His career:
At the age of nineteen, he earned an ARCT in classical piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, in Toronto. Upon graduation, he enjoyed modest local success with the band Rhinegold in 1976.
After Rhinegold broke up in 1981, Lawrence Gowan began a successful solo career under his surname, "Gowan", releasing his self titled debut on Columbia Records in 1982. This album Gowan contained his first singles "Victory" and "Keep Up The Fight". His 1985 album Strange Animal was his first real Canadian commercial breakthrough, spawning the hit singles "A Criminal Mind", "(You're A) Strange Animal" and "Cosmetics". The album was produced by David Tickle (Prince, Split Enz, Sting, U2 ) and featured Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) on bass / Chapman stick, and Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel) on drums. His 1987 follow up Great Dirty World was also produced by Tickle and again featured Tony Levin on bass but had session percussionist Nigel Olsson (Elton John) on drums. This album's arrangements were assisted by Bob Ezrin (Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel) and gave him another breaking hit single, "Moonlight Desires," which featured Jon Anderson (Yes) on backing vocals.
1990's Lost Brotherhood featured Rush's Alex Lifeson on guitar', however, it was a commercial disappointment, and Gowan elected to pursue a change in his musical direction. Taking a more subdued, acoustic approach, he released an adult contemporary album ...but you can call me Larry in 1993, using his full name for the first time, and Lawrence Gowan returned to the Canadian charts with three strong singles: "When There's Time For Love", "Soul's Road", and "Dancing On My Own Ground". Gowan subsequently released critically acclaimed The Good Catches Up in 1995, which was produced by Eddie Schwartz (The Doobie Brothers, Paul Carrack), but the album did not generate singles or radio airplay. In 1997, Gowan released two live CDs: Sololive - No Kilt Tonight containing a strong rendition of Ragtime's classic "King Chanteclerc Rag", and Au Québec with an evocative cover of Harmonium's "Pour Un Instant", as well as his first French song, "Stéphanie", which was dedicated to his supportive Quebec fan base.
In 1997, Gowan released "Healing Waters" as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales after her death. However, despite what many believe, this song was not originally written for this purpose. It was, in fact, used in its original form in the 1995 soundtrack for the movie 'When The Bullet Hits The Bone' (starring Jeff Wincott), which was two years prior to the infamous accident that killed Diana. Although this song is not actually listed in the movie's credits, it plays a significant role within the film. After the Princess' death, the lyrics were modified by Gowan into the version that fans have come to know.
Gowan's classic "A Criminal Mind" was covered in 2005 by Canadian hip-hop artist Maestro; and Gowan appears in the song's video with his vocals sampled on the recording.
In February 2006, Lawrence Gowan did four orchestra accompanied concerts in London, Ontario and Kitchener, Ontario. On March 23rd, 2010, The Return of the Strange Animal was released by Linus Entertainment featuring remastered versions of the original recordings packaged alongside a documentary on the making of his breakthrough CD at Tittenhurst Park with Peter Gabriel's band mates. The disc features some of the original demo recordings, two new songs, and full resolution videos, including an animated cartoon entitled "The Checkmate: Ominous Spiritus 2010". The disc closes with a Live recording of "Criminal Mind" featuring his current band, Styx.
Gowan has guest-starred on the Canadian animated comedy series Chilly Beach, and he has also displayed a passionate love for ice hockey by playing for The Rock & Roll All-Stars, a celebrity team that participates in charity events across Canada.
A Criminal Mind
Gowan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've seen my face before
Soon you can take your last look
And they'll close the door
I stand accused before you
I have no tears to cry
And you will never break me
Till the day I die
A criminal mind
Is all I've ever known
They tried to reform me
But I'm made of cold stone
A criminal mind
Is all I've ever had
Ask one who's known me
If I'm really so bad...
I AM
I've spent my life behind these steel bars
I've paid my debt in time
But being brought to justice
That was my only crime
I don't regret a single action
I'd do the same again
These prison walls secure me
And I'm numb to pain
repeat chorus
Before you hand me over
Before you read my sentence
I'd like to say a few words
Here in my own defense...
Some people struggle daily
They struggle with their conscience
Till the end
I have no guilt to haunt me
I feel no wrong intent
repeat chorus
I'm made of cold stone
Just like your prison walls
A criminal mind
I AM
The song "A Criminal Mind" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that speaks about a criminal's perspective on life. The lyrics describe the singer's life behind bars and his lack of remorse for the actions that got him there. The somber tone of the song is enhanced by the moody melody and dramatic instrumentation. The opening lines of "You see my hands are steady, You've seen my face before" suggests that the criminal has been in trouble with the law before and knows how to keep his composure in front of them.
The chorus of the song speaks to the singer's attitude toward his criminal past. He sees himself as a hardened criminal with no chance of reforming. The line "They tried to reform me, but I'm made of cold stone" suggests that he is beyond rehabilitation and nothing can change him. He sees himself as someone who was born into a life of crime and will only leave it when he dies. He seems to be at peace with his status as a criminal, despite the consequences he's had to pay.
