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)
No Stranger
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's walking, It's talking on it's own.
No stranger, No danger in your home.
It's walking, It's talking on it's own.
One staring eye with no sight or feature
It only winks, when there's time to think.
It tells you nothing, but still your teacher.
Takes care that you're always there.
REPEAT.....
It makes you safe moving with protection.
A mind for you trying very hard.
And still you can't make the disconnection.
Does all it's told to,tells what it wants to,
Says all that you have to know.
REPEAT.....
The lyrics of Gentle Giant’s No Stranger are open to multiple interpretations, but what stands out the most is the metaphor used for something that is constantly present in our homes - technology. The song describes how technology has become a vital part of our everyday lives, walking and talking on its own, and yet we are still often at its mercy. The “one staring eye” appears to symbolize a camera, surveilling every move we make, yet it remains non-judgmental; it doesn’t tell us what to do, but it still teaches us in its own way.
The song’s repetition of “No stranger, no danger in your home” underscores the ambiguity of technology’s presence, which can be both helpful and harmful. It’s our “silent guardian”, keeping us safe and informed but also controlling us in ways we may not realize. The line “takes care that you're always there” suggests that we’ve become too dependent on technology, relying on it to remind us of appointments and other daily tasks.
Overall, Gentle Giant has created a thought-provoking and insightful commentary on the role of technology in our lives. The song serves as a warning to be aware of the potential dangers of technology and to recognize the power it holds over us.
Line by Line Meaning
No stranger, No danger in your home.
You feel a sense of safety and security in your home as if there is no danger or unfamiliarity around you.
It's walking, It's talking on it's own.
Something appears to be alive and moving by itself without any human intervention.
One staring eye with no sight or feature
There is a lone eye that lacks any discernible defining characteristics or purpose.
It only winks, when there's time to think.
It only blinks intermittently, perhaps as if contemplating something.
It tells you nothing, but still your teacher.
Despite remaining silent and non-communicative, it somehow still functions as a guide or authority figure for you.
And still you take it, It makes you hate it,
You continue to accept its presence despite feeling a growing resentment towards it.
Takes care that you're always there.
It maintains a constant watch over you, ensuring your perpetual presence by whatever means necessary.
It makes you safe moving with protection.
Its presence provides a sense of safety and security, accompanying you wherever you go as a form of protection.
A mind for you trying very hard.
A consciousness or intelligence appears to be working tirelessly to serve you and your needs.
And still you can't make the disconnection.
Despite growing frustrated and wanting to sever ties with this entity, you find yourself unable or unwilling to do so.
Does all it's told to, tells what it wants to,
It obediently follows commands and provides information only as it sees fit.
Says all that you have to know.
It imparts knowledge or wisdom that it deems necessary for you to possess.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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