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.
Hadely Bop Bop
Gillan Lyrics
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You gotta stop lying to me
Hadely Bop Bop
You know I just can't believe
You laid the farmer's daughter
And she never died of laughter
Hadely Bop Bop
Hadely Bop Bop
You're knocking me down don't stop
We're going out tonight
You got to travel light
Hadely Bop Bop
You're living in a wonderful dream
Hadely Bop Bop
We all understood what you mean
You're the king of all the kings
The lord of all them rings
The lyrics to Gillan's song "Hadely Bop Bop" appear to be about a person who is lying and bragging to the singer about their conquests or possessions. The phrase "Hadely Bop Bop" seems to serve as a refrain or a sort of chant, emphasizing the insincerity and foolishness of the person's words. The mention of the "farmer's daughter" suggests that the person may have engaged in some sort of inappropriate behavior, but the fact that she "never died of laughter" implies that it was not as funny or liberating as the person may have thought.
The second stanza continues the theme of this person's boasting and aggressive behavior, with the singer feeling knocked down and presumably frustrated with the person's antics. The mention of traveling light suggests that they may be going out to engage in some sort of recklessness, but the overall tone of the lyrics seems to be somewhat sarcastic or dismissive. The third stanza seems to turn the tables a bit, with the singer acknowledging that the person is living in a "wonderful dream" but also implying that they are not quite in touch with reality. The reference to "the king of all the kings" and "the lord of all them rings" seems to be a bit of a riff on the Lord of the Rings books, perhaps suggesting that the person is engaging in some sort of fantasy or delusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Hadely Bop Bop
Repetitive chorus with no clear meaning
You gotta stop lying to me
I need you to be honest with me and stop lying
You know I just can't believe
I am having a hard time trusting you
You laid the farmer's daughter
You had sex with someone who is perceived as beneath you
And she never died of laughter
Despite your perceived superiority, the other person was not humiliated or negatively impacted
You talking 'bout the things you got
You keep bragging about your possessions and achievements
You're knocking me down don't stop
Your boasting and arrogance is making me feel inferior
We're going out tonight
We have plans to go out and socialize'
You got to travel light
You need to pack lightly for our outing
You're living in a wonderful dream
You are living in a fantasy or delusion
We all understood what you mean
Everyone sees through your facade and knows your true motives
You're the king of all the kings
You see yourself as superior to everyone else
The lord of all them rings
You want to control and dominate all those around you
Contributed by Colin F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.