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)
Proclamation
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All that you have has been due to my hand,
It can change, it can stay the same,
Who can say, who can make their claim.
The situation we are in at this time
Neither a good one, nor is it so unblest
It can change, it can stay the same,
Hail ........ Hail ........ Hail.
Unity's strength and all must be as one,
Confidence in you hope will reflect in me
I think everyone not as my nation for
You are my people and there must be no change.
It can change, it can stay the same
I can say, I can make my claim.
Hail ........ Hail ........ Hail.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Day by day.
You may not have all you want or you need
All that you have has been due to my hand,
It can change, it can stay the same,
Who can say, who can make their claim.
Unity's strength and all must be as one,
Confidence in you hope will reflect in me
I think everyone not as my nation for
You are my people and there must be no change.
It can change, it can stay the same
I can say, I can make my claim.
Hail ........ Hail ........ Hail.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Day by day.
The lyrics of Gentle Giant's song "Proclamation" seem to be a display of power and control. The first verse talks about the singer being the reason why the listener has all that they have. It's unspoken whether this is a good thing or not. The second verse shifts to the "situation we are in," which is described as neither good nor bad, but rather able to change or stay the same. The singer claims the power to change it, and it is unclear whether this is for the betterment or detriment of the listener.
The third verse seems to bring in a political message, with the idea of unity and how everyone must be as one. However, this unity seems to be based on the confidence and control that the singer has over the listener. The singer states that they don't think of anyone as being their nation, but rather everyone being their people. This could be seen as a benevolent idea, but again, it is unclear due to the nature of the power dynamic in the song. The song ends with the repeated "Hail to Power and to Glory's way," which again reinforces the idea of control and domination.
Line by Line Meaning
You may not have all you want or you need
The listener may not possess everything desired or required.
All that you have has been due to my hand,
The singer has been responsible for providing what the listener possesses.
It can change, it can stay the same,
The state of things can fluctuate, depending on circumstances.
Who can say, who can make their claim.
Uncertainty exists as to who will ultimately have control or influence.
The situation we are in at this time
The current state of affairs is being referenced.
Neither a good one, nor is it so unblest
The current circumstances are neither entirely positive nor entirely negative.
I can say, I can make my claim.
The singer is asserting that they have power or authority in the situation.
Hail ........ Hail ........ Hail.
A cheer or exclamation of praise is being made.
Unity's strength and all must be as one,
The artist emphasizes the importance of unity in achieving strength or power.
Confidence in you hope will reflect in me
The artist affirms that their hope in the listener will be reinforced by their own confidence.
I think everyone not as my nation for
The singer does not view others as belonging to a different nation or group.
You are my people and there must be no change.
The artist feels a sense of ownership or kinship towards the listener, and opposes any alteration of their relationship.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
An exaltation is made to the pursuit or attainment of power and glory.
Day by day.
The idea of change or progression over time is reinforced.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK VICTOR SHULMAN, KERRY CHURCHILL MINNEAR, RAY SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ricardo Manuel Obando
Puede que no tengas todo lo que quieres o necesitas
Todo lo que tienes se debe a mi mano
Puede cambiar, puede permanecer igual
¿Quién puede decir, quién puede hacer su reclamo?
La situación en la que nos encontramos en este momento.
Ni buena ni tan mala
Puede cambiar, puede permanecer igual
Puedo decir, puedo hacer mi reclamo
Salve ... Salve ... Salve
La fuerza de la unidad y todos deben ser uno
La confianza en tu esperanza se reflejará en mi
Creo que todo el mundo no es mi nación
Ustedes son mi gente y no debe haber cambios
Puede cambiar, puede permanecer igual
Puedo decir, puedo hacer mi reclamo
Salve ... Salve ... Salve
Salve al poder y al camino de la gloria
Salve al poder y al camino de la gloria
Salve al poder y al camino de la gloria
Salve al poder y al camino de la gloria
Día a día
Puede que no tengas todo lo que quieres o necesitas
Todo lo que tienes se debe a mi mano
Puede cambiar, puede permanecer igual
¿Quién puede decir, quién puede hacer su reclamo?
La fuerza de la unidad y todos deben ser uno
La confianza en tu esperanza se reflejará en mi
Creo que todo el mundo no es mi nación
Ustedes son mi gente y no debe haber cambios
Puede cambiar, puede permanecer igual
Puedo decir, puedo hacer mi reclamo
Salve ... Salve ... Salve
Salve al poder y al camino de la gloria
Salve al poder y al camino de la gloria
Salve al poder y al camino de la gloria
Salve al poder y al camino de la gloria
Día a día
kurczaken
That feeling when you launch UTOPIA and you hear Gentle Giant... I thought my Spotify was broken for a while
Nicolas Catalani
same lmao
Lucas Holmgren
@Nicolas Catalani haha amazing,
The Borax Bandit
utopia??
Alienware 520
Same Bro hahaha
Casey Rupert37
I’m praying this song doesn’t just become known as that song that was used for the intro of Utopia (even though it sadly probably will). Such a great and underrated prog masterpiece. Definitely was not expecting it to be sampled on Utopia (let alone be the intro to the album) but it worked pretty well. I must say respect to Travis’s production.
Justsome Jusstsome
fr it shocked me, weirdest crossover ever lol its like 2 of your best friends meeting and hitting it off
Lucas de Carvalho
Here to enjoy It the last time before the hit.
Lucas de Carvalho
Well, at least Gentle Giant will still 10s alive in form of a trap sample.
Rex Mckinnis
Nah, the hypebeast, new age mainstream jackasses will consider it JUST the Travis Scott Utopia intro. But they’re are curious people like myself Who are interested and do the research. I’m 31 and grew up on hip hop and R&B solely. No introduction to Rock at all. Growing up in the internet age and getting out my comfort zone plus seeing music BUFFS mention Gentle Giant introduced me to their music. The REAL ONES will have an appreciation for Gentle Giant. Trust me.