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)
Thank You
Gentle Giant Lyrics
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You spend half your life, just testing the ground.
Thank you, I thought you would come to along, I don't know when,
And all of those years, just foolin' around.
Thank you, for taking me as I am. no better than you.
You give me your love, you take it from me.
Thank you, for staying around so long, I know it's been hard.
You spend half your life, just testing the ground.
We both understand, to give and to be.
Thank you,
For waiting such a long time, and strange that it just had to be.
It's true,
You look, you keep on trying,
Had to keep on trying,
Search for half a life time, suddenly it's there.
Thank you, for being here where I am, it's better by far
Not living alone, the future to share.
Thank you, for loving me like you do, for being my friend,
And taking my hand, and sharing my cares.
The song "Thank You" by Gentle Giant is a song of gratitude and appreciation to someone who has been a constant presence in the singer's life. The lyrics express the singer's awareness of the difficulties that their loved one has faced throughout their life, as well as their own imperfections. The singer thanks their loved one for their unwavering support and acceptance, and for loving them despite their flaws. The repeated phrase "thank you" is a reflection of the singer's deep gratitude and recognition of the other person's importance in their life.
The lyrics also reflect on the journey that the two have been on together. The line "You spend half your life, just testing the ground" suggests that both the singer and their loved one have gone through periods of uncertainty and discovery. The line "Had to keep on trying, search for half a life time, suddenly it's there" suggests that the two have faced challenges and obstacles, but have ultimately found their way to each other.
The song has a reflective and nostalgic tone, with a sense of longing and appreciation for the present moment. It is a heartfelt tribute to the enduring power of love and friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you, for staying around so long, I know it's been hard.
I appreciate your dedication to our relationship, even though it hasn't always been easy.
You spend half your life, just testing the ground.
You've had to navigate life's challenges and uncertainty for a long time.
Thank you, I thought you would come to along, I don't know when, And all of those years, just foolin' around.
I'm grateful you joined me on this journey, even though we didn't know where it would lead, and we've had some fun times along the way.
Thank you, for taking me as I am. no better than you.
I appreciate that you accept me for who I am, flaws and all, without seeing yourself as superior.
You give me your love, you take it from me.
Our relationship is reciprocal and involves giving and taking love from one another.
Thank you, you like all my funny ways, the things that I do.
I'm glad you find humor in my quirks and appreciate me for them.
We both understand, to give and to be.
We know how to both give and receive love and support in our relationship.
Thank you, For waiting such a long time, and strange that it just had to be.
Thank you for having patience and understanding that it took us a long time to find each other, even if it seems odd.
It's true, You look, you keep on trying, Had to keep on trying, Search for half a life time, suddenly it's there.
It's true that you've put in effort and persistence in finding love and have searched for a long time, but eventually it appeared.
Thank you, for being here where I am, it's better by far, Not living alone, the future to share.
I appreciate that you're in my life and we can share our journey together instead of being alone.
Thank you, for loving me like you do, for being my friend, And taking my hand, and sharing my cares.
Thank you for being my friend and loving me so deeply that you're there to support me in both good times and bad.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK SHULMAN, KERRY MINNEAR, RAYMOND SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind