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.
Only Women Bleed
Glenn Hughes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's got the power - oh
She's got the need
She spends her life through pleasing up her man
She feeds him dinner or anything she can
She cries alone at night too often
He smokes and drinks and don't come home at all
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Man makes your hair gray
He's your life's mistake
All you're really lookin' for is an even break
He lies right at you
You know you hate this game
He slaps you once in a while and you live and love in pain
She cries alone at night too often
He smokes and drinks and don't come home at all
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Black eyes all of the time
Don't spend a dime
Clean up this grime
And you there down on your knees begging me please come
Watch me bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Glenn Hughes's "Only Women Bleed" is a song that addresses women's struggles in a patriarchal society. The song opens with lines that acknowledge the power imbalance between men and women, where women devote themselves to men, but men such as their husbands are absent, smoking and drinking. The chorus, "Only women bleed," is a poignant reminder that women bear the burden of pain, abuse, and discrimination not experienced by men.
In the following verses, Glenn Hughes uses vivid descriptions of domestic violence as he sings, "He lies right at you" and "He slaps you once in a while, and you live and love in pain." The words paint a picture of women as victims of physical and emotional abuse. The line "All you're really lookin' for is an even break" indicates that women aspire to be afforded the same opportunities as men, but rarely are.
The final verse places a focus on the inner resilience and the need for self-care that women possess despite the ways in which they are treated. The line "Don't spend a dime, clean up this grime" refers to how women are expected to maintain cleanliness and orderliness in their households, despite their constant suffering. The song's final moments involve an appeal to men, as women's wounds bleed: "And you there down on your knees begging me please come, watch me bleed." This final line is a powerful cry for men to witness and acknowledge the pain and anguish that women face daily.
Line by Line Meaning
Man's got his woman to take his seed
Men impregnate women and expect them to bear their children.
He's got the power - oh
Men hold more power in a relationship due to their societal position.
She's got the need
Women have emotional and physical needs that they expect from their partners.
She spends her life through pleasing up her man
Women dedicate their lives to making their men happy and satisfied.
She feeds him dinner or anything she can
Women take care of every aspect of their partner's life, including cooking for them.
She cries alone at night too often
Women are often left alone to deal with their emotional pain and struggles.
He smokes and drinks and don't come home at all
Men often prioritize their vices over spending time with their partner.
Only women bleed
Women are the ones who endure pain and suffering in a relationship.
Man makes your hair gray
Men's actions and behavior can cause stress and aging in women.
He's your life's mistake
Men can be detrimental to women's lives and well-being.
All you're really lookin' for is an even break
Women just want an equal and fair treatment in their relationship.
He lies right at you
Men often deceive and manipulate their partners.
You know you hate this game
Women are aware of the unfairness and inequality in their relationship.
He slaps you once in a while and you live and love in pain
Women endure physical and emotional abuse from their partners and still choose to stay.
Black eyes all of the time
Physical abuse can lead to bruises and black eyes for women.
Don't spend a dime
Men don't want to spend money on women's needs or luxuries.
Clean up this grime
Women are expected to maintain cleanliness and hygiene to please their men.
And you there down on your knees begging me please come
Women are often made to beg for the love, attention and intimacy that should be given freely by their partner.
Watch me bleed
Women suffer and bleed both physically and emotionally in a relationship.
Only women bleed
Women are the ones who bear the brunt of a toxic relationship.
Contributed by Samuel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Becky Friday
This is raw talent, People! Hail to "The Voice!"
Massimo Giammaria
awesome tune for awesome singer 😘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
1stSaintsFan
Hughes is a better singer than AG, he nails it!
liliwhite lilith
FANTASTICO!!!!!!!!!!💞🎶💞🎶💞🎶💞. 💖 GLENN 💖
1stSaintsFan
Been a fan of Glenn's and Vincent Furnier (Alice) since early 70's for the ACG and Glenn's Trapeze dayss..he can sing anything...I never heard this before...youtube is great for this kind of discovery..
Jay Falco
he can sing the phone book and sound Awesome
Paul Dumbrell
Mr Hughes is amazing.
James Smith
4:17 What a climax!!!!!
Scott Bland
Now if someone would post his cover of Queen's "Killer Queen."
Brett Sneijder
glenn is one of the best vocals ever but i like alice coopers ..only woman bleed ..more,alice nailed it right from the start.