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)
Three Friends
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet in sadness
Now part of their past.
In the end
Full of gladness
Went from class to class.
The lyrics to Gentle Giant's song Three Friends describe the bittersweet experience of growing up and moving on from old friendships. The three friends, once close and sweet in sadness, have now become memories of the past. The lyrics speak of the end of an era and the beginning of a new one, with the friends finding joy in their separate paths.
The line "full of gladness went from class to class" points to the idea of the friends moving on to pursue their own dreams and ambitions. Despite the sadness of leaving behind the old times and friendships, they find happiness in the pursuit of their futures. The lyrics touch on themes of change, growth, and the inevitable effects of time on relationships.
Overall, the lyrics of Three Friends provide a powerful message about the fleeting nature of human connections, the importance of cherishing the memories of the past, and the hope and promise of new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
Once three friends
Three individuals who were close companions at one point in time.
Sweet in sadness
Despite their hardships, the friends had a close and fond relationship.
Now part of their past.
The friendship has ended and the individuals have moved on from one another.
In the end
After all was said and done.
Full of gladness
The individuals are now happy and content with their lives.
Went from class to class.
They shared and experienced many different things together during their time as friends.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK VICTOR SHULMAN, KERRY CHURCHILL MINNEAR, PHILIP ARTHUR SHULMAN, RAY SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alter Charmeur
@Henna: Dieses Meisterwerk und Deine Geschichte ist für mich so emotional ergreifend, dass ich nicht umhin kam, Dir ein paar Zeilen zu schreiben.
Ich kann mit Dir zutiefst mitfühlen. Ich hoffe Ihr drei hattet eine schöne gemeinsame Zeit, auch wenn sich Euer Wunsch letztlich nicht erfüllt hat. Ihr konntet die Freude über diese großartige Musik gemeinsam miteinander teilen und sie auch erleben.
Ich bin ein großer Musikfan, habe Gentle Giant aber leider nie live erlebt bzw. erleben können. Ich bin erst durch die ersten Remixe von Steven Wilson vor einigen Jahren auf diese epochale Band aufmerksam geworden. Für mich ist diese Band und insbesondere auch Three Friends seither mit das Größte was die Musikgeschichte je hervor gebracht hat.
Beste Grüße und alles Gute wünscht Dir
Dirk, 57 aus Potsdam
Phil Mastman
This song is one of the greatest achievements in all of prog rock. A little-known masterpiece.
Norm Appleton
It makes everyone who hears it feel better
Bill Atkin
This song never fails to send shivers down my spine. What a chord sequence!!!
Marc-André Berthelot
And that friendship never last,,,,,
Sally F
Yes, yes! The components of the tune fit together so well. The organ is very beautiful and invigorating.
Rick Barker
perfect1
🔴 Bucket Head
Makes me cry sometimes. I love music with my entire soul, but progressive is my life blood, and Gentle Giant is at the top of my list with Return To Forever. I love you 💕 Hugs from Las Vegas
Erik
absolute beauty
Charles Lehmann
I heard this song more than 1000 times
claudio schirinzi
Probably the best piece from best band in absolutly prog group from Canterbury, here in evidence the keyboard of magic Shulman&brothers.
Superlative sound,.... not well know by the great audience of pop rock.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5STAR.