In the final verse, the singer takes the opportunity to defend his actions. He compares himself to those who struggle with their conscience and implies that owning his criminal nature has freed him from guilt. He sees himself as someone who may have done wrong, but he never had any bad intentions. He ends the song with a powerful statement, "I'm made of cold stone, just like your prison walls, a criminal mind, I AM," as if he's proud of his criminal nature.
Line by Line Meaning
You see my hands are steady
I am calm and collected; I am not afraid
You've seen my face before
You know who I am, and what I am capable of
Soon you can take your last look
This is the last time you will see me before I am gone
And they'll close the door
I am going to prison, and the door will be locked for good
I stand accused before you
I am being accused of a crime, and I am standing before you as a defendant
I have no tears to cry
I am not feeling remorseful or sorry for what I have done
And you will never break me
I am not going to confess or admit to anything, no matter what you do
Till the day I die
I will never change or become a different person
A criminal mind
I am a criminal, and that's all I know how to be
Is all I've ever known
I have never lived a law-abiding life
They tried to reform me
People have attempted to change me, but I am resistant to change
But I'm made of cold stone
I am emotionally detached and unfeeling
A criminal mind
Being a criminal is my identity
Is all I've ever had
I have no other purpose or meaning in life
Ask one who's known me
Talk to anyone who has crossed paths with me, and they will tell you
If I'm really so bad...
Do you believe I am really as bad as they say?
I AM
Yes, I truly am that bad
I've spent my life behind these steel bars
I have been in and out of jail my entire life
I've paid my debt in time
I have served my time for the crimes I have committed
But being brought to justice
My punishment is not just; I should have never been caught
That was my only crime
My only crime was getting caught by the law
I don't regret a single action
I do not feel remorse for anything I have done in my life
I'd do the same again
If given the opportunity, I would commit the same crimes again
These prison walls secure me
I feel safe and protected behind these walls
And I'm numb to pain
I am emotionally numb and do not feel anything
Before you hand me over
Before my fate is sealed, I want to speak
Before you read my sentence
Before I am officially sentenced, I want to say something
I'd like to say a few words
I want to share my thoughts and perspective with you
Here in my own defense...
I want to defend myself and explain my reasoning
Some people struggle daily
Some people are burdened by their conscience and struggle with doing the right thing
They struggle with their conscience
They have a moral compass and are trying to do what is right
Till the end
Until the end of their life
I have no guilt to haunt me
I feel no guilt or remorse for what I have done
I feel no wrong intent
I did what I did with no malicious or evil intentions
I'm made of cold stone
I am emotionally detached and unfeeling
Just like your prison walls
The walls of this prison may be made of stone, but I am just as hard and unyielding
A criminal mind
I am a criminal, and that is all I will ever be
I AM
This is who I am, and I am not going to change
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LARRY GOWAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Percy1800sDetective
Lyrics for those who'd like them:
I stand accused before you
I have no tears to cry
And you will never break me
Until the day I die
A criminal mind was all I
All I've ever known
They've tried to reform me
But I'm made of cold stone
My criminal mind is all I
All I've ever had
Ask one who's known me
If I'm really so bad...
I am
I've spent my life behind these steel bars
I've paid my debt in time
But being brought to justice
That was my only crime
I don't regret a single action
I'd do the same again
These prison walls secure me
And I'm numb to pain
A criminal mind is all I
All I've ever known
They've tried to reform me
But I'm made of cold stone
My criminal mind is all I
All I've ever had
Ask one who's known me
If I'm really so bad...
I am
Before you hand me over
Before you read my sentence
I'd like to say a few words
Here in my own defense
Some people struggle daily
They struggle with their conscience 'til the end
I have no guilt to haunt me
I feel no wrong intent
A criminal mind is all I
All I've ever known
Don't try to reform me
Cause I'm made of cold stone
My criminal mind is all I
All I've ever had
Ask one who's known me
If I'm really so bad...
I am
Oh I am
Oh I am
I'm made of cold stone
Made of cold stone
I'm just like these prison walls
A criminal mind
@jimmywilliams8045
One of the most underrated superstars of Canada.
@richarddurina1167
totally agree
@barbaraboullata6208
I agree. Al this talk about Corey Hart, or your Brian Adams is a great Canadian musician . NOT so ! . I never listen to them-- I went straight to my record player to play my Larry GOWAN albums. Love, love, LOVE forever to Larry Gowan .Btw, I can't believe it's been so long. I am shocked to learn he is a gray haired old man..i went to a concert where he sang standing on top of one of the speakers as tall as a ten storey apartment building ! He created such excitement / energy within me. Coming from him. So to see him now, so old-- is a shock..but I continue to love this guy . Rock on, Larry !!! 😎😘💕❤️
@annabodroghkozy1498
Yup❤
@barcham
Right up to the point he tried to replace Dennis DeYoung in Styx. At that point, both he and Styx became shadows of what they once were.
@user-du8lu5qr4g
Hey, buddy. Its aboot time for Mug Club, eh? I can agree that Lawrence is better than Bryan Adams, guy. But let us not forget he cant hang with Rush.
@alasdairmackintosh
One of the greatest singers to ever come out of Canada
@canuckereh9202
..or anywhere else for that matter.
@sinisterminister6478
@Canucker eh! Fully agreed my fellow countryman!🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
@jeromed2
artist.