… 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.
Upside Down
The Muffs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ran into you the other day
And you looked away
Another halo
The only thing you're gonna need
If you want to be
But you're frightening
And it's only make believe
When you're upside down
Another playboy
You wanted to think you're really something
But you're really nothing
Ever dayglo
You're probably all in disarray
Nothing much to say
A candy face and paint by numbers
Even dumber
And it's only make believe
When you're upside down
Candy's wanting you and now I can't take it
Candy's wanting to now please don't fake it
A candy face . . .
The Muffs's "Upside Down" is a song about a person who runs into someone they used to know, but this person doesn't acknowledge them. The lyrics "And I said hello, I ran into you the other day, and you looked away" show how the person tries to be friendly, but this attempt is rejected. The song then goes on to describe this person as having an "Another halo" and an "Another face," meaning they come off as fake or insincere. They are described as "frightening" and "faking" themselves, and it's only a show they put on when they're "Upside Down."
The song also references a "playboy" who thinks he's something but is really nothing. The lyrics "You're probably all in disarray, nothing much to say" describe this person as having no substance or depth. The chorus repeats the phrase "A candy face," which could be a metaphor for someone who looks sweet and inviting but is actually shallow and fake.
One interpretation of this song is that it's a commentary on the facade that people put up on social media or in their public personas. The lyrics suggest that people sometimes present a version of themselves that isn't really who they are, and that this can be disingenuous and shallow. The title "Upside Down" could be a reference to how people sometimes present an inverted version of themselves, one that doesn't match their true character.
Line by Line Meaning
And I said hello
I greeted you when I saw you
I ran into you the other day
I met you unexpectedly on another day
And you looked away
You avoided eye contact with me
Another halo
Another person who thinks they're perfect
The only thing you're gonna need
The only thing that will make you happy in life
If you want to be
If that's what you desire
Another face and you're inviting
You attract people with your appearance
But you're frightening
But your behavior and attitude scares people away
And it's only make believe
It's not real, just an illusion
When you're upside down
When you're not being true to yourself
Another playboy
Another guy who thinks he's irresistible
You wanted to think you're really something
You want to feel important and special
But you're really nothing
But in reality, you're not impressive or significant
Ever dayglo
Always wearing bright colors and standing out
You're probably all in disarray
You're most likely disorganized and chaotic
Nothing much to say
You don't have anything interesting or important to talk about
A candy face and paint by numbers
Looks that are artificial and unoriginal
Even dumber
Even more foolish and unintelligent
And it's only make believe
It's not real, just an illusion
When you're upside down
When you're not being true to yourself
Candy's wanting you and now I can't take it
People who want you are causing me distress
Candy's wanting to now please don't fake it
Please don't pretend to be something you're not just to impress others
A candy face . . .
Looks that are superficial and untrustworthy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Mute Song Limited
Written by: BARRY ADAMSON, DAVID TOMLINSON, HOWARD DEVOTO, JOHN MC GEOGH, JOHN E DOYLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind