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.
Bluesy Blue Sea
Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wanna know what
I'm gonna take my time
It maybe good but it could be bad it…
It drives me mad oh
Sitting here like a lunatic
You wanna know what
Don't make you sick
But you can't sing my song
Looking deep in my moody eyes
Feeling good well
I got a big surprise
You're the one that I'm aiming at you
You stupid prat
I'm on the edge of insanity
But wait a minute now
Is it you or me
Lock me up if I've done you wrong
You'll never sing my song
Bluesy blue sea won't you favour me
Bluesy blue sea won't you savour me
I live loosely not too bravely
Bluesy blue sea won't you save me
Gotta dream in December days
I can't reach it but
I'm gonna change my ways
Forget the wind and forget the snow you gotta
Let me go oh
Sitting here like a lunatic
You wanna know what
Don't it make you sick
I may be right and I may be wrong
Wish I could sing your song
The lyrics of Gillan's song "Bluesy Blue Sea" showcase the internal struggles of the singer who seems to be at a crossroads in life. Sitting with the bottom line, the singer takes their own time to decide whether what is in front of them is good or bad. It drives them mad, and they feel like they are going insane. However, when they look deep into their moody eyes and feel good, they realize they have a big surprise. They are aiming at someone they call a stupid prat. The singer feels like they are on the edge of insanity, but then they question whether it is them or the person they are aiming at. They wish to be locked up if they have done anything wrong while reiterating that you will never sing their song.
In the second stanza, the singer seeks solace from a bluesy blue sea. They live loosely, not too bravely, and want the sea to save them. They have a dream that they cannot reach, but they want to change their ways to have it become a reality. They are tired of the wind and snow and want to be let go from it all. They are not happy with where they are in life and wish they could sing the song of the person they are aiming at. The lyrics of the song express the overwhelming feeling of confusion and internal turmoil that is relatable in various situations in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting here with the bottom line
Gillan is sitting and contemplating the main issue or outcome of a situation.
You wanna know what
Gillan is addressing an unknown individual or audience, and asks if they are interested in his situation.
I'm gonna take my time
Gillan plans to take as much time as he needs to analyze his situation properly.
It maybe good but it could be bad it…
Gillan is considering that the situation he is facing could have both positive and negative outcomes.
It drives me mad oh
Gillan is becoming very stressed and agitated by his situation.
Sitting here like a lunatic
Gillan feels like he is starting to lose his mind because of his situation.
You wanna know what
Gillan is again addressing the unknown individual or audience and asks if they want to know what is making him go insane.
Don't make you sick
Gillan questions if their awareness of his situation makes them feel ill or uncomfortable in any way.
Yes I may be right I may be wrong
Gillan admits that he could be either correct or incorrect in his current situation.
But you can't sing my song
Gillan is stating that while someone else may be able to relate to his situation or have gone through something similar, ultimately no one can truly understand it as it's his own personal journey.
Looking deep in my moody eyes
Gillan feels his eyes may be reflecting his inner emotions, which are currently moody.
Feeling good well
Despite his earlier agitated state, Gillan is currently feeling a positive emotion.
I got a big surprise
Gillan has experienced something unexpected, which could have triggered his new found positive emotion.
You're the one that I'm aiming at you
It seems that Gillan has identified someone who has caused his recent positive feelings.
You stupid prat
Gillan uses an insulting term to address the individual he has identified as being the cause of his previous situation.
I'm on the edge of insanity
Gillan is still teetering on the edge of losing control of his emotions and mindset.
But wait a minute now
Gillan is pausing to take a breath and think more logically and rationally about the situation.
Is it you or me
Gillan is now questioning if his own mental state could be affecting his perception of events, or if the other person is truly at fault.
Lock me up if I've done you wrong
Gillan is implying that he would rather be punished than be stuck in his current situation any longer.
You'll never sing my song
Gillan is stating that despite the other person possibly being guilty, they will never truly understand the emotional and personal implications of the situation.
Bluesy blue sea won't you favour me
Gillan is now reaching out to the universe, likely in a musical reference, in hopes the blue sea will bring him favor or fortune.
Bluesy blue sea won't you savour me
Gillan is now requesting that the sea savor his experiences or emotions, allowing him to make the most of them in his music.
I live loosely not too bravely
Gillan admits to living life in a relaxed, non-committal way, without taking too many risks out of fear or caution.
Bluesy blue sea won't you save me
Gillan is once again calling on the blue sea to help him, this time in a more desperate tone, as he struggles to rise above his current situation.
Gotta dream in December days
Gillan has aspirations or wants to achieve something, which he references in relation to December days - a time of year often associated with reflection on the year to come and future plans.
I can't reach it but
Despite the dream being so desirable, Gillan feels he is unable to attain it or bring it to fruition.
I'm gonna change my ways
Gillan is planning to alter his behavior or mindset in order to bring himself closer to his goal or dreams.
Forget the wind and forget the snow you gotta
Gillan is casting aside other external forces or possible distractions that could stand in the way of achieving his dream.
Let me go oh
Gillan is asking for the freedom or ability to move forward without any obstacles or physical, emotional or mental restraints.
I may be right and I may be wrong
Gillan again acknowledges that he could still fail or falter in his attempts to achieve his dreams or goals, even if he alters his ways.
Wish I could sing your song
Gillan recognizes that the other person he referenced earlier may have something to offer, and admits that he wishes things between them could be different so that he could learn from their experiences.
Contributed by Jack J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.