Beginnings
Originally from the small town of Saltwood,[4] just north of Hythe, Kent, the Godfrey brothers—DJ/producer Paul Godfrey and multi-instrumentalist Ross Godfrey—moved to London when they were in their late teens.[5][6][7][8] Sometime in the mid 1990s, at a party in Greenwich, the brothers met Skye Edwards, who was singing backup in a funk band, and also played guitar; before too long the three began recording songs together, and formed the trio Morcheeba.[4][9] At first they produced tracks at their home studio,[4] together with engineer Pete Norris.[8][10]
They were eventually signed to China Records[4] by Angus Blair (A&R) and the band released their debut Trigger Hippie EP,[11] in October 1995. At the same time, Paul Ablett came on board as manager.[10] The band's debut album, Who Can You Trust?, was released in April 1996 and fitted into the trip hop genre through a combination of Paul Godfrey's hip hop roots, Ross Godfrey's psychedelic rock influences and Edwards' soul-styled vocals. A second single, "Tape Loop", appeared in July 1996. The band began to play live around Europe and North America,[12] with a live band that included five additional members.[13] At this point, the band had outgrown the home recording set-up and the brothers purchased their own studio.[14] In 1997, they contributed to the David Byrne album Feelings, participating in the recording and production of the release.[8][15][16]
Mainstream success
With a more professional recording set-up, the brothers began developing their ideas for a second album. Much of the material had already been written, and, with Norris involved again, the band moved towards a more mainstream sound.[14] At the same time, Edwards appeared on the BBC charity single "Perfect Day". The follow-up, 1998's Big Calm, moved away from trip hop towards a more pop-oriented, song-based sound. This was exemplified by the band's reworking of "Moog Island" (from their debut) into the pop-song "The Music That We Hear".[17] One of the album's singles, "The Sea", became a radio favourite. The album proved to be a big seller and ensured Morcheeba's success as a breakthrough act.[18] In 1998, Morcheeba collaborated with Hubert Laws to record the classic song "Summer Time" for the Red Hot Organization's compilation album Red Hot + Rhapsody, a tribute to George Gershwin, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS awareness and fighting the disease.
In 2000, Morcheeba released their third album, Fragments of Freedom. This repeated the sales success of Big Calm but received a less positive critical response. The band's fourth album, Charango, was released in 2002 and saw a diminished role for Edwards. The singles "Otherwise" and "Way Beyond" followed. The lyrics for "Undress Me Now" were written with Lambchop's Kurt Wagner, while other collaborators on the album were with rappers Pace Won and Slick Rick. In January 2003, the band undertook their first significant tour of the US since 1998.[19] In 2001, the Godfrey brothers contributed three songs to the Jim White album No Such Place.[20]
Split
By the end of 2003, the Godfrey brothers split with Edwards, citing creative and personal differences.[21] Edwards received "a phone call from our manager saying that it was over. It was a relief to think we didn't have to continue".[22] She was under the impression that the band had ceased to operate. A greatest hits compilation, Parts of the Process, helped to retain interest in the band and featured two new tracks: "What's Your Name" (featuring a rhyming cameo from Big Daddy Kane) and "Can't Stand It". At around the same time, they released the live DVD Morcheeba: From Brixton to Beijing. A decade later, Ross Godfrey reflected on this period, saying: "We just felt like we couldn't breathe, I'd been in the band and on the road since I was 18, so to have any kind of break from that was just amazing".[23]
The two brothers reunited the year after, leaving Paul to explain that "Ross and I realised that Morcheeba was kind of our family company, and that we wanted very much to keep it going, hence the change".[24] In 2005, Morcheeba released their fifth studio (and first post-Edwards) album, The Antidote. Daisy Martey (formerly of the band Noonday Underground) was recruited to replace Edwards as the album vocalist. However, Martey's period with the band was brief and she was sacked in the middle of the promotional tour, to be replaced by Jody Sternberg. Martey subsequently sued the band for breach of contract and defamation.[25] Sternberg's own tenure with the band was similarly brief, and she only appeared to have been part of the band to fulfil tour dates. According to Ross, the entire episode "was difficult to say the least. It left us in near-ruin".[26]
After a break of several years, Morcheeba released their sixth studio album, Dive Deep, in February 2008. On this album, the Godfrey brothers fell back into their role as producers, selecting five vocalists to perform their songs. The folk-rock singer Judie Tzuke, Norwegian born Thomas Dybdahl and blues singer/guitarist Bradley Burgess appeared as lead vocalists together with the Korean-American rapper Cool Calm Pete and French singer Manda (Amanda Zamolo).[27] Both Manda and Burgess toured with Morcheeba as lead singers on their 2008 tour.
