Prior to his success as Aqualung, Hales was known as the lead singer of mid-1990s, London-based Britpop band Ruth. Ruth had a string of moderately successful hit singles, including "I Don't Know," "Valentine's Day," and "Fear of Flying," and one album, "Harrison," before changing their name in 2001 to The 45's. As The 45s, the band released two more singles and one posthumous album to little attention before splitting so Hales could focus on his new endeavor as Aqualung. Almost immediately after the band's split, "Strange and Beautiful" began climbing the British charts and gaining massive amounts of attention--a dramatic turnabout from the previous year. In 2005, Aqualung would even achieve elusive success in the United States, where they are best known for the song "Brighter Than Sunshine", which had considerable airplay and was used in the film A Lot Like Love and various television spots. He's also known to some for his song, "Easier to Lie", which was featured on the hit television show, Scrubs. His music also went on to feature in another hit television show the OC. His song, "Strange and Beautiful" was also featured on the hit show CSI. Later, the song "Something To Believe In" was also featured at the ending of an episode of CSI: Miami. It was also featured in the movie "Wicker Park". "The Lake" was also featured on the wildly popular television show Grey's Anatomy. Aqualung has also had songs featured on One Tree Hill in various seasons. In 2009, his song "Easier to Lie" was again featured on a television show, this time Lie To Me.
It has been written that Hales took the name "Aqualung" from a Jethro Tull album of the same name. However, he himself says he was not aware of this album, and that it was descriptive of the underwater feeling he felt listening to his debut album.
His debut single, "Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a spell on You)", was released in the UK on the B-Unique label on September 16, 2002, and reached number 7 in the UK Top 40 and was used in the film Wicker Park.
The song "Something To Believe In" from the album "Memory Man" was used during the ending of the former ABC show Eli Stone premiered on Jan 31, 2008.
The song "Good Times Gonna Come" has recently been used on the show Skins on the British channel E4.
On April 20th, 2010 Aqualung released his 6th studio album Magnetic North (2010). The first single released is a song called "Fingertip".
Extra Ordinary Thing
Aqualung Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I sit here spitting and churning, oh, its clear its happening right now to me
Make it special for a loved for a stranger peace is hard to hard to come by
Extra ordinary thing
Why not believe in something something's got to be better than nothing
Just because its the end of the beginning doesn't mean its the beginning of the
End
Failing fractured broken busted all for nothing sing my heart out for a stranger
Extra ordinary thing song my heart out for a stranger extra ordinary thing
The opening line "Cheer up it might never happen" is a common phrase used to console someone and suggest that their worries might be unfounded. However, in this song, the lyrics suggest that the opposite is true: "it might never happen" is followed by "oh, it might never happen we'll see," suggesting that the worst-case scenario is a distinct possibility. As the singer reflects on their current state, they acknowledge that they are "spitting and churning" - in other words, they are struggling with something deep and uncomfortable.
Despite this, the chorus urges listeners to find meaning in their lives by making things "extraordinary" for themselves and for others, whether they are loved ones or strangers. The choice to "believe in something" is presented as a powerful alternative to a sense of meaninglessness and despair. The lyrics remind us that even when things seem to be falling apart or heading towards an end, it doesn't have to be the end of the story. The idea of singing their heart out for a stranger suggests that reaching out to others can be a powerful way to connect and find purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Cheer up it might never happen, oh, it might never happen we we'll see
Don't worry and stay optimistic, there is a chance that the bad things we fear may not happen, but it's hard to believe when faced with current difficulties.
As I sit here spitting and churning, oh, its clear its happening right now to me
The singer is going through a tough time and is feeling very emotional and overwhelmed by their current situation.
Make it special for a loved for a stranger peace is hard to hard to come by
It's important to cherish and appreciate the people in our lives, whether they are friends, family or strangers. Finding peace and happiness can be difficult in life.
Extra ordinary thing
Life itself is an extraordinary thing, with all its ups and downs, and we should appreciate it.
Why not believe in something something's got to be better than nothing
We should have faith and trust that good things can happen, as it's better than feeling like there's no hope or positivity to be found.
Just because its the end of the beginning doesn't mean its the beginning of the End
Even when things feel like they are coming to an end or a change is happening, it doesn't mean it's the end of everything. Life is cyclical and things have a way of working out.
Failing fractured broken busted all for nothing sing my heart out for a stranger
Despite feeling defeated and broken, the singer is expressing their emotions through music and reaching out to connect with others who may be in a similar situation.
Extra ordinary thing song my heart out for a stranger extra ordinary thing
Again, the singer is emphasizing that the act of singing and connecting with others through music is an extraordinary thing, even if it's for a stranger.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW NICHOLAS HALES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind