Gillan is a rock band closely associated with but not directly arising from… Read Full Bio ↴Gillan is a rock band closely associated with but not directly arising from the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, formed in 1978 by Ian Gillan and Colin Towns in the UK.

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.

Life Goes On
Gillan Lyrics

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I have had enough of this here life of fun
There have been too many of those days in the sun
I am just one
Soon I'll bee none
Life goes on
Life goes on

Who do you pray for

The living or the dead or the dreams in your head
You know it's hurting me now
It's causing me pain
I can't go through it again
It must be better on the other side
Where your head is held
In hands so soft
You know you're part of
Someone else's plans

I am so depressed I must be in a bad dream
There is no use thinking of what might have been
I am just one
Soon I'll be none
Life goes on
Life goes on

Who shall I stay for
Offer me a hand and I'll be your man
Oh yes it's hurting inside
Causing me pain
I can't go thru' it again
It must be better on the other side
Where the cool and gentle water

Eases your earthly pain
And doesn't try to explain

Overall Meaning

The song "Life Goes On" by Gillan portrays a sense of weariness and exhaustion with life, where the singer feels that he has had enough of the endless days that are filled with fun and parties in the sun. The lyrics convey the idea that the singer is asking some serious questions about life, like who he should pray for, the living, the dead or the dreams in his head, and he is deeply hurt and pained when he thinks about it.

He is feeling depressed and wonders how the other side would be, where one's head is held in soft hands, and is part of someone else's plans, indicating that he perhaps feels alone and unimportant in his present life. The singer also talks about seeing a better future or heaven (the other side) where the cool and gentle water of the afterlife would ease his earthly pain without trying to give him any explanation. It could be interpreted that the song is about the inevitability of life and how no matter what we do, everything will eventually pass and life goes on.

In conclusion, "Life Goes On" by Gillian is a reflective and melancholic song that touches upon the existential question of life, death and the existence of something after it. It reflects the feeling of someone who feels disconnected from his present life and seeks meaning in something more meaningful than endless fun and parties.

Line by Line Meaning

I have had enough of this here life of fun
I am tired of living a life filled with fuss and pleasure

There have been too many of those days in the sun
I have enjoyed a lot and now it's becoming too much

I am just one
I am an insignificant individual

Soon I'll bee none
I will soon be dead

Life goes on
Life continues even after my departure

Who do you pray for
Whom do you worship?

The living or the dead or the dreams in your head
Do you worship the present, the past or your own imagination?

You know it's hurting me now
It's currently causing me pain

It's causing me pain
It is hurting me

I can't go through it again
I cannot endure it again

It must be better on the other side
The afterlife should be better