The Cult's debut studio album Dreamtime was released in 1984 to moderate success, with its lead single "Spiritwalker" reaching No. 1 on the UK Indie Chart. Their second studio album, Love (1985), was also successful, charting at No. 4 in the UK and including singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary" and "Rain". The band's third album, Electric (1987), launched them new heights of success, also peaking at No. 4 in the UK and charting highly in other territories, and spawned the hit singles "Love Removal Machine", "Lil' Devil" and "Wild Flower". On that album, The Cult supplemented their post-punk sound with hard rock; the polish on this new sound was facilitated by producer Rick Rubin. After moving to Los Angeles, California, where the band has been based for the remainder of their career, The Cult continued the musical experimentation of Electric with its follow-up album Sonic Temple (1989), which marked their first collaboration with Bob Rock, who would produce several of the band's subsequent albums. Sonic Temple was their most successful album to that point, entering the Top 10 on the UK and US charts, and included one of the band's most popular songs "Fire Woman".
By the time of their fifth album Ceremony (1991), tensions and creative differences began to surface among the band members. This resulted in the recording sessions for Ceremony being held without a stable lineup, leaving Astbury and Duffy as the only two official members left, and featuring support from session musicians on bass and drums. The ongoing tension had carried over within the next four years, during which they released one more studio album, The Cult (1994), and called it quits in 1995. The Cult reformed in 1999 and released their seventh album Beyond Good and Evil two years later. The commercial failure of the album and resurfaced tensions led to the band going back on hiatus in 2002. They resumed activity in 2006, and have since released three more studio albums: Born into This (2007), Choice of Weapon (2012), and Hidden City (2016).
According to music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine, the band fuse a "hardcore punk revivalist" sound with the "pseudo-mysticism ... of the Doors and Uriah Heep and the guitar-orchestrations of Led Zeppelin and The Cure ... while adding touches of post-punk goth rock". In 1985 Astbury said, "Our music is just melodies and guitars. We're like Big Country and U2, only better!".
On August 15, 2020, Duffy announced on his Twitter that the band were recording a new album with producer Tom Dalgety at Rockfield Studios, where The Cult had recorded their debut album Dreamtime 36 years earlier.
The Cult is also the name of a Las Vegas funk group that recorded one album in 1976, an Australian psych rock band that released one single in 1965, a UK punk band that released one 7" in 1980 and a garage rock band (featuring Allan Springfield of Chelsea Beige) that released two singles in 1965 and 1966.
Earth Mofo
The Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Earth mother for you
I see the world all drippin' red, ow, that's right
Earth mother for you
I see the world all drippin' red, whoa
State of confusion exists only in your head, whoa-whoa, yeah
Earth mother for you, yeah
Earth mother for you, whoo
Earth mother for you, yeah
Earth mother for you, yeah
Earth mother for you
Yeah, baby, baby
Now it's time for justice
In the scene of discontent, ow baby
A time for justice, that's justice
In the scene of discontent, yeah
State of confusion exists only in your head
Earth mother for you, yeah
Earth mother for you, yeah
Earth mother for you, ow
Earth mother for you now
Earth mother for you now
Earth mother for
Earth mother for
Earth mother for you, whoo
Now listen
What do you want?
What do you want?
What do you?
What do you want now?
Think about it
What do you want?
What do you want?
What do you?
What do you want now?
Earth mother for you...
Funky earth mofo, mofo
Funky, funky mofo
Earth mother for you...
The lyrics to The Cult's song "Earth Mofo" seem to allude to the destructive impact of humans on the environment, with the repeated phrase "Earth mother for you" implying a responsibility towards protecting and respecting the planet. The opening lines, "I see the world all drippin' red," may refer to the destructive effects of pollution and climate change, while the mention of a "state of confusion" existing only in one's head suggests that the solution to these problems lies in changing one's mindset and taking action to preserve the Earth.
The song then shifts to a call for justice and action, asking "What do you want?" and urging listeners to consider their role in making a positive impact. The phrase "funky earth mofo" at the end of the song may seem incongruous with the environmental theme, but it could be seen as an assertion of the Earth's inherent coolness and the need to approach environmentalism with a sense of funk and creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Well alright
I am in agreement with whatever follows.
Earth mother for you
The natural world exists for your benefit.
I see the world all drippin' red, ow, that's right
I observe the violence and aggression in the world, and it is accurate.
State of confusion exists only in your head, whoa-whoa, yeah
The feeling of chaos and uncertainty is a personal creation and not inherent in reality.
Earth mother for you, yeah
The environment is here to support and nurture you.
Now it's time for justice
It is past due for fairness and righteousness to prevail.
A time for justice, that's justice
The concept of justice is self-explanatory and clear.
In the scene of discontent, ow baby
The state of unrest and dissatisfaction is evident and impactful.
Earth mother for you now
The natural world continues to be your ally.
Now listen
Pay attention to what follows.
What do you want?
What are your desires and goals?
Think about it
Reflect upon your motivations and aspirations.
Funky earth mofo, mofo
The natural world is an awe-inspiring and impressive force.
Funky, funky mofo
It is an undeniable truth that the environment is a remarkable entity.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN ROBERT ASTBURY, WILLIAM HENRY DUFFY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind