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.
Space Jews
Momus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They have us pat
They are extraterrestrial, extraterritorial
Where did they come from? No-one can say
One possible explanation is that they
Are Space Jews
Jews from outer space
To improve the human race
Space Jews
Jews from outer space
Jews from outer space
They gave us a messiah
They gave us a morality
They help us lead good lives from up above
They are Space Jews
They're giving us a message of love
For them we're clear
They see right through
All the stupid and murderous things we do ..... or would like to
The Nobel prize never goes to the goys
Who split the atom?
Einstein, Oppenheimer and the Freuds
Every one of them
Space Jews
Jews from outer space
Sent to walk amongst us
To improve the human race
Space Jews
Jews from outer space
Jews from outer space
They're doctors and they're lawyers
They're astronaut philosophers
They're holding up a mirror from above
They are Space Jews
They're bringing us a message of love
We are from Earth
But they're from space
And that's where we'll all go one day
If we have enough faith
Together we'll colonise the stars
They can take us that far
Mr Spock on the Enterprise will be our guide
Vulcans too are .....
Space Jews
Jews from outer space
Sent to walk amongst us
To improve the human race
Space Jews
Jews from outer space
Jews from outer space
And I really admire them
I really want to be like them
And when you want to be one
That's all you need to feel like one
For in the words of one of them
Theodor Adorno:
"Soul is just the longing
Of those with no soul
For redemption"
So why don't you come and join them?
Space Jews
We're bringing you a vision of love
The song "Space Jews" by Momus is a satirical take on the idea of Jews being aliens from outer space. The lyrics suggest that these extraterrestrial beings are sent to improve and guide humanity towards goodness and morality. Although it is not stated where these extraterrestrial Jews come from, the lyrics propose that they have a messianic role to play in the grand scheme of things. The song highlights that the extraterrestrial Jews are doctors, lawyers, philosopher-astronauts, and extraordinary thinkers, and that they have a clear understanding of the human race's negativity and violence. They watch over us, hold up a mirror to us, and offer us the message of love.
The song also critiques the unfairness and prejudice that still exists in society. It suggests that despite significant contributions made by Jews, they still face discrimination, and only Jews can win the Nobel Prize. The lyrics propose that we could learn from the extraterrestrial Jews and improve our behavior and attitudes towards others.
On the whole, "Space Jews" is a humorous and over-the-top way of presenting a message of love, peace, and acceptance for all. It highlights the importance of introspection, self-correction, and the power of kindness and love.
Line by Line Meaning
They have us taped
The Space Jews have us figured out
They have us pat
The Space Jews know us too well
They are extraterrestrial, extraterritorial
The Space Jews are from outer space and everywhere around us
Where did they come from? No-one can say
The origin of the Space Jews is unknown
One possible explanation is that they
One speculation regarding the Space Jews is that they
Are Space Jews
Are Jewish beings from outer space
Jews from outer space
Jewish beings from beyond our planet
Sent to walk amongst us
Sent here to live and share their knowledge with mankind
To improve the human race
To help humans live better lives and progress as a civilization
They gave us a messiah
The Space Jews introduced us to a savior figure
They gave us a morality
The Space Jews presented us with a code of ethics
They help us lead good lives from up above
The Space Jews assist us in living better lives from their high vantage point
For them we're clear
The Space Jews have a clear understanding of us
They see right through
The Space Jews are intuitive and can easily tell what we are up to
All the stupid and murderous things we do ..... or would like to
The Space Jews are aware of all our foolish and violent tendencies, both acted upon and contemplated
The Nobel prize never goes to the goys
Non-Jewish people rarely win the Nobel prize
Who split the atom?
Who discovered nuclear fission?
Einstein, Oppenheimer and the Freuds
Jewish individuals like Einstein, Oppenheimer, and the Freud family all had a part in the discovery of nuclear fission
Every one of them
All of the aforementioned Jewish individuals
They're doctors and they're lawyers
The Space Jews are well-versed in medicine and law
They're astronaut philosophers
The Space Jews are scholarly individuals who study space travel and philosophy
They're holding up a mirror from above
The Space Jews are revealing our own reflection to us from a higher vantage point
We are from Earth
Humans are native to planet Earth
But they're from space
The Space Jews originate from beyond our planet
And that's where we'll all go one day
Humanity will likely expand into space in the future
If we have enough faith
Humanity will need to have confidence and optimism when attempting to inhabit space
Together we'll colonize the stars
Humans will work jointly to inhabit other celestial objects
They can take us that far
The Space Jews may guide humanity's expansion into space
Mr Spock on the Enterprise will be our guide
The popular Star Trek character, Mr. Spock, will act as a metaphorical guide for humanity's expansion into space
Vulcans too are .....
Vulcans may play a role in the future of humanity's space travel
And I really admire them
The singer holds a great deal of respect for the Space Jews
I really want to be like them
The artist desires to exhibit many of the characteristics and values displayed by the Space Jews
And when you want to be one
Should an individual desire to become a Space Jew
That's all you need to feel like one
The desire to be a Space Jew is enough to make one feel like they have become one
For in the words of one of them
According to one of the Space Jews
Theodor Adorno: "Soul is just the longing
Of those with no soul
For redemption"
According to philosopher Theodor Adorno, an individual's soul is essentially the yearning for redemption, particularly amongst those who feel they lack one
So why don't you come and join them?
The singer expresses an invitation for others to aspire to become like the Space Jews
We're bringing you a vision of love
The Space Jews come with a message of compassion and love for humanity
Contributed by Austin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aldo Charles
on Morality Is Vanity
I’ve been listening to this song last two weeks.