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.
Restless
Gillan Lyrics
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Take a look around you
Jimmy Jimmy ain't you got no pity
That ain't the way I found you
Just when things get settled down
And the road is wide and endless
That's when I start looking around
Jimmy Jimmy with a bag ful o' money
Why don't you please remember
Jimmy Jimmy now your life's so sunny
How was it last December
When you hid your pain and you smiled in the rain
And to give up was just senseless
But when the kids in the street saw you draggin' your feet
Then we started to get restless
When we helped one another and you were my brother
Then you really were the greatest
And now you're making hay but you look the other way
Hey Jimmy I'm getting restless
Jimmy Jimmy feeling good feeling pretty
Take a look around you
Jimmy Jimmy come on back to the city
Back to where I found you
The song "Restless" by Gillan tells the story of Jimmy, a person who has left his humble beginnings and made it big in life, but seems to have forgotten where he comes from. He has money, success, and a good life, but the main character of the song sees that as a reason to become reckless and disconnected from his roots. The lyrics convey a sense of disappointment and frustration towards Jimmy's attitudes and behavior. The line "Jimmy Jimmy ain't you got no pity, that ain't the way I found you" highlights the contrast between the present Jimmy and the one from the past, who was more empathetic and humble. The chorus of the song goes "And I start to feel so restless," implying that the main character is anxious and agitated about Jimmy's current state.
The song has a nostalgic tone, reminiscing about the times when Jimmy was not selfish and uninterested in his old companions. One can also infer that the main character feels that Jimmy's materialistic success has not brought him genuine happiness, as the line "How was it last December" suggests that Jimmy was not as happy as he is now. The song's chorus suggests that the main character's restlessness is a direct result of the contrast between Jimmy's past and present selves. The song's overall theme is about the negative effects of forgetting one's roots and neglecting the people who helped one succeed in the first place.
Line by Line Meaning
Jimmy Jimmy in your red brick city
Addressing a person named Jimmy who lives in a city with buildings made of red bricks
Take a look around you
Asking Jimmy to look at his surroundings
Jimmy Jimmy ain't you got no pity
Expressing surprise at Jimmy's lack of compassion
That ain't the way I found you
Saying that Jimmy was not always like this
Just when things get settled down
At a time when everything seems calm and stable
And the road is wide and endless
When there are many possibilities and directions to take
That's when I start looking around
The singer begins to observe their surroundings
And I start to feel so restless
As a result of observing their environment, the artist becomes restless
Jimmy Jimmy with a bag ful o' money
Jimmy has a lot of money in a bag
Why don't you please remember
Asking Jimmy to recall something
Jimmy Jimmy now your life's so sunny
Jimmy's life seems to be going well
How was it last December
The artist asks Jimmy to think about the past December
When you hid your pain and you smiled in the rain
Jimmy concealed his emotions and put on a happy face, even in unpleasant circumstances
And to give up was just senseless
It would have been counterproductive to give up
But when the kids in the street saw you draggin' your feet
Jimmy was not hiding his struggles as effectively as he thought, and others noticed
Then we started to get restless
Others became uneasy as a result of Jimmy's struggles becoming more visible
When we helped one another and you were my brother
During a time when everyone looked out for each other and saw each other as siblings
Then you really were the greatest
In this atmosphere of mutual support, Jimmy was highly regarded
And now you're making hay but you look the other way
Jimmy is currently benefiting but ignoring the same struggles in others
Hey Jimmy I'm getting restless
The artist is becoming restless in response to Jimmy's current behavior
Jimmy Jimmy feeling good feeling pretty
Jimmy is feeling confident and attractive
Take a look around you
Asking Jimmy to observe their surroundings again
Jimmy Jimmy come on back to the city
Inviting Jimmy to return to the city
Back to where I found you
Returning to the place where the artist first met Jimmy
Contributed by Layla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.