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.
No Laughing in Heaven
Gillan Lyrics
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They warned me of my fate, but I was quite prepared to meet it
You'll go to Hell they smiled at me
And told me of the roaring fires
But I was happy living wild
And fueling my own desires
I was a wild man
Drinking, smoking and messing around with women
No, not swimming, women
I wanna go to Heaven
The place to be is right up there
I wanna go to Heaven
It's gonna be good so I won't despair
I decided to reform and pray
Beg mercy for my soul
I prayed in church
Threw away my bad habits
Prayed out of church
Adopted an entirely different role
I gave my money to the poor until I was poor
But at least I ensured that I would go up there
Instead of down below to the Inferno
Where the evil flames of desire
Burned higher and higher and higher
I'm gonna go to Heaven
Paid my dues so I'm getting in
I'm gonna go to Heaven
It's looking good if I abstain from sin
I knocked on the pearly gates
Neatly side-stepping the long queue
Waved hi to St. Peter
Who checked my card and let me through
I smiled, threw my hands in the air
Laughed and got arrested
They said hey man, you're in the wrong place
Your behaviour is a disgrace
Here we pray every hour, on the hour
Read extracts from the Bible and look solemn'
What, says I, no party?
No party?
Let me out
Let me out of Heaven
I got it wrong, no I can't stay here
No laughing in Heaven
Let me out, I just can't stay here
Well I ran around in the state of shock and panic
This wan't what I expected
Here was what looked like a bunch of manic depressives
Can I get a transfer, I screamed
But no, once you're in Heaven, you're here for good
The good of your soul, but that's no good for me
If you want to go to Hell you've really got to be bad
Okay, okay, I'll be bad
Too late
What do you mean too late
Too late
No
In the meantime
Let me out of Heaven
I've got it wrong, no I can't stay here
No laughing in Heaven
Oh God, it's awful here
Going crazy in Heaven
Take me out and let me go to hell
No laughing in Heaven
Don't laugh, this place is Hell
The lyrics of the song 'No Laughing in Heaven' by Gillan describe the journey of a man who begins as a sinner, living life on his own terms without considering the consequences. He is warned that his ways will lead him to Hell, but he does not pay heed. He eventually decides to change his ways, starts praying and giving to the poor in the hope of going to Heaven. He arrives at the Pearly Gates but is disappointed to find that Heaven is not what he expected it to be. He is not allowed to have fun or enjoy himself because Heaven is a place for solemn worship, and any kind of partying is not allowed. He becomes restless, feeling like he is in Hell and begs to be let out.
Through the lyrics of the song, the writer expresses how our preconceived notions of what Heaven might be like can be shattered when we actually get there. The song also represents how certain beliefs and morals that we might have can be challenged when faced with situations that are different from what we expect.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to be a sinner, used to have my cake and eat it
I used to live life in excess and without regard for consequences.
They warned me of my fate, but I was quite prepared to meet it
Others warned me of the potential consequences of my actions, but I was willing to accept them.
You'll go to Hell they smiled at me
Others warned me that my behavior would lead to hell.
And told me of the roaring fires
They described the hellish punishment that awaited me.
But I was happy living wild
Despite these warnings, I was content to continue living recklessly.
And fueling my own desires
I continued to pursue my own wants and desires, heedless of others or potential consequences.
I wanna go to Heaven
I desire to live in eternal paradise.
The place to be is right up there
Heaven is the ultimate desirable location.
It's gonna be good so I won't despair
I have faith that heaven will be a positive experience.
I decided to reform and pray
I decided to change my ways and seek redemption.
Beg mercy for my soul
I asked for forgiveness for my past sins.
I prayed in church
I sought religious guidance and support.
Threw away my bad habits
I abandoned my destructive behaviors.
Adopted an entirely different role
I took on a new identity and lifestyle.
I gave my money to the poor until I was poor
I gave away all of my wealth to those in need, leaving myself financially destitute.
But at least I ensured that I would go up there
Despite my sacrifices, I took comfort in the belief that I would go to heaven.
Instead of down below to the Inferno
I hoped to avoid the torments of hell.
Where the evil flames of desire
Hell is characterized by flames that represent sinful urges.
Burned higher and higher and higher
The flames of hell consume the damned.
Paid my dues so I'm getting in
I believed that my actions earned me a place in heaven.
I knocked on the pearly gates
I arrived at the entrance to heaven.
Neatly side-stepping the long queue
I found a way to skip the long line of those waiting to enter heaven.
Waved hi to St. Peter
I greeted the gatekeeper of heaven.
Who checked my card and let me through
The gatekeeper inspected my qualifications for entry into heaven and granted me access.
Laughed and got arrested
I attempted to act irreverently in heaven and was punished for my disrespect.
Your behaviour is a disgrace
I was reprimanded for my inappropriate behavior in heaven.
Here we pray every hour, on the hour
In heaven, worship is a constant activity.
Read extracts from the Bible and look solemn'
In heaven, religious readings and rituals are commonplace.
No laughing in Heaven
In contrast to the reckless enjoyment of my past life, heaven is a serious, devout place.
Let me out of Heaven
I regret my decision to enter heaven and wish to leave.
I got it wrong, no I can't stay here
I realize that my expectations of heaven were misguided and I cannot tolerate being in that environment.
Oh God, it's awful here
I find life in heaven unbearable.
Take me out and let me go to hell
I am so unhappy in heaven that I would rather be in hell.
Going crazy in Heaven
The restrictive nature of heaven is making me mentally unstable.
Don't laugh, this place is Hell
The reality of heaven is worse than the torments of hell, which I once feared.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERNIE TORME, COLIN WILLIAM TOWNS, IAN GILLAN, JOHN MATTHEW MCCOY, MICHAEL JOHN UNDERWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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