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.
Long Gone
Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll never turn you away
But you'll never make me stay
Pray for whatever is real
And if that's how you feel
You've made a better deal
I'll come back when the trees stop growing
I'll look around when there's no fire burning
I will not return
Send love to my lover
Love to my brother
I'm gone long gone
Send love to the old ways
Love to the city haze
I'm gone long gone
Tears in your beautiful eyes
You've got too many fears
But I'm really not surprised
I'll come back when the kids stop playing
I'll stand still when the grass stops swaying
I'll look around when there's no complaining
I will not return
Long gone out of this place
Long gone it's not what you think
Long gone don't want a new face
It's not what you think
The song Long Gone by Gillan is about the idea of departure and the longing for a new beginning. The opening verse suggests that the singer is willing to hear whatever the person they are talking to wants to say, but their decision to leave is not swayed by these words. Instead, they are focused on finding a new reality, one that is grounded in truth and authenticity. The following verses talk about sending love to loved ones and the past, but ultimately confirming that they are gone and moving on. The chorus repeats the phrase "long gone", emphasizing the finality of the decision to leave.
The lyrics suggest that leaving is not necessarily an easy decision and may be fraught with emotion, as seen in the reference to "tears in your beautiful eyes". However, the singer seems resolute in their decision and is able to envision a future where they have moved on from their current reality. The final verse lists specific conditions for their return, but ultimately concludes that they will not come back.
The song can be interpreted in a number of ways, whether it's about leaving a relationship, a city or town, or even a state of mind. However, the theme of moving on is consistent throughout the lyrics. The song has an upbeat, pop-rock sound that contrasts with the introspective lyrics, creating a sense of hope and optimism in the face of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Say what you're going to say
Feel free to express yourself
I'll never turn you away
I'm willing to listen
But you'll never make me stay
But I won't be influenced or forced to do anything against my will
Pray for whatever is real
Hope for what is genuine, true and honest
And if that's how you feel
And if that is what you believe
You've made a better deal
You have made a good choice
I'll come back when the trees stop growing
I cannot come back as that is impossible
I'll stand still when tide stops flowing
I cannot stay put on this earth perpetually
I'll look around when there's no fire burning
I will observe my surroundings when there is nothing that needs to be attended to
I will not return
I cannot go back to the past as it is not possible
Send love to my lover
Convey my love to my partner
Love to my brother
And to my sibling too
I'm gone long gone
I'm not here anymore
Send love to the old ways
Cherish the way things used to be
Love to the city haze
And hold city life dear to one's heart
Tears in your beautiful eyes
Crying with your attractive eyes
You've got too many fears
You have many things you are worried about
But I'm really not surprised
But that doesn't shock me
I'll come back when the kids stop playing
I can't come back as that's beyond my control
I'll stand still when the grass stops swaying
I cannot stay still and life and everything around me always continues to change
I'll look around when there's no complaining
I'll observe my environment when hatred, anger or dissatisfaction is absent
I will not return
I am unable to turn back around in a non-metaphorical sense
Long gone out of this place
I have moved forward from this point physically or otherwise
Long gone it's not what you think
Leaving wasn't as easy as you thought it would be
Long gone don't want a new face
I am satisfied with the way things are and I do not want to change
It's not what you think
The situation may not be as straightforward or transparent as it appears
Contributed by Alex S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michael Stephen
Just the very next year he'd be in Black Sabbath!