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)
Just the Same
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hear me, understand that I'm not what you see
Take this, take the man, middle term, common me
Don't you see that I'm just doing what I want to do
Nothing more and nothing less than you
Read no thoughts I didn't think myself
Just the same as anybody else
Something that I don't really want on my hands
Use me, idolise all you can understand
Don't you see that I'm just doing what I want to do
Nothing more and nothing less than you
Read no thoughts I didn't think myself
Just the same as anybody else
Change it, what you think, what you thought, what you say
Look for something more than you sought yesterday.
I don't want to be part of your life to-day.
Don't you see that I'm just doing what I want to do
Nothing more and nothing less than you
Read no thoughts I didn't think myself
Just the same as anybody else
In the lyrics of Gentle Giant's "Just the Same," the singer is asking to be understood as an individual, rather than as the sum of different parts of his personality. The repeated refrain of "Don't you see that I'm just doing what I want to do, nothing more and nothing less than you" emphasizes the singer's desire to be seen as equal to anyone else, and to have the freedom to express himself without judgment or scrutiny.
The second verse speaks to the pressure that people can face to conform to certain ideals or societal expectations. The singer expresses discomfort with being put on a pedestal or used as an idol for others to idolize. He wants to be seen as a normal person, "just the same as anybody else."
The third verse speaks to the idea of personal growth and change, as the singer encourages listeners to seek out something new and different instead of staying stagnant in their views and beliefs. The final line, "I don't want to be part of your life today," speaks to a desire for independence and the ability to make one's own choices without outside pressure or influence.
Overall, the message of "Just the Same" is one of individuality, freedom, and a rejection of societal pressures to conform or be placed on a pedestal.
Line by Line Meaning
See me, what I am, what I was, what I'll be,
Observe me, comprehend my present, past, and future selves,
Hear me, understand that I'm not what you see
Listen to me and recognize that I am not defined solely by my appearance
Take this, take the man, middle term, common me
Accept my existence as an ordinary individual with no extraordinary qualities
Don't you see that I'm just doing what I want to do
Nothing more and nothing less than you
Read no thoughts I didn't think myself
Just the same as anybody else
Realize that my actions and thoughts are my own, I am just like everyone else
Make me someone else, put me up on a stand.
Something that I don't really want on my hands
Use me, idolise all you can understand
Do not attempt to change who I am, do not put me on a pedestal, do not idolize me based on what you can understand
Change it, what you think, what you thought, what you say
Look for something more than you sought yesterday.
I don't want to be part of your life to-day.
Revise your thoughts and speech, strive for personal growth, do not involve me in your current life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Derek Shulman, Kerry Minnear, Ray Shulman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@profk3742
Gentle Giant is the most hidden of hidden gems of the 70s prog scene.
@1359401
More like GG is the greatest most criminally underated/ undiscovered band ever
@profk3742
@1359401 you have a point there
@RobFieldTampa
More people heard GG than PFM or Aphrodite's Child, though.
@Chuckles___
@Rob Field one thing cool about PFM, they are celebrities and national treasure in Italy.
@tommyrawlings3046
Van der Graff Generator too was underrated
@1359401
the greatest most criminally underated band ever
@nsgobbi
GG is never underated by those who know them.
All the rest, simply does not matter their opinion.
@1359401
@Newton Sgobbi Yeah obviously not underated for those who know them i meant the world wide general public and underated in terms of record sales, radio airplay. concert attendance notoriety.etc especially compared to other very popular progressive bands such as yes.genesis.elp..king crimson.jethro tull etc. and many more bands in different genres.
@nsgobbi
@1359401 Fully agree, underated under the conditions you mentioned, but consider that one of the most popular phrases by the Shulmanns was: “we intended to expand the boundaries of the popular music, even risking to be very impopular” ….. fair true !!