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.
Widow Twanky
Momus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out of my world
Widow Twanky
You were my girl
Now you're flouncing
Out of my life
With not a back look, hey
When you prick me
Do I not bleed?
When you stick me
Do you succeed?
There were times
Pantomime dame
I could've taken you down
Times I slapped you down and fucked around
And called you stupid cow
I'm paying the price for it now
You're inside me
I'm inside you
You're inside me now
What can I do?
On a road made of stone
I am walking alone as you
In the blaze of the day
I'm a pantomime dame
You're inside me
Widow Twanky
What can I do?
The song "Widow Twanky" by Momus seems to be about a relationship gone wrong. The lyrics begin with the singer bidding farewell to the titular character, Widow Twanky. She was once his partner, but she is leaving his life forever. He reflects on their turbulent relationship, with all of its ups and downs. He acknowledges his mistakes and the pain he has caused her, and it seems as though he is paying the price now that she is leaving him.
The lines "You're inside me, I'm inside you, you're inside me now, what can I do?" suggest that despite the end of their romantic relationship, Widow Twanky will always be a part of him. Perhaps, he has learned from his mistakes and can now appreciate her in a different light. This is further reinforced by the line "On a road made of stone, I am walking alone as you" which may imply that he now understands the consequences of his actions and that perhaps, she was the only one who could truly have understood him.
Overall, the song reflects on a complicated romantic relationship and the pains and reflection that come with it. It shows the repercussions of out-of-control emotions and how relationships can evolve and change over time.
Line by Line Meaning
So you're sweeping
You're leaving me and my life behind.
Out of my world
You're completely disappearing from my life.
Widow Twanky
The singer is referring to the woman as a pantomime dame, which is a stock character in British pantomime. The name Widow Twanky may also refer to a character from the Aladdin pantomime who is a washerwoman and Aladdin's mother.
You were my girl
The woman was previously in a relationship with the artist.
Now you're flouncing
The woman is leaving in a flashy and ostentatious manner.
Out of my life
The woman is completely exiting the singer's life.
With not a back look, hey
The woman is leaving without looking back and doesn't care about the singer's reaction.
Not a bad way to say goodbye
The woman's flashy exit is a fitting way to end their relationship.
When you prick me
When the woman hurts the artist emotionally.
Do I not bleed?
The artist feels emotional pain just like physical pain.
When you stick me
When the woman does something hurtful to the singer.
Do you succeed?
The artist is asking whether the woman is successful in causing him pain.
There were times
In the past, there were instances where the singer could have acted against the woman.
Pantomime dame
The singer is comparing the woman to a stock character in British pantomime.
I could've taken you down
The singer had the opportunity to hurt or control the woman.
Times I slapped you down and fucked around
The artist has physically and emotionally abused the woman.
And called you stupid cow
The artist has insulted the woman, using derogatory language.
I'm paying the price for it now
The singer is now suffering the repercussions of his past behavior toward the woman.
You're inside me
The woman is still a part of the singer's being, even though she is gone.
I'm inside you
The artist is a part of the woman's being, even though he is no longer physically present.
You're inside me now
Despite the woman's departure, she is still present in the artist's thoughts and feelings.
What can I do?
The artist is helpless to change his past behavior or the consequences that have come from it.
On a road made of stone
The singer is now walking alone on a path that is hard and unforgiving.
I am walking alone as you
The artist is alone but still feels the presence of the woman in his life.
In the blaze of the day
In the brightness and harsh reality of the present moment.
I'm a pantomime dame
The singer is still playing the role of the pantomime dame, but this time in his own life.
Widow Twanky
The singer is addressing the woman directly, reminding her of the character he sees her as.
What can I do?
The artist is still helpless to change his situation or the feelings he has for the woman.
Contributed by Camden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
J G
I have heard the Joemus album, and it's brilliant! Joe Howe injects a new urgency and the songs sound fresh and new.. everyone should get a copy! The standout tracks are 'Ichabod Crane' and 'the Vaudevillian' which is astounding.
Adam Bruneau
love love love this! make a video to the vaudevillian next!
David Hastie
this song is FUCKING BALLIN'. <3 MOMUS
Xanadu
That sax.
teaflax
@theghostofchristmasp Yeah, but also a Momus fan since back in the day when he was good. And believe me, Nick knows exactly what I think of his stuff today.
David Hastie
if you think this is awful then chances are he doesn't give a flying fuck what your opinions on his output are.
Javier Areal Velez
lovely .
teaflax
So, does Nick sing on any of the songs? This sounds absolutely awful.
bestfullyy
sounds fucking great