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.
Smooth Folk Singer
Momus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Smooth folk singer)
My mother on her deathbed told me 'Child
(Smooth folk singer)
Be careful with your folk, be careful, child!
(Smooth folk singer)
Folk music will blow the world's mind
(One time, two times)
Take care, folk singer, you may find
(Smooth folk singer)
The way you folk gonna blow the world's mind
(Smooth folk singer)
Be careful with your finger and a guitar chord
(Smooth folk singer)
It all depends on the order of your words
(One time, two times)
Smooth folk singer
Take care, child
The way you folk
Gonna drive the world wild
(Smooth folk singer, one time, two times)
More heavy than Leadbelly, more hooky than Hooker
(Smooth folk singer)
Not sleepy like Estes, a rambler and a looker
(Smooth folk singer)
Not a rocker like Richard, baby I'm a folker
(Smooth folk singer)
And around my neck I wear a velvet choker
(One time, two times)
Smooth folk singer
Take care, child
The way you folk
Gonna drive the world wild
(Smooth folk singer, here we go, one time, two times)
My mother on her deathbed took me aside
(Smooth folk singer)
My mother on her deathbed told me 'Child
(Smooth folk singer)
Be careful with your folk, it drives the women wild
(Smooth folk singer)
Take care, folk singer, take care child!
(One time, two times)
Smooth folk singer
Take care, child
The way you folk
Gonna drive the world wild
(Smooth folk singer, one time, two times)
I'm a solid sender, my heart is full
(Smooth folk singer)
Of political agendas and primitive cool
(Smooth folk singer, one time, two times)
The song "Smooth Folk Singer" by Momus is a clever and tongue-in-cheek take on the folk music genre, as well as a commentary on the power of music to influence society. The lyrics feature a mother warning her son, the smooth folk singer, to be careful with his words and music, as it has the potential to "blow the world's mind" and "drive the world wild". The mother also warns the folk singer about the power of folk music to influence and sway people, both positively and negatively.
The lyrics also feature a playful comparison between the smooth folk singer and other famous musicians, such as Leadbelly, Hooker, Estes, and Little Richard, highlighting the unique nature of folk music and the ways in which it differs from other genres. The song ultimately serves as a warning to the smooth folk singer to use his power wisely and not take it for granted.
Overall, "Smooth Folk Singer" is a witty and thought-provoking track that encourages listeners to consider the power of music and the ways in which it can shape society.
Line by Line Meaning
My mother on her deathbed took me aside
The singer speaks about his mother's deathbed advice, which he received in private
Smooth folk singer
The singer says he is a smooth folk singer
Be careful with your folk, be careful, child!
The singer's mother warns him to be cautious with his folk music
Folk music will blow the world's mind (One time, two times)
The singer believes that his folk music will be mindblowing for people
Take care, folk singer, you may find (Smooth folk singer)
The singer reminds himself to be careful while performing
It all depends on the order of your words (One time, two times)
The singer explains that the way he arranges the lyrics in his music is crucial
The way you folk gonna blow the world's mind (Smooth folk singer)
The singer reiterates that his folk music is going to be huge and earth-shattering
Not a rocker like Richard, baby I'm a folker (Smooth folk singer)
The singer prides himself on being a true folker rather than a rocker
And around my neck I wear a velvet choker (One time, two times)
The singer mentions wearing a fashion accessory, a velvet choker
Be careful with your finger and a guitar chord (Smooth folk singer)
The singer cautions himself to be careful while playing his guitar
The way you folk gonna drive the world wild (Smooth folk singer, one time, two times)
The singer insists that his folk music will be exhilarating and mesmerizing for listeners
Not sleepy like Estes, a rambler and a looker (Smooth folk singer)
The singer explains his music is not mundane like Estes's and calls himself a free spirit
My mother on her deathbed told me 'Child (Smooth folk singer)
The singer remembers his mother's words of caution while addressing himself as a smooth folksinger
Be careful with your folk, it drives the women wild (Smooth folk singer)
The singer acknowledges the attractiveness of his folk music to women and urges himself to be careful with it
I'm a solid sender, my heart is full (Smooth folk singer)
The singer is pleased with his status as a successful performer and is passionate about his music
Of political agendas and primitive cool (Smooth folk singer, one time, two times)
The singer's music is political and exudes a primitive cool vibe, as he reiterates the sentiment twice
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NICHOLAS CURRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aldo Charles
on Morality Is Vanity
I’ve been listening to this song last two weeks.