Inflatable (song)
Encyclopedia
"Inflatable" is a song by alternative rock
band Bush
and the final single from their fourth album Golden State
. Inflatable could not be included on future compilations such as The Best Of: 1994–1999 due to lack of licensing rights.
The song's chorus has a lyric inspired by a line from the Pixies song "Bone Machine". Bone Machine features the line 'You're so pretty when you're faithful to me', while Gavin Rossdale
sings 'So pretty when you're faithful'. It was mutual appreciation of the Pixies that drew founding members Gavin Rossdale
and Nigel Pulsford
together.
The song bares some resemblance to previous Bush hits Glycerine and Letting the Cables Sleep
in that it is more subdued than the band's other singles. However, it is the only Bush song to feature an acoustic guitar.
The song is the last single featuring the four original members of the band and it would be the last single to be released under the Bush name for almost 9 years until 2010 when "Afterlife" was released.
performed the song acoustically on the short-lived show Late World with Zach
.
. Guitarist Pulsford was absent from the video as he was taking a break from touring. Rossdale's initial vision was for the video to be set at a wedding ceremony for a young conscript
about to leave for the Vietnam war. However, Rossdale was concerned that he would be seen as captilizing on his own impending wedding to Gwen Stefani
and so instead the video was set at a leaving party. The band can be seen performing on stage while people dance. Later a brawl outbreaks but the band continue to perform undisturbed in a tranquil manner in fitting with the mood of the song. The video was filmed in London
at the Lambeth Liberal & Radical club.
US CD Single
GER CD Single
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Bush
Bush (band)
Bush are an alternative rock band formed in London in 1992 shortly after vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale and guitarist Nigel Pulsford met in a London nightclub. Realising they shared a love for such diverse artists as the Pixies, Bob Marley, The Jesus Lizard, MC5, Nirvana, Hüsker Dü, and Big...
and the final single from their fourth album Golden State
Golden State (album)
Golden State is the fourth studio album by British post-grunge band Bush, released in 2001. Stylistically, it was seen as a return to the post-grunge that Bush became famous for in contrast to their more recent experimental work. However, it ended up being their worst-selling album to date, not...
. Inflatable could not be included on future compilations such as The Best Of: 1994–1999 due to lack of licensing rights.
The song's chorus has a lyric inspired by a line from the Pixies song "Bone Machine". Bone Machine features the line 'You're so pretty when you're faithful to me', while Gavin Rossdale
Gavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
sings 'So pretty when you're faithful'. It was mutual appreciation of the Pixies that drew founding members Gavin Rossdale
Gavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
and Nigel Pulsford
Nigel Pulsford
Nigel Pulsford is a British guitarist, best known as the original lead guitarist of the alternative rock band Bush.-Early life:...
together.
The song bares some resemblance to previous Bush hits Glycerine and Letting the Cables Sleep
Letting the Cables Sleep
"Letting the Cables Sleep" is the third and final single from British post grunge band Bush's third studio album The Science of Things, which was released in 1999. The song became a minor hit, and pushed the album to platinum status...
in that it is more subdued than the band's other singles. However, it is the only Bush song to feature an acoustic guitar.
The song is the last single featuring the four original members of the band and it would be the last single to be released under the Bush name for almost 9 years until 2010 when "Afterlife" was released.
Promotion
Rossdale and then touring guitarist Chris TraynorChris Traynor
Chris Traynor is an American guitarist, bassist and studio musician. He has played with Orange 9mm, Helmet, Bush, Rival Schools and Gavin Rossdale....
performed the song acoustically on the short-lived show Late World with Zach
Late World with Zach
Late World with Zach was a television show on VH1 during the spring of 2002, starring a young, beard-less Zach Galifianakis ....
.
Music Video
Inflatable was the last Bush song to feature a music video and was directed by Giuseppe CapotondiGiuseppe Capotondi
Giuseppe Capotondi is a director of music videos and commercials signed to Oil Factory in USA and Factory Films in the United Kingdom...
. Guitarist Pulsford was absent from the video as he was taking a break from touring. Rossdale's initial vision was for the video to be set at a wedding ceremony for a young conscript
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
about to leave for the Vietnam war. However, Rossdale was concerned that he would be seen as captilizing on his own impending wedding to Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
and so instead the video was set at a leaving party. The band can be seen performing on stage while people dance. Later a brawl outbreaks but the band continue to perform undisturbed in a tranquil manner in fitting with the mood of the song. The video was filmed in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
at the Lambeth Liberal & Radical club.
Track listing
UK CD Single- "Inflatable" (Radio remix) - 4:05
- "Headful of Ghosts" (Live) - 4:37
- "Hurricane" (Live) - 3:29
US CD Single
- "Inflatable (Radio remix) - 4:05
- "Inflatable (Album version) - 4:22
GER CD Single
- "Inflatable" (Radio remix) - 4:05
- "Headful of Ghosts" (Live) - 4:37
- "Hurricane" (Live) - 3:29