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.
Oh Happy Day
Spiritualized Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh happy day
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away!
Oh happy day
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
My Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When, my Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away!
He taught me how
He taught me
Taught me how to watch
He taught me how to watch
And fight and pray
Fight and pray
Yes, fight and pray
And he'll rejoice
And he'll, and he'll
Rejoice in things we say
And he'll rejoice
In things we say
Things we say
Yes, things we say
(Oh happy day) Oh happy day
Oh happy day
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
My Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When, my Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away!
(oh happy day) oh happy day
Oh happy day
The lyrics to "Oh Happy Day" by Spiritualized are about the happiness, joy, and freedom that comes from being cleansed of sin through the act of baptism. The song is an adaptation of an 18th century hymn by English clergyman Philip Doddridge, and the original lyrics were about the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. In this song by Spiritualized, the focus is on personal salvation through Jesus Christ.
The repeated refrain of "oh happy day" emphasizes the amazing transformation that takes place when one's sins are washed away by Jesus. The verses talk about how Jesus not only washes away sin, but also teaches us how to live a righteous life by watching, fighting, and praying. The lyrics suggest that by following Jesus' teachings, we can experience true happiness and joy.
The joyful and upbeat nature of the song is reflected in the music, which is a blend of rock, gospel, and soul. It features a full choir, organs, and electric guitars. This fusion of genres has become a trademark of Spiritualized's music, which often incorporates religious themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh happy day
This is a happy day.
Oh happy day
This is a happy day.
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
This is a very happy day.
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus cleansed me of my sins.
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus cleansed me of my sins.
Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
Jesus cleansed me of my sins.
He washed my sins away!
He removed my sins.
(Oh happy day) Oh happy day
This is a very happy day.
Oh happy day
This is a happy day.
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
This is a very happy day.
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
This is a very happy day.
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus cleansed me of my sins.
My Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
Jesus cleansed me of my sins.
When, my Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus cleansed me of my sins.
He taught me how
He showed me the way.
He taught me
He educated me.
Taught me how to watch
Showed me how to observe.
He taught me how to watch
He showed me how to observe.
And fight and pray
To fight and pray.
Fight and pray
To fight and pray.
Yes, fight and pray
Definitely fight and pray.
And he'll rejoice
And he will rejoice.
And he'll, and he'll
And he will, and he will.
Rejoice in things we say
Find joy in what we say.
And he'll rejoice
And he will rejoice.
In things we say
In the things we say.
Yes, things we say
Definitely in the things we say.
(Oh happy day) Oh happy day
This is a very happy day.
Oh happy day
This is a happy day.
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
This is a very happy day.
Lyrics © RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edwin Hawkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Creighton
Beautiful I've been a fan of spiritualized since about 1992 or 93 lovely band such wonderful music
Andrew Martin
Blinding! Praise the Lord! Halllelujah!
Alvarez Gustavo
Even Jules could not resist playing !
King Belsey
I fancy being one of those obsessive fans who kills their idol....What a way to go...Then Jay would be immortalised in music history.....seriously though I ain't gonna do it....who would risk Jason not writing another tune.....one of the greats...already immortalised in music history...We are not worthy!!!
Stephen Elliott
been looking for this for a while.. thank u for posting... :)
María Alejandra Jiménez
What's it with this Spaceman's music that always makes me cry?
Luka Carlo
Grandi .Giorni Felici a Tutti.......
scunnerd Scottish bird
What a fuckin happy day!