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.
Out Of A Deeper Hunger
Gowan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got rain in my shoes
Every dime from the bank's been used
And every time I play the lottery - I lose
But I don't care much for the clothes that I wear
I'm never bothered by the length of my hair
Set my sights on finer things
That all a rich man's gold can bring
I'm at your door tonight
Out of a deeper hunger - I want you
My work just makes ends meet
I don't live on the best of streets
In my rusty car the picture's quite complete
But don't be fooled by this appearance you see
'Cause there is one thing sure to motivate me
Maybe since I'm not impressed
By common measures of success
Out of a deeper hunger
I'm at your door tonight
Out of a deeper hunger - I want you
Under this exterior
There's a deeper world - ball of fire
And I knew when I looked at you
You got something to bring me higher
Set my sights on finer things
That all a rich man's gold can bring
Out of a deeper hunger
I'm at your door tonight
Out of a deeper hunger, baby
That's burning in me
Where it never felt so empty
Out of a deeper hunger - I want you
Out of a deeper hunger - I want you
Out of a deeper hunger - I want you
Gowan's "Out of a Deeper Hunger" is a song about a man who is not concerned about material possessions and wealth but himself with something deeper - an insatiable hunger that he feels within himself. He is not interested in lottery winnings, expensive clothes, or a fancy car. He is motivated by something that cannot be bought with money. He is at the doorstep of the woman he desires and wants her to fulfill this hunger within him. Despite his exterior appearance not being fancy, he believes that there is a deeper world within him, a ball of fire that is waiting to be ignited by the woman he loves.
The lyrics suggest that the man is searching for something that goes beyond the ordinary success markers. He is at a point in his life where he has realized that there is more to life than just accumulating wealth and fame. The song portrays a man who is looking for deeper fulfillment, which he believes he can find in the woman that he is currently pursuing. He is confident that there is something about the woman that will bring him higher.
The song's message is that even though we strive for material things, there is always a deeper hunger within us that needs fulfilling. It is not always about the external trappings of wealth and success but about the internal satisfaction we derive from pursuing our passions and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got rain in my shoes
I'm feeling down and defeated
Every dime from the bank's been used
I'm struggling financially and have nothing left
And every time I play the lottery - I lose
Trying to win money through gambling isn't working out for me
But I don't care much for the clothes that I wear
I'm not materialistic and don't put much value in fashion
I'm never bothered by the length of my hair
My appearance doesn't matter much to me
Set my sights on finer things
I have bigger aspirations and goals in life
That all a rich man's gold can bring
I want to attain wealth and success
Out of a deeper hunger
I have a strong desire and drive
I'm at your door tonight
I'm reaching out and pursuing my passion
My work just makes ends meet
My job only allows me to get by
I don't live on the best of streets
My living situation isn't the greatest
In my rusty car the picture's quite complete
My vehicle is old and not in great condition
But don't be fooled by this appearance you see
Don't judge me solely based on my external circumstances
'Cause there is one thing sure to motivate me
I have a driving force that keeps me going
Maybe since I'm not impressed
Since I'm not easily swayed or impressed by superficial things
By common measures of success
By societal standards of what constitutes 'success'
Under this exterior
Beneath my surface level appearance
There's a deeper world - ball of fire
I have passion and energy that fuels me
And I knew when I looked at you
I recognize that you have something special that can inspire me
You got something to bring me higher
I believe you have the potential to elevate my life in some way
Out of a deeper hunger, baby
My longing and desire is intense and sincere
That's burning in me
I feel a strong, passionate desire within me
Where it never felt so empty
Without fulfilling my deep desires, life feels unfulfilling and hollow
Out of a deeper hunger - I want you
I'm pursuing you as a way to satisfy my longing and desire
Out of a deeper hunger - I want you
My intense longing for you is coming from a deep place within me
Out of a deeper hunger - I want you
My sincere desire for you is fueled by a deep-seated passion within me
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tammy McNally
Always has been a genuinely superhumanly beautiful soul, thank you Sir Lawrence Gowan
Steve van Maanen
Was he knighted? Well deserved!
Beth Watson
Thanks this is one of my favorites
Mélodie Rivers
My pleasure!
wild4queen
My favorite Gowan song.
Mélodie Rivers
My pleasure!
Darcy B
thankx to the Doc for posting this most excellent tune!
Mélodie Rivers
It was my pleasure, and I'm glad you all appreciate it!
Lily J.L.
Thank you!
Cindy Himes
You hurt me again!