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.
Talk About It
Glenn Hughes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the coldness of love’s sweet illusion
There’s a sadness that stands in my way
There’s a note that I left in the hallway
Tellin’ you that I could never stay
You never wanted me I’m outta time
Now I’ve got nothin’ to say
I don’t even hear a word you say
I don’t want to talk about it
I just turn my back and walk away
I’m the kind that lives with emotion
Now do I have to live on my own?
I would cross every mountain and ocean
Tell me why has your heart turned to stone
You never wanted me, I’m outta time
Now I’ve got nothin’ to say
by AleisterCrowley
The lyrics of "Talk About It" by Glenn Hughes depict the pain and disappointment of unrequited love. The singer is trapped in the illusion of a love that is not reciprocated, and the underlying sadness is preventing him from moving on. He leaves a note in the hallway, confessing that he cannot stay, as he realizes that he is out of time and the person he loves does not want him. The singer is heartbroken, and his emotions are so intense that he cannot even bring himself to talk about his feelings.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase, "I don't want to talk about it" several times, emphasizing the singer's desire to avoid the issue altogether. He has nothing to say because he knows that his love is unrequited, and he cannot force someone to feel something they do not. The pain is so raw that the singer feels he is better off walking away and living on his own, even though he is a person who "lives with emotion" and would "cross every mountain and ocean" to be with the one he loves.
Overall, "Talk About It" is a powerful expression of unrequited love and the anguish, helplessness, and frustration that come with it. The song captures the pain of loving someone who does not feel the same way and highlights the difficulty of moving on from such a situation.
Line by Line Meaning
In the coldness of love's sweet illusion
Despite being caught up in the romantic feeling of love, there is a sense of detachment and numbness.
There's a sadness that stands in my way
The singer is hindered by their melancholic emotions.
There's a note that I left in the hallway, Tellin' you that I could never stay
The singer left a message to communicate that they are unable to continue the relationship.
You never wanted me I'm outta time, Now I've got nothin' to say
The artist realizes that their love was not reciprocated and has no more words to express their futile efforts.
I don't want to talk about it
The artist is unwilling to discuss the situation any further, possibly due to the pain it causes them.
I don't even hear a word you say
The singer has mentally checked out of the conversation and is not receptive to any communication from the other party.
I just turn my back and walk away
The singer chooses to physically leave the situation and avoid further confrontation or discussion.
I'm the kind that lives with emotion
The artist is an emotionally-driven person, likely to act based on their feelings.
Now do I have to live on my own?
The artist is struggling with the idea of being alone and is questioning whether they have to face that reality.
I would cross every mountain and ocean
The artist would go to great lengths to prove their love and commitment to the other person.
Tell me why has your heart turned to stone
The singer is questioning why the other person seems to have become emotionally closed off and unresponsive.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GLENN HUGHES, MARC HENRY BONILLA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Laser
In the coldness of love’s sweet illusion
There’s a sadness that stands in my way
There’s a note that I left in the hallway
Tellin’ you that I could never stay
You never wanted me I’m outta time
Now I’ve got nothin’ to say
I don’t want to talk about it
I don’t even hear a word you say
I don’t want to talk about it
I just turn my back and walk away
I’m the kind that lives with emotion
Now do I have to live on my own?
I would cross every mountain and ocean
Tell me why has your heart turned to stone
You never wanted me, I’m outta time
Now I’ve got nothin’ to say
MrRicardo11
I agree, he is one of the most gifted singers ever, and so underated.
ward pike
This is one of the best vocals ever recorded in the history of rock music. I can't think of anything that tops it, actually. The song is also phenomenal.
Orlando Rodriguez
Well theres Saxon a very formidable Gargantua Robert halford,Bruce Dickinsong Ronald james Dio but Glenn has no equal
Quinn Miller
This song is so damn good. Emotional, connecting... and Glenn's singing is pure perfection. The rest of the band's on fire as well. The entire Addiction album is first rate but this has to be my favorite.
Junior Pontes
Mr. Glenn "The Voice Of Rock" Hughes 🎵🎼🎶🎤😎👊
Laser
In the coldness of love’s sweet illusion
There’s a sadness that stands in my way
There’s a note that I left in the hallway
Tellin’ you that I could never stay
You never wanted me I’m outta time
Now I’ve got nothin’ to say
I don’t want to talk about it
I don’t even hear a word you say
I don’t want to talk about it
I just turn my back and walk away
I’m the kind that lives with emotion
Now do I have to live on my own?
I would cross every mountain and ocean
Tell me why has your heart turned to stone
You never wanted me, I’m outta time
Now I’ve got nothin’ to say
Orlando Rodriguez
Thank God for having , Glenn. Bless him with many many more years and more Magical mussic Absolutely awesome unbelievable one of the feew very best singers of all times ever.
Alan Cesar Espinoza Ybarra
Wow que tal temón!!!
Mario Lemieux
Хьюз красава!!!
Ash Rain
Wow, did I really listen to it 6062 times alredy?...