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.
Homeland
Glenn Hughes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wherever I go
You're never far from me
No matter how far
Wherever I go
Remember all those years
Some were good
Few were bad
I'm so happy, yet so sad
I'm so happy, yet so sad
Do you want to go back to my homeland
To the place we belong
Back to my homeland
To the place near your heart
Now and then something
Strikes right
Through' the heart
Just a scent or a shadow
Reminds me how far
How far we are apart
Now when I look back
There's one thing I've got to say
There's just one place
By now I'm sure
Sure you know
Now I'm sure, sure you know
Do you want to go back to my homeland...
(Do you) do you want to come with me
(Do you) do you want to come with me
(Do you) do you want to go with me
I hope and I pray
That you'll come back one day
The feelin's so strong
I've got to keep holdin' on
Stay with me, stay
This is where I belong
Do you really want to go
Back to my homeland
The lyrics of Glenn Hughes's song "Homeland" are a heartfelt tribute to a place that the artist calls home, and to the memories and feelings that are associated with that place. In the song, Hughes sings about always carrying a part of this homeland with him, no matter where he goes, and how even small things can bring back memories of the place and the people he left behind. He also expresses a yearning to return to this place, to the land and the people that he loves and misses so much.
The repeated lyrics of "Do you want to go back to my homeland" serve to reinforce the theme of longing and desire that is central to the song. The appeal of going back to the homeland is made all the more powerful by Hughes's plea to the listener to come with him, and his hopeful assertion that he will one day return to the place that he feels is truly his own. The music itself is also evocative, featuring a driving beat and soaring guitar riffs that underscore the urgency and passion of the lyrics.
Overall, "Homeland" is a stirring musical representation of the complex emotions that surround the idea of home and belonging. Whether you are someone who has left your homeland behind or someone who has never left, the song speaks to a universal human experience of love, loss, and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Always take a part of you
No matter where I go, a part of you remains with me.
Wherever I go
No matter where I go.
You're never far from me
You are never too far away.
No matter how far
Regardless of the distance.
Remember all those years
Let us reminisce about the past.
Some were good
We had some pleasant times.
Few were bad
Despite the good times, we had some hardships.
When I dream about you, baby
In my dreams, you fill me with both joy and sadness.
I'm so happy, yet so sad
Inexplicably, I feel both delight and sorrow.
Do you want to go back to my homeland
Would you like to accompany me to my home country?
To the place we belong
The place where we feel we fit in.
To the place near your heart
A location of great personal meaning to you.
Now and then something
Occasionally, something happens.
Strikes right
Hits straight and true.
Through' the heart
Deeply affecting emotionally.
Just a scent or a shadow
A fragrance or a figure.
Reminds me how far
Serves as a reminder of how distant we are.
How far we are apart
The considerable distance between us.
Now when I look back
Reflecting on the past.
There's one thing I've got to say
I have an important message.
There's just one place
Only one location.
By now I'm sure
At this point, I am certain.
Sure you know
Assuming you are already aware.
Do you want to come with me
Would you care to join me?
I hope and I pray
I have a great desire and wish for this to happen.
That you'll come back one day
Hopefully, one day you will return.
The feelin's so strong
My emotions are incredibly intense.
I've got to keep holdin' on
I must keep holding on.
Stay with me, stay
Remain here with me.
This is where I belong
This is where I feel I fit in.
Do you really want to go
Is it truly your desire to go?
Back to my homeland
Returning to my country of origin.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEE MARCELLO, MIC MICHAELI, JOEY TEMPEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind