… 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.
Slow
The Muffs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't care and I don't mind
If I ever wanna leave this past behind me
Everyone is doing fine
'cept I need a little piece of mind
and I wanna be far away 'cause I hurt all day
Thinking all I could think I know
Pretty one or pretty face
And I wanna get away from this old place now
Every time and every day
Well I gotta learn to get away
And I wanna be far away 'cause I hurt all day
Thinking all I could think I know
That I really gotta take it slow oh don't you know
[solo]
And I wanna be far away 'cause I hurt all day
Thinking all I could think I know
That I really gotta take it slow oh don't you know
Ooh ooh ooh [3xs]
The Muffs's song Slow is a poignant representation of a person who is struggling with their inner demons and wants to escape from the past that haunts them. The song begins with the repetition of "ooh ooh ooh" which sets the tone for the somber melody that follows. The lyrics "I don't care and I don't mind, if I ever wanna leave this past behind me" illustrate the singer's desire to move on from their past and the pain that it brings.
The line "Everyone is doing fine 'cept I need a little piece of mind" portrays the feeling of isolation that the singer experiences. They feel like they are the only one who is suffering, and they need some solace. The singer's yearning to get away from their current situation is evident in the lyrics "And I wanna be far away 'cause I hurt all day/ Thinking all I could think I know/ That I really gotta take it slow oh don't you know."
The song's chorus further emphasizes the need to slow down and take a break as the singer is emotionally drained. The solo complements the sad melody brought forth by the lyrics, and the repetition of "ooh ooh ooh" provides a haunting echo to the singer's pain. Slow is a song about emotional turmoil, and The Muffs do an excellent job of bringing that to the forefront through their lyrics and melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh ooh ooh
Vocal interlude
I don't care and I don't mind
I am indifferent to my current situation
If I ever wanna leave this past behind me
I want to forget about my past
Everyone is doing fine
Others seem to be doing well
'cept I need a little piece of mind
Except I require some peace of mind
and I wanna be far away 'cause I hurt all day
I desire to be distant as I feel hurt throughout the day
Thinking all I could think I know
My thoughts are limited in scope
That I really gotta take it slow oh don't you know
I must slow down to relieve my stress
Pretty one or pretty face
Superficial beauty does not interest me
And I wanna get away from this old place now
I want to leave my current location behind
Every time and every day
This situation persists on a consistent basis
Well I gotta learn to get away
I must develop a skill for escaping from this situation
solo
Instrumental interlude
Ooh ooh ooh
Vocal interlude
Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: KIMBERLY SHATTUCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind