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.
Child In Time
Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll see the line
The line that's drawn between
Good and bad
See the blind man
Shooting at the world
Bullets flying
If you've been bad
Oh Lord I bet you have
And you've not been hit
Oh by flying lead
You'd better close your eyes
Ooohhhh bow your head
Wait for the ricochet
Oooooo ooooooo ooooooo
Oooooo ooooooo ooooooo
Ooo, ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo
Oooooo ooooooo ooooooo
Oooooo ooooooo ooooooo
Ooo, ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aahh, aahh aahh
Aah I wanna hear you sing
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aahh, aahh aahh
Aaahhhh
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aahh, aahh aahh
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aahh, aahh aahh
Sweet child in time
You'll see the line
The line that's drawn between
Good and bad
See the blind man
Shooting at the world
Bullets flying
Mmmm taking toll
If you've been bad
Lord I bet you have
And you've not been hit
Oh by flying lead
You'd better close your eyes
Ooohhhhhhh bow your head
Wait for the ricochet
Oooooo ooooooo ooooooo
Oooooo ooooooo ooooooo
Ooo, ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo
Oooooo ooooooo ooooooo
Oooooo ooooooo ooooooo
Ooo, ooo ooo
Ooo ooo ooo
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aahh, aahh aahh
Aah I gotta hear you sing
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aahh, aahh aahh
Aah
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aahh, aahh aahh
Aah
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
Aahh, aahh aahh
Oh..God oh no..oh God no..oh..ah..no ah
AAh..oh..
Aawaah..ohh
Gillan's "Child in Time" is a hauntingly powerful song that touches on the line drawn between good and evil. The song begins with a sweet child who will soon see the line that separates right from wrong, good from bad. The next verse talks about a blind man who tries to shoot at the world, causing bullets to fly and take a heavy toll. If you've committed wrongdoings, the singer warns you to close your eyes, bow your head, and wait for the ricochet.
The song conveys an eerie atmosphere, capturing the dark and gloomy times of the 1970s, with the heavy rock and roll sound puncturing through the lyrics' intensity. The repetition of the words "Sweet child in time" illustrates a blend of sweetness and tragedy, youth, and despair.
The song has an up-tempo intro, which transforms into a moderately slow, heavy tune. The lyrics and the sound of the song together make it an emotionally charged one, and it evokes strong feelings of introspection and reflection upon the choices one makes in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet child in time
As you mature and gain experiences, you'll come to understand that the world isn't always good and that there are distinctions between right and wrong.
You'll see the line
You'll come to recognize the boundary between goodness and malevolence that exists in the world.
The line that's drawn between
This boundary creates a division between favorable and unfavorable aspects of life.
Good and bad
The world is divided into two categories - positive and negative.
See the blind man
This is a metaphor that signifies those who are ignorant or lack the ability to differentiate between what's right and wrong.
Shooting at the world
These people exhibit an aggressive or confrontational attitude towards the world.
Bullets flying
Their words or actions can be destructive or harmful.
Ohh taking toll
Their harmful actions are making an impact on others in society.
If you've been bad
If you have done things that are morally wrong.
Oh Lord I bet you have
The singer is confident that virtually everyone has transgressed at some point in their life.
And you've not been hit
If you have been lucky not to face the consequences of your immoral actions yet.
You'd better close your eyes
The singer warns that one should prepare to face the consequences of their careless behavior.
Ooohhhh bow your head
One should be ready to take responsibility for their wrongdoings.
Wait for the ricochet
Consequences always follow one's actions, either good or bad.
Aaaahh aaaahh aaaahh
This is an emotional vocalization that expresses the singer's feelings.
Aah I wanna hear you sing
The singer is encouraging the audience to participate and join in.
Mmmm taking toll
The negative actions of blind people are causing pain and suffering.
Oh..God oh no..oh God no..oh..ah..no ah
This is an expression of despair, anguish or pain.
AAh..oh..
An emotive outburst.
Aawaah..ohh
An emotive outburst.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Ritchie Blackmore, Roger Glover
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DJOpiumCanada
The whole album is amazing.
Gloria Trubbshore
An awesome version of this classic track, love it.
ольга к.
Отличная версия, из харда в блюз! У Гиллана все прекрасно! Обожаю! 👍💜
Alex Steel
Я впервые это услышал, почти сращу после выхода этого альбома Гиллан. Я уже тогда подумал, что это очень круто, даже круче чем оригинал. Сейчас переслушал, и по-прежнему так думаю. True masterpiece.
José Nanette Sousa
Perfeito! Que voz linda, que homem inesquecível!
Fernando Martin Heras
Excelente álbum. MASTERPIECE.
kevin byrne
Brilliant versión of this song 🎵
Santo Remedio
Conoci esta version y su banda en 1977 a meses de volver a Chile...tuve en mis manos el vinilo...extraordinaria versión...
LOST IN MUSIC
Amazing version of an amazing song.
Юрий Погребняк
Просто неимоверно,наслаждаюсь этим исполнением с 1976