Spiritualized are an English rock band formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshir… Read Full Bio ↴Spiritualized are an English rock band formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshire, United Kingdom by Jason Pierce, who often goes by the alias J. Spaceman, after the spectacular demise of the Spacemen 3 outfit. The membership of Spiritualized changes from album to album, with Pierce being the only constant factor.

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.

Electricity
Spiritualized Lyrics

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Driving fast down a one way street
Lord of loving you dance so sweet
Going fast to hit the sky
Lord of love you don't ask me why

I said electricity
Let it rain all over me
Let the light be forever green

I'm playing with fire if you know what I mean
I need someone to help me
Turn it on

Driving fast babe I'm on my own
I'm gonna meet you on a one way road
Gonna crash, kiss the sky
Lord of love you don't ask me why

I said electricity
Let it wash all over me
Let the light be forever green
I'm playing with fire if you know what I mean
I need someone to help me
Turn it on

Driving fast down a one way street
Lord of loving you dance so neat
Baby try not to hit the sky
Baby try not to make me cry
I said electricity
Electricity
Electricity

Electricity
Turn it on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Spiritualized's song "Electricity" express the exhilarating rush and danger that love can bring. The singer is driving fast down a one way street, and feels like he's going to hit the sky. He addresses the "Lord of love" directly, acknowledging the power that love holds over him. The chorus repeats the word "electricity," which can be interpreted in a few ways. On one hand, it could be referring to the electric sensation of being in love, the charge that rushes through one's body when they're with the object of their affection. On the other hand, it could be interpreted more literally, as though love itself is a current that has the power to shock and disrupt.

The second verse follows a similar pattern, with the singer continuing to push the limits and drive faster towards his lover. He acknowledges that he's playing with fire ("I'm playing with fire if you know what I mean"), but seems unable or unwilling to stop himself. The bridge leads into the final verse, where the singer seems to be addressing his lover directly, cautioning them to be careful with his heart ("Baby try not to make me cry"). The song ends with the repeated plea to "turn it on," which leaves the listener with a sense of urgency and desire.

Overall, the lyrics of "Electricity" create a sense of intensity and passion that mirrors the feeling of being in love. The repeated use of the word "electricity," along with the driving rhythm and soaring instrumentals, amplify this sense of energy and temptation.

Line by Line Meaning

Driving fast down a one way street
I am recklessly speeding towards a singular, predetermined path in search of something greater.

Lord of loving you dance so sweet
My desire for love and fulfillment is all encompassing and drives me forward with grace.

Going fast to hit the sky
I am in constant pursuit of my goals, reaching new heights with every step taken.

Lord of love you don't ask me why
I don't question the emotional and spiritual journey that I am on, it feels intrinsically right.

I said electricity
This intense inner drive and passion that I experience can only be described as electric.

Let it rain all over me
Let this electrifying energy and passion wash over me, giving me renewed strength and purpose.

Let the light be forever green
Let my path always be illuminated, offering me signs and guidance towards my true destiny.

I'm playing with fire if you know what I mean
I am aware that my pursuit of greatness is risky and potentially dangerous, but I am willing to take those risks for the reward.

I need someone to help me
I cannot do this alone, I require guidance, support and love to aid me on my journey.

Turn it on
I am begging for this inner electricity and passion to be awoken and allowed to flourish.

Driving fast babe I'm on my own
While I may receive some assistance on my journey, ultimately I am responsible for my own success and happiness.

I'm gonna meet you on a one way road
Despite only having one path to follow, I am determined to connect with someone in order to share this journey with another soul.

Gonna crash, kiss the sky
I am aware that failure is a possibility, but I am willing to take that risk to reach impossible heights.

Baby try not to hit the sky
This journey is not just about me, but those close to me as well. I cannot ignore their feelings and needs in my pursuit of greatness.

Baby try not to make me cry
I am highly driven, but it is possible to hurt me emotionally along the way. Please be sensitive to my needs and feelings as well.

Electricity
This intense inner fire and drive that I feel cannot be tamed, it must be let free to light my path.

Electricity
This powerful, all-encompassing force is so pure and true to me that it bears repeating.

Electricity
This intense power and energy is so essential to who I am that I must stay connected to it and use it to drive me forward.

Electricity
This electric, intense energy is the source of my inner strength and vitality.

Turn it on
I am imploring this energy, this power within me, to awaken and be set free.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jason Pierce

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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