The posthumous live album, Kings of Canterbury, among others of its ilk, revives the definite article.
Save Yourself
The Soft Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's my, my bed you're dying on
But if it's my head you're relying on
You gotta save yourself
Don't enslave yourself
Just to save yourself
Stay in your own bed at night
Because, girl, you know that if
I try to feed you and keep you all week to make you feel secure
Then you won't leave my bed, though you want to stay fed
Will your heart remain, girl?
You know you can't make it
Without tryin' to fake it
And I believe, baby
You gotta save yourself
Don't enslave yourself
Just to save yourself
Stay in your own bed at night
The Soft Machine's song Save Yourself is an introspective and melancholic piece exploring the power dynamics of relationships. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in a position of power as the owner of the bed, and the other person is dying on it. However, the singer acknowledges that relying solely on them would be a mistake, and that the other person needs to save themselves. The repeated line "Save yourself, don't enslave yourself, just to save yourself" is a reminder that relationships should be based on equal footing, and no one should give up their autonomy to please the other person.
The second verse expands on the theme of power dynamics, as the singer questions whether feeding the other person all week to keep them secure will make them stay in their bed. The line "will your heart remain, girl?" suggests that the singer believes that the other person's love is not genuine, and that they are merely staying out of convenience. The song ends with the singer emphasizing that the other person needs to stay in their own bed at night to retain their independence.
Overall, The Soft Machine's Save Yourself is a poignant reflection on the complexities of relationships and how important it is to maintain a sense of self. The power dynamics explored in the song are timeless and relatable, and the haunting melody only adds to the melancholic mood.
Line by Line Meaning
It's my, my bed you're lying on
The singer asserts that the bed the addressee is resting on belongs to him.
It's my, my bed you're dying on
The singer emphasizes his ownership of the bed, this time adding the connotation that the bed becomes the addressee's deathbed as well.
But if it's my head you're relying on
The singer acknowledges the importance of his role to the addressee, stating the condition that the addressee's reliance should only extend to him as a person, not including his material possessions.
You gotta save yourself
The artist gives imperative advice to the addressee to prioritize her own welfare.
Don't enslave yourself
The artist warns the addressee against the tendency to let herself be trapped by her own choices or by other people, leading to the loss of freedom and self-determination.
Just to save yourself
The singer suggests that the addressee should not attempt to safeguard her existence at the expense of sacrificing her independence.
Stay in your own bed at night
The singer advises the addressee to stay true to herself and loyal to her respective domain or position.
Because, girl, you know that if
The artist appeals to the addressee's knowledge and understanding of the situation and its potential consequences.
I try to feed you and keep you all week to make you feel secure
The artist presents a hypothetical situation in which he provides the addressee with sustenance and protection for a certain period of time to alleviate her fears and insecurities.
Then you won't leave my bed, though you want to stay fed
The artist predicts that the addressee may choose to remain in the situation with him, not because of affection, but because of the material benefits which she collects from him.
Will your heart remain, girl?
The singer queries whether the addressee's genuine emotions and sentiments would still persist even in a transactional relationship such as the one being described.
You know you can't make it
The artist argues that the addressee cannot truly thrive or succeed if she clings to such false security provided by him.
Without tryin' to fake it
The singer implies that the addressee is engaging in deceit or pretense to some extent in the situation.
And I believe, baby
The singer affirms his firm conviction about the addressee's need to prioritize her own freedom and wellbeing.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT WYATT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind