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.
Men of War
Gillan Lyrics
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You hearts of oak
You men of war
Which fires are you gonna stoke
Why did you deceive us
With your fine tales of glory
Did you have to deceive us
Brave man of war
You hearts of oak
You men of war
How I despise you you are just smoke
Your cause is like lightning
As we spring from your clutches
The effect is quite frightening
It kills all that it touches
You were sent to teach us
Little children in white
But all you did was bleach is
Whiter than white
In "Men Of War," Gillan addresses the soldiers who have gone to battle and asks them which fires they are going to stoke. He goes on to accuse them of deceiving the public with their tales of glory and slams them for being a "shame and a disgrace." Despite being brave, these men of war are nothing more than smoke in Gillan's eyes. He likens their cause to lightning, striking down everything in its path. The soldiers were sent to teach and protect, but instead, they have bleached the white innocence of youth until it is "whiter than white."
Gillan is questioning the soldiers' motives and their methods. Instead of protecting and serving, he accuses them of wreaking havoc and destruction. He questions their values and wonders why they would deceive the people they swore to protect. He calls them out on their hypocrisy and criticizes their actions on the battlefield. The phrase "men of war" is repeated throughout the song, almost as a mantra, emphasizing how these soldiers are defined by their actions in battle.
The lyrics are powerful and filled with emotions. They expose the harsh reality of war and criticize the glorification of violence. The song urges the soldiers to question their own actions and the impact they have on the world. Gillan's message is one of peace and unity, urging everyone to work together to create a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
You fine men of war
Addressing the soldiers who have gone to war and have presumably killed people in the process.
You hearts of oak
The soldiers are being compared to oak - a symbol of strength and endurance, often used to describe war heroes.
You men of war
Repeated address to the soldiers, emphasizing their role in the fighting.
Which fires are you gonna stoke
Asking the soldiers what they will do next, what struggles they will continue after this war is over.
Why did you deceive us
Questioning the integrity of soldiers, who often glorify the reasons for the war they fight with dishonest accounts of victory.
With your fine tales of glory
Soldiers tell the public about the accomplishments and heroic deeds in battle, which are not always true or accurate.
Did you have to deceive us
Challenging the morality of the soldiers' lies, accusing them of dishonorable behavior during war.
It's such a shame and a disgrace for you
Calling out the soldiers for their dishonesty, deeming them shameful and unworthy of their position as defenders of the nation.
Brave man of war
Continuing to address soldiers in a sarcastic tone, using irony to emphasize the opposite of their courage.
You hearts of oak
Reiteration of the symbol for strength used in war hero tales, still sarcastic and mocking.
You men of war
Another address to soldiers, still mocking them for their part in war.
How I despise you, you are just smoke
Expressing a deep feeling of hatred towards the soldiers, comparing their value to just thin, useless smoke.
Your cause is like lightning
Comparing the soldiers' reasons for war to something that is quick and deadly.
As we spring from your clutches
Acknowledging the fighting that occurs between sides, with the singer claiming they are escaping from being captured or losing a battle.
The effect is quite frightening
The aftermath of the war, destruction and death, is horrifying and overwhelming.
It kills all that it touches
All people and things that get caught up in the war become victims of its power and effects.
You were sent to teach us
Addressed to the soldiers or the government that sent them, suggesting that soldiers were intended to be role models and leaders for people.
Little children in white
A reference to purity and innocence, indicating that people looked up to soldiers as protectors of those qualities.
But all you did was bleach is whiter than white
Another attack on soldiers' honesty and integrity, suggesting that all they did was make themselves look better than they really were.
Contributed by Audrey K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.