Side by Side

The life's work of two of British music's most unique and timeless artists, with an introduction by Jarvis Cocker.



Whenever an aspiring musician asks me about songwriting I point them towards Robert and Alfie. Their work is so unusual, so perceptive, so playful and so grown-up. I don't think there's anyone to compare. If you want songs that touch your mind as well as your heart, these are the best. Wide distribution of this book could improve the state of music dramatically. - Brian Eno



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Selected and arranged by the authors themselves, and featuring an introduction by Jarvis Cocker, Side by Side presents the lyrics, poems, writings and drawings of innovative musician Robert Wyatt and his creative partner, English painter and songwriter Alfie Benge.

As a founding member of influential English rock bands Soft Machine and Matching Mole, and with a solo career which has lasted for over forty years and seen him collaborate with a diverse range of artists including Bjork, Brian Eno, Carla Bley, Paul Weller and David Gilmour, his own music remains unclassifiably personal.

Alfie Benge is a visual artist, songwriter and pioneering music manager, having managed Robert's career for fifty years. She is also married to Robert. Since 1982 they have collaborated on many of Robert's most well-known songs.

This unique volume celebrates one of the most enduring creative partnerships of the last half-century.



Born in 1945 in Bristol, Robert Wyatt was a founding member of the bands Soft Machine and Matching Mole, before embarking on a solo career that has spanned five decades. He has released nine studio albums including Rock Bottom, Shleep and Comicopera.

Alfie Benge was born in Klagenfurt, Austria in 1940. She came to England in 1947

with her Polish mother to marry a British soldier she'd met when they were in a displaced person's camp. She is an artist, lyricist and Robert's manager. She has designed all Robert's album covers since 1974.