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)
Rock Climber
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rock climber, Good-timer, follows the songs through the night
In the night
Backstager, All-nighter, Fills you with praise till it's light.
She's waited for you (or me). She saw you there on T.V.
And said you looked good, not like you could, You're better in life you see.
Remember her friend last year, Knew John with the lighting gear,
Do you want to meet me tomorrow not there, she's a...
And then when she's in your room, it's over she calls your tune.
She crazes your head, takes you to bed,
All over for her too soon.
No tears when you say goodbye, You'll write, well you say you'll try
She goes like a dream, to dream new schemes,
Tonight there's more faces, in all the same places, she's a...
The lyrics to Gentle Giant's song Rock Climber depict the story of a famous rock climber, who is admired and followed by a group of people that includes a good-timer, a backstager, and an all-nighter. The singer is depicted as a person who is a magnet for attention and admiration, attracting a girl who saw him on TV and wants to meet him in person. He is also portrayed as person with a limited attention span in his relationships, who easily moves on to new experiences and people. The lyrics capture the fleeting nature of being a celebrity and the allure of fast-paced, exciting personal connections that come with it, while at the same time highlighting the emptiness of these experiences.
The chorus of the song repeats the same four words "rock climber, good-timer, backstager, all-nighter" to emphasize the different roles that the singer plays in people's lives, as well as to provide a catchy rhythm. The song combines a range of musical genres, including rock, folk and classical, creating a dynamic soundscape that reflects the singer's dynamic life.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock climber, Good-timer, follows the songs through the night
A party goer who enjoys late nights and follows the music wherever it goes.
In the night
The time of day when the fun begins and the music starts to play.
Backstager, All-nighter, Fills you with praise till it's light.
Someone who works behind the scenes of the music industry and remains awake until dawn, giving compliments to others until the morning.
She's waited for you (or me). She saw you there on T.V.
A woman who has been waiting for someone, possibly a famous person she saw on television.
And said you looked good, not like you could, You're better in life you see.
Compliments that the person being admired looks better in real life than they did on TV.
Remember her friend last year, Knew John with the lighting gear, You've such a nice face, what time what place, Do you want to meet me tomorrow not there, she's a...
Recalling a previous interaction of a mutual friend who knew someone in the music industry, and an invitation to meet outside of a certain location because the woman is trying to remain inconspicuous.
And then when she's in your room, it's over she calls your tune.
Once the woman is alone with the person, she controls the situation and directs the events.
She crazes your head, takes you to bed, All over for her too soon.
The woman has captivated the person's thoughts and taken them to bed, but it was over too quickly for her liking.
No tears when you say goodbye, You'll write, well you say you'll try She goes like a dream, to dream new schemes, Tonight there's more faces, in all the same places, she's a...
There is no emotional reaction from the person when saying goodbye, but there is a promise to keep in touch. The woman is seen as someone who is always looking for the next thing, and there will always be more people and events to attend.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK SHULMAN, KERRY MINNEAR, RAYMOND SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind