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)
Timing
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They move, the game hasn't an end.
Good news soon, bad news then,
I know the sound that says
"Nothing again".
What then? The hours go past,
My say is real, they say only pretend.
Timing.
Timing.
When I sell myself again.
Do they all realize, the lion's share
Is always halfway.
Wait for that day for my good.
When I sell myself again.
Timing.
Wait for that day, for my good.
Timing.
When I sell myself again.
See now, like cat then mouse, I move,
They move, the game hasn't an end.
Good news soon, bad news then,
I know the sound that says
"Nothing again".
What then? The hours go past,
My say is real, they say only pretend.
Timing.
The lyrics of Gentle Giant's "Timing" can be interpreted in a number of ways, but it primarily seems to be about the ups and downs of life, and the importance of waiting for the right opportunities. The singer uses the metaphor of a cat and mouse game to describe the constant movement and uncertainty of life. They are constantly moving, as are others, but the game never ends, and there is always a good news-bad news cycle. The singer seems resigned to the fact that there are moments of triumph and moments of disappointment. They are able to detect the "sound" that signals the onset of bad news, making it clear that they have been through this cycle before.
Despite this, the singer remains hopeful and determined. They know that there will be moments of good news, and they wait patiently for those moments. They seem to be saying that life is not always fair, and that success is not guaranteed, but it's important to keep waiting for the right opportunities. This theme is emphasized in the repeated refrain of "wait for that day, for my good" and "when I sell myself again." The singer seems to be saying that although they may have to sell themselves or their skills in order to succeed, they are willing to do so, as long as the timing is right.
Overall, "Timing" is a reflective and philosophical song that emphasizes the importance of patience and perseverance in the face of life's ups and downs. The use of the cat and mouse game metaphor adds a layer of ambiguity to the song, allowing the listener to determine their own interpretation of what the game represents.
Line by Line Meaning
See now, like cat then mouse, I move,
I am constantly moving and changing, just like a game of cat and mouse.
They move, the game hasn't an end.
Others are also involved in this game, and it seems like there is no clear resolution.
Good news soon, bad news then,
Sometimes things seem to be going well, but then something negative happens.
I know the sound that says "Nothing again".
I am aware of the disappointment that comes with setbacks or failures.
What then? The hours go past,
Despite the ups and downs, time continues to pass.
My say is real, they say only pretend.
I feel like my opinions and actions are genuine, but others may view them as fake or insincere.
Timing.
Timing is important in this game of cat and mouse, and can greatly affect outcomes.
Wait for that day, for my good.
I am hopeful for a positive outcome or opportunity.
When I sell myself again.
I am willing to put myself out there and take risks to achieve this outcome or opportunity.
Do they all realize, the lion's share
Is always halfway.
I wonder if others recognize that success often requires equal effort and contribution from multiple parties.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Derek Shulman, Kerry Minnear, Ray Shulman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fleeb
Eh, I'll try... but I know I flubbed two of them:
See now, like cat then mouse, I move
They move, the game hasn't an end
Good news soon, bad news then
I know the sound that says
"nothing again"
What then? The hours go past
My say is real, they say only pretend
Timing
Do what you say
Wait for that day, for my good
Timing
When I sell myself again
Do they all realise, the lion's share
Is always halfway
Wait for that day for my good
And then this all-day's ride
When will it end, enjoy telling me
When I sell myself again
No-one is all more right
They tell us nothing is black or white.
Timing
Do what you say,
Wait for that day, for my good
Timing
There was no night(?)
And no-one wait to ask brubeck and (?)
When I sell myself again
See now, like cat then mouse, I move
They move, the game hasn't an end
Good news soon, bad news then
I know the sound that says
"nothing again"
What then? The hours go past
My say is real, they say only pretend
Timing
@jamespiontkowski7855
Been a fan since 1978..GG never gets old..
@mrflooby1
Ray Schulman wrote incredible bass lines.
@Ing.eliasgonzalez
A genius!!!
@paulbennett7021
One of the best bass-players. And a multi-instrumentalist! One of the few I look up to
@Chuckles..
If I'm not mistaken, he was also their primary writer as far as the music.
@bargainbassist
@@Chuckles.. Actually, nearly all GG songs were jointly written by Ray Shulman and Kerry Minnear.
@DavidBee
One of my favorites from "Interview". I love the sparkling new mix!
@NimrodelMirage
Noah you're a genius! Every single one of your videos are perfect for GG's songs
@pnwtreehugger806
Listening to the vibrant remix of this song gives me the excitement I felt every time I'd hear a new GG album back in the 1970s. Always fresh and innovative. Thank you Steven Wilson - thank you, thank you, thank you!
@danburnes722
Wonderful music… so much depth and layers, like a sweet onion