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.
Lullabye Letter
Soft Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold on, I wanted to thrill you
It's nice, makes you feel better
It's called the Lullabye Letter
Hold tight, I'm not trying to con you
Get ready, I'm going to lay it on you
You're the sweetest thing I see
I've got lights in my brain, girl
We'll have fights in the rain, girl
You'll be good and bad together
Writing songs and call that the weather
If you've got something to sing me
4 o'clock's the best time to ring me
You're the strangest scene I see
I'm telling you it's no lie
You're the sweetest thing I've seen
In my life...
The lyrics to Soft Machine's song Lullabye Letter suggest a romantic declaration of love towards someone who appears to be the singer's partner. The singer in the song wants to share something with their partner while assuring them that they are not trying to con them. The something that the singer wants to share is a lullaby letter that is said to make the recipient feel better. The singer goes on to express that their partner is the sweetest thing that they have ever seen and that the lights in their brain could bring about fights in the rain, but they would still be good and bad together.
The lyrics in the second verse of the song suggest that the singer wants to create music with their partner while referencing weather as a metaphor for the ups and downs of their relationship. The singer even gives their partner a specific time to call them if they have something to sing. Lastly, the singer affirms that their partner is the strangest and sweetest thing that they have ever seen. The metaphorical language and references to love and music make this song a romantic ballad that captures the feelings of an intense love affair.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got something to tell you
There is something important that I need to communicate to you.
Hold on, I wanted to thrill you
Please wait, I am excited to share this news with you and make you happy.
It's nice, makes you feel better
This news is pleasant and will improve your emotional state.
It's called the Lullabye Letter
This is the name of the news or communication I am sharing with you.
Hold tight, I'm not trying to con you
Please don't be skeptical or suspicious, as I am not attempting to deceive or cheat you.
Get ready, I'm going to lay it on you
Prepare yourself, as I am about to share this news in a straightforward and perhaps intense manner.
You're the sweetest thing I see
To me, you are the most delightful and pleasing presence I experience.
I'm telling you it's no lie
I want to emphasize that what I am saying is the truth and not a falsehood.
I've got lights in my brain, girl
I am feeling inspired or creatively motivated in my mind.
We'll have fights in the rain, girl
We may experience disagreements or arguments during challenging situations.
You'll be good and bad together
There may be aspects of your personality or behavior that are both positive and negative.
Writing songs and call that the weather
We can express our emotions or experiences through music, likening it to the ever-changing climate.
If you've got something to sing me
If there is something on your mind or you need to communicate something to me through music...
4 o'clock's the best time to ring me
...please contact me at 4:00pm as it is the optimal time for me to receive it.
You're the strangest scene I see
In my perception, you are unique or unusual compared to anything else I encounter.
You're the sweetest thing I've seen
Of all the pleasant or attractive things I have witnessed, you are the most delightful to me.
In my life...
This concludes the expression of my admiration or affection towards you.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN CAWLEY AYERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind