Emily
Photographs are prototypes of memories
Memories are better than the truth
Promises and facts are often enemies
Emily, that's the story of my youth
Marriage, though I seemed to get it wrong
Can be beautiful, believe me
As lovely as a song
And Emily, for all I know your answer may be no
But if you go that road, Shawn
Will be lonesome for so long
Though my chance has been and gone
I'd still do it all again with anyone
It's been hard to keep this secret for so long
But not as hard as being a Carpenter or a friend of Elton John
And under my disguise, a gorilla kissogram
Beats a heart that's warm
But the heart belongs to Shawn
I've been trying to take your breath away
For a better man
Emily
Marry him
The song "Shawn Krueger" by Momus is a heartfelt confession of a man who has kept a secret for too long. The singer of the song has been bearing the weight of a secret for some time now, which is the fact that his friend, Shawn, wants to propose to Emily in a song. Unfortunately, the singer couldn't keep the secret, and he spilled the beans to Spin and Rolling Stone. Emily may already know about Shawn's plans, and the singer can't help but feel guilty for ruining the surprise.
The singer then goes on to express his feelings for Emily, stating that he never thought he'd find himself kneeling at her door, and he's even brought her a bunch of plastic roses from a funny one-eyed man. He confesses to being a "sinister gorilla kissogram" and claims that he'd still do anything for her, even though his chance has come and gone. He goes on to talk about how memories are prototypes of photographs, and how promises and facts are often enemies. The song ends with the singer asking Emily to marry Shawn, even though the singer's heart belongs to her.
Overall, "Shawn Krueger" is a bittersweet song about unrequited love, hiding secrets, and missed opportunities. The singer's guilt and regret are palpable, and his earnestness is touching. It's a song that will resonate with anyone who has ever harbored a secret or held onto unreturned feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been hell to keep this secret for so long
Hiding Shawn's intention to propose to Emily in a song was a difficult task that took a lot of effort and caused a lot of stress
The fact that Shawn wants to propose to you in a Stars Forever song
Shawn has plans to propose to Emily in a Stars Forever song, which is an important and special moment for both of them
And Emily, for all I know you may already know
Momus suspects that Emily may already know about Shawn's plan to propose to her
I had to open my big mouth
Momus couldn't keep the secret about Shawn's plan to propose to Emily and told Spin and Rolling Stone about it
I tried to keep this secret on my own, but how could I?
Momus tried to keep the secret about Shawn's plan to propose to Emily to himself, but it was too difficult for him to keep quiet
When I told you I was born to be adored
Momus had previously boasted to Emily about his charisma and ability to attract attention
I never thought one day I'd find myself kneeling at your door
Momus never imagined that he would be in a position of vulnerability, asking Emily to marry him
A bunch of plastic roses from a funny one-eyed man
Momus brought a cheap and tacky gift, plastic roses, to offer to Emily
Even this one knee I'm on
Momus is on one knee, which is a classic pose for a marriage proposal
Is another man's, Emily
Despite the romantic gesture, Momus knows that he is not the right man for Emily
I'm your sinister gorilla kissogram, Emily
Momus sees himself as a surprising and unconventional proposition for Emily, like a gorilla kissogram
Photographs are prototypes of memories
Pictures are representations of memories and can bring back fond reminiscences
Memories are better than the truth
Sometimes idealizing past experiences in one's memory is preferable to the harsh realities of the present
Promises and facts are often enemies
The truth of facts sometimes contradicts the possibility of keeping promises
Emily, that's the story of my youth
Momus reflects on his past experiences, including mistakes he made related to promises and facts
Marriage, though I seemed to get it wrong
Momus has had problems with marriage in the past, potentially highlighting his lack of suitability to marry Emily
Can be beautiful, believe me
Despite his past mistakes, Momus believes that marriage can be fulfilling and beautiful
As lovely as a song
Marriage can be as beautiful and evocative as a song
And Emily, for all I know your answer may be no
Momus acknowledges that Emily may not accept Shawn's proposal, despite his elaborate plans
But if you go that road, Shawn
If Emily declines the proposal, Shawn will be left to deal with the consequences and may be very lonely
Will be lonesome for so long
If Emily rejects his proposal, Shawn will be alone for a long time
Though my chance has been and gone
Momus recognizes that he has missed his opportunity to be with Emily
I'd still do it all again with anyone
Momus has learned from his experience and would still pursue love again, even if it ends in heartbreak
It's been hard to keep this secret for so long
Momus finds it difficult to keep Shawn's proposal plans a secret for an extended period of time
But not as hard as being a Carpenter or a friend of Elton John
While keeping secrets is difficult, it is not as hard as some other vocations or friendships that require similar discretion
And under my disguise, a gorilla kissogram
Momus acknowledges that his proposal to Emily is a surprise and out of character, like a gorilla kissogram
Beats a heart that's warm
Despite his odd behavior, Momus has warm and genuine feelings towards Emily
But the heart belongs to Shawn
Although he has romantic feelings towards Emily, Momus knows that her heart belongs to Shawn
I've been trying to take your breath away
Momus has tried to impress Emily with his romantic gestures
For a better man
Despite his efforts, Momus knows that Shawn is a better fit for Emily
Emily
Momus directly addresses Emily, using her name
Marry him
Momus instructs Emily to marry Shawn and acknowledges that he is not the right partner for her
Contributed by Addison P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aldo Charles
on Morality Is Vanity
I’ve been listening to this song last two weeks.