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)
Friends
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where would I be without friends, to take good care of me,
My friends,
What would I do I would be alone
On my own.
Enemies, some say add spice to your life
But I've always hated to be so disliked
Anyone does without friends.
FRIENDS
Will always help when you're feeling down,
On the ground,
You're friends
Will put a shoulder to the wheel
I feel
REPEAT.....
FRIENDS
This is a song to thank you all
For being good friends,
You only number just a few,
But you are my good friends.
The Gentle Giant's song "Friends" talks about the importance of friendships in one's life. The song mentions that without friends to take good care of us, we would be alone and on our own. It appreciates the value of having friends who are there to help and support us when we are feeling down.
The lyrics juxtapose the idea of having enemies and how some say they add "spice" to life. Still, the singer cannot understand why anyone would do without friends. The song concludes with the singer thanking their friends for being good friends, acknowledging that they may only number a few, but they are indeed good friends.
Overall, the song portrays the importance of having friends in our lives, who can provide us with support, care, and love during difficult times. The lyrics show that without our friends, life would be a lonely and challenging journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Where would I be without friends, to take good care of me,
I am grateful for my friends who take good care of me and support me, and without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.
My friends,
I am referring to the people in my life who are closest to me and who I trust and value the most: my friends.
What would I do I would be alone
If I didn't have my friends, I would feel lonely and isolated.
On my own.
Being alone is not something I want to experience because having friends is important to me.
Enemies, some say add spice to your life
Some people believe that having enemies or rivalries in their lives makes their life more interesting, but I don't agree with that perspective.
But I've always hated to be so disliked
I don't like being disliked by others and I don't understand why people would choose to be without friends when they could have supportive and caring people in their lives instead.
I can't see why in this short span of time
Life is short, and I don't understand why anyone would choose to go through it without the support of friends.
Anyone does without friends.
I don't believe anyone should have to go through life without friends because they provide so much comfort and support in difficult times.
Will always help when you're feeling down,
My friends are always there to offer help and support when I am feeling down or struggling with something.
On the ground,
When I am at my lowest point, my friends are there to lift me up and offer a helping hand.
You're friends
I am once again referring to the importance of having close and supportive friends in my life.
Will put a shoulder to the wheel
When I need someone to help me with a difficult task or challenge, my friends are always willing to step up and lend a hand.
I feel
Their support and encouragement make me feel grateful, valued, and loved.
This is a song to thank you all
This song is my way of expressing my gratitude and appreciation to my friends who have been there for me through thick and thin.
For being good friends,
I want to thank my friends for being kind, caring, and supportive friends who make my life better.
You only number just a few,
I don't have a large group of friends, but the ones I do have are incredibly important to me and I value them greatly.
But you are my good friends.
My friends are the ones who make my life worth living, and I am so grateful for their presence in my life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN WEATHERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind