The Muffs are a rock band based in Southern California, formed in 1991.
… Read Full Bio ↴The Muffs are a rock band based in Southern California, formed in 1991.

After releasing their initial 7" EPs and singles independently and on local labels, The Muffs signed to Warner/Reprise in the early '90s. The band was heavily promoted along with acts such as Mudhoney in the hope of repeating the commercial success of Green Day. Despite the wide exposure afforded by appearing on a wide variety of movie soundtracks ("Clueless" director Amy Heckerling, in particular, had taken a keen interest in their songs) as well as a lucrative Fruitopia commercial, The Muffs were eventually dropped from the label. The Muffs have since continued to release new records on various independent labels.

The Muffs' leader was singer-songwriter Kim Shattuck. The original lineup also included guitarist Melanie Vammen (like Shattuck, a former member of 1980s all-female garage rock outfit The Pandoras), bassist Ronnie Barnett and drummer Criss Crass. Vammen and Crass left after the band's self-titled debut album. Crass was replaced by Jim Laspesa for their 1993 tour with the Goo Goo Dolls, and later by Roy McDonald in 1994. Ironically, McDonald's former band Redd Kross had released a 1987 single, "Play My Song," whose chorus was viewed by many as directed toward The Pandoras, who had recently moved into a hair metal direction: "No metal sluts or punk rock ruts for me, oh no." The Muffs have been a 3-piece since 1995 with members Kim Shattuck, Ronnie Barnett and Roy McDonald.

Lead singer Kim Shattuck died on October 2, 2019, and the band disbanded shortly after.

A character on Mr. Show (HBO, 1995-1999) was named Dr. Shattuck, this was a reference to the lead singer of The Muffs.

Funny Face
The Muffs Lyrics

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Sitting back and doing nothing
I could hate you
I don't think I will

If you ever see me anywhere
And you know me
Please walk away

Funny face
Why do you look after me
Funny face
Why do you care

Doing everything I want to do
Maybe someday
You will be there

I thought we would always get along
I like everyone
They all hate me

Funny face
What's wrong with you anyway
Funny face
Why do I care

You want everything from me
But you won't get it

I did everything I could
But now I'll just forget it

Funny face
What's wrong with you anyway

Funny face
Why do I care

Overall Meaning

The Muffs's "Funny Face" is a song about a relationship that has soured due to one person's significant change in personal perspective. The singer of the song is discussing their displeasure for their significant other's actions and they express the desire to distance themselves from their former lover. The song opens with the lyrics "sitting back and doing nothing, I could hate you, I don't think I will". This suggests that the singer is reevaluating their previous feelings and has chosen not to hold onto resentment for their partner's actions. Furthermore, the song reveals that the singer does not want to interact with their former partner as demonstrated by the lyrics"if you ever see me anywhere and you know me, please walk away".

As the song progresses, the singer expresses confusion over their former partner's continuous effort to maintain a relationship. The lyrics " Funny face, why do you look after me, Funny Face, why do you care" suggest that the singer is surprised by the persistence of their partner, given the distance that has grown between them. Additionally, the singer acknowledges their own feelings of doubt, as their resignation from the relationship has left them wondering if someday their partner will return.

Line by Line Meaning

Sitting back and doing nothing
I am not going to make an effort to be part of your life

I could hate you
I have the potential to develop negative feelings towards you

I don't think I will
But I choose not to go down that path

If you ever see me anywhere
In case you happen to come across me

And you know me
And you recognize me

Please walk away
I would prefer if you leave me alone and not approach me

Funny face
I find it ironic that you're paying attention to me

Why do you look after me
Why do you bother keeping tabs on me

Why do you care
I fail to understand your motives behind your interest in me

Doing everything I want to do
I am living my life on my own terms

Maybe someday
Perhaps in the future