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)
It's Only Goodbye
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What pulled us through them, something was there.
I can remember, drifting apart,
Thoughtless ways much stronger,
As the time grew longer
One for one not always,
Then you said to me...
I think of you know, in kindness allow. My memory lingers, then
It's only goodbye, my strength telling lies, Just facing what had to be.
Mixed my reflections, did we think it was real
Was it forever, fear not, just feel.
You had your troubles, yes I had mine.
Weren't we both for sharing, No not really caring,
I would realize that, when you said to me...
REPEAT.....
IT'S ONLY GOODBYE.....
The song "It's Only Goodbye" by Gentle Giant reflects on the past relationship between two people. The opening line of the song, "Strange though we made it, in those days that were bare," highlights the fact that their relationship may have had some unpredictable twists and turns along the way, but they persevered. The line, "What pulled us through them, something was there," indicates that there was an underlying force that held them together, even when they were drifting apart.
As the song progresses, it becomes evident that the two individuals in the relationship have been through a lot together. They may have had their differences and their misunderstandings, but they always found their way back to each other. The line "One for one not always, then you said to me... It's only goodbye, a smile and a cry, and suddenly over, when" suggests that they may have had arguments and disagreements, but at the end of the day, they were able to put their differences aside and move forward.
The lyrics "It's only goodbye, my strength telling lies, just facing what had to be" convey a sense of acceptance of the situation. Both individuals have realized that it is time to move on, and they are at peace with the decision. The chorus that repeats throughout the song reinforces this idea that whilst the relationship may be over, the memories linger and there is kindness and understanding between them now.
Overall, the song is about recognizing the end of a relationship and coming to terms with it. It highlights the importance of cherishing the good times and letting go of the bad. The lyrics also demonstrate the idea that sometimes, saying goodbye is the only way to move forward in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Strange though we made it, in those days that were bare
Even though we were in a difficult situation at that time, we managed to get through it.
What pulled us through them, something was there.
We were able to overcome our difficult circumstances because we had something to hold onto.
I can remember, drifting apart, Thoughtless ways much stronger, As the time grew longer
Over time, we became more distant from each other, with our careless actions largely to blame.
One for one not always, Then you said to me...
We didn't always act in each other's best interests, and that led to a conversation between us.
It's only goodbye, a smile and a cry, and suddenly over, when
Although we have to part ways now, we can still remember the good times we had together.
I think of you know, in kindness allow. My memory lingers, then
When I remember you, I do so with kindness and goodwill, and my memories of us stay with me.
It's only goodbye, my strength telling lies, Just facing what had to be.
Although it's hard to say goodbye, we must face the reality of our situation.
Mixed my reflections, did we think it was real, Was it forever, fear not, just feel.
Looking back, I wonder if we thought our relationship would last forever, but we should not fear the end, just embrace our feelings.
You had your troubles, yes I had mine. Weren't we both for sharing, No not really caring, I would realize that, when you said to me...
We both had our own problems to deal with, and although we thought we were there for each other, we weren't really caring the way we should have been. It wasn't until you said goodbye that I realized this.
IT'S ONLY GOODBYE.....
In the end, it's just a farewell, but our memories and feelings will stay with us.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK SHULMAN, KERRY MINNEAR, RAYMOND SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mathhaagen4261
Great song from a great band !!
Beautiful melody, sensitive vocals and a heavy weeping guitar.
An absolute all time favourite
@SouthCircinus
The guitar solo at the end is unbelievably beautiful
@heckensteiner4713
I absolutely love this song. I get goosebumps every time I hear it. Giant for a Day is an underrated album. I've heard far worse pop attempts from 70s prog bands.
@fariqueque2810
great song
@alantjs5
Great band,,went slightly commercial at the end trying to get a few bob together,,great musicianship to to the end.
@antoniodias4718
Hollies56789 No you are not the only one!!This song is beautiful!!The obly problem perhaps is that when a weak album from a favourite band of ours is poor, with many bad songs, we tend to forget that there could be a pearl in the album...this is the case......
@hollies56789
SORRY----- BUT YOU ARE ABSOLUTLY RIGHT ---THIS IS THE PEARL
@SouthCircinus
Antonio Dias : Yes, you are absolutely right!!
@dervogelmann1125
What ?...
@FabianoBravoMarketing74
❤🙏