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".
Pressure Suit
Aqualung Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Two spinning spheres in a bed of stars
Silence is super, staring into space
I wonder where you are
You're all that I've ever needed
I know that you won't feel it
It's alright, it's alright
I'll be your respirator, I'll be your pressure suit
It's alright, it's alright
Violently clear the upper atmosphere
Raging out your hearts
Somewhere far beneath your pointed tongue
And teeth is where you really are
Don't want to be forgiven
But drag you down from where you are
Drift out in the darkness, lost out on horizon
It's alright, it's alright
I'll be your respirator, I'll be your parachute
It's alright, it's alright, ooh, ooh
I'll be your respirator, I'll be your pressure suit
It's alright, it's alright
I will not let you go, oh
Two spinning spheres, they spin together, I'm gon' spin alone
I don't know how I can do this, I don't know how to get through
It's alright, it's alright
I can't stop loving you, I can't stop loving you
I can't stop loving you, I can't stop loving you
I can't stop loving you, I can't stop loving you
I can't stop loving you, I can't stop loving you
I can't stop loving you, I can't stop loving you
It's alright, it's alright
I'll be your respirator, I'll be your pressure suit
It's alright, it's alright
I'll be your four leaf clover, I'll be your pressure suit
I'll be your angel wings, I'll be your parachute
I'll be your running reason, I'll be your only reason, oh
I can't stop loving you, I can't stop loving you
I can't stop loving you, I can't stop loving you
It's alright, it's alright
I'll be your respirator, I'll be your pressure suit
The lyrics of Aqualung's song "Pressure Suit" are very poetic and hard to interpret. The song may seem like it's about space, but closer analysis suggests it's about a relationship between two people who are not physically together. The lyrics are metaphors for the feeling of being separated and the need to still be there for someone even when you cannot be with them physically.
The two spinning spheres in a bed of stars represent two souls, away from each other but still connected. The singer wonders where the other person is and expresses how they are all they've ever needed. The line "Silence is super, staring into space" indicates that the separation between them is creating distance but they are still holding onto the hope that they will meet soon. The line "Drift out into darkness, lost out on horizon" reinforces this message. the singer is lost without the other person and is willing to be there for them when they need it.
The singer acknowledges that their mutual love is strong and they cannot stop loving the other person even though they are separated. In the chorus, the singer promises to be the other person's "respirator" and "pressure suit," indicating that they will be there for them when they need it the most.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, two spinning spheres
The singer describes two objects rotating in space.
Two spinning spheres in a bed of stars
The two rotating objects are surrounded by stars in space.
Silence is super, staring into space
The quietness of space is emphasized, and the singer is picturing looking out into the abyss.
I wonder where you are
The artist is thinking about someone they care for and where they could be in relation to the vastness of space.
You're all that I've ever needed
The person being thought of is the most important thing in the artist's life.
I know that you won't feel it
The singer doubts that the person they care for will ever know the extent of their love.
Drift out into darkness, lost out on horizon
The singer imagines floating away into the darkness of space, seeing nothing but stars on the horizon.
It's alright, it's alright
The artist reassures themselves that everything is going to be okay.
I'll be your respirator, I'll be your pressure suit
The artist promises to protect the person they care for and be there for them in difficult times.
Violently clear the upper atmosphere
The artist describes the force of exiting the Earth's atmosphere.
Raging out your hearts
The passion of the person being referred to in the song is emphasized.
Somewhere far beneath your pointed tongue
The person being thought of has secrets or emotions hidden beneath their surface.
And teeth is where you really are
The truth of who the person being thought of is resides within them, beyond their physical appearance.
Don't want to be forgiven
The singer doesn't regret their feelings or thoughts, and doesn't want to be absolved of them.
But drag you down from where you are
The singer feels like they can bring the person they care for down to their level, or pull them away from where they currently are in their life.
I'll be your respirator, I'll be your parachute
The artist again pledges to protect the person they care for, even in dangerous or life-threatening situations.
I don't know how I can do this, I don't know how to get through
The artist is uncertain of how to cope without the person they care for.
I'll be your four leaf clover, I'll be your pressure suit
The singer reaffirms their promise to be a source of good luck or fortune for the person they care for.
I'll be your angel wings, I'll be your parachute
The singer uses metaphorical language to express their commitment to being there for the person they care for, even in dire circumstances.
I'll be your running reason, I'll be your only reason, oh
The artist again uses poetic language to express their love and dedication to the person they care for.
I can't stop loving you, I can't stop loving you
The artist admits that their feelings are strong and unwavering.
It's alright, it's alright
The artist repeats their reassurance that things will be okay.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BEN HALES, KIM OLIVER, MATTHEW HALES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind