… 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.
I Need You
The Muffs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not a lot for me to ask
Of you to lend a helping hand
I need you right now, yeah
In every day and every way
To love you yeah I don't know how
For the clearing of my mind
Yeah it's just a waste of time
I need you
Something always snaps at me whenever you're near
Something always snaps at me whenever you're near
Something always snaps at me whenever you're near
Something always snaps at me whenever you're near
I need you
I need you
I need you
The Muffs' song "I Need You" is a passionate declaration of dependence on someone. The opening lines make it clear that the singer is in desperate need of their love interest. The repetition of the phrase "I need you so bad" emphasizes the urgency of their need. The singer acknowledges that it is not a big request for their love interest to lend a helping hand, indicating that the singer is asking for basic emotional support.
The chorus reiterates the need for the love interest, emphasizing that their presence is required every day and in every way. Despite this overwhelming need, the singer admits to not knowing how to love them. This admission of vulnerability is an honest acknowledgment of just how much they need this person.
However, the second verse takes a darker turn. The love interest does not want to take the time to help clear the singer's mind, implying that they are not willing to offer the emotional support required. The repetition of "Something always snaps at me whenever you're near" suggests that the singer is continually disturbed by the love interest's presence, even when they are not getting what they need.
Overall, "I Need You" speaks to the pain of emotional dependence on someone who is unwilling or unable to reciprocate fully. Despite the pleas of the singer, the love interest is unwilling to provide the emotional support necessary to meet the singer's needs.
Line by Line Meaning
I need you so bad, yeah
I desire you deeply and urgently, yeah
It's not a lot for me to ask
I'm not asking for too much
Of you to lend a helping hand
Please assist me in my time of need
I need you right now, yeah
I require your presence instantly, yeah
In every day and every way
At all times and in every manner
To love you yeah I don't know how
I'm unsure of how to properly show my affection, yeah
You don't want to take the time
You're unwilling to invest the effort
For the clearing of my mind
To help ease my troubles and worries
Yeah it's just a waste of time
You view it as an unproductive use of time
Something always snaps at me whenever you're near
I feel a sudden impulse or attraction whenever you're close
I need you
I am depending on you
I need you
I cannot do without you
I need you
I long for your companionship and support
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: KIMBERLY SHATTUCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind