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".
Outside
Aqualung Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She wants to take but she's taking all she can
They've got it all figured out
He wants to listen but there's so much more to say
She wants to shout it out loud but she doesn't
She doesn't open her mouth
Had enough of crying
Had enough of wondering
What became of all the dreams he had
Oh, there out there somewhere
Baby, don't you say there on the inside
Together we can make it on the outside
You and me on the outside
Can you remember the way it used to feel
Run as fast and as far as we wanted to go
Then the walls closed in
And I was one step forward and two steps back
Two steps forward and three steps back
Oh, it?s all too much, so take my hand we?ll jump together
Baby, I won't leave you on the inside
Together we can make it on the outside
You and me on the outside
You and me on the outside, on the outside
Shine your light on me and I?ll shine my light on you
Shine my light on you if you shine your light on me
Shine your light on me and I?ll shine my light on you
On the outside, on the outside, on the outside
Oh, baby, I won't leave you on the inside
Together we can make it on the outside
You and me on the outside
You and me on the out, yeah, you and me on the outside
The lyrics of Aqualung's song "Outside" depict a relationship where both individuals have their own issues that make it difficult for them to connect with each other. The first verse highlights that the man wants to give himself to the relationship, but is hesitant because of the consequences of doing so. On the other hand, the woman wants to take everything she can from the relationship, but is unable to communicate effectively with her partner. The second verse talks about the challenges they have overcome individually. The woman is tired of pretending to be happy, while the man is struggling to live up to his dreams. However, there is still hope that they can find their way back to each other and to their dreams.
The chorus "Baby, I won't leave you on the inside, Together we can make it on the outside, You and me on the outside" suggests that they need to work together to overcome their personal issues and focus on their relationship. The bridge "Shine your light on me and I'll shine my light on you" emphasizes the need for mutual support and encouragement.
Overall, "Outside" is a song about the challenges of relationships, personal growth, and the importance of communication and mutual support.
Line by Line Meaning
He wants to give but he'll give himself away
He desires to be generous, but in doing so, he will sacrifice himself.
She wants to take but she's taking all she can
She has an insatiable desire to take, and is taking as much as she can.
They've got it all figured out
They believe they have everything under control and planned out.
He wants to listen but there's so much more to say
He wants to hear more, but there's still a lot more to express.
She wants to shout it out loud but she doesn't
She wants to express herself loudly, but refrains from doing so.
She doesn't open her mouth
She chooses to stay silent and not speak up.
Had enough of crying
She doesn't want to cry anymore.
When she's happy and smiling when she said
She pretends to be happy and cheerful even when she's not.
Had enough of wondering
He no longer wants to wonder what happened to his dreams.
What became of all the dreams he had
He's questioning his lost or unfulfilled dreams.
Oh, there out there somewhere
His dreams are still out there, unattained but possible.
Baby, don't you say there on the inside
He's encouraging her not to be stuck or trapped inside her own thoughts and emotions.
Together we can make it on the outside
They can succeed and thrive by facing their challenges and obstacles outside.
You and me on the outside
Just the two of them can overcome anything by sticking together and facing the world.
Can you remember the way it used to feel
He's asking if she remembers the sensation of freedom and excitement they both shared.
Run as fast and as far as we wanted to go
They could go anywhere or accomplish anything they wished without limits.
Then the walls closed in
Suddenly, circumstances beyond their control have hemmed them in, and their sense of freedom and possibility is gone.
And I was one step forward and two steps back
He feels like he's making progress, but then he stumbles and falls backward.
Two steps forward and three steps back
His progress is slower than his setbacks, and he's losing motivation.
Oh, it?s all too much, so take my hand we'll jump together
He recognizes that the obstacles before them are overwhelming, but steels himself to face them together.
Baby, I won't leave you on the inside
He's promising to stay by her side, and not allow her to be trapped internally anymore.
Shine your light on me and I'll shine my light on you
He's asking for mutual support, where when one is down, the other helps lift them up.
On the outside, on the outside, on the outside
Only by facing the outside world together can they truly succeed.
You and me on the out, yeah, you and me on the outside
Just the two of them together, facing and overcoming the world before them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: KIM OLIVER, MATTHEW HALES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind