ART AFICIONADO

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Aqualung - Brighter Than Sunshine

Music Appreciation

“Brighter Than Sunshine” was released on October 13, 2003, as the first single from Still Life, the sophomore album by British singer-songwriter Matthew Nicholas Hales, who records under the name Aqualung.

Born in Southampton, England, Hales trained in classical music before shifting into alternative pop and piano-driven songwriting. His early work drew attention for its atmospheric sound and introspective tone, blending acoustic instrumentation with subtle electronic textures.

While Still Life expanded his audience in the UK, “Brighter Than Sunshine” gained renewed visibility in the United States after being featured prominently in film and television.

Lyrically, the song captures the euphoria and disbelief that often accompany unexpected love. Hales sings from the perspective of someone who has fallen hard, surprised by the depth of his own feelings. The repeated refrain underscores emotional clarity: love as something luminous and overwhelming.

Compositionally, the track is anchored by bright piano chords, layered guitars, and a buoyant rhythm that gives it a warm, optimistic lift. The melody builds steadily without becoming bombastic, maintaining Aqualung’s reflective style while embracing a more radio-friendly structure.

The music video further amplified the song’s reach by incorporating footage from the 2005 romantic comedy A Lot Like Love, directed by Nigel Cole and starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet. The video intercuts scenes of the film’s evolving relationship with shots of Aqualung performing, reinforcing the song’s themes of timing, chance encounters, and enduring connection.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/aqualung-mn0000490664

https://www.allmusic.com/album/still-life-mw0000326760

https://genius.com/Aqualung-brighter-than-sunshine-lyrics

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0391304/

https://www.discogs.com/master/175686-Aqualung-Still-Life

Monday, October 12, 2026

George Harrison - Got My Mind Set on You

Music Appreciation

“Got My Mind Set on You” began life as a brisk R&B tune written by Rudy Clark and first recorded by James Ray in 1962. More than two decades later, George Harrison revived the song for his comeback album Cloud Nine.

Released as a single on October 12, 1987, Harrison’s version surprised many listeners with its bright, contemporary sound and quickly became his third and final No. 1 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It also reintroduced him to a new generation after a relatively quiet period following the Beatles’ breakup.

Lyrically, the song is built on directness rather than poetry. Its central idea—romantic determination—comes through a repeated, almost mantra-like declaration of devotion. Harrison’s arrangement keeps the structure simple but modernizes it with a punchy beat, prominent electric bass, and crisp guitar accents.

The use of early drum-machine textures and polished production gives the track a late-1980s sheen while preserving the infectious drive of the original. Harrison’s vocal delivery feels relaxed yet assured, reinforcing the song’s sense of steady resolve rather than dramatic longing.

The music video, directed by Gar Weis, became just as memorable as the song itself. Set in a haunted house filled with moving furniture, jumping taxidermy, and surreal visual gags, it drew clear inspiration from the comedy-horror film Evil Dead II. The blend of slapstick humor and horror tropes matched the MTV era perfectly and helped propel the single’s popularity, making the video a pop-culture fixture of the late 1980s.