As a teenager, he lived with his parents in a fourteen-room Georgian guest-house, Wellington House, in Lydden near Canterbury. Here he was taught the drums by visiting American jazz drummer George Niedorf.
In 1962, Wyatt and Niedorf moved to Majorca where they stayed with the poet Robert Graves. The following year, Wyatt returned to England and joined the Daevid Allen Trio with Daevid Allen and Hugh Hopper. Allen subsequently left for France, and Wyatt and Hopper formed the Wilde Flowers with Richard Sinclair, Kevin Ayers and Brian Hopper. Wyatt was initially the drummer in the Wilde Flowers, but following the departure of Ayers, he became lead singer.
In 1966, the Wilde Flowers disintegrated, and Wyatt and Mike Ratledge formed the Soft Machine with Ayers and Allen. Here Wyatt both drummed and sang, an unusual combination for a stage rock band.
In 1970, after chaotic touring, three albums and increasing internal conflicts in Soft Machine, Wyatt released his first solo album, The End of an Ear, which combined his vocal and multi-instrumental talents with tape effects.
A year later, Wyatt left Soft Machine and formed his own band Matching Mole (a pun on "machine molle", the French for Soft Machine), a largely instrumental outfit. After two albums and a split, Matching Mole were about to embark on a third record when, on 1 June 1973, during a drunken party, Wyatt fell from a third floor window. He was subsequently paralysed from the waist down (paraplegia) and confined to a wheelchair.
The injury led Wyatt to abandon the Matching Mole project, and his drumming. He promptly embarked on a solo-career, and with a collective of session musicians (including Mike Oldfield, the poet Ivor Cutler and Henry Cow guitarist Fred Frith), he released his acclaimed solo album Rock Bottom. Later that same year he put out a single, a cover version of "I'm a Believer", which hit number 29 in the UK chart. There were strong arguments with the producer of Top of the Pops surrounding his performance of "I'm a Believer," on the grounds that his wheelchair-bound appearance 'was not suitable for family viewing', the producer wanting Wyatt to appear on a normal chair. Wyatt won the day and 'lost his rag but not the wheel chair', but gave a performance that could be described as disgruntled.
Wyatt's next album, Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard, was more jazz-led, with free jazz influences and nods to African music. These solo recordings were all produced by Nick Mason of Pink Floyd.
Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Wyatt guested with various acts, working with the likes of Henry Cow (documented on their Henry Cow Concerts album), Hatfield and the North, Carla Bley and Michael Mantler. His solo work during the early 1980s was increasingly politicised, and Wyatt became an outspoken member and supporter of the British Communist Party. In 1983, his interpretation of Elvis Costello's anti-Falklands War song "Shipbuilding", the last in a series of political cover-versions (collected as Nothing Can Stop Us), reached number 35 in the UK singles chart. In the late 1980s, after collaborations with other ex-Canterbury acts such as News from Babel, he and his wife Alfreda Benge spent a sabbatical in Spain, before returning in 1991 with a comeback album Dondestan, considered by many to be his best work since Rock Bottom. His 1997 album Shleep was also highly acclaimed.
An uncredited Wyatt contributed the haunting "Masters of the Field", as well as "The Highest Gander", "La Forêt Rouge" and "Hors Champ" to the soundtrack of the acclaimed 2001 film Winged Migration. He can be seen in the DVD's Special Features section, and is praised by the film's composer Bruno Coulais as being a big influence in his younger days.
In 2001, Wyatt was curator of the Meltdown festival, and in 2003 he put out his album Cuckooland.
In 2004, Wyatt collaborated with Björk on the song "Submarine" which was released on her fifth album Medúlla.
In October 2007 he released Comicopera, a 16-track album, his first for the Domino label.
It was produced by Wyatt himself, and recorded at his home in Louth as well as Phil Manzanera's Gallery Studio.
Comicopera is divided into three acts - 'Lost in Noise', 'The Here and The Now', and 'Away with the Fairies'. Featured musicians include previous collaborators Brian Eno, Paul Weller and Phil Manzanera. Wyatt said he was keen to capture the sound of a group of musicians playing in the room together, but more importantly to have friends playing together.
"Music isn't just an abstract pleasure, it is a company, when you play a record. Why I like Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus, the big bands - is because every character in the band is identifiable as that person - there's this group of humans in a room".
"He lives in Louth, Lincolnshire and he has equipment in his bedroom where he records himself and his albums. We brought a G4 and Pro Tools and recorded it in like one afternoon. He's such an extraordinary singer. Before he left, he insisted to give us a scale of his voice, where he sings all the tones – and he has the most amazing range, like 5 or 6 octaves. What's really interesting about his range is that each octave is of a totally different character. We actually ended up using that later for 'Oceania', we used what he calls the 'Wyattron'." — Björk, XFM 25 August 2004
Born Again Cretin
Robert Wyatt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a free agent, I can protest
This must be freedom
I must be happy!
So let Mandela rot in prison
Someone should tell him how lucky he is
Read him George Orwell, explain Solidarity because
He must understand how he needs us
But how could he understand?
Heathen got no soul
The song "Born Again Cretin" by Robert Wyatt is a satirical take on the arrogance and ignorance of those who believe that the Western world is superior to the rest of the world. The lyrics touch on topics such as freedom, protest, and the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela. This song highlights the irony of a person living in a free country, proclaiming their freedom and ability to protest while remaining ignorant of the atrocities committed against those who fight for their freedom.
The first line of the song, “At least I won't be shot for singing”, suggests that in some countries, people are punished for expressing themselves. However, the following lines reveal the singer's lack of understanding of other cultures and their struggles. The line “I must be happy” implies that the singer believes that freedom and happiness go hand-in-hand. The following lines show the arrogance and disregard for the struggle of others. The line “Let Mandela rot in prison” suggests that the singer believes that Mandela deserves to be in prison. The line “read him George Orwell, explain Solidarity because he must understand how he needs us” implies that the singer thinks that Mandela needs the Western world's ideas and ideologies to be truly free.
The last line of the song, “Heathen got no soul”, is a sarcastic comment on the singer's opinions. It suggests that the singer believes that those who do not share their beliefs are inferior and soulless. Overall, the song highlights the belief that many Westerners hold that they are superior to other cultures and that their way of life is the only way to achieve true freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
At least I won't be shot for singing
I am grateful for the freedom to express myself without fear of being punished.
I'm a free agent, I can protest
As an independent individual, I have the right to publicly voice my grievances.
This must be freedom
The fact that I am allowed to question authority and speak my mind makes me feel truly liberated.
I must be happy!
My ability to exercise my right to protest fills me with immense joy and satisfaction.
So let Mandela rot in prison
The government's mistreatment of Nelson Mandela is a reflection of their lack of respect for freedom and human rights.
Someone should tell him how lucky he is
Mandela should be grateful for the privilege of being oppressed, as he can learn from our superior culture and intellect.
Read him George Orwell, explain Solidarity because
An insightful book like George Orwell's '1984' can help Mandela understand the importance of working in harmony with authority.
He must understand how he needs us
Mandela cannot accomplish anything without the guidance and wisdom of those in power.
What with our Culture, our Charm and our Brains
Our society possesses superior intelligence, charisma and tradition that makes us better equipped to govern than Mandela and his followers.
But how could he understand?
It is impossible for someone as uncivilized and inferior as Mandela to comprehend the complexities of our society.
Heathen got no soul
Mandela lacks the spiritual sensitivity and morality necessary to be a true leader.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROBERT WYATT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Martin Hadfield
At least I won't be shot for singing
I'm a free agent, I can protest
This must be freedom, I must be happy
So let Mandela rot in prison
Someone should tell him how lucky he is
Read him George Orwell
Explain about Naipaul because
He must realise how he needs us
What with our culture, our charm and our brains
But how could he understand?
Heathen have no soul
Sonic Shifts
What a song.. No doubts it's childish and playful, but there is also a little taste of sadness and apocallypse. Beautiful remains the main overall mood. What a twist of feelings, well done Robert
Bart Abbacchi
Listening to this song again (and again and again!) after 5 years or so. I believe the first few notes sung (or "wyatroned") by mr. Wyatt quote the melody of an Ornette Coleman's tune called "Peace". Thanks for the "Sea Song" video, by the way, @camarillobrillo68: I watched it countless times over the years.
Owlute
Thats awesome I can definitely hear it. Always knew of Coleman but never really got around to listening, thanks for pointing it out and turning me on to a great album. Peace!
La Wea Weon :v
Playin' this on loop, love it. I used to love her. She used to love me. She doesn't love me anymore. But i still love this song, yesterday, tomorrow, every day.
michelmeel
love this song - a love story for about 35 years
Peter Heide
fuckin A !
Tommy Tippee
its like this,we all get ideas that we think are great.
The first thing we do is criticize it instead of just letting it express with everything it has.
Wyatt is pure Music.
Ulisse Garnerone
Robert, maybe you are the best of all.
Sincerely.
Martin Hadfield
At least I won't be shot for singing
I'm a free agent, I can protest
This must be freedom, I must be happy
So let Mandela rot in prison
Someone should tell him how lucky he is
Read him George Orwell
Explain about Naipaul because
He must realise how he needs us
What with our culture, our charm and our brains
But how could he understand?
Heathen have no soul
lastpirateslife
one of the old time favorite Records. *even though i found it on a cassette.