In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan. He added Steve Byrd on guitar, Liam Glenocky on drums and John McCoy (ex-zzebra) on bass, and initially pursued a progressive rock direction, releasing their eponymous debut in 1978, although they could only get a record deal in Japan. This recording has subsequently become more widely available as THE JAPANESE ALBUM.
The album was sufficiently successful to attract more attention and in 1979 the band secured a European deal with Acrobat Records. Before a new album was recorded, Byrd was replaced by Bernie Tormé and Glenocky by Mick Underwood, Ian Gillan's former colleague in Episode Six. Torme's "screaming guitar" sound fundamentally altered the dynamics and Gillan took a heavy metal direction. This lineup's first album was released as MR. UNIVERSE and contained many re-worked songs from The Japanese Album. The band caught the rise of the NWOBHM at just the right time and the group gained popularity in Europe. At Christmas Gillan turned down an offer from Ritchie Blackmore to join Rainbow, but Blackmore did make a "legendary" guest appearance for Gillan at their Christmas show. It was the first time Ian Gillan and Blackmore had performed together since 1973.
In 1980 Gillan reached the peak of their success, releasing the successful GLORY ROAD album with the limited edition "free" LP for gillan fans only. However the band remained unknown in North America and were unable to raise any interest there despite tours.
By 1981 the band members were becoming disgruntled that their European and Japanese success was not translating into increased pay, and after the FUTURE SHOCK album tour, Torme walked out just before the band were due to appear on Top of the Pops. He was replaced by White Spirit guitarist Janick Gers and this line up releaed the live/studio combi double album DOUBLE TROUBLE at the end of the year. In 1982 final album MAGIC followed. By this time, tension over money had reached fever-pitch and Ian Gillan needed time to have nodes removed from his vocal chords. He also received and accepted an offer to replace Ronnie James Dio in Black Sabbath. After the Magic tour Ian Gillan dissolved the band to the incredulity of the other members, particularly McCoy, and the acrimony remained into the 21st century.
McCoy subsequently released compilations of studio out-takes to which he had the rights, beginning with Gillan Tapes, Vol. 1, and ensured that revenues were distributed fairly amongst the band.
Are You Sure
Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sure do think it's funny
The way you punch and you brawl till you can barely crawl
Are you sure you're only in it for the money?
Good golly said the creep to the cop on the beat
I do admire the way you feel a collar
With all the beating and the showing that ain't so lovely doving
Wow said the judge to the hooker with a nudge
I'm gonna find you all your pleasure
But with the pervs and the kinks and the queer rinky dinks
Are you sure you only do it for the treasure?
Hey man said God to the Devil with a nod
I'm gonna fight you for the human race
But if I beat you with a spell and kick you out of hell
Are you sure that I can take your your place?
I'll be your confidante
Tell me of all your desires
Let me be your confidante
I'll help to put coal on your fires
The song "Are You Sure" by Gillan talks about people who are in different professions and how they are perceived by others. It is a commentary on society's expectations and the dissonance between those expectations and reality. The lyrics imply that people are not always truthful about their motivations, and there are often ulterior motives driving their actions.
The first verse talks about fighters in the ring, who are not just punching and brawling for the money. The usage of the phrase "are you sure" suggests that the singer believes there's more to it than just the money. Similarly, the second verse questions the intentions of the cop on the beat who feels "a collar," implying that there is a violent side to his job. The third verse highlights the life of a hooker and questions if she is doing it for the treasure or otherwise.
The final verse is a bit different, as it involves otherworldly figures, God and the Devil. In this verse, God challenges the devil to fight him for the human race, and the usage of the phrase "are you sure" indicates God's confidence in his own abilities. The ending lines are an offer of comfort and support from the singer, suggesting that people should be open and confide in others.
Overall, "Are You Sure" is a thought-provoking song that questions the motivations of people and society's expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Wow said the king to the fighters in the ring
The king makes an observation to the combatants in the arena.
I sure do think it's funny
The king finds humor in the fighting.
The way you punch and you brawl till you can barely crawl
The combatants fight until they can no longer stand.
Are you sure you're only in it for the money?
The king questions the fighters' motivation for fighting and wonders if it's just for money.
Good golly said the creep to the cop on the beat
The creep addresses the police officer.
I do admire the way you feel a collar
The creep admires the police officer's ability to make an arrest.
With all the beating and the showing that ain't so lovely doving
The creep recognizes that police work can be violent and unpleasant.
Are you sure you only do it for the dollar?
The creep questions the police officer's motivation for doing their job and wonders if it's just for money.
Wow said the judge to the hooker with a nudge
The judge addresses the prostitute.
I'm gonna find you all your pleasure
The judge offers to help the prostitute find pleasure.
But with the pervs and the kinks and the queer rinky dinks
The judge acknowledges that the prostitute may encounter clients with unusual sexual preferences.
Are you sure you only do it for the treasure?
The judge questions the prostitute's motivation for their work and wonders if it's just for money.
Hey man said God to the Devil with a nod
God speaks to the Devil.
I'm gonna fight you for the human race
God declares that he will fight the Devil for humanity.
But if I beat you with a spell and kick you out of hell
God proposes a hypothetical scenario in which he defeats the Devil and expels him from hell.
Are you sure that I can take your your place?
God questions the Devil's confidence in his own abilities and wonders if God could take his place as ruler of hell.
I'll be your confidante
The singer offers to be a trusted friend and advisor to someone.
Tell me of all your desires
The singer encourages someone to share their desires with them.
Let me be your confidante
The singer repeats their offer to be a trusted friend and advisor.
I'll help to put coal on your fires
The singer promises to support and fuel someone's passions and ambitions.
Contributed by Cole G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.