The first Spiritualized release was a space rock-esque cover of Any Way That You Want Me in 1990, a record which heralded the official split of Spacemen 3 following contractual wrangles over the band's name. Of the final Spacemen 3 line up, bassist Will Carruthers, drummer Jonny Mattock and session guitarist Mark Refoy joined Pierce in the first phase of Spiritualized (for the debut LP, Lazer Guided Melodies), alongside his then girlfriend Kate Radley. None of the original line up remains - Carruthers tried for a solo career, Mattock played for a spell in The Breeders (and later Lupine Howl), Refoy formed Slipstream(his replacement was John Coxon) and Radley married Richard Ashcroft of The Verve. A later cohort of Spiritualized backing musicians - Sean Cook, Damon Reece and Michael Mooney - formed Lupine Howl following summary dismissal by Pierce.
Sax player Ray 'Moonshake' Dickaty was added to the lineup in 1997, and Gregg Hale (guitar) also augmented the band in 1997 and 1998.
Retaining only keyboardist Thighpaulsandra (keyboards)a replacement for Kate Radley, Jason Pierce then debuted a new (and current) line up of Spiritualized, introducing classical percussionist Tom Edwards and former Julian Cope string arranger Martin Schellard on bass guitar. Completing the new Spiritualized line-up were guitarist Doggen of Brain Donor and the Julian Cope band, and drummer Kevin 'Kevlar' Bales who is also ex-Julian Cope band. Ray Dickaty departed in 2003, quitting to play in the free-jazz Solar Fire Trio. The remaining line-up finished recording the album Songs In A&E in Nottingham and London.
The musical style of Spiritualized can perhaps be best described as psychedelic rock, especially earlier albums like Lazer Guided Melodies and Pure Phase, which also incorporated elements of the shoegazing style made popular by influential 1991 album Loveless. The landmark Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space showed influences from African-American gospel and blues beginning to creep in, and wall of sound influences from Phil Spector and Brian Wilson began to predominate, which came to a head on Let It Come Down. Amazing Grace favoured a more stripped down sound with the gospel, blues, and soul influences heavier than ever.
For several years (ending in or about 1999), Spiritualized were the only active artist signed to Dedicated Records, a British independent label which had, by then, been acquired by Spiritualized's then-label, Arista Records.
On 15 June 1997, Spiritualized became the last band to play at Factory Records' Manchester nightclub The Haçienda.
After several years of work and Pierce's serious illness in July 2005,the album, Songs in A&E was released on 26 May 2008 in the UK, and on 27 May 2008 in the US. The first single from the 18-track album was "Soul On Fire". The release was backed by an Electric Mainlines UK tour which began in May. Pierce has also scored Harmony Korine's 2008 film Mister Lonely.
In October and December 2009 the band performed 1997's Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space live in its entirety as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties-curated Don't Look Back series.
After more than two years in the making, while Pierce was undergoing experimental chemotherapy for a liver disease, and including a year long period of mixing, Sweet Heart Sweet Light was released in April 2012, on Double Six Records. The band had already played some of this new material over the past 3 years but not much else was known about the content of the album. The album cover, an octagon surrounding the word "Huh?" on a plain white background, is a reference to the working title of the album. In an interview regarding the new release it was revealed that the album would "embrace" more poppy songs compared to previous albums. In the same interview, Jason Pierce also said that the album was partly inspired by the experiences of performing Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space live in its entirety.
