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)
Way Of Life
Gentle Giant Lyrics
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You've got to believe in your own way
Of life.
So you'll have to find an answer,
You'll have to find a way,
Try to find,
Try to find.
Does she believe in the choice of
Your life.
So you have to try to ask her, when you are away, left
Behind, out of mind; away.
And in the end you discover, examine, you have to decide if
There is an answer, if there is a way,
Let her find piece of
Mind.
And another day, all alone, think there is away at home.
Every other may, have their own, way of life that is their
Own.
And your wandering only a game to realize no joy your
Own.
And another day, all alone, choice of life is not your own.
You'll try to question her,
Does she believe in the way of
Your life.
So you have to try to ask her,
You'll have to find a way, left
Behind, out of mind; away.
The lyrics of Gentle Giant's "Way of Life" narrate the struggle to find one's purpose in life and trying to reconcile it with the expectations of others. The song begins with the suggestion that there is an answer to this dilemma, but it can only be found by believing in one's own way of life. The singer must then question a person close to them regarding their beliefs about the choice of the singer's life. The lyrics suggest that being away from this person and out of their mind is necessary to make this decision.
The singer then discovers that it is up to them to decide whether there is an answer or a way to live life based on their own beliefs. They encourage the person they questioned earlier to find peace of mind. The singer realizes that they are alone in this journey and must choose their own way of life instead of following the path of others. The song concludes with the singer once again questioning the person they had asked earlier whether they believe in the singer's way of life, and that they must find a way of their own.
The lyrics of "Way of Life" indicate that finding one's purpose in life and following it can be a solitary journey. It also highlights the importance of believing in one's own way of life and not succumbing to the expectations of others.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll find an answer,
You must seek for the answer you crave.
You've got to believe in your own way
Of life.
You must believe in your own way of living.
So you'll have to find an answer,
Therefore, you will have to discover an answer.
You'll have to find a way,
Try to find,
Try to find.
You will have to discover a way, keep searching, keep searching.
You'll try to question her,
Does she believe in the choice of
Your life.
You will attempt to ask her if she believes in your life's choices.
So you have to try to ask her, when you are away, left
Behind, out of mind; away.
Therefore, you must try to question her when you are not around, forgotten, and away.
And in the end you discover, examine, you have to decide if
There is an answer, if there is a way,
Let her find piece of
Mind.
In the end, you must discover and decide if there is an answer or a way, and let her find peace of mind.
And another day, all alone, think there is away at home.
On another day, by yourself, you think there is a path at home.
Every other may, have their own, way of life that is their
Own.
Everybody else has their own way of living, which is distinct to them.
And your wandering only a game to realize no joy your
Own.
Your wandering is only a game to recognize that you have no joy of your own.
And another day, all alone, choice of life is not your own.
On another day, by yourself, the choice of life is not yours to make.
You'll try to question her,
Does she believe in the way of
Your life.
You will attempt to question her if she believes in the way of your life.
So you have to try to ask her,
You'll have to find a way, left
Behind, out of mind; away.
Therefore, you must try to ask her, and find a way to do so, forgotten and away.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK VICTOR SHULMAN, KERRY CHURCHILL MINNEAR, RAY SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind