Kevin Ayers (born 16 August 1944 in Herne Bay, Kent, England; died 18 Febru… Read Full Bio ↴Kevin Ayers (born 16 August 1944 in Herne Bay, Kent, England; died 18 February 2013 in Montolieu, France) was a British songwriter and musician from Kent, United Kingdom, who was one of a group of Avant Garde musicians who came together in Canterbury in the 1960s and developed a whole new approach to the psychedelic, progressive rock genre, known as the Canterbury scene. His early work included works with artists like Daevid Allen, David Bedford and Mike Ratledge. Subsequently, Ayers wrote and recorded some of the wittiest and most poignant songs imaginable and produced more banana-related lyrics than anyone ever dreamed possible.

His first serious band was The Wilde Flowers (1964-1967) with Hugh Hopper, Robert Wyatt and Richard Sinclair. This early hippie group transformed into Soft Machine. While the Softs went on, others split to form Caravan and Gong. Ayers put together his own band Kevin Ayers & The Whole World featuring Lol Coxhill, David Bedford and a very young Mike Oldfield.

Ayers' career was littered with great music and fine collaborations with more fine artists like Danny Thompson, John Cale, Nico, Brian Eno, Ollie Halsall and Wizards of Twiddly. With 18 albums to his credit Kevin Ayers was the Guru Banana

In 2007, Ayers recorded in a Glasgow studio with long-time admirers Teenage Fanclub, contributions came from Euros Childs from Gorkys Zygotic Mynci, Francis Reader from the Trash Can Sinatras, Robert Wyatt provided his eerie Wyattron in the poignant Cold Shoulder. Phil Manzanera contributed to the brooding Brainstorm, Hugh Hopper from Soft Machine played bass on the title track Unfairground and Bridget St. John, a British Folk singer beloved of the late John Peel, duetted with Ayers on Baby Come Home, the first time they had sung together since 1970 on Shooting at the Moon. The resulting album Unfairground was released in September 2007.

Ayers died, apparently in his sleep, at his home in the South of France on the 18th of February 2013. He was 68.

Goodnight Goodnight
Kevin Ayers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Goodnight, sleep tight
You`re going to see who you want to see
In dreamland;
Goodnight, sleep tight
You`re going to be who you want to be
In dreamland.

Blushing faces, crazy places,

Paper chases, human races
Magical.

Falling, flying, leaping, lying,
Splashing, crashing, life is flashing
Magical
You`re in Dreamland....

Goodnight, sleep tight
You`re going to see who you are when
You`re in dreamland.

Blushing faces, crazy places,
Paper chases, human races
Magical.

Falling, flying, leaping, lying,
Splashing, crashing, life is flashing

Magical
You`re in Dreamland....

Overall Meaning

In Kevin Ayers's song, "Goodnight Goodnight," the lyrics invoke the notion that sleep is a safe haven from the chaotic reality of waking life. The repetition of "goodnight, sleep tight" instills a sense of comfort and ease. The verses then go on to describe the magic and wonder of dreamland. Through "blushing faces" and "crazy places," the singer seems to suggest the infinite possibilities and freedoms that exist in our dreams. Images of "falling, flying, leaping, lying," and "splashing, crashing" allude to the range of emotions and experiences one can have while asleep. Overall, the lyrics present an escapist view of sleep, where anything is possible, and one can be whoever they want to be.

The repetitive guitar riff, played throughout the song, accompanies the lyrics perfectly. The musical phrasing imitates the rising and falling patterns of someone drifting off to sleep. Moreover, the song's tempo is slow and dreamy, creating an almost hypnotic effect on the listener. Interestingly, the song ends relatively abruptly, perhaps depicting a sudden awakening from a dream.

Line by Line Meaning

Goodnight, sleep tight
Rest well and have pleasant dreams.

You're going to see who you want to see In dreamland;
In your dreams, you will have the chance to encounter those whom you desire to see.

Goodnight, sleep tight
Again, take care and have a peaceful slumber.

You're going to be who you want to be In dreamland.
In your dreams, you will have the opportunity to act as you wish to act and to be whom you want to be.

Blushing faces, crazy places, Paper chases, human races Magical.
In dreamland, you may experience a variety of scenarios such as blushing faces, unusual locations, races towards goals, and the mysteries of humanity - all of which are captivating and enchanting experiences.

Falling, flying, leaping, lying, Splashing, crashing, life is flashing Magical You're in Dreamland....
Dreams can take you on exhilarating and diverse journeys, where you may do thrilling things like jump, float, dance, swim, and live through swift climaxes - all of which is a magical and stimulating occurrence.

You're going to see who you are when You're in dreamland.
In dreamland, you may gain insight into who you really are and what you truly desire.

Blushing faces, crazy places, Paper chases, human races Magical.
Again, you may encounter various marvelous and extraordinary experiences while dreaming such as red-faced appearances, unusual locations, pursuits of papers, and the enigma of people.

Falling, flying, leaping, lying, Splashing, crashing, life is flashing Magical You're in Dreamland....
Once more, you may embark on wondrous tours of excitement and diversity where you may do amazing activities such as dropping, soaring, hopping, resting, splashing, colliding, and experiencing life's brief but remarkable moments.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN CAWLEY AYERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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