Playing With Fire (1989) expanded on the psychedelic and drone themes of the earlier albums; its second single, "Revolution" reached #1 on the UK indie charts. But soon after, a combination of personnel changes, drug problems and intra-band tension (especially between Kember and Pierce) began to break the band apart. Recurring, released in 1991, was their last proper album, though its recording reflected the split between Pierce and Kember as each recorded their own side of the album in different studios, with a cover of Mudhoney's 'When Tomorrow Hits' to separate them (Mudhoney would later return the favour with a cover of Spacemen 3's 'Revolution'). It was their most popular record, but by its release Kember and Pierce had already formed new bands, Spectrum,were self described "noise experimentation" and Spiritualized, respectively. The final conflict that contributed to the split was Pierce's decision to release a cover of The Troggs' 'Any Way That You Want Me', as the first Spiritualized single, which Kember had been wanting to cover for years.
From the outset Spacemen 3 had a very defined set of aesthetic principles. They based almost their entire sound on their own concept of minimalism—droning guitars, feedback, as few chords as possible, pounding drums—with their motto “Taking drugs to make music to take drugs to”. Their minimalism bled into their stage show as well. Sitting down to play their guitars and covered in the spinning colours of a cheap psychedelic light show, their stage “act” was very anti-performance. Another striking aspect of Spacemen 3 was their willingness to cover and share their influences. Song titles, lyrics and interviews were peppered with references to bands and artists they believed shared their “minimal is maximal” aesthetic. The Velvet Underground, the Rolling Stones, The Stooges, MC5, early Captain Beefheart, out-there jazz legend Sun Ra, Silver Apples, garage punk of the 1960s such as the 13th Floor Elevators, Red Krayola, and the Electric Prunes; the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean and other surf bands; ’80s rockabilly groups The Cramps, the Gun Club, Tav Falco; blues and gospel acts like Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, the Staple Singers and John Lee Hooker; and the production techniques of Joe Meek, Brian Wilson and Delia Derbyshire were just some of the names mentioned by the band.
Since the break-up there have been a stream of semi-legitimate albums, early demos and live recordings, many of which have been issued by the Kember-affiliated Space Age Recordings. Highlights include Dreamweapon: An Evening of Contemporary Sitar Music, a 45 minute drone piece performed in front of a live audience, Forged Prescriptions, a collection of Perfect Prescription demos and alternate versions (Kember claims in the liner notes that the alternate versions reproduce the layers of guitars they recorded but later removed because they felt they'd never be able to reproduce them live), and the band's singles compilation, which is perhaps the best introduction to the breadth of their work.
In 1998, a tribute album was released on Rocket Girl, which included tracks by Mogwai and Low. Kember’s Spectrum has toured under the banner “Songs the Spacemen Taught Us”, while Pierce routinely includes their songs in his Spiritualized set. In 2004, US journalist Erik Morse published his account of the band’s life and work, Dreamweapon: Spacemen 3 and the Birth of Spiritualized.
Members of the band went on to form Spiritualized, the Darkside and Spectrum (AKA Sonic Boom). Spiritualized carry on, to critical acclaim, though they have largely discarded the dark psychedelic edge. Sonic has also been on the road, playing gigs in London and occasional tours in the US as E.A.R. (Experimental Audio Research), which features synthesizers heavily. The Darkside split, while Rosco (AKA Sterling Roswell) went on to form the Sterling Roswell Blues Band and now is currently in The Gimps.
Losing Touch With My Mind
Spacemen 3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm falling, falling way behind.
I'm walking, down a one way street.
I'm trying, trying to find my feet.
I need it babe, it makes me feel alright.
I need it babe, it makes me feel alright, alright, alright.
I'm leaving, but I'm going no place.
I'm thinking, but my mind's in space.
I'm aiming, but I don't take the blame.
I need it babe, it makes me feel alright.
I need it babe, it makes me feel alright, alright, alright.
I'm shooting, shooting off my gun.
It's too bad now babe, but it's a lot of fun.
