The band originally consisted of Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Daevid Allen and Mike Ratledge, most of whom were former members of The Wilde Flowers in 1966. Later members have included Hugh Hopper, Roy Babbington, Elton Dean, John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall, and Allan Holdsworth.
Soft Machine continued on in name, even after all the original founder members moved on; Mike Ratledge was the last to depart in 1976. Numerous offshoots and side projects have included "Soft" in their names: Soft Heap, Soft Head, Soft Works, and the band Matching Mole, a play on words for the French of Soft Machine ('machine molle'). As of 2005, Soft Machine Legacy is a working concern.
Other musicians in the band during the later period were bassists Percy Jones of Brand X and Steve Cook, saxophonists Alan Wakeman and Ray Warleigh, and violinist Ric Sanders. Their 1977 performances and record Alive and Well: Recorded in Paris were among the last for Soft Machine as a working band. The Soft Machine name was used for the 1981 record Land of Cockayne with Jack Bruce and Allan Holdsworth, plus Ray Warleigh and Dick Morrissey on saxes and John Taylor on electric piano, and for a final series of dates at London's Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in the summer of 1984, featuring Jenkins and Marshall leading an ad-hoc line-up of Etheridge, Warleigh, pianist Dave MacRae and bassist Paul Carmichael.
Hope For Happiness
Soft Machine Lyrics
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A chime that is clear and true
But if a crack, the sound is flat
Like happiness that's become untrue
Out of the East, the sun flew West
Trailing its golden spray
My heart burns, when fortune turns
Days go by, I watch the sky
My eyes forever quest
The sun returns, though my hope yearns
Forever things point the rest
Sun heart burns, moon glow turns
Stars will trade hope for happiness
Hope for happiness, happiness, happiness
Flowers grow wild, just for the child
Sniff this sprinkling bloom
When you grow up, hope colours up
The things that cause us gloom
Tell can you now how fun is made?
It's how happiness is really found
Look for advice, be told more than twice
By people all around
Sun heart burns, moon glow turns
Stars will trade hope for happiness
Hope for happiness, happiness, happiness
The lyrics of Soft Machine's song "Hope For Happiness" explore the theme of happiness and its potential fragility. The opening lines describe the difference between a clear and true sound, like the ring of a bell, and a flat, untrue sound, like happiness that has been compromised. The song suggests that happiness is something we need to work to maintain, and that it can be lost if we are not careful.
The second stanza uses imagery to convey a sense of hopelessness and despair, with the sun moving from East to West, and the singer's heart burning as their fortune turns. Despite this, the lyrics suggest that there is always a way forward, as the sun returns and provides a trail of light to guide our way.
The final stanza suggests that happiness can be found in the simplest of things, such as the flowers that grow wild and the advice that others give us. The repetition of the line "Sun heart burns, moon glow turns, stars will trade hope for happiness" reinforces the idea that happiness is not a constant state, but rather something that we need to work to maintain.
Overall, "Hope For Happiness" is a song that explores the fragility of happiness and the importance of maintaining hope in the face of adversity. Its lyrics are open to interpretation and could be seen as a reflection on the turbulent social and political context of the late 1960s when the song was written.
Line by Line Meaning
I can tell like the ring of a bell
I can sense something with great clarity.
A chime that is clear and true
The feeling is genuine and honest.
But if a crack, the sound is flat
However, if the feeling is not genuine, it comes off as dull.
Like happiness that's become untrue
This holds true for happiness that is forced or insincere.
Out of the East, the sun flew West
The sun sets after making its journey across the sky.
Trailing its golden spray
A beautiful and calming sight that signals the end of the day.
My heart burns, when fortune turns
When luck changes, I feel an intense pressure.
The trail to light my way
The journey for a better and brighter future is now in sight.
Days go by, I watch the sky
The passage of time brings me closer to my destiny.
My eyes forever quest
I am constantly searching for the answers that will bring me happiness.
The sun returns, though my hope yearns
The sun will rise again, even if my hope feels out of reach.
Forever things point the rest
As time goes on, my destiny becomes clearer.
Sun heart burns, moon glow turns
The sun and moon are two things with the power to affect my emotions.
Stars will trade hope for happiness
The things that give me hope can also bring me happiness.
Flowers grow wild, just for the child
The beauty of nature is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, especially children.
Sniff this sprinkling bloom
Experience the joy and wonder of nature by smelling the flowers around you.
When you grow up, hope colours up
As we grow older, our source of hope becomes more complex.
The things that cause us gloom
The things that make us unhappy or upset as children are different from the things that affect us as adults.
Tell can you now how fun is made?
Do you know what it takes to make something truly enjoyable?
It's how happiness is really found
True happiness comes from understanding what makes us happy and seeking it out.
Look for advice, be told more than twice
It's important to seek advice and guidance from others who have more experience than we do.
By people all around
There are always people willing to help if we are willing to ask.
Hope for happiness, happiness, happiness
Hope for happiness is what keeps us moving forward and brings us true joy.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HUGH COLIN HOPPER, KEVIN CAWLEY AYERS, MICHAEL ROLAND RATLEDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind