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.
I Want You
Spiritualized Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want you to realize it ain't paradise
I want you to glide with the air you breathe
I want you to set me free
I'm gonna climb the highest hill
Gonna take control, I'm gonna free my will
Gonna swallow it whole, like some giant new pill
And I believe it every day
I want you
I want you to realize it's your life
I want you to take my advice
I want you to slide with your soul and see
I want you to set me free
I'm gonna drive to the highest hill
Gonna take control, I'm gonna free my will
Gonna swallow it whole, like some giant new pill
'cause I believe it everyday
I believe it won't go away
And I believe it everyday
I want you, I want you
Slide with your soul and see
Glide with your soul
I want you
The overall theme of Spiritualized's song "I Want You" is about personal freedom and the desire to take control of one's own life. The lyrics refer to climbing the highest hill and taking control, swallowing a giant pill, and wanting to be set free. The repeated phrase "I want you" may suggest a desire for a partner to be involved in or support this pursuit of freedom but could just as easily be interpreted as the desire for self-motivation and self-determination.
The first verse expresses a longing for others to recognize and respect the singer's personal autonomy. The second verse shifts to a focus on the singer's determination to achieve this freedom, using the image of driving to the highest hill and taking control of their own will. The chorus repeats the desire for personal freedom in a more general way, inviting the listener to join in and "glide with the air you breathe" and "slide with your soul and see."
Line by Line Meaning
I want you to realize its my life
I want you to understand that the decisions I make in my life are mine and mine alone.
I want you to realize it ain't paradise
I want you to understand that my life isn't perfect and there are challenges that I face.
I want you to glide with the air you breathe
I want you to move through life with ease and grace, taking in everything around you.
I want you to set me free
I want you to help me break free from any limitations or constraints that are holding me back.
I'm gonna climb the highest hill
I am determined to overcome any obstacles in my way and reach new heights.
Gonna take control, I'm gonna free my will
I am going to take charge of my life and make decisions that align with my true desires.
Gonna swallow it whole, like some giant new pill
I am going to fully embrace and accept the changes I need to make in my life, no matter how big they may seem.
'cause I believe it won't go away
I have faith that my desires and aspirations will stay with me and not fade.
And I believe it every day
I hold onto this belief and determination every single day.
I want you to take my advice
I want you to listen to what I have to say and take my guidance to heart.
I want you to slide with your soul and see
I want you to tap into your inner self and experience life from an authentic and soulful place.
I want you to set me free
I want you to help me release any limitations that are holding me back.
I'm gonna drive to the highest hill
I am going to actively pursue my aspirations and overcome any challenges in my way.
And I believe it everyday
I hold onto my faith and determination each and every day.
I want you
I desire your support and companionship on my journey.
Slide with your soul and see
Experience life from an authentic and soulful place.
Glide with your soul
Move through life with ease and grace, guided by your innermost self.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JASON PIERCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind