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.
You're So Right
Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look to your right and you'll
See that the man with the gun
Is still shooting the fool on the run
Turn you around and you'll
Still hear the sound of the feet
That keep marching the length of the street
Look to the West and you'll
Notice the fat men of ease
Are now living on salad and cheese
Look to the East where
Survival is hard on the plains
And all thin men still eat monkey brains
Man you shout so loud you're right of course
But when you're in a crowd you're right off course
Look at the sky where
The spirits of children
And those who are heroes will peacefully glow
Look at the ground where
The mood of frustration
Is sadly displayed in the eyes of a nation
The song 'You're So Right' by Gillan is a commentary on the current state of the world. The lyrics are quite introspective and self-reflective in nature. The singer is exhorting the listener to look around and see the world as it truly is, to cut through the noise and the chaos and to see the truth. He argues that when you're out of the crowd, you're able to see things from a clearer and more honest perspective.
The first verse talks about the violence and chaos that is taking place all around us. The man with the gun is still shooting at the fool on the run. This is a commentary on the way that people in power use their position to oppress those who are weaker than them. The second verse talks about the extremes of wealth and poverty that exist in the world. The fat men of ease are living on salad and cheese, while the thin men are still eating monkey brains. This is a commentary on the vast disparities of wealth and poverty that exist in the world today.
The chorus talks about how being in a crowd can cloud your judgment. When you're shouting so loud, you're right of course, but when you're in a crowd, you're right off course. This is a commentary on how easy it is to get caught up in the moment and how important it is to step back and look at things from a more objective perspective. The song ends on a more hopeful note, though, with the final verse talking about how there is still hope to be found in the world. The spirits of children and heroes will peacefully glow in the sky, and even though there is frustration and anger in the eyes of a nation, there is still a chance for us to come together and make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
You're so right when you're out of the crowd
You have a clearer perspective when you're not swayed by the opinions of others.
Look to your right and you'll
See that the man with the gun
Is still shooting the fool on the run
Turn you around and you'll
Still hear the sound of the feet
That keep marching the length of the street
Violence and unrest are still rampant in society, as evidenced by the person with a gun and the sound of marching footsteps.
Look to the West and you'll
Notice the fat men of ease
Are now living on salad and cheese
Look to the East where
Survival is hard on the plains
And all thin men still eat monkey brains
There are stark differences between the lifestyles of the wealthy and the impoverished in different parts of the world.
Man you shout so loud you're right of course
But when you're in a crowd you're right off course
When you're alone, your convictions feel true, but in a group, you're more prone to being swayed by others.
Look at the sky where
The spirits of children
And those who are heroes will peacefully glow
Look at the ground where
The mood of frustration
Is sadly displayed in the eyes of a nation
There are both hopeful and despairing elements in the world, from the spirits of children and heroes to the palpable frustration displayed by those around us.
Contributed by Victoria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.