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)
Aspirations
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All coming true
It depends on you,
If our times, they are troubled times,
Show us the way,
Tell us what to do.
As our faith, maybe aimless blind,
Our thoughts are yours
And believing the promises,
Please make your claims
Really so sincere.
Be our guide, our light and our way of life
And let the world see the way we lead our way.
Hopes, dreams, hopes dreaming that all our
Sorrows gone.
In your hands, holding everyone's
Future and fate
It is all in you,
Make us strong build our unity,
All men as one
It is all in you.
Be our guide, our light and our way of life
And let the world see the way we lead our way.
Hopes, dreams, dreaming that all our sorrows
Gone forever.
The lyrics to Gentle Giant's Aspirations speak of a sense of hope and belief in the future despite the troubled times in which we live. The opening line, "As the dust settles, see our dreams, all coming true" conveys a feeling of optimism and realization that the dreams that were once seen as impossible are, in fact, within reach.
The lyrics then take on a more personal tone as the singer asks for guidance and direction in uncertain times. They ask the listener to show them the way forward and provide a path towards a brighter future. However, there is also a sense of accountability as it is acknowledged that it ultimately depends on the listener themselves to make positive change happen.
The song ends with a call for unity and a belief in a better world, free from sorrow and hardship. The lyrics focus on the power of individuals to shape their own future while also acknowledging the importance of collective action and community building.
Line by Line Meaning
As the dust settles, see our dreams,
After the chaos and confusion, we can witness our aspirations come to fruition.
All coming true
Our hopes and ambitions are being realized.
It depends on you,
The success of our endeavors relies on your involvement.
If our times, they are troubled times,
In times of difficulty and unrest,
Show us the way,
Help us find the right path to follow.
Tell us what to do.
Give us direction and guidance.
As our faith, maybe aimless blind,
Our trust and confidence may lack direction and clarity.
Hope our ideals and
We have hope that our principles and beliefs
Our thoughts are yours
Are consistent with your own.
And believing the promises,
Putting our faith in the pledges made,
Please make your claims
We hope that your assertions
Really so sincere.
Are truly genuine and honest.
Be our guide, our light and our way of life
We need you to lead, inspire and shape the way we live our lives.
And let the world see the way we lead our way.
May we set an example for the world to follow.
Hopes, dreams, hopes dreaming that all our
We are optimistic and positive, believing that all of our
Sorrows gone.
Troubles and pains will be a thing of the past.
In your hands, holding everyone's
You have the power and responsibility to shape the future of us all.
Future and fate
Determining the path we will take and what happens to us.
It is all in you,
You are the one who has control and influence over our destiny.
Make us strong build our unity,
Grant us the strength and cohesiveness to work together as one.
All men as one
Regardless of our differences, we are one people with a common purpose.
Be our guide, our light and our way of life
We need you to lead, inspire and shape the way we live our lives.
And let the world see the way we lead our way.
May we set an example for the world to follow.
Hopes, dreams, dreaming that all our sorrows
We are optimistic and positive, believing that all of our
Gone forever.
Pains and sorrows will never again return.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK VICTOR SHULMAN, KERRY CHURCHILL MINNEAR, RAY SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@franciscojavierrodriguez8236
[Verse 1]
As the dust settles, see our dreams
All coming true, it depends on you
If our times, they are troubled times
Show us the way
Tell us what to do
[Verse 2]
As our faith, maybe aimless blind
Hope our ideals and our thoughts are yours
And believing the promises
Please make your claims
Really so sincere
[Chorus 1]
Be our guide, our light and our way of life
And let the world see the way we lead our way
Hopes, dreams, hopes dreaming that all our sorrow's gone
[Verse 3]
In your hands, holding everyone's
Future and fate, it is all in you
Make us strong, build our unity
All men as one, it is all in you
[Chorus]
Be our guide, our light and our way of life
And let the world see the way we lead our way
Hopes, dreams, hopes dreaming that all our sorrow's gone
Forever
@debrider2420
One of the best songs EVER. Period. In ANY musical genre.
@renovatioimperii3431
Thank you DEB, I agree
@lanfrancojelo145
100% agree! Always moves me. This is pure Genius my friend
@23igna
The lyrics of this song are so powerful. It has a religious connotance.
@jean-francoispayette92
this guy a God the composer RAY Shulmann my god wrotes this one my God COMMENT TU ASFAIT rAY TU ES UN GÉNIE
@profk3742
This band made me fall in love with music again
@mshelton5036
My daughter sang this song in a grade school performance over 20 years ago. What a great inspiring song!
@jamiepastman5594
that's amazing, wow!
@kipponi
Must be good singer👍.
@berthazopp1
That’s one very hip daughter!