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.
Step Into The Breeze
Spiritualized Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got me down, on my bended knees
You know to lay me down
When I'm feelin slow
C'mon
So fine, you're everything I want
You got me hummin, oh that song
My baby gives me, much more than I can use
You know to lay me back, when I'm feelin slow
C'mon
The river cools, I believe
I want to step into the breeze
C'mon
The lyrics of Spiritualized's song "Step Into The Breeze" are quite straightforward and seemingly romantic; they express a sense of completeness and fulfillment derived from the presence of another person. The singer starts by saying that they have everything they need because their partner is there for them. The partner has the ability to bring them to their knees, which might suggest that their love is so intense and all-consuming that it overwhelms them. They also have a soothing effect on the singer, who describes how their partner can lay them down, figuratively and perhaps literally, when they're feeling slow.
The second verse deepens the sense of emotional relief and joy as the singer declares that their partner is everything they want, and they are "hummin" to their sweet song. While the exact lyrical meaning of "song" might be open to interpretation, it's clear that this person makes the singer feel incredibly good in many ways. They know how to give them what they need and, according to the singer, much more than they can use. The final line before the chorus repeats is a reaffirmation of the serene effect the partner has: "you know to lay me back when I'm feelin' slow."
The chorus is an invitation of sorts, a desire to experience the freedom of letting go and finding peace in nature. The river cools, a refreshing break from the intensity of the relationship, and the singer wants to "step into the breeze," feeling the wind blow past them and finding solace in that simple moment. The song seems to be about the power of love to help us slow down and find joy in life's simple pleasures, even as our thoughts and emotions may race and churn with intensity.
Line by Line Meaning
So fine, got everything I need
I am content with my life and possess everything I require to be happy.
You got me down, on my bended knees
Your presence has a profound effect on me, humbling me and bringing me to a state of awe and reverence.
You know to lay me down
You are aware of how to ease me, rest me, and put me at ease.
When I'm feelin slow
During moments of listlessness or despair, you know how to comfort and uplift me.
C'mon
Let us proceed and continue our journey together.
So fine, you're everything I want
You embody everything I yearn for in terms of companionship, love, and intimacy.
You got me hummin, oh that song
Your mere presence fills me with joy and harmony, making my heart sing a beautiful melody.
You know to lay me back, and you know that's true
You possess the knowledge and awareness to help me unwind, relax, and rejuvenate, and this knowledge is indeed accurate and effective.
My baby gives me, much more than I can use
My beloved provides me with far more than I require or have the capacity to utilize or comprehend.
You know to lay me back, when I'm feelin slow
You are cognizant of how to comfort me and allow me to unwind during times of sluggishness or apathy.
C'mon
Let us continue our journey with enthusiasm and determination.
The river cools, I believe
The river has a calming and refreshing effect on me, and I have faith in its soothing powers.
I want to step into the breeze
I long to immerse myself in the cool, refreshing air, free from stress and worries.
C'mon
Let us proceed with our journey, renewed and refreshed by the river's cooling effect and the soothing breeze.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JASON PIERCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind