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.
Rain On Me
Glenn Hughes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good people
Please open you eyes
My People
Here come the moon on the rise
I'm steady to fly 'cross the sky
Astral projection tonight
And I know that it won't be long
'Cause the temperature's much too strong
Can't you see I've been holding on
Now I am singing a simple song
So let it rain on me
Now the angels are fallin'
Rain on me
Now the whole world is callin'
Rain on me
The angels are fallin'
Rain on me
It's so easy
Easy to walk like you talk
Try to please me
I've been alone in the dark
Let it rain
Let the water rush over me
Can you feel the rain
I Can feel the rain
by AleisterCrowley
The lyrics of Glenn Hughes's song "Rain on Me" seem to suggest a deep yearning for release, for something to wash away the troubles and pain of the past. The song begins with a plea to "Good People" to open their eyes and behold the coming of the moon on the rise. The singer then announces that he is steady to fly across the sky, engaging in some kind of astral projection or spiritual journey that is about to take place. He knows that it won't be long before he experiences the release he's been seeking, because the temperature is much too strong to resist. Despite these lyrics, it is unclear what that "temperature" refers to specifically.
As the song continues, the chorus repeats the line "Rain on Me," as if the singer needs the world to hear his prayers and hopes for freedom. The angels are falling, suggesting some kind of spiritual transformation is taking place, with the whole world calling out to join in. The singer implores "Let it rain/Let the water rush over me," finally letting go of the pain and bitterness that he has been holding onto. Perhaps the most interesting lyric in the song comes when he states that "It's so easy/Easy to walk like you talk/Try to please me/I've been alone in the dark." This seems to suggest that he has been trying to please others or live up to their expectations, but now realizes the importance of finding his own path in life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Rain on Me" seem to suggest a longing for release, a need to be washed clean of the baggage and hurts of the past. The soaring choruses and powerful vocals add to the sense of yearning and hope that pervade the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Good people
Addressing the audience, calling them good people.
Please open your eyes
Asking the audience to become aware of their surroundings.
My people
Addressing the audience again, calling them his people.
Here comes the moon on the rise
Announcing the arrival of the moon.
I'm steady to fly 'cross the sky
Expressing the desire to fly through the sky.
Sightation
A made-up word, meant to evoke a sense of otherworldliness or mysticism.
Astral projection tonight
Referring to out of body experiences or transcendental states of mind.
And I know that it won't be long
Anticipating something that will happen soon.
'Cause the temperature's much too strong
Suggesting that the heat is unbearable.
Can't you see I've been holding on
Expressing the frustration of holding on to something for too long.
Now I am singing a simple song
Suggesting that the lyrics to the song are simple and easy to understand.
So let it rain on me
Inviting the rain, both literally and metaphorically.
Now the angels are falling
Making reference to supernatural beings falling from the sky.
Rain on me
Repeating the chorus line, inviting the rain.
Now the whole world is calling
Referring to a sense of global consciousness or unity.
It's so easy
Suggesting that something is easily done.
Easy to walk like you talk
Encouraging people to do as they say they will do.
Try to please me
Expressing dissatisfaction with someone's behavior.
I've been alone in the dark
Admitting to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Let it rain
Repeating the chorus line, inviting the rain.
Let the water rush over me
Embracing the rain, allowing it to envelop the artist.
Can you feel the rain
Asking the audience if they can feel the same sensations as the artist.
I can feel the rain
Acknowledging the physical and emotional sensations brought by the rain.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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