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.
Running White Face City Boy
Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn the corner I could feel the heat
I wore the look of a white face city boy
Knew a knife was the only way
For a kid living day to day
Who cares for a white face city boy
Nobody pushes me around
I got trouble now I'm on the run
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
I was running through an empty night
Just the sound of a lovers' fight
And the feeling of the wind upon my face
I was looking for a place to hide
Scared and my eyes were wide
No place for a white face city boy
Live like a wild thing
You can't tell me anything
I got trouble now I'm on the run
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
Running white face city boy
The song "Running White Face City Boy" by Gillan is a fast-paced rock song with a story of a white face city boy on the run in a hard town. The lyrics describe the singer as a kid who has to live day to day with a knife as his only weapon in order to survive on the streets. The song seems to be about the struggles faced by a disadvantaged youth growing up in a tough urban environment. The lyrics consistently repeat the phrase "running white face city boy" as the singer tries to escape his troubles.
The song conveys a sense of urgency and fear as the white face city boy runs through the empty streets and tries to hide from his pursuers. The sound of a lovers' fight adds to the emotional intensity of the scene. The boy isn't looking for trouble, he is just trying to survive in a harsh environment where nobody cares for him. The repetition of the phrase 'running white face city boy' seems to reflect the sense of fear and desperation felt by the singer.
Overall, "Running White Face City Boy" is a poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by disadvantaged youth in tough urban environments. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a boy who has to fight to survive and gives the listener a glimpse into the hardships faced by those who are less fortunate.
Line by Line Meaning
I was running through an empty street
I was aimlessly wandering around, with no clear destination in mind
Turn the corner I could feel the heat
As I walked around the corner, I sensed danger lurking nearby
I wore the look of a white face city boy
I carried the appearance of someone from the city, but also the vulnerability of a naive outsider
Knew a knife was the only way
I was aware that the only way to defend myself from danger was by carrying a knife
For a kid living day to day
As a youth without support and resources, I had to survive on my own each day
Who cares for a white face city boy
No one showed me any sympathy, as I was seen as just another outsider from the city
Raised in a hard town
I grew up in a town where it was tough to get by
Nobody pushes me around
I make sure to stand up for myself and not let others take advantage of me
I got trouble now I'm on the run
I am constantly facing problems and am always on the move, trying to escape danger
Running white face city boy
I am fleeing once again, as a vulnerable outsider in this new environment
I was running through an empty night
I am now running in the darkness with no clear direction or destination
Just the sound of a lovers' fight
In the distance, I can hear a couple fighting, and it serves as a reminder of the normal life that I will never have
And the feeling of the wind upon my face
As I run, I feel the wind on my face as a sense of liberation and freedom
I was looking for a place to hide
I am searching for a safe place to escape from danger and rest for a while
Scared and my eyes were wide
I am terrified of the dangers that are closing in on me, and my eyes are open wide with fear
No place for a white face city boy
Even though I look like I belong in the city, I am still seen as an outsider, with no place to go
Live like a wild thing
I live life on the edge, with no rules or boundaries to hold me back
You can't tell me anything
I am independent and do not rely on anyone else's advice or guidance
Running white face city boy
Once again, I am running for my life as an outsider in this new town
Running white face city boy
I am still fleeing and have yet to find a safe haven
Running white face city boy
I am still on the move, trying to escape danger and find my place in this hard, unforgiving world
Running white face city boy
I am running for my life and may not stop until I am safe and secure
Running white face city boy
As an outsider in this strange world, I must keep moving to avoid danger and find a place where I belong
Contributed by Benjamin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@smokinjz
I was running through an empty street
Turn the corner I could feel the heat
I wore the look of a white face city boy
Knew a knife was the only way
For a kid living day to day
Who cares for a white face city boy
Raised in a hard town
Nobody pushes me around
I got trouble now I'm on the run
Running, white face, city boy
I was running through an empty night
Just the sound of a lovers' fight
And the feeling of the wind upon my face
I was looking for a place to hide
Scared and my eyes were wide
No place for a white face city boy
Live like a wild thing
You can't tell me anything
I got trouble now I'm on the run
Running, white face, city boy
MORE ON GENIUS
@bv3bv334
Axe Attack....cassette at Christmas...changed my life. Now 55 and still rocking every day 👍
@Fiddling_while_Rome_burns
Axe Attack, first HM album I bought aged 13, bought Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Whitesnake, UFO, Black Sabbath and Rainbow albums on the strength of it. The album deserves a lot a of credit for launching NWOBHM.
@66xtopher
I had that album on vinyl circa 1981? It had an early Aerosmith track on it called Sweet Emotion too.
@ivansloe
+jaocheu Same here - K-Tel records and I still have it some where in my old vinyl collection. First album I bought when it came out to go with our first family record player.
@pinball1970
+Shaitan. Me too, great times
@rumpraisin
You can also thank the BBC radio 1 DJ Tommy Vance for airing this back in the day.
@AyahuascaMagic
same
@edibub7623
hard rock heavy metal from the master!Ian Gillan is my hero forever!This song crushes!
@Apacheviking1961
Excellent Gillan metal pop tune, I heard played many times in 1980 on the Milwaukee radio!
@garyunsworth726
Axe Attack is where I first heard this song also, still have it : )