From the sleeve notes for the latest release End Titles...Stories For Film released in July 2008, the current line-up is stated as James Lavelle and Pablo Clements, also a member of the Psychonauts.
The original line-up was James Lavelle, Tim Goldsworthy (now a member of DFA) and Kudo (Major Force West, Skylab). This incarnation released several EPs and singles, usually involving collaborations with other Mo'Wax affiliated artists.
In 1998, after the departure of Goldsworthy and Kudo, Lavelle enlisted US producer DJ Shadow to help complete UNKLE's debut album, "Psyence Fiction". On this album they collaborated with a variety of guest artists including Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Mike D (Beastie Boys), Badly Drawn Boy and Richard Ashcroft (The Verve). The album contained songs which merged indie-rock with hip hop.
In 2003 UNKLE released "Never, Never, Land". At this time UNKLE consisted of Lavelle and new collaborator Richard File, and the album also featured Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), Mani (The Stone Roses, Primal Scream) and others.
A third album entitled "War Stories" was released in July 2007. It features collaborations with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Ian Astbury (The Cult), Autolux, Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), The Duke Spirit, and Gavin Clark, and is far more strongly rock-influenced than previous releases. The album was preceded by an EP, Nights Temper, of which a limited pressing was released in May 2007.
Lavelle has also released several mix albums and remixes under his own name and under the name UNKLEsounds (together with Richard File).
UNKLE is known for remixing music from artists such as Explosions in the Sky, Massive Attack, and Oasis.
Sick Lullaby
UNKLE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Round my throat
Round my throat
I feel the call
In your throat
To love me
Please don't go
I feel it bound
Round my throat
Round my throat
(You, I feel)
(You in my heart)
(You in my)
(You in my)
Won't you stay in my arms?
I won't let you leave me
Even if you leave my mind's off
I will hold you like a
Knowing end of season
When I feel you lady
We're all alive
Heart is to optation
I will let you kill me
If you read this to me
I'll be clean oblation
Burn the bridges baby
Hopeless in incision
Harness dreaming honey
Make the first incision
I'll be your
Sick lullaby
If you read this to me
I'll be clean oblation
Burn the bridges baby
Hopeless in incision
Harness dreaming honey
Make the first incision
I'll be your
Sick lullaby
I feel the call
In your throat
To love me
Please don't go
The lyrics to UNKLE's "Sick Lullaby" are haunting and raw, depicting a deep sense of attachment and dependence that almost crosses boundaries of obsession. The repetition of "I feel it bound round my throat" creates a constricting feeling, suggesting that the singer is literally choking on their feelings. As the song continues, the call to be loved and the plea not to leave become more urgent and desperate, further emphasizing the singer's need for the other person.
The second half of the song takes on a more self-sacrificial tone. The singer claims they won't let the other person leave, even if they are no longer in their mind, and compares their attachment to the end of a season. The lines "I will let you kill me" and "I'll be your sick lullaby" suggest a willingness to be destroyed for the sake of the other person, although it's not clear whether this is meant literally or metaphorically. The song ends with a final plea not to go, underscoring the singer's fear of being alone.
Overall, "Sick Lullaby" is a deeply emotional and intense song that explores themes of attachment, obsession, and self-sacrifice. The lyrics suggest a desire for connection and intimacy so strong that it becomes suffocating, but also a willingness to give everything for that connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel it bound
I feel trapped
Round my throat
Overwhelming feeling that makes it hard to breathe
Round my throat
Overwhelming feeling that makes it hard to breathe
I feel the call
I feel a strong urge
In your throat
Coming from you
To love me
To have affection for me
Please don't go
I don't want you to leave
(You, I feel)
I experience emotions for you
(You in my heart)
You occupy a special place in my feelings
(You in my)
You're an important part of me
(You in my)
You're an important part of me
Won't you stay in my arms?
I want you to stay close to me
I won't let you leave me
I'll do everything to keep you with me
Even if you leave my mind's off
Even if I'm not thinking logically
I will hold you like a
I'll keep you close as if
Knowing end of season
The end is near
When I feel you lady
When I'm with you
We're all alive
Life feels vibrant
Heart is to optation
My heart is yearning
I will let you kill me
I'll do anything for you
If you read this to me
If you tell me this
I'll be clean oblation
I'll be a pure offering
Burn the bridges baby
Close off all other options
Hopeless in incision
Without hope and feeling cut
Harness dreaming honey
Hold onto your hopes and dreams
Make the first incision
Take the first step towards achieving your dreams
I'll be your
I'll be there for you
Sick lullaby
A dark and twisted comfort
If you read this to me
If you tell me this
I'll be clean oblation
I'll be a pure offering
Burn the bridges baby
Close off all other options
Hopeless in incision
Without hope and feeling cut
Harness dreaming honey
Hold onto your hopes and dreams
Make the first incision
Take the first step towards achieving your dreams
I'll be your
I'll be there for you
Sick lullaby
A dark and twisted comfort
I feel the call
I feel a strong urge
In your throat
Coming from you
To love me
To have affection for me
Please don't go
I don't want you to leave
Writer(s): James Gabriel Leo Lavelle, Matthew Puffet, Jack Leonard, Philip Sheppard, Keaton Henson
Contributed by Elizabeth L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@disturbiakiss8057
Keaton Henson has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. This one punched me right in the feels and I adore it.
@jiyon167
Music to make universes. Simply gorgeous.
@Sagnik_Dey
Here from Rain Season 3 🖤
@IGLkyubi
Same
@Zengetsu..
Underrated Song
PERIOD...
@andrewcraig4583
Slice of musical heaven
@padmeskywalker6048
here bc I need to listen some keaton’s awesome voice🥺💜
@IGLkyubi
Here because The rain ☔️ 🌧 Netflix
@w4rpho3nix
Just a beautiful piece of music..........truely
@matalata
Channeling Terrence Malick's Tree of Life... Love it!