The band's onetime stated aim was to "expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular," although this stance was to alter significantly with time. While never achieving the commercial heights of progressive rock contemporaries such as Jethro Tull, Genesis, Yes or Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gentle Giant was considered to be one of the most experimental bands in the genre (as well as one of the most experimental rock bands of the 1970s).
Gentle Giant's music was considered complex even by progressive rock standards, drawing on a broad swathe of music including folk, soul, jazz, and classical music. Unlike many of their progressive rock contemporaries, their "classical" influences ranged beyond the Romantic and incorporated mediaeval, baroque, and modernist chamber music elements. The band also had a taste for broad themes for their lyrics, drawing inspiration not only from personal events but from philosophy and the works of both François Rabelais and R. D. Laing.
Band members:
Members of classic lineup listed in bold.
Derek Shulman - lead vocals, saxophone, recorder, keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, "Shulberry" (3-string custom electric ukulele) (1970-1980)
Ray Shulman - bass, trumpet, violin, vocals, viola, drums, percussion, recorder, guitar (1970-1980)
Kerry Minnear - keyboards, lead vocals (on recordings only), cello, vibraphone, xylophone, recorder, guitar, bass, drums (1970-1980)
Gary Green - guitar, mandolin, vocals, recorder, bass, drums, xylophone (1970-1980)
John Weathers - drums, percussion, vibraphone, xylophone, vocals, guitar (1972-1980)
Phil Shulman - lead vocals, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, recorder, percussion (1970–72)
Martin Smith - drums, percussion (1970–1971)
Malcolm Mortimore - drums, percussion (1971–1972)
A Cry for Everyone
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When at the end the only truth certain
One day everyone dies
If only to justify life.
Live, I've lived a thousand lives;
And anyone is the right, the just life.
Doubts, no doubt, is all I know.
There is no fate, there's no luck, what does that show.
Showing is proof, but proving is nothing but fear.
If I could cry, I'd cry then for everyone.
Hope, I've hoped two thousand years,but
No one hears, so I've cried, crying vain tears.
Always too late, too late to cry, cry for everyone.
The song "A Cry for Everyone" by Gentle Giant is a powerful anthem that speaks about the inevitability of death and the struggle to find meaning and hope in life. The opening line, "Run, why should I run away when at the end, the only truth is certain," suggests that trying to escape or deny the fact that we will all die is futile, as death is an unavoidable part of the human experience. The second line continues this idea, stating that death is the only thing that can truly justify life, highlighting the idea that our limited time on earth should be used wisely and with purpose.
The second stanza explores the idea of living and experiencing multiple lives, with the line, "I've lived a thousand lives, and anyone is the right, the just life." The singer suggests that there is no one correct way to live life and that everyone's journey is unique and valid. However, the repeated refrain, "If I could cry, I'd cry for everyone," suggests a sense of sadness or empathy for the struggles and challenges that each individual faces. The third stanza deepens this emotion, with the singer expressing doubt and frustration about the existence of fate and luck. The lines, "Showing is proof, but proving is nothing but fear," hint at the idea that trying to prove our worth or value to others is a futile endeavor born out of fear and insecurity.
The final stanza circles back to the idea of crying for everyone, with the singer stating that they have "hoped two thousand years" but no one hears their cries. The repetition of the line, "Too late to cry, cry for everyone," suggests a sense of resignation or acceptance of the harsh realities of life, but still a desire to empathize and connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Run, why should I run away
Why should I avoid facing the truth?
When at the end the only truth certain
The certainty of death is the only truth we face.
One day everyone dies
Death comes to all of us eventually.
If only to justify life.
The inevitability of death is what gives life a purpose.
Live, I've lived a thousand lives;
Experiencing life in all its diverse forms.
And anyone is the right, the just life.
Any life, no matter how different from your own, can be fulfilling.
If I could cry, I'd cry for everyone.
Feeling empathy and compassion for everyone who has experienced pain and suffering.
Doubts, no doubt, is all I know.
Uncertainty and doubt are the only certainties in life.
There is no fate, there's no luck, what does that show.
The idea of destiny and chance are just illusions.
Showing is proof, but proving is nothing but fear.
Demonstrating something to be true doesn't mean it actually is, and the need to prove can be rooted in fear.
Hope, I've hoped two thousand years,but
Holding onto optimism and positivity in the face of adversity for centuries.
No one hears, so I've cried, crying vain tears.
Feeling unheard and ignored, leading to tears that seem pointless.
Always too late, too late to cry, cry for everyone.
It's never too late to show compassion and empathy for others, even if we cannot change their suffering.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK VICTOR SHULMAN, KERRY CHURCHILL MINNEAR, PHILIP ARTHUR SHULMAN, RAY SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Greenwood
Run, why should I run away
When at the end the only truth certain -
One day everyone dies -
If only to justify life
Live, I've lived a thousand lives;
And anyone is the right, the just life
If I could cry, I'd cry for everyone
Doubts, no doubt, is all I know
There is no fate, there's no luck
What does
That show
Showing is proof, but proving is nothing
But fear
If I could cry, I'd cry then for everyone
Hope, I've hoped two thousand years
But
No one hears, so I've cried, crying
Vain tears
Always too late, too late to cry, cry
For everyone
Soft Machine
This album is a masterpiece
Anthony Bielik
I love this song!! Gentle Giant is one of Progs greatest bands of the 1970's.
wini woke
So happy to see that you are still here! Greetings from France! I can't stop listening to your music!
Prof K
Gentle Giant could get pretty heavy. They got alot of hard rocking riffs
michael puleston
Octopus and Three Friends are prog masterpieces alongside Nursery Crimes by Genesis and In the Court of The Crimson King by King Crimson, even if you are not a prog head try listening to these albums in 2021, you may be surprised!
Gurgis Jones
I remember it sounding much better on vinyl (not something I usually say). Much brighter and cleaner. This sounds thick and weedy, with distortion. Oh well, the Steven Wilson mix should be infinitely better.
The Greenwood
Run, why should I run away
When at the end the only truth certain -
One day everyone dies -
If only to justify life
Live, I've lived a thousand lives;
And anyone is the right, the just life
If I could cry, I'd cry for everyone
Doubts, no doubt, is all I know
There is no fate, there's no luck
What does
That show
Showing is proof, but proving is nothing
But fear
If I could cry, I'd cry then for everyone
Hope, I've hoped two thousand years
But
No one hears, so I've cried, crying
Vain tears
Always too late, too late to cry, cry
For everyone
lisazamm
Genius’s all
c0nk2879
I love you guys!
Noman
❤️