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 HaƧienda.
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.
Run
Spiritualized Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I keep rollin' down the road
They call me the breeze
I keep rollin' then I'm gone
I ain't gotten me nobody
I ain't carryin' me no load
Run run run run run now babe
You better run run run
Run run run run run now babe
They call me the breeze
I keep rollin' down the road
They call me the breeze
I keep rollin' then I'm gone
I ain't gotten me nobody
I ain't carryin' me no load
Run run run
Run run run run run now babe
You better run run run
Run run run run run now babe
...
The lyrics to Spiritualized's song "Run" suggest a sense of freedom and movement. The opening lines "They call me the breeze, I keep rollin' down the road" set a tone of wandering and movement without any commitments or attachments. The phrase "They call me the breeze" could be interpreted as a nickname given to the wanderer due to his free-spirited nature. The following lines "I ain't got me nobody, I ain't carryin' me no load" further emphasize the idea that the singer is free from any burdens or responsibilities. The phrase "I ain't got me nobody" could also suggest that the singer is without a romantic partner, but does not seem to care because he prioritizes his freedom.
The repeated verse "You better run run run, run run run run run now babe" could be interpreted as either a warning or a playful invitation to join him on his adventures. It's not clear whether the singer is urging someone to run with him or whether he's suggesting that they run away from him. However, the urgency in the repetition could suggest that he knows his lifestyle is not for everyone and that he's urging people to evaluate whether they want to follow him or not.
Overall, "Run" is a song that celebrates the freedom of the open road, a life without responsibilities or commitments. However, it's not entirely clear whether the singer is inviting others to join him or warning them to stay away. The repetition of the line "Run run run, run run run run run now babe" suggests that he understands the importance of making a choice.
Line by Line Meaning
They call me the breeze
They refer to me as someone who's free-spirited and uncontrollable.
I keep rollin' down the road
I keep moving forward in life, exploring new opportunities and places.
I ain't gotten me nobody
I don't have any commitments or attachments to anyone or anything.
I ain't carryin' me no load
I don't have any baggage or responsibilities weighing me down.
You better run run run
You should hurry up and leave your past behind and face your challenges head-on.
Run run run run run now babe
Escape now and leave everything behind that's holding you back.
Run run run
Keep moving forward and don't look back.
Run run run run run now babe
Run as fast as you can towards your future and start a new life.
Lyrics Ā© BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SkrAp
They call me the breeze
I keep rollin' down the road
They call me the breeze
I keep rollin' then I'm gone
I ain't gotten me nobody
I ain't carryin me no load
Run run run run run run run run now babe
You better run run run run run run run run now babe.
Clive Dawson
God this music is so damn good, it's hard to even describe. So interesting and powerful, wish more people new about it
Puddles 420
Itās the best music
Mattie Mclean
remember buying this 12" when it came out. they have been my favourite band ever since
Wayne Darron Walls
"They call me the breeze..."...
"I ain't gotten me no body, I ain't carryin' me no load..." ah, Jason, I know that feeling...
The Creamy One
Love this mix
Dan Venezzio
didn't even know this masterpiece had a video šš
SkrAp
They call me the breeze
I keep rollin' down the road
They call me the breeze
I keep rollin' then I'm gone
I ain't gotten me nobody
I ain't carryin me no load
Run run run run run run run run now babe
You better run run run run run run run run now babe.
Ciaran McQueen
Heroās of unsungā¦ always have been and always will be. š¤š¼
picky bleatinge
Undeniable power of the drone
Brainwashed LL
Yes I remember shooting the live footage for this at the ICA