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 Face
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell a tale, seal the screen that is in you.
Make your peace, face to face that is after.
Reasons plain, tears of pain are not laughter.
Cast off the mold, buy all you've sold,
Confidence lost, pay for the cost.
Choose your way, realizing our mission,
Take your bows, hear the people are calling.
Play the game, Take the blame as you're falling.
Time to confess, clean up the mess,
Stand in the white, step in the light.
Use the time, show the face that is sorry,
For the day, questions leading to worry.
Hide your mask, show the face that is sorry.
Time to question, answering all their worry.
Time to confess, clean up the mess,
Cast off the mold, buy all you've sold.
The lyrics of Gentle Giant's song The Face are a reflection on the complexities of human nature, and the various masks we wear in order to navigate through life. The song is a call for honesty and authenticity, wherein the singer encourages listeners to face their fears and confront the truth, rather than hiding behind a façade. This theme is conveyed through various metaphors and imagery throughout the song, such as the idea of casting off the mold, or buying back what we've sold.
The lyrics also touch on the notion of performance, in the sense that we are all actors on a stage and must play our parts; however, the song suggests that it is possible to take control of our narratives and be truthful in the roles we play. This is conveyed through lines such as "Choose your way, realizing our mission, Figures lay, pulling strings for position" as well as "Take your bows, hear the people are calling, Play the game, Take the blame as you're falling." In other words, the song suggests that we have agency in the stories we tell, and that we can choose to be authentic, even as we play our parts on the world's stage.
Overall, The Face is a song that encourages listeners to be truthful, to confront their fears and their pain, and to live authentically. It is a call to recognize the various masks we wear, and to be honest about our true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing your song, words that have to continue.
Continue sharing your message through your music.
Tell a tale, seal the screen that is in you.
Share your story and protect your inner self.
Make your peace, face to face that is after.
Resolve conflicts and confront them head-on.
Reasons plain, tears of pain are not laughter.
Pain is not a source of happiness or humour.
Cast off the mold, buy all you've sold,
Break free from confinement and take back what you've given up.
Confidence lost, pay for the cost.
Regain your confidence, and be prepared to face consequences for your actions.
Choose your way, realizing our mission,
Pursue your own path while acknowledging collective efforts.
Figures lay, pulling strings for position.
Power and influence can be manipulated and exploited.
Take your bows, hear the people are calling.
Receive praise and recognition from those who appreciate your artistry.
Play the game, Take the blame as you're falling.
Participate in the music industry, but be accountable for your actions.
Time to confess, clean up the mess,
Acknowledge and remedy any wrongdoings.
Stand in the white, step in the light.
Be honest and open, and accept scrutiny and attention.
Use the time, show the face that is sorry,
Apologize and take the chance to make amends.
For the day, questions leading to worry.
Uncertainty and doubt can lead to unease.
Hide your mask, show the face that is sorry.
Reveal your true self and seek forgiveness.
Time to question, answering all their worry.
Be receptive to others' concerns and be prepared to answer them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK VICTOR SHULMAN, KERRY CHURCHILL MINNEAR, RAY SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Francisco Javier Rodríguez
[Verse 1]
Sing your song, words that have to continue
Tell a tale, seal the screen that is in you
Make your peace, face the face that is after
Reasons plain, tears of pain are not laughter
Cast off the mould, buy all you've sold
Confidence lost, pay for the cost
[Verse 2]
Choose your way, realizing our mission
Figures lay, pulling strings for position
Take your bows, hear the people are calling
Play the game, Take the blame as you're falling
Time to confess, clean up the mess
Stand in the white, step in the light
[Violin/Guitar Solo]
(Oh, wow!)
[Verse 3]
Use the time, show the face that is sorry
For the day, questions leading to worry
Hide your mask, show the face that is sorry
Time to ask, answering all their worry
Time to confess, clean up the mess
Cast off the mould, buy all you've sold
David Easton
One of my favourite albums of all time.... Brilliant, G.G.'s magnum opus. They deserve so much more acclaim, recognition, and respect for their artistry. 🥰
Gregory Horn
Another stellar composition by Ray Shulman! RIP!! :')
grofinet
Totally mindblowing! Also love the animated king!
Bernard Candela
my dad suggested this to me, its amazing!
Francisco Javier Rodríguez
[Verse 1]
Sing your song, words that have to continue
Tell a tale, seal the screen that is in you
Make your peace, face the face that is after
Reasons plain, tears of pain are not laughter
Cast off the mould, buy all you've sold
Confidence lost, pay for the cost
[Verse 2]
Choose your way, realizing our mission
Figures lay, pulling strings for position
Take your bows, hear the people are calling
Play the game, Take the blame as you're falling
Time to confess, clean up the mess
Stand in the white, step in the light
[Violin/Guitar Solo]
(Oh, wow!)
[Verse 3]
Use the time, show the face that is sorry
For the day, questions leading to worry
Hide your mask, show the face that is sorry
Time to ask, answering all their worry
Time to confess, clean up the mess
Cast off the mould, buy all you've sold
Davidson Caruso
Love the guitar. Gary Green ❤️
TheMrZif
Nice. Sounds like a remix. Always liked the violin and drums on this track.
Aliq Zakry
i think is might be one of those Steven Wilson prog remixes
Blanch Van Gogh escritor
Excelent! Marvelous! Wow!!!!
sin nombre
i found G.G. by pure coincidence in spotify... immediately became one of my favorite bands.