I'm living, like you'd like to live.
But I'm wanting you baby, what you have to give.
I need it babe, it makes me feel alright.
I need it babe, it makes me feel alright, alright, alright.
I feel alright (repeat x 7)
The lyrics to "Losing Touch With My Mind" speak to the emotions of someone who is struggling to keep their head on straight. The opening lines, "I'm losing, losing touch with my mind, I'm falling, falling way behind," clearly express the sense of confusion and disorientation that the singer is experiencing. They feel like they're on a one-way street, unable to find their footing or direction. However, the chorus reveals that there is something that provides comfort amidst this chaos: "I need it babe, it makes me feel alright."
Although the specific "it" is never named, it's clear from the context that it is some kind of substance that the singer is using to cope. The repetition of "it makes me feel alright, alright, alright" underscores how important this substance is to them - it provides a sense of relief and safety in an otherwise overwhelming world. However, this is not a happy song - the singer is still struggling, still hoping to "find their head" and "take aim" at their problems. The final repetition of "I feel alright" feels almost desperate, as if they're trying to convince themselves that everything is okay even though they know it's not.
Overall, "Losing Touch With My Mind" is a powerful portrayal of addiction and its impact on the psyche. The lyrics are simple but highly effective, conveying a sense of desperation and longing that is all too familiar to those who have struggled with substance abuse.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm losing, losing touch with my mind.
My mental state is deteriorating, and I am struggling to maintain my grip on reality.
I'm falling, falling way behind.
I am unable to keep up with the demands of life and feel like I am constantly lagging behind.
I'm walking, down a one way street.
I feel as though I am on a path from which there is no turning back, and my options for moving forward are limited.
I'm trying, trying to find my feet.
I am struggling to find my footing in life and feel like I am constantly stumbling.
I need it babe, it makes me feel alright.
Despite my struggles, there is something that gives me comfort and helps me cope with the challenges I am facing.
I'm leaving, but I'm going no place.
I am trying to move on from something, but it feels like my efforts are futile and I am not making any progress.
I'm thinking, but my mind's in space.
I am lost in thought and struggling to focus on the present moment.
I'm hoping, hoping to find my head.
I am searching for clarity and a sense of direction in my life.
I'm aiming, but I don't take the blame.
I am trying to take control of my life, but I struggle to take responsibility for my mistakes.
I'm shooting, shooting off my gun.
I am acting recklessly and without regard for the consequences of my actions.
It's too bad now babe, but it's a lot of fun.
I know that my actions may have negative consequences, but in the moment, they provide a sense of excitement and fulfillment.
I'm living, like you'd like to live.
I am living life on my own terms and pursuing the things that bring me joy and satisfaction, even if they are unconventional or frowned upon by others.
But I'm wanting you baby, what you have to give.
Despite my independence and self-assuredness, I still long for connection and acceptance from others.
I feel alright (repeat x 7)
Despite my struggles and imperfections, there are moments when I feel content and at peace with myself and the world around me.
Contributed by Adeline N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
FrancoAC
I’m 49 years old and this still sounds as good as the day it was released. That vinyl lp could tell a few stories!
VomeinsamenMädchen Sophie
I'm 45 tomorrow and I completely agree with you, listening this moment on repeat like the first time it came out....
Bilge Dasto Group Corporation. S.A. GmbH Ltd.
im 58 and cant agree more
miasmatic
it is a gehimtip ^^
Nikolai
I'm 34 and listened it fist time when I was 20. Just awesome release
Okay
Took acid to this for soooo long, this song is so psychedelic and powerful. I trip for free every time I listen to it now.
Stuart Coleman
awesome - loved this band so much
helium 30
Loved sound of confusion,perfect prescription and playing with fire,would have been 15 when i got into them round 90,teenage fanclub as well,loop,butthole surfers,sonic youth .Love spiritualised,great musical progression.
Daniel Nicholls
Loop were so shit though...I mean Collision Time is a decent song but apart from that a bit wank.
oscillated
@Daniel Nicholls Loop were a great live band