Gentle Giant were a British progressive rock band founded in London, United… Read Full Bio ↴Gentle Giant were a British progressive rock band founded in London, United Kingdom active between 1970 and 1980. The band was known for the complexity and sophistication of its music and for the varied musical skills of its members. All of the band members, except the first two drummers, were multi-instrumentalists. Although not commercially successful, they did achieve a cult following.
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)
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)
Talybont
Gentle Giant Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Gentle Giant:
10-Rock Climber Rock climber, Good-timer, Backstager, All-nighter Rock clim…
7 Run, run, the shotgun has got you in its range. Turn,…
A Cry for Everyone Run, why should I run away When at the end the…
A Reunion Meeting in this way who could have known, How our destinies…
A2. Funny Ways I'm sorry to have been so much of a bore But…
Advent of Panurge There coming over Charaton Bridge Look do you see the man…
All Through the Night Everyday they clock me, everyday is just the same. And the…
Alucard Lying still, Am I dreaming Feel the chill Breath of fear Ev…
An Inmates Lullaby Lying down here in the afternoon In my pretty cosy little…
As Old As You Look at the mirror over there, what do you see?…
Aspirations As the dust settles, see our dreams, All coming true It depe…
Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do It I betcha thought we couldn't do it. And if you…
Betcha Thougt We Couldn't Do It I betcha thought we couldn't do it. And if…
Black Cat There's a cat prowling through the streets at night And she'…
Cogs in Cogs Empty promise broken the path has Not been paved any way. Co…
Convenience Plastic, plastic, take the modern way. Simulation, for my in…
Cry For Everyone Run, why should I run away When at the end the…
Design As years drift by And future dies. He sits and he thinks…
Dog Shuffling down the street with his sideways feet, Stopping n…
Edge Of Twilight The moon is down Casting its shadow over the night-haunted t…
Empty City 1. She knows the streets where she walks, …
Excerpts From Octopus Excerpts From Octopus Laughter, coinspin The Boys In The B…
Experience Once I was a boy, an innocent to life and…
For Nobody Running away, I'll leave you my address, don't want you…
Free Hand Who would believe me now that my hands are free,…
Freedom's Child Some things end as summer falls And fly away on silken…
Friends FRIENDS Where would I be without friends, to take good care…
Funny Ways I'm sorry to have been so much of a bore But…
Giant The birth of a realization, The rise of a high expectation, …
Giant For A Day You can be President Carter, maybe Idi Amin, or say…
Give It Back Isn't it strange, oh it's funny, Working for years have no…
Heroes No More They were standing there, they were so near, yet so…
His Last Voyage Rose in early morning, as the light came through, Searching …
I Am a Camera My eyes are ready, They're focusing on you. I'm watching eve…
I Lost My Head 1. I lost my head, it was not easy, Unknown, unread,…
I'm Turning Around Where's the love that you once promised. Where's the pride,…
In A Glass House Looking through the window can you tell me what you…
Inmates Lullaby Lying down here in the afternoon In my pretty cozy little…
Inside Out As I sit, as the world goes 'round, In the room…
Interview Yes it's been hard, going a long time And we're together…
Isn't It Quiet And Cold Isn't it quiet and cold walking all alone, alone? …
It's Not Imagination Looked in the papers, looked in the magazines Wanted to find…
It's Only Goodbye Strange though we made it, in those days that were…
Just the Same See me, what I am, what I was, what I'll…
Knots All in all each man in all men All men in…
Littel Brown Bag HOLD ON; To the little brown bag. If it's all (that)…
Memories Now the wings fell to ground as the miles they…
Mister Class and Quality Look around my rooms and see the prizes I have…
Mobile Up, up, time to fly. Moving all around, going everywhere …
Mountain Time Mountain time, mountain date. Hope to be there, before…
No God's A Man Now the words and claims are seen as always The way…
No God’s A Man Now the words and claims are seen as always The way…
No Stranger No stranger, No danger in your home. It's walking, It's tal…
Nothing At All Now she sits by the riverside Watching the waters glide by, …
Number One Got to get out more Get in the place Got to work…
On Reflection In my way did I use you, do you think…
Pantagruel How can I laugh or cry When my mind is sorely…
Peel Off the Paint Free from the start - Left to depart - Finding the pleasure…
Plain Truth "Tell Frank to order me, uh Two Wimpeys and a portion…
Playing the Game As I hold the key to the back door of the…
Power & The Glory Run, run, the shotgun has got you in its range. Turn,…
Power and the Glory Run, run, the shotgun has got you in its range. Turn,…
Proclamation You may not have all you want or you need All…
Proclomation You may not have all you want or you need All…
Prologue Three friends are made, three lives are laughs and tears Thr…
Raconteur Troubadour Gather round the village square Come good people both wretch…
Recording So Sincere Hear, he'll do it all for you, you will see…
Reunion Meeting in this way who could have known, How our destinies…
River Touching the last of what is past Moving silent water fell…
Rock Climber Rock climber, Good-timer, Backstager, All-nighter Rock climb…
RONDO: Playing the Game As I hold the key to the back door of the…
Runaway He is the runaway, Lie low the wanted man Mask his…
School Days The bell rings And all things Are calling The days past The …
Shadows on the Street And we're sitting here Wondering where the peaceful night ha…
So Sincere Hear, he'll do it all for you, you will see…
Studio Free from the start - Left to depart - Finding the pleasure…
Sweet Georgia Brown No gal made has got a shade On sweet Georgia brown,…
Take Me Smooth-talkin', slow-walkin' tell no lie Cool is the fool wi…
Thank You Thank you, for staying around so long, I know it's…
The Advent of Panurge There coming over Charaton Bridge Look do you see the man…
The Boys in the Band (Instrumental) Not to be confused with the play of the same …
The Face Sing your song, words that have to continue. Tell a tale,…
The House Looking through the window can you tell me what you…
The House the Street the Room The room and street are known only to me and…
THE MOON IS DOW And the horse riding up through the red skies The moon…
The Power And The Glory Run, run, the shotgun has got you in its range. Turn,…
The Queen [Instrumental] Derek Shulman, lead vocals, backing vocals …
The Runaway He is the runaway, Lie low the wanted man Mask his…
Think of Me With Kindness Why am I using words, no more to say without…
Three Friends Once three friends Sweet in sadness Now part of their past. …
Time to Kill Rests where he's staying, nowhere he knows, A place where no…
Timing See now, like cat then mouse, I move, They move, the…
Two Week in Spain Two weeks in Spain makes the year disappear easy Two weeks…
Two Weeks In Spain Two weeks in Spain makes the year disappear easy Two weeks…
Underground Wheels go 'round, from end to end, A passage run, go…
Valedictory And though the hard times, Are really due to me, it…
Way of Life You'll find an answer, You've got to believe in your…
Weekend Cowboy Weekend cowboy, passing through Do you know where you're go…
Who Do You Think You Are Yeah, now I'm back here in Hollywood, I pick up…
Why Not Don't sing a tune to yourself You might believe this one. Tr…
Winning Once he could smile maybe happy Fighting for his future and…
Words From the Wise Words from the wise, encourage you, carries all your taking…
Working All Day Working all day, I'm digging up the roads, just working…
Wreck The ship's rising up from the sea to the sky…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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thewildeeper
Lots of references to the other GG albums
Giant head- Arguably either "Gentle Giant" (first album) or "Giant for a Day!"
Crown, and then the Butterfly Club- "The Power and the Glory"
Hand sculpture- "Free Hand"
Rainbow- "Interview"
Puzzle- "The Missing Piece"
Any more?
Progger_Frogger
The greatest N64 soundtrack that never was.
Chris Wakefield
Talybont even sounds like an N64 game.
StarlessBandNJ
Exactly what I was thinking. Makes me nostalgic for the N64 in addition to nostalgic for music that came out before I was born lol
Nero Ribeiro
Good times
Jeff Plissken
It’s got a Super Mario RPG sound to it with more medieval feels to it
Rassoodocks
Discovered this band at the beginning of lockdown last year and gotta say they made things much better during that time.
Frizzon
Pretty much same. I put power and glory on one day mowing grass because I thought the art looked cool and it was recommended under "artists similar to King Crimson," LOL. Not really. Anyways, I didn't like it at first but I knew I was going too. I watched the sight and sound concert shortly after and It just sucked me right in.
Clive Little
Gentle Giant were unique in every sense of the word & this proves it. 😄
Magnus
Loving these music videos you keep putting out. Each one is different than the last, kinda like your music. Each unique in their own special way
tony cushen
For me it was 77 I still listen frequently!!