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.
Mistreated
Glenn Hughes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been mistreated
I've been abused
I've been struck down-hearted, baby
I've been confused
Cos I know, yes I know
Since my baby left me
I've been losing my mind
I've been lonely
I've been cold
I've been looking for a woman
To have and hold
Cos I know, yes I know
I've been mistreated
Since my baby left me
I've been losing, I've been losing
I've been losing my mind
I've been mistreated
I've been abused
I've been looking for a woman
I've been confused
Cos I know, yes I know
I've been mistreated
Since my baby left me
I've been losing, losing
I've been losing my mind
Oh woman I've been losing my mind
Glenn Hughes's song "Mistreated" is a heart-wrenching ballad about heartbreak and emotional turmoil. The lyrics convey the singer's feelings of being mistreated and abused since his lover left him. The first verse establishes the lamentable state of the singer: he has been "struck down-hearted" and confused. The refrain shows the extent of his heartbreak, as he repeats that he has been "losing his mind" since the breakup.
In the second verse, the singer reveals that he has been lonely and looking for a woman to "have and hold." This line shows that the singer is desperately seeking emotional solace after his heartbreak. The refrain repeats the same line as before, emphasizing how the singer is consumed by his feelings.
The third verse echoes the sentiments of the first, as the singer laments that he has been mistreated and abused, and that he is confused about what to do next. The final refrain drives home the singer's emotional state as he cries out to the woman who left him, "Oh woman I've been losing my mind."
Overall, "Mistreated" is a powerful representation of heartbreak and emotional turmoil that many can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been mistreated
I have been treated badly or unfairly by someone
I've been abused
I have been mistreated or harmed physically, emotionally, or mentally
I've been struck down-hearted, baby
I have been feeling very sad and discouraged
I've been confused
I have been feeling uncertain or disoriented
Cos I know, yes I know
Because I am aware and certain
Since my baby left me
Since my significant other has departed from my life
I've been losing my mind
I have been feeling or acting crazy, insane, or mentally unstable
I've been lonely
I have been feeling alone, abandoned or isolated from others
I've been cold
I have been feeling empty, numb or uncaring
I've been looking for a woman
I have been searching for a mate, partner, or companion
To have and hold
To have a loving and caring relationship with
I've been mistreated
I have been treated badly or unfairly by someone
I've been losing, I've been losing
I have been losing or experiencing defeat in a progressive manner
Oh woman I've been losing my mind
Addressing a woman as the cause of his mental instability and distress
Contributed by Mia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GeorgKalinski
I'm 65 years old and still a Led Zeppelin and a Deep Purple fan ! What a beautiful performance, great !!!!!
@drlemmy4551
Same here , 64 yo 😉🤘
@miriamjust8633
Me too( 63)!!!!!!😆💃🇦🇷
@r.d.n.2404
Right there with you , 66yr.
@luizantoniobasile9971
Eu também tenho 65 anos e ainda não vi banda igual ao Deep Purple, fantástico…
@adelfahim3794
Same hear 65
@mikeedmonds7929
71 years old and Glenn's voice is still incredible, he is a freak of nature.
@richarddehaas2313
71 year fantastic❤
Voice
@jymebale5545
I am right there with ya mate, 71, rock 'n f'n roll, go Glenn, I'm a musician too.
@richardgibson6573
68 here, been a Glenn Hughes fan since I first heard Trapeze around 1970. I've played in cover bands for over 30 years ( lead guitar and vocals). I've been told that I have a great voice, but could never come close to Glenn.