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.
Living A Lie
Gillan Lyrics
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Somebody taps on my soul nobody cares
Just as she reaches my heart taking chances
Only to find no-one there
It' just another lie
How can she give when she's just given up knowing
Just as I weep for her close and glowing
Now I'm alone cold and bare
It' just another lie
Going down going down just to deceive
Coming round around I believe, oh
Lay me down lay me down I can't breathe
I'm living a lie
It's just another lie
In Gillan's song Living A Lie, the lyrics speak of feelings of isolation and deceit. The singer opens the song with someone knocking on his door and nobody answering. This can symbolize the feeling of loneliness, where people may knock on your door or reach out to you, but you don't have anyone there to answer. The singer then talks about someone tapping on his soul and nobody caring. This can represent how people may try to understand or empathize with you, but ultimately, it feels like they are not truly there for you.
Furthermore, the lyrics describe how the singer is taking more than his share, and the person he is weeping for is close and glowing, yet now he is alone and feeling cold and bare. This could represent how the singer may have taken advantage of someone or feels guilty for hurting someone who was once close to him.
The chorus repeats "It's just another lie" which can represent how the singer may be living a lie, pretending to be someone he's not, or hiding his true emotions. He may feel like he is deceiving those around him and himself.
Overall, this song speaks to the themes of loneliness, guilt, and self-deception. The lyrics suggest that the singer is living in a state of denial, and he needs to confront his emotions and be honest with himself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody knocky on my door nobody answers
Despite hearing a knock on the door, there is no one responding, a reflection of how he is ignored by others around him.
Somebody taps on my soul nobody cares
Someone has touched his soul, but there is no one around who seems to care about his feelings or what he is going through.
Just as she reaches my heart taking chances
A woman has taken a chance to reach to his heart and start something new, but it has not worked out.
Only to find no-one there
The woman has found no one on the other side, a reflection of how he pushes people away and is not open to intimacy.
It's just another lie
The song's chorus suggests that the singer's life is full of lies, and he is deceiving someone or himself.
How can she give when she's just given up knowing
It is impossible for the woman to give what she has given up on, in this case, their relationship, which may be unfulfilling to both of them.
How can I take when I've had more than my share
The singer feels guilty about taking more than his share from the relationship, either from an emotional or material perspective.
Just as I weep for her close and glowing
The singer is crying for the woman he once knew who was close and radiant, suggesting that their relationship has deteriorated.
Now I’m alone cold and bare
He is now alone, feels cold and exposed, and has lost the passion he once had.
Going down going down just to deceive
The singer is slowly losing himself in the relationship and pretending to be someone else, deceiving himself and the woman.
Coming round around I believe, oh
The singer is coming back around to the realization this relationship is not working.
Lay me down lay me down I can't breathe
The singer feels like he is suffocating in this relationship.
I'm living a lie
The chorus is repeated at the end of the song, solidifying the idea that the singer is living a lie, and the relationship is not genuine.
Contributed by Lila N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.