Matching Mole was an English progressive rock band associated with the Cant… Read Full Bio ↴Matching Mole was an English progressive rock band associated with the Canterbury scene. Robert Wyatt formed the band in October 1971 after he left Soft Machine and recorded his first solo album The End of an Ear. He continued his role on vocals and drums and was joined by David Sinclair, of Caravan, on organ and piano, Phil Miller on guitar, and Bill MacCormick, formerly of Quiet Sun, on bass. The band name is a pun on Machine Molle, the French translation of the name of Wyatt's previous group Soft Machine.

Their first, eponymous album was released in April 1972, the bulk of which was composed by Wyatt himself, with the exception of the lush mellotron-laced "O Caroline" (a Dave Sinclair composition with lyrics by Wyatt about his recent breakup with girlfriend, Caroline Coon) and Phil Miller's "Part of the Dance". For their second album, Matching Mole's Little Red Record, released in November 1972 and produced by Robert Fripp, Sinclair was replaced by New Zealand-born keyboard player and composer Dave MacRae who had already played a guest role on the first album. This album was more of a team effort, with Wyatt concentrating on lyrics and vocal melodies and leaving the composing to his bandmates.

Matching Mole disbanded in late September 1972 immediately upon completion of a European tour supporting Soft Machine, with Sinclair and Miller going on to form the more successful Hatfield and the North. A new lineup consisting of Wyatt, MacCormick, ex-Curved Air keyboardist Francis Monkman, and jazz saxophonist Gary Windo - was due to record a third album in 1973, but this was cancelled when Wyatt fell from a window and was paralyzed from the waist down and was therefore unable to continue drumming. He later recovered and embarked on a celebrated solo career, but Matching Mole was no more. In early 2000's, Cuineform Records reissued some of the band's archived live recordings as two live albums, Smoke Signals (2001) and March (2002).

Righteous Rhumba
Matching Mole Lyrics

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Look, see the people at the top
Come down the right hand lane
In Belgium, Greece and Portugal
In France and sunny Spain

My radical cheek is soft and meek
But I'll kill if I must
I'd rather have the Chinese here

Than Europe on me thrust
I'd rather have the Chinese here
Than Europe on me thrust

You may say I'm muddled up
Should stick to chords and tunes
But he shan't stay there
While he lives in fear of rich and pompous goons
But he shan't stay there
While he lives in fear of rich and pompous goons

A home for the warm and a home for the wonderful!
I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours!

A home for the warm and a home for the wonderful!
I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Matching Mole's song "Righteous Rhumba" touch on a few different themes, including politics, radicalism, and identity. The first stanza references various countries in Europe and suggests a mistrust of those in power. The singer seems to be advocating for a radical change, even at the expense of some traditional values, as seen in the line "I'd rather have the Chinese here than Europe on me thrust." This could be interpreted as a rejection of European cultural dominance and a desire for something new.

The second stanza includes some self-reflection and a nod to the idea that some may view this speaker as being muddled in their ideas. This could be seen as a commentary on the challenges of trying to advocate for change in a way that doesn't alienate people. The final lines, which repeat the phrase "a home for the warm and a home for the wonderful" and encourage a mutual sharing of identities, could be seen as a call for community-building and a reminder that despite differences, we all have something valuable to share with one another.

Line by Line Meaning

Look, see the people at the top
Take a moment to observe the people in power

Come down the right hand lane
They have an advantage and privilege in life

In Belgium, Greece and Portugal
This extends beyond national borders

In France and sunny Spain
It's a problem in other European countries as well

My radical cheek is soft and meek
I may not appear confrontational, but I have strong beliefs

But I'll kill if I must
I am prepared to go to great lengths to defend my beliefs

I'd rather have the Chinese here
I would choose a different type of oppression over the one I currently face

Than Europe on me thrust
I would rather not be subjected to the oppressive systems in Europe

You may say I'm muddled up
Some may dismiss my beliefs as confusing or illogical

Should stick to chords and tunes
I should stick to what is expected of me as a musician

But he shan't stay there
I will not remain silent and passive