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]
Women Lose Weight
Morcheeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a surpriser, Open your eyes, A Woman advisor
[Verse 1]
The name of this entertainement is 'Women lose weight'
Our first years of mariage everything was just great
But after two kids And a weight gain factor
The fact is Now she's completely unattractive
I tell her nice hit the gym And don't eat so much food
But no Your shallow
You need to run the course of unconditionnal love and so forth
But how if desire's is not there That's just delayment
Divorce is, child support, alimony payments
My happiness I doubt discouraged
So hurry for an easier way out of this marriage
Meanwhile my secretary June well groomed
When you gonna leave your wife I tell her soon mommy soon, I assume
Or my destiny is blue Interestingly The only thing left for me to do is to kill her
[Chorus]
What a surpriser, Open your eyes, A Woman advisor
I'm gonna have to kill her
Of course there's laws which enforces divorces
Send that ass right to the morgue miss
What a surpriser, Open your eyes, A Woman advisor
I'm gonna have to kill her
Of course there's laws which enforces divorces
Send that ass right to the morgue miss
[Verse 2]
My plans against or shenanigans Kinda ran thin
Knowin' nothing about poisoning And I can't swim
Bad intentions pumping Might as well become numb
Cut her lungs or the obvious robbery gone wrong
But the catch is do I have the nerve to dispatch this
Who can I get to help me murder this fat chick
I guess I'll have to play a dude robbin
On Wednesday The day she usually goes food shopping
Anyway long story short hit the side of her Chrysler
And sent her clean over the divider
"You bastard" she said
As the wreck went tumblin down the hill I thought "she has to be dead"
Later on get a call (from a) Lieutenant O'Rourke
(had me) leapin like a frog We need you at the morgue
So I selfishly pursue
"boohoo" there was nothing else for me to do I had to kill her
[Chorus]
What a surpriser, Open your eyes, A Woman advisor
C'mon ya'll know I had to kill her
Of course there's laws which enforces divorces
Send that ass right to the morgue miss Kill her
What a surpriser Open your eyes, A Woman advisor
I had to kill her
Of course there's laws which enforces divorces
Send that ass right to the morgue miss
[Verse 3]
So you mean to tell me officer you don't have no clue who did this hit and run
No sir we don't have no clues right now
This is terrible what am I gonna tell the kids?
Pull yourself together sir
I'm so broken up inside I just can't believe this
I understand, I understand
Catch the person who did this
We're gonna try sir Please
Screamin "who done took my heart" acting shakin up a lot
At the funeral though everyone was lookin at me odd like I did it
Like I was the reason my mates slain murmuring
"I heard he was displeased with her weight gain"
While my secretary sort of a sexy blonde can't cook
All she does is order from restaurants
All of the sex you want I doubt could address,
Clothes not washed proper and house look a mess and
Talkin to detectives that was waitin outside
How I took a long lunch break day the wife died
I darn near turned pale
And because of betrayal they indicted me, and gave me an impossible bail
Good fortune to anyone admiring the rawtent
Moral of the story is
Desire is important
So watch your weight It'll keep you mate smitten it's a given
Though looking back I realised I didn't have to kill her
[Chorus]
What a surpriser Open your eyes, A Woman advisor
I didn't have to kill her
Of course there's laws which enforces divorces
Send that ass right to the morgue miss
I killed her
What a surpriser Open your eyes, A Woman advisor
I didn't have to kill her
Of course there's laws which enforces divorces
Send that ass right to the morgue miss
Well there you have it Keep thin trim Keep your mariage healthy Do you know what I mean?
Small message from Morcheeba and Slick Rick the ruler
Peace
The lyrics to Morcheeba's song "Women Who Lose Weight" tell the story of a man who is unhappy with his wife's weight gain after having two children. The man suggests his wife hit the gym and eat less food, but when she doesn't comply, he considers murder as a way out of the marriage. He ultimately causes her death in a hit and run accident, but is later arrested and put on trial for her murder. He realizes in hindsight that he didn't have to resort to violence and that desire is crucial in a healthy marriage.
The lyrics not only touch on the societal pressure for women to maintain a certain body type, but also highlight the dangers of toxic masculinity and the belief that violence is an acceptable solution to relationship problems. The lyrics throughout the song also showcase the man's misogyny, as he refers to his wife as a "fat chick" and objectifies his secretary.
Despite the dark themes present in the lyrics, the use of Slick Rick's signature storytelling style and Morcheeba's groovy trip-hop beats create an interesting musical juxtaposition.
Line by Line Meaning
What a surpriser, Open your eyes, A Woman advisor
Pay attention to the advice of women, they might surprise you with their wisdom and insights.
The name of this entertainement is 'Women lose weight'
The expectation on women to be thin and beautiful is oppressive and treated as a form of entertainment or obsession.
Our first years of mariage everything was just great
The relationship between the couple started out well, but it deteriorated over time due to various circumstances.
But after two kids And a weight gain factor
The woman gained weight due to pregnancy and the challenges of motherhood.
The fact is Now she's completely unattractive
The man no longer finds his wife attractive due to her weight gain and other factors.
Look fat chicks I don't mean to sound rude
The man is addressing overweight women in general, but it is still hurtful and insensitive.
My happiness I doubt discouraged
The man's happiness is being affected by his wife's appearance and he is becoming increasingly unhappy.
Meanwhile my secretary June well groomed
The man is emotionally cheating on his wife with his attractive secretary, June.
Or my destiny is blue Interestingly The only thing left for me to do is to kill her
The man is considering murder as a way out of his unhappy marriage, which is extreme and violent.
Of course there's laws which enforces divorces Send that ass right to the morgue miss
The man is considering the option of divorce, but he still speaks disrespectfully and cruelly about his wife.
My plans against or shenanigans Kinda ran thin
The man is struggling to come up with a viable plan to kill his wife and is lacking in criminal knowledge and skills.
But the catch is do I have the nerve to dispatch this
The man is unsure if he has the courage to actually go through with killing his wife.
Catch the person who did this We're gonna try sir Please
The detective is trying to help the man solve his wife's case, unaware that the man is actually the killer.
Moral of the story is Desire is important
The lesson is that desire and attraction are important in relationships, but killing your partner is not the answer.
So watch your weight It'll keep you mate smitten it's a given
The man is suggesting that women should watch their weight to keep their partner attracted to them, which perpetuates the harmful societal expectation for women to be thin and beautiful at all times.
Well there you have it Keep thin trim Keep your mariage healthy Do you know what I mean?
The man uses the song to give superficial advice to women to keep their marriages healthy by staying thin and attractive, perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes and expectations.
Small message from Morcheeba and Slick Rick the ruler Peace
The song ends with a message of peace from the artists, despite the violent and disturbing content of the lyrics.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PAUL CORFIELD GODFREY, RICKY M. L. WALTERS, ROSS CHARLES GODFREY, SKYE EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind