(1) The Softies were Rose Melberg a… Read Full Bio ↴The Softies refers to two bands:
(1) The Softies were Rose Melberg and Jen Sbragia, who both sang and played guitar. They recorded somewhat-wistful love songs mostly consisting of nothing but their two voices and gently intertwining electric guitars. Rose Melberg was in twee bands Tiger Trap, Gaze and Go Sailor; Jen Sbragia was in Pretty Face and is also in All Girl Summer Fun Band. The Softies disbanded, and since then Rose Melberg has pursued her solo work, while Jen Sbragia continues with All Girl Summer Fun Band.
(2) The Softies was a Dutch punk band that released two singles in 1977/78, one of them, Suicide Pilot, featured on Killed By Death #1234 compilation. They also released a full-length LP entitled Nice And Nasty. They performed with Captain Sensible (after he left The Damned) on one 7", covering the gay punk anthem Jet Boy, Jet Girl.
Fragile Don't Crush
The Softies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't mean for your eyes to get starry
trying to say it got stuck in my throat
but I meant every word that I wrote
next time I see you I'm sure you'll be better
easily past the effects of my letter
it looks not so sad written down
it's fragile
fragile like you
like you
breaking your heart was not what I hoped for
I've said too much and can't possibly say more
maybe that's not being fair
so it's lucky I'm here and you're there
put it inside your cigar box forever
and maybe someday you'll forgive me for never
doing what you wanted most
but you can't send true love through the post
it's fragile
fragile like you
like you
The Softies’ ‘Fragile Don't Crush’ is a song about an apology for breaking someone's heart. The theme of fragility and sensitivity is present throughout the song. The opening line, "last time I wrote you I meant to say sorry," suggests that the singer has attempted to apologise before but was unsuccessful. The lyrics "trying to say it got stuck in my throat, but I meant every word that I wrote," highlights the vulnerability and difficulty of communicating difficult emotions.
The second verse speaks about the possibility of the singer seeing the person they have hurt again in the future. While they hope that the person is doing better, they recognise that the effects of their actions may still be lingering. The line "breaking your heart was not what I hoped for" reveals the singer's intention of wanting to cause the person they love pain, and their regret for doing so.
The final verse suggests a sense of finality, with the singer recognising that the person they love may never forgive them. The line "put it inside your cigar box forever, and maybe someday you'll forgive me for never doing what you wanted most," emphasises the finality of the situation. The song's conclusion, "you can't send true love through the post," resonates with the idea that true love is fragile and difficult to convey.
Line by Line Meaning
last time I wrote you I meant to say sorry
The singer regrets their past actions and wants to express remorse
I didn't mean for your eyes to get starry
The singer didn't intend to give the impression of emotional manipulation
trying to say it got stuck in my throat
The singer found it difficult to express their feelings in person, leading to the letter's creation
but I meant every word that I wrote
Despite the challenges of communicating, the artist's message is authentic
next time I see you I'm sure you'll be better
The artist believes time will heal any emotional wounds caused by their actions
easily past the effects of my letter
The singer hopes the recipient is no longer negatively affected by the letter
it looks not so sad written down
The singer believes that the letter's impact is lessened through its written form
and it lessens with each passing town
The artist thinks distance from the recipient will lessen the letter's emotional impact
it's fragile
The relationship between the artist and the recipient is delicate
fragile like you
The recipient is also emotionally vulnerable
breaking your heart was not what I hoped for
The singer recognizes the negative impact they had on the recipient and didn't intend to cause harm
I've said too much and can't possibly say more
The artist feels guilty and that they've spoken their piece
maybe that's not being fair
The singer acknowledges that they may not be treating the recipient in a just manner
so it's lucky I'm here and you're there
The singer is grateful to be physically distant from the recipient and avoid confrontation
put it inside your cigar box forever
The singer advises the recipient to keep the letter as a memento of their relationship
and maybe someday you'll forgive me for never
The artist hopes the recipient will eventually forgive them for not completely fulfilling their desires
doing what you wanted most
The recipient's main desire was not met by the artist
but you can't send true love through the post
The singer acknowledges that physical distance hinders the expression of love
it's fragile
The delicate nature of the relationship is reiterated
fragile like you
The recipient's emotional vulnerability is restated
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JENNIFER SBRAGIA, ROSE MELBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind