Alifib
Side two of Rock Bottom opens with a love song that plays with language, followed by its sequel Alifie.
Robert Wyatt, from Rock Bottom (1974)
- Written by
- Robert Wyatt
- Released
- 1974
- Album
- Rock Bottom
Alifib opens the second side of Rock Bottom and runs 6:55. Pitchfork's Douglas Wolk described it as an aphasic love song to Alfreda Benge, and said Alifie, the next track, brings her in to offer an affectionate rebuke. Benge is credited with voice on that second song. The second title appears as Alifie on the original record labels and as Alife on the sleeve because of a misprint.
Trouser Press lists it with Sea Song among the album's charmingly pastoral nursery rhymes, and says the Peel Sessions recorded in September 1974 include it. Writing about Shleep in 2010, Wolk said The Duchess erases language the way Wyatt's earlier Alifib confounds it.
More songs by Robert Wyatt
Sea Song, I'm a Believer, Shipbuilding, Free Will and Testament
Sources
- Robert Wyatt: Rock Bottom / Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard / Nothing Can Stop Us / Old Rottenhat / Dondestan (Revisited), Pitchfork (2010)
- Robert Wyatt: Shleep / EPs / Cuckooland / Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Pitchfork (2010-11-30)
- Rock Bottom (album), Wikipedia
- Robert Wyatt, Trouser Press