Reunion
As a solo artist, Edwards remained with the same management company as Morcheeba—Chris Morrison the CM of CMO Management represented both artists—which led to a chance meeting in their London offices sometime in 2009. Edwards and the Godfrey brothers met again to discuss her possible involvement in a new project. Initially the singer was hesitant and pointed out that she "really enjoyed doing my solo stuff and writing my own lyrics".[28] Eventually, Edwards rejoined the band and the trio began work on a new album,[21] with Edwards still on tour promoting her solo album, Ross Godfrey living in California and Paul Godfrey in France.[29] On 12 February 2010, NME revealed that Edwards was once again back with the band, which was confirmed by Paul Godfrey the day after on the band's Myspace blog. Edwards made her live return with the band at the Caprices Festival, Switzerland on 9 April 2010.[30] Edwards' role in the band changed, as she had "become more confident" in her "ability as a singer and a songwriter", and found that during the recording process they were "more honest with each other", and thus they produced "a more honest record".[22]
Morcheeba released their seventh album, Blood Like Lemonade, on PIAS in June 2010, preceded by the single "Even Though". It was produced by Paul Godfrey, who described the album as "a warm, fuzzy blanket of psychedelia", while Edwards described the lyrics as "having dark themes".[22] She also remarked on how the brothers had made her part of the creative process again.[28] An eighteen-month tour followed that saw the band play around the Americas and Europe.[31]
Their eighth album, Head Up High, was released on 14 October 2013, again on PIAS.[32] In 2014, the band toured Australia,[33] with a line-up consisting of Skye Edwards (vocals), Ross Godfrey (guitars), Steve Gordon (bass), Richard Milner (keyboards), Martin Carling (drums) and James Anthony (decks).
Departure of Paul Godfrey
In 2014, Paul Godfrey left the band.[34][35] Ross Godfrey later explained that: "Paul and I had not been getting on musically, or personally for a long time, and after the Head Up High album in 2013, Paul told us he was leaving the band, and he wanted Skye and I to buy him out of his share of the name. We disagreed on how much it was worth so no deal was struck. Skye and I thought it best to just release the record we had made under our own names. There will be no more Morcheeba albums".[2] Paul Godfrey has since established a recording studio, Sacrosync Sound, in Hastings and recorded a new album "Cool Your Soul" with Rachel Cuming under the moniker Morcheeba Productions.[36][37]
Ross Godfrey and Skye Edwards announced a new project in 2016 named Skye & Ross.[38] They have toured, and released an eponymous album on 2 September 2016.[39] The band started as an acoustic duo but soon included Edward's son Jaega (drums), her husband Steve Gordon (bass) and Godfrey’s wife Amanda Zamolo (backing vocals).[40][41] Edwards took responsibility for the lyrics while Ross Godfrey noted that the recording process was "a very organic experience".[42]
Public Displays of Affection
Morcheeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Self-contained lovers
Welded orally
No run for cover
I'd join in the fun
If I had someone
But it seems I'm undone
Surely your love must be new
I can't wait for my next rejection
I'm always the first in the queue
Try to hold your soul
But I'll crush your spirit
Why do I feel so close?
When I can't get near it
I'm flooded with fear
And it don't disappear
But I'm still standing here
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be new
So conscious of my imperfections
I've never lost interest in you
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be new
You're natural over-protection
Leaves me with nothing to do
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be new
I've got no time for reflection
My service is long overdue
The lyrics to Morcheeba's song Public Displays of Affection explore the experience of witnessing public displays of affection (PDA) as an outsider, leading to feelings of loneliness and jealousy. The singer describes the self-contained lovers welded orally in front of them, leaving no room for escape or avoidance. They admit to feeling undone, as if missing out on something essential. The repeated chorus, "Surely your love must be new," suggests a sense of skepticism or disbelief towards the genuineness of the display.
The second verse sees the singer grappling with their own conflicting emotions. They express a desire to be close to their object of affection, but also acknowledge the possibility of crushing their spirit and feeling flooded with fear. Despite these fears and doubts, the singer stays put, reflecting a sense of loyalty and commitment. The song ends with a sense of urgency, as the singer realizes that their "service is long overdue."
Overall, the song captures the bittersweet nature of witnessing love, whether it's a reminder of what we lack or an affirmation of what we hope to find.
Line by Line Meaning
They're for all to see
The couple's displays of affection are public and visible to everyone around them.
Self-contained lovers
The couple is self-sufficient and does not need other people to feel complete.
Welded orally
The couple is kissing passionately, as if their mouths are welded together.
No run for cover
There is no need to hide or be embarrassed about their affection.
I'd join in the fun
The artist would like to experience the same kind of love and affection.
If I had someone
The singer is currently single and has no one to share their love with.
But it seems I'm undone
The singer feels incomplete and unhappy without someone to love.
Try to hold your soul
The artist attempts to connect with their love interest on a deeper level.
But I'll crush your spirit
The artist fears that their attempts at connection will fail and hurt their partner.
Why do I feel so close?
Despite their fears and doubts, the artist feels emotionally connected to their love interest.
When I can't get near it
The singer struggles to fully connect with their partner and feels a physical and emotional distance between them.
I'm flooded with fear
The artist is overwhelmed with anxiety and insecurity about their relationship.
And it don't disappear
Despite their efforts, the anxiety and insecurity persists.
But I'm still standing here
Despite their struggles, the singer remains committed and present in the relationship.
Surely your love must be new
The singer is skeptical of the other couple's love and assumes it is a recent development.
I can't wait for my next rejection
The artist expects to be rejected by potential partners in the future.
I'm always the first in the queue
The artist is used to being rejected and expects it to happen again.
So conscious of my imperfections
The singer is insecure about their flaws and shortcomings.
I've never lost interest in you
Despite their insecurities, the singer remains attracted to their love interest.
You're natural over-protection
The artist perceives their partner's protectiveness as excessive or unnecessary.
Leaves me with nothing to do
The artist feels powerless and uninvolved in their relationship.
I've got no time for reflection
The artist is too busy or preoccupied to contemplate their relationship.
My service is long overdue
The singer feels like they are deserving and in need of love, but has yet to receive it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL GODFREY, ROSS GODFREY, SKYE EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lobna Hassoun
lay the Morcheeba Quiz
"Public Displays Of Affection"
Therefore all to see
Selfcontained lovers
Welded orally
No run for cover
I'd join in the fun
If I had someone
But it seems I'm undone
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be new
I can wait for my mass rejection
I'm always the first thing you queue
Tried to hold your soul
But I crushed your spirit
Why do I feel so close
when I can't get near it
I'm flooded with fear
and it don't disappear
But I'm still standing here
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be me
So concious of my imperfections
I've never lost interest in me
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be me
You're not sure over-protection
leaves me with nothing to do
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be me
I've got no time for reflection
My savior is long overdue
Low-Class-conspiracy
This song makes me feel so many things at once.
Lobna Hassoun
lay the Morcheeba Quiz
"Public Displays Of Affection"
Therefore all to see
Selfcontained lovers
Welded orally
No run for cover
I'd join in the fun
If I had someone
But it seems I'm undone
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be new
I can wait for my mass rejection
I'm always the first thing you queue
Tried to hold your soul
But I crushed your spirit
Why do I feel so close
when I can't get near it
I'm flooded with fear
and it don't disappear
But I'm still standing here
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be me
So concious of my imperfections
I've never lost interest in me
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be me
You're not sure over-protection
leaves me with nothing to do
These public displays of affection
Surely your love must be me
I've got no time for reflection
My savior is long overdue
Luciano Lobo
this music speak in my soul, I love.
Nikola Pelc
Love this!
Sandra Francisco
Truly amazing
Antwan Taylor
First Heard This Song On A CD MANY MEMORIES
Albhen
요즘 마카롱티비 보는 낙으로 사는 듯. 유튜브에서 보고 알게됐는데 그때 알려준 형 진짜 감사함 ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
sumi Marley
morcheeba are the best
FC NINJA Gaming
엥 마카롱티비가 이렇게 유명해져있다니 ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 나도 밤에 종종 애용하는 어플인데 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ신기하네
Kristel Farías
sublime