Cop Shoot Cop
Spiritualized Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jesus christ died for nothin' I suppose
Cop shoot cop
I believe
I believe that I have been reborn
Cop shoot cop
I haven't got the time no more
Hey man there's a hole in my head where information goes
And all my friends died for nothin' I suppose
Cop shoot cop
I believe
I believe that I have been reborn
Cop shoot cop
I haven't got the time no more
Hey man there's a hole in my reason that I gotta close
'Cause all my love died for nothin' I suppose
Cop shoot cop
I believe
I believe that I have been reborn
Cop shoot cop
I haven't got the time no more
Desert is any place without you
Oh my love, I'm pretty sure that you can feel that too
And loneliness, you know it hits me and it lasts for days
'Cause you're so sweet you make me feel like a child my babe
Desert is where I find myself when I get blown
'Cause you're so sweet and I can't seem to find my way back home
If this is heaven, well you know that I'm not happy here
'Cause heaven ain't any place where you're not there
Desert is any place without you my friend
And I will love you even if I'm getting to the end
'Cause you're so sweet I'm always wishing babe that you were here
Desert is any place without you my dear
And I will love you
And I will love you
And I will love you
And I will love you
And I will love you
And I will love you
And I will love you
The lyrics to Spiritualized's song Cop Shoot Cop are complex and ambiguous, hinting at themes of drug addiction, death, and rebirth. The opening lines, "Hey man there's a hole in my arm where all the money goes / Jesus Christ died for nothing I suppose," suggest a reference to drug addiction, with the singer using drugs to fill an emotional void despite the negative consequences. The line about Jesus could be interpreted as a comment on the futility of relying on religion to provide answers or solutions to problems.
The chorus, "Cop shoot cop / I believe / I believe that I have been reborn / Cop shoot cop / I haven't got the time no more," suggests a desire for change or escape but also a recognition that violent or extreme measures may be necessary. The repetition of "I believe" adds a note of faith or commitment to the idea of rebirth.
The other verses continue the themes of loss and emptiness, with references to a "hole in my head where information goes" and "a hole in my reason that I gotta close." The final lines about the desert and loneliness suggest a longing for connection and emotional fulfillment that is absent in the singer's current reality.
Overall, the lyrics to Cop Shoot Cop are open to interpretation and may have multiple layers of meaning. The use of religious imagery, violent language, and personal experiences combine to create a powerful and haunting mood.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey man there's a hole in my arm where all the money goes
I'm addicted to drugs and spend all my money on them.
Jesus christ died for nothin' I suppose
I don't see the point in religion or worshiping a deity that didn't prevent suffering.
Cop shoot cop
Police brutality and violence are prevalent and concerning.
I believe
Despite my cynicism, I maintain some modicum of hope or faith.
I haven't got the time no more
I'm tired and disillusioned, and don't want to waste my time on things that don't matter.
Hey man there's a hole in my head where information goes
I'm overwhelmed by the barrage of information and feel like I can't absorb anything else.
And all my friends died for nothin' I suppose
I've lost people close to me and struggle to find meaning in their deaths.
Hey man there's a hole in my reason that I gotta close
I'm struggling with mental health and need to address my irrational thoughts.
I believe
I'm still holding on to some hope or faith despite my struggles.
Desert is any place without you
I feel lost and alone without the person I love.
Oh my love, I'm pretty sure that you can feel that too
I believe my loved one feels the same way I do about our separation.
And loneliness, you know it hits me and it lasts for days
The feeling of loneliness is overwhelming and long-lasting.
'Cause you're so sweet you make me feel like a child my babe
My loved one makes me feel innocent and carefree, like a child.
Desert is where I find myself when I get blown
I feel lost and disconnected when I get overwhelmed by life's challenges.
'Cause you're so sweet and I can't seem to find my way back home
My loved one brings me comfort and a sense of home that I can't find elsewhere.
If this is heaven, well you know that I'm not happy here
Even in the best of circumstances, I still feel discontent without my loved one.
'Cause heaven ain't any place where you're not there
Heaven or paradise is empty and meaningless without my loved one by my side.
And I will love you even if I'm getting to the end
My love for my partner transcends time and mortality.
'Cause you're so sweet I'm always wishing babe that you were here
I miss my loved one dearly and always wish they were with me.
Desert is any place without you my dear
I feel lost and desolate without my loved one by my side.
And I will love you
My love for my partner is unwavering and unending.
And I will love you
My love for my partner is unwavering and unending.
And I will love you
My love for my partner is unwavering and unending.
And I will love you
My love for my partner is unwavering and unending.
And I will love you
My love for my partner is unwavering and unending.
And I will love you
My love for my partner is unwavering and unending.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JASON PIERCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind