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)
Valedictory
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are really due to me, it is still in me,
To wave all this unrest.
Things must stay,
There must be no change,
Anyway, time to rearrange.
You must believe, that there's
I've really done for you.
Things must stay,
There must be no change,
Anyway, time to rearrange.
Hail, to power and to glory's way.
Hail, to power and to glory's way.
Must be a reason why plans
Have turned around not only in me,
Must also be in you.
Things must stay,
There must be no change,
Anyway, time to rearrange.
Hail
, to power and to glory's way.
The first stanza of Gentle Giant's song "Valedictory" reflects on the challenges and difficulties that the singer has faced, admitting that those challenges were brought on by their own actions. Yet despite this acknowledgement, the singer still has the desire to move forward and let go of the struggles that hold them back. The second stanza is a sort of plea to their audience and asks them to trust that they have acted with good intentions and have not betrayed anyone. The repetition of "things must stay, there must be no change" suggests a reluctance to alter the status quo, perhaps out of fear of further negative consequences. The repeated chant "hail to power and to glory's way" in the final stanza is perhaps ironic or revealing, as it suggests a commitment to upholding the system that may have contributed to the singer's problems in the first place.
The song seems to be grappling with the idea of change and transformation. The singer acknowledges their own shortcomings and desires to move forward, but is hesitant to make changes in their life that may be necessary for growth. The repeated refrain of "things must stay, there must be no change" suggests a fear of the unknown or a desire to avoid consequence. The inclusion of the chant "hail to power and to glory's way" further suggests a resistance to change, as it is an affirmation of the existing hierarchy and structure. Overall, the song seems to be wrestling with the limitations and challenges of personal transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
And though the hard times,
Despite the difficulties,
Are really due to me, it is still in me,
Although I am responsible, I have the ability,
To wave all this unrest.
To calm this turmoil down.
Things must stay,
We must maintain the status quo,
There must be no change,
We cannot make any changes,
Anyway, time to rearrange.
Regardless, we need to reorganize.
You must believe, that there's
You must trust that
Been no betrayal all that I've done,
I have not betrayed you in anything I've done,
I've really done for you.
I have done it all for your benefit.
Hail, to power and to glory's way.
We celebrate the way of power and success.
Must be a reason why plans
There is likely a reason why our plans
Have turned around not only in me,
Have not gone as expected for me alone,
Must also be in you.
You may have played a role as well.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK VICTOR SHULMAN, KERRY CHURCHILL MINNEAR, RAY SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@franciscojavierrodriguez8236
[Verse 1]
And though the hard times are really due to me
It still is in me, to wave all this unrest
Things must stay, there must be no change
Anyway, time to rearrange
[Verse 2]
You must believe him, that there's been no betrayal
All that I've done, I've really done for you
Things must stay, there must be no change
Anyway, time to rearrange
[Refrain]
Hail to power and to glory's way
Hail to power and to glory's way
[Verse 3]
Must be a reason, why plans have turned around
Not only in me, must also be in you
Things must stay, there must be no change
Anyway, time to rearrange
[Outro]
Hail-
@remiklein9901
Masterpiece
@Alex_zaiok
i couldn't agree anymore
@jim6547
One of my favorites
@tonyfabrizio6755
I migliori di sempre
@thomassicard3733
There must be no change!
@joeheadblues
RIP Ray Shulman
@carolvegas
one of my favorites!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️
@eitonkamelgarn9150
Every GG song is like 5 songs in one!
@janpoelkamp4229
I love how it starts all down and dirty, quite bluesy like the very early material, and as the song goes along they seem to get bored with it and it’s as if they can’t help themselves trying to fit in any wild idea.
@unknown6390
Its not random, this song is based on the theme from Proclamation and very tastefully reincorporates it