Hughes has carved a distinctive vocal style blending the finest elements of hard rock, soul and funk. That astonishing voice is Hughes' calling card. He's known as a singer's singer: in fact, Stevie Wonder once called Hughes his favorite white singer.
Hughes, a native of Cannock, England, absorbed all kinds of influences, including early British hard rock, the Beatles and, most importantly, American soul and R&B. The sleek Motown sound from Detroit and the gritty Stax/Volt sound from Memphis left their mark on him.
The first important band Hughes was a member of that achieved notable success was Trapeze, while in 1973 he joined one of the most popular bands in the world, Deep Purple. The trailblazing hard-rock legends had just weathered the departure of vocalist Ian Gillan and bass guitarist Roger Glover, but guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice continued with the addition of Hughes and David Coverdale. Any skepticism was squelched with the 1974 release of Burn. This stunning album rejuvenated the band and stands tall among Deep Purple classics.
In the halcyon days, Purple headlined at the famous California Jam in 1974 in front of quarter of a million people. World tours via Purple's own jet plane, 'The Starship' and two more studio albums later, (the Hughes influenced Stormbringer and Come Taste the Band), Deep Purple finally split in 1976.
Now living in Los Angeles, Hughes' first solo album Play Me Out was released in 1977. He joined former Pat Travers guitarist Pat Thrall to form Hughes/Thrall, which released an acclaimed self-titled album in 1982. Throughout the '80s and '90s, Hughes made countless guest appearances (both credited and un-credited) as a vocalist, bass guitarist or songwriter on other artists' albums, in particular he appeared on the vastly underrated Seventh Star, was officially credited as 'Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi'. Hughes and Iommi remained friends and in the past few years they have released one brand new studio album together.
More commercial recognition came when the KLF dubbed Hughes 'The Voice of Rock', proudly featuring him on their international best selling hit single America- What Time is Love'
Since 1992, Hughes has toured extensively in Europe, Japan and South America in support of solo albums such as Blues, From Now On..., Feel, Addiction, The Way It Is, Return Of Crystal Karma, Building The Machine, Songs In The Key Of Rock, Soul Mover and Music For The Divine.
Soul Mover saw the continuation of the successful creative partnership with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith that began with Glenn's live DVD Soulfully Live in the City of Angels (2004). Soul Mover was voted 12th best album of the year by highly influential UK magazine CLASSIC ROCK.
After the release of his album Music For The Divine in 2006, 2007 saw Hughes make successful tours of Russia, South America, Italy, Norway and Spain, along with solo dates in London - at the prestigious Shepherds Bush Empire - Bulgaria and Greece. 2007 also saw Hughes headline at festival appearances in France and Norway. Hughes also took part in the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in New York, which was highly successful and he also appeared as a guest presenter at the Classic Rock Awards in both 2006 and 2007. Another highlight of a diverse and colorful year were the 2 sold out solo shows at the famous Whisky in Los Angeles and BB King's in New York.
2008 saw Hughes undertake another extensive European tour; including a month long trek across Russia, festival appearances, and his first live shows in Belarus, Estonia and Romania. Another highlight was Hughes' appearance in London at the Childline Charity concert in March 2008 where he performed a short set of Deep Purple classics with Purple drummer Ian Paice. This was particularly poignant as it was the first time the pair had played together since the Purple days. Ironically, in June 2008, Hughes played in Liverpool, England for the first time in over 30 years; a triumphant and emotional return to the city where Deep Purple Mark IV played their final ever concert before disbanding in 1976.
Other highlights of 2008 include Hughes' live on air performance on the USA radio show Rockline, and his first appearance in New Zealand since 1975 with Deep Purple, when Hughes brought the house down at the G-Taranaki Festival in July.
Hughes' album, the 2008 release "First Underground Nuclear Kitchen"
Chad Smith again plays out of his skin on the drums, and Hughes has rarely - if ever - sounded more inspired, written with such grace, or sung with more passion.
Another world jaunt accompanied the release, carrying on into 2009 with tours of Europe, Russia, South America and selected shows in the States including sell out shows in LA and NYC.
2010 was one of the most exciting and prolific years in Hughes' career as it saw him recording and touring in a new supergroup project, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION with guitar star Joe Bonamassa, keyboard player Derek Sherinian (Dream Theatre) and drummer Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin legend John Bonham. The band released their debut album on September 20th, 2010. The album went to #13 in the Official UK Album Chart and #1 in the Official UK Rock Album Chart. Produced and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, The Black Crowes, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Journey etc), this is yet another world-class musical statement that raises the bar for rock singing.
In November 2010, Hughes was awarded the ChildLine Award at Classic Rock's Roll of Honour.
Hughes and Black Country Communion released their second album, "2", in 2011, followed shortly afterwards, by their debut live tour encompassing the USA, UK and Europe. Their third release, "LIVE OVER EUROPE", recorded live while on the European leg of their debut tour, reached the Top 5 spot world-wide with releases on DVD, CD, Blu-ray and Vinyl.
Hughes had his AUTOBIOGRAPHY published in 2011, in both hard and soft cover editions. The Number 1 best seller is available at all good retailers, both online and at traditional brick & mortar stores!
In November 2011, Black Country Communion won the prestigious Classic Rock Breakthrough Artist of the Year award at the Classic Rock Awards in London, with Glenn collecting the award on behalf of the band.
2012 saw Hughes touring Russia as a solo artist and also South America as a member of the Rock and Roll AllStars, featuring his good friends Gene Simmons, Matt Sorum, and Joe Elliot amongst others. Hughes also did solo shows and guest appearances in the UK, Israel, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, China and Armenia but his main focus in 2012 was the writing, recording and press promotion for the third Black Country Communion album, "AFTERGLOW". Released worldwide in late October 2012, and again produced by Kevin Shirley, the album was another huge success for the band, and is possibly the most Hughes dominated album of the three, with many of the songs written solely by Glenn.
2013 saw Hughes embarking on some exciting new projects, with the best yet to come from this most eclectic, talented and inspired musician and songwriter.
High Road
Glenn Hughes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Open up your mind again
You're so frustrated
And you cannot decide
You can float away
Get upon a tidal wave
Now let it take you
Why don't you take a trip?
Don't you wanna get a grip
I just wanna
Get a message to you
We can leave today
We can motor anyway
So give it me
Let me make up your mind
And I've know
That you've been lookin' for a new direction
So leave it to me
Let me tell you what I'm gonna do
I said
"Children get out on the high road"
Every kinda people
Now don't you wanna ride with me
I won't let you down
Get yourself back on the ground
You're dehydrated
And it's so hard to breathe
You don't need a pill
Somethin' that you wanna kill
So let me take you
To the freedom inside
And I've know
That you've been lookin' for a new direction
So leave it to me
Let me tell you what I'm gonna do
I said
"Children get out on the high road
Every kinda people
Now don't you wanna ride with me"
I said
"Children get out on the high road
Every kinda people
Now don't you wanna ride with me"
And I've know
That you've been lookin' for a new direction, yeah
So leave it to me
Let me tell you what I'm gonna do
Children get out on the high road
Every kinda people
Now don't you wanna ride with me
I said
"Children get out on the high road
Every kinda people
Now don't you wanna ride with me"
I said
"Children get out on the high road
Every kinda people
Now don't you wanna ride with me"
I said
"Children get out on the high road
Every kinda people
Now don't you wanna ride with me"
Get out on the high road
Yeah yeah yeah
The song "High Road" by Glenn Hughes is an uplifting and motivational anthem that encourages listeners to break free from their frustrations and find a new direction in life. The lyrics speak to a friend who is feeling lost and undecided, and suggests that they take a trip and let themselves be taken by a tidal wave to the freedom inside. The song emphasizes that one does not need drugs or other substances to achieve this freedom, but rather the power to make a conscious choice to take control of their destiny. The chorus repeats the phrase "Children get out on the high road" as a call to action, appealing to all kinds of people to join in and find their way to a better place.
The song's opening line, "What's the matter friend, Open up your mind again" is a powerful and direct invitation to the listener to reflect on their current life circumstances and consider a new path. It is a reminder that often our negative emotions can cloud our judgment and that it is important to step back and gain a fresh perspective. The song encourages listeners to trust and rely on the support of others and to take their first steps towards a better life by "getting out on the high road."
Overall, "High Road" is a song that speaks to the human experience of feeling lost and overwhelmed at times. It reminds us that we all have the power to choose our direction and encourages us to take control and embrace whatever change comes our way.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the matter friend
What is the issue, my friend?
Open up your mind again
Be receptive, let your thoughts be free.
You're so frustrated
You are overwhelmed with emotions.
And you cannot decide
You are unable to make a decision.
You can float away
You can escape reality, drift away.
Get upon a tidal wave
Get on a powerful force that carries you.
Now let it take you
Let the strong emotion or feeling take over.
To the freedom inside
Find freedom inside yourself.
Why don't you take a trip?
Why don't you travel inside your mind?
Don't you wanna get a grip
Don't you want to have control?
I just wanna
I only desire to
Get a message to you
To communicate with you.
We can leave today
We can depart from here now.
We can motor anyway
We can travel by any means necessary.
So give it me
So let me take charge.
Let me make up your mind
Allow me to help you make a decision.
And I've know
I'm aware
That you've been lookin' for a new direction
You seek a different path or goal.
So leave it to me
Trust me with it.
Let me tell you what I'm gonna do
Allow me to explain my plan.
I said
I pronounced
"Children get out on the high road"
Everyone should aim for the path of greatness.
Every kinda people
Every individual can achieve it.
Now don't you wanna ride with me
Do you not want to join me on this journey?
I won't let you down
I will not disappoint you.
Get yourself back on the ground
Regain your stability.
You're dehydrated
You're lacking strength and vigor.
And it's so hard to breathe
You struggle to catch your breath.
You don't need a pill
You don't need any medication.
Somethin' that you wanna kill
You don't want to do any harm.
So let me take you
Allow me to guide you.
And I've know
I'm aware
That you've been lookin' for a new direction
You're in search of a new goal or meaning.
So leave it to me
Trust me with it.
I said
I pronounced
"Children get out on the high road"
Everyone should aspire for success.
Every kinda people
Every single person can achieve it.
Now don't you wanna ride with me
Would you not want to come with me?
Get out on the high road
Aim high in life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLENN HUGHES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind