… 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.
On And On
The Muffs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me that I'm wrong
But I don't care what people say
And it goes on and on
Now I'm wishing for your death
Tell me that I'm wrong
But I'm just wasting all my breath
He's a bad kind of soul
How can he be so mean
And he'll take everything
Just you wait and see
He's a mean kind of man
I know you would agree
If he died suddenly
I'd live happily
Two ugly people come my way
Tell me that I'm wrong
But I don't care what people say
And it goes on and on
The Muffs's song "On and On" speaks of a person who is unfazed by people's judgments and opinions, even when they come from unpleasant individuals. The lyrics mention the singer's indifference to the ugly people who criticize them, indicating a strong sense of self-assuredness and confidence. Nonetheless, the song also expresses a deep resentment towards someone else, who is portrayed as a bad soul and a mean man. The singer ultimately wishes for the death of this individual, indicating a strong feeling of animosity towards them. In the end, the song ends with the same refrain of "And it goes on and on," revealing a sense of cyclical existence, where people are constantly judged and mistreated by others.
There seem to be two distinct themes in "On and On." One is about the singer's confidence and determination to stay true to themselves, despite people's negative comments. The other is more pessimistic and envious, expressing a desire to see someone else suffer. These two contrasting themes offer a nuanced depiction of human nature, which is never wholly good or evil but fluctuates between the two. The repetition of the lyrics "And it goes on and on" creates a sense of inevitability, suggesting that, no matter how we feel, life will continue to unfold, with its ups and downs, as it always does.
Line by Line Meaning
Two ugly people come my way
Two unpleasant individuals approach me
Tell me that I'm wrong
State that I am incorrect
But I don't care what people say
I am indifferent to what others think or say
And it goes on and on
This continues without end
Now I'm wishing for your death
I now desire you to die
Tell me that I'm wrong
Inform me that my thoughts are misguided
But I'm just wasting all my breath
I am expending effort fruitlessly
And it goes on and on
This cycle repeats without ceasing
He's a bad kind of soul
He possesses an unpleasant character
How can he be so mean
In what manner is he so malicious?
And he'll take everything
He intends to obtain everything
Just you wait and see
Observe and bear witness to what occurs
He's a mean kind of man
He has a cruel disposition
I know you would agree
I am confident that you concur
If he died suddenly
In the event of his sudden demise
I'd live happily
I would experience joy
Two ugly people come my way
Two unpleasant individuals approach me
Tell me that I'm wrong
State that I am incorrect
But I don't care what people say
I am indifferent to what others think or say
And it goes on and on
This continues without end
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KIM SHATTUCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind