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.
Driving Me Wild
Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Harder harder till it hurts in every joint
See what you've done
When you reach for the sun
The pain goes away
Things go your way
If you push hard
Faster faster you fight for every place
Don't ease up till
The top of the hill
The pain goes away
And life goes your way
If you push fast
What can you do when you stay
In your soft and easy life
When ambition is burning to make a break
What can I do
Lost in a haze
Telling you how
But I'm just in a daze
Wild it's driving me wild
It's driving me wild
The lyrics of Gillan's song "Driving Me Wild" portray the idea of pushing oneself to the limit in order to achieve success. The song carries a message of ambition and determination. The singer is telling the listener that in order to succeed, they need to push themselves harder and faster, even if it hurts. The idea of pain being a necessary component of success is emphasized through the repetition of "the pain goes away, things go your way, if you push hard/fast." The song encourages the listener to not settle for their current lifestyle, and to reach for their goals with all their might.
The third verse of the song serves to warn the listener against complacency. The singer questions what one can achieve by staying in their "soft and easy life" when their ambitions are calling them towards greatness. The phrase "lost in a haze" implies that the listener may not be aware of their true potential, and the advice given by the singer may seem confusing or overwhelming. The phrase "telling you how, but I'm just in a daze" suggests that the singer is not necessarily an authority figure, but rather someone who has felt the same way before and is now trying to help the listener by sharing their experiences. The chorus "wild, it's driving me wild" drives home the idea that the desire for success can consume a person's thoughts and actions, pushing them to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Harder harder you've got to make your point
You need to be more forceful and assertive when trying to convey your message.
Harder harder till it hurts in every joint
You need to push yourself to the limit, even if it causes physical or emotional pain.
See what you've done
Reflect on the results of your actions.
When you reach for the sun
When you aim for the highest level of success or achievement.
The pain goes away
The discomfort and struggle you endure will eventually subside and be worth it.
Things go your way
You will achieve success and have a favorable outcome if you persevere.
If you push hard
If you apply yourself and work hard.
Faster faster you've got to win your race
You need to move quickly and efficiently to achieve your goals.
Faster faster you fight for every place
You must work hard and put in maximum effort to reach the top.
Don't ease up till
Keep pushing yourself until you've reached your ultimate goal.
The top of the hill
Your highest level of achievement.
And life goes your way
If you work hard and push yourself, you will achieve success in all areas of your life.
If you push fast
If you move quickly and decisively towards your goals.
What can you do when you stay
What progress can you make if you remain stagnant in your comfortable life.
In your soft and easy life
In the midst of the comfort zone in which you reside.
When ambition is burning to make a break
When you feel a strong desire to break free from your current situation and pursue your goals.
What can I do
What course of action should I take.
Lost in a haze
Feeling confused or uncertain about which direction to take.
Telling you how
Offering advice or a possible solution.
But I'm just in a daze
Despite offering advice, I myself am feeling disoriented and unsure.
Wild it's driving me wild
The intense desire to achieve success is causing me to feel restless and out of control.
It's driving me wild
The passion for success is causing me to feel uncontrollable and crazy.
Contributed by Luke W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-vl4rr7fn6k
Единственный и неповторимый! Ему нет равных!❤❤❤
@user-vl4rr7fn6k
Excellent! Gillan est le meilleur!
@thetruthhurts6652
One of his best songs.
@user-vl4rr7fn6k
Superbe!❤❤❤
@olgak_9932
Этот потрясающий голос! Завораживает! Гиллан Навсегда! ❤️
@koopeikko351
Absolutely awesome!
@santabarbara2105
I love it!
@Tarhankut
Gillan's masterpiece. Absolutely brilliant song. 1:24 is stunning