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.
Mr. Universe
Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are we trash in your can a bubble in your beer
I just need some information
Tell me what's my destination
If we run will we fall Mr. Universe
Climb your hill climb your wall Mr. Universe
A million years of procreating
Maybe we're going somewhere
If so we can find the end
Everyone's getting nowhere
But not me you'd better understand
Is the wall made of brick what can lay behind
Is the brick very thick is it in my mind
Universe is cruel deception
Freedom is a contradiction
Is your smile just a smile or is it just a trick
To make me walk another mile i must be so thick
I'm going where i've set my eyes on
Way behind that blue horizon.
Maybe we're going somewhere
If so we can find the end
Everyone's getting nowhere
But not me you'd better understand
The song "Mr. Universe" by Gillan begins with a series of philosophical questions aimed at an unknown entity who may be either God or simply a powerful human being. The character is asking if they live in fear, and questions whether the rest of humanity is mere garbage in their eyes. The singer clearly desires some kind of knowledge or guidance, asking about their destination and whether their attempts to escape whatever fate lies ahead will ultimately be doomed to fail. The chorus focuses on the idea of the "Mr. Universe," someone who has the power to climb walls that others cannot, and perhaps a sense that they control the very laws of reality. The singer seems to be both in awe and resentful of this figure, knowing that the universe is often cruel and deceptive but also seeing a glimmer of hope in the distance.
As the song goes on, the lyrics become increasingly introspective, questioning the nature of reality itself. The wall could be a physical obstacle or simply a mental one, and the singer wonders if this "Mr. Universe" is capable of making him take unnecessary risks. The line "freedom is a contradiction" is particularly interesting, suggesting that perhaps true freedom is an illusion in a world where everything is ultimately bound by the laws of physics and the whims of the powerful. The singer is determined to set their sights on the horizon, implying a sense of hope and optimism no matter what kind of challenges may lie ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you god are you man do you live in fear
Questioning if the subject is divine or mortal and whether they experience fear
Are we trash in your can a bubble in your beer
Asking if the subject sees humanity as disposable or insignificant
I just need some information
Expressing a desire for knowledge
Tell me what's my destination
Requesting to know one's purpose or ultimate goal
If we run will we fall Mr. Universe
Asking if fleeing from something or someone will result in failure or defeat, addressing the Universe as a sentient being
Climb your hill climb your wall Mr. Universe
Issuing a challenge to the Universe to overcome obstacles
A million years of procreating
Referring to the history of evolution and reproduction
Now I'm here don't keep me waiting
Asserting one's presence and requesting attention
Maybe we're going somewhere
Suggesting that there is a purpose or destination to existence
If so we can find the end
Implying that understanding the destination or purpose will lead to closure or resolution
Everyone's getting nowhere
Stating that most people are not progressing or advancing
But not me you'd better understand
Claiming to be an exception and warning the subject to take notice
Is the wall made of brick what can lay behind
Inquiring about the obstacle and what secrets or mysteries may be hidden
Is the brick very thick is it in my mind
Wondering if the obstacle is formidable or simply a mental block
Universe is cruel deception
Declaring that the Universe is intentionally misleading or malicious
Freedom is a contradiction
Positing that true freedom may be unattainable or paradoxical
Is your smile just a smile or is it just a trick
Questioning the sincerity or ulterior motive behind a smile
To make me walk another mile i must be so thick
Suggesting that the subject is being taken advantage of or manipulated
I'm going where i've set my eyes on
Expressing determination to achieve a specific goal or destination
Way behind that blue horizon.
Referring to a distant location and a sense of hope or aspiration
Contributed by Asher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tom Dubasov
Second Sight
Secret Of The Dance
She Tears Me Down
Roller
Mr Universe
Vengeance
Pugent Sound
Dead Of The Night
Message In A Bottle
Fighting Man
On The Rocks
Bite The Bullet
Mr Universe
Venegeance
Smoke On The Water
Lucille
Шура Шураова
ШИКАРНЫЙ АЛЬБОМ. ТАКИМ РАЗНООБРАЗИЕМ КОМПОЗИЦИЙ НЕ КАЖДЫЙ СОЛИСТ МОЖЕТ ПОХВАСТАТЬСЯ. ПЕСНИ РАЗНЫЕ СЛОЖНЫЕ. НЕДАРОМ ГИЛЛАН СЧИТАЕТСЯ МАСТЕРОМ СЛОЖНОГО ВОКАЛА В РОК МУЗЫКЕ.
Tatyana Aleksandrovich
Гилан - это всегда позитив, радость, желание жить, энергия! В лирике он тонко умеет передать грусть и печаль. Короче говоря, к чему тут слова, он несравненный, неповторимый, единственный. Во всех жанрах прекрасен, что бы там ни говорили злые языки!
Седой Грузин
А что говорят злые языки ? Про печаль то это лучше передает голос мистера David Coverdale. Кстати 22 . 09.1951 будет день рождения.
Сергей Бернякович
Super comment !
David Cook
Classic album (the rebirth of Ian Gillan). This should have been a no1 smash album in the UK charts but the record company (Acrobat) who released it went bankrupt. As a result they couldnt press any more vinyl and so the album dissapeared out of the Top 40.
Jean-Christophe P.
Sad but true
Jose Mariano Acebey
Gillian esta vez se superó,,,fantástico album.SiempreRock alive !!!
Roger Hammerle
Great Album. Comes to show that Gillan can do it without Deep Purple
teknical100
I bought this when it came out and saw them at Reading Rock Festival.
Coming off the back of Purple it was a hard act to follow.
I'm increasingly getting the feeling I was deaf as a post as a kid, this thing rocks.
Thankyou.
WINNI MONROE
GILLANS BEST SOLO ALBUM