Gillan was born in Hounslow, Middlesex, England. He joined the band Deep Purple in 1969. In 1970, he sang the part of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. After leaving Deep Purple in 1973, he went into brief retirement before forming the Ian Gillan Band. The early band sound had a distinct jazz-rock aspect which proved unpopular and was replaced by a more high powered hard rock sound as Gillan reformed the lineup and shortened the groups name to Gillan. With the release of Mr. Universe Ian Gillan was back in the UK charts and through several more line up changes released a string of hit singles and successful albums including Glory Road, Future Shock, Double Trouble, and finally Magic.
Then he announced the band would fold as he needed to rest his damaged vocal cords. In 1983 he joined Black Sabbath to record the Born Again album before rejoining a reunited Deep Purple shortly after completing the Born Again tour in early 1984. He left Purple again in 1989, but rejoined for good in 1992. He remains in the band today.
Gillan is now working on a project to document his 40-year career, tentatively called Gillan's Inn. Tony Iommi, Jeff Healey, various members of Deep Purple and many others will be featured on this 2006 DVD project.
Candy Horizon
Ian Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can you lose when you know
You're always right
Look at the sky what do you see
That same old burning tree
I let my hair down on the ground
I listen but there's no sound
I'm waiting for something
An answer that lies in my mind
I remember you well
Oh my candy horizon
Will you save us from hell
Oh candy horizon
What have you done
Son of a gun
How can you tell
Oh my candy horizon
When you're always on the run
What do you know
Look at your face
That same old human race...
A message, a sign
An answer that lies in my mind
I remember you well
Oh my candy horizon
Will you save us from hell
Oh candy horizon
In Ian Gillan's song "Candy Horizon," the lyrics speak of the struggles of life and the search for meaning and purpose. The opening lines "How can you win, how can you fight, how can you lose when you know you're always right," could be interpreted in different ways, perhaps suggesting a sense of frustration at the inevitable conflicts that arise despite believing oneself to be in the right. The reference to the burning tree in the sky adds a layer of symbolism, implying perhaps the cyclical nature of life and its eternal struggles.
The following lines have a slightly melancholic tone, with the singer stating "I let my hair down on the ground, I listen but there's no sound, I'm waiting for something, a message, a sign, an answer that lies in my mind." These lyrics seem to be a reflection of feelings of desperation and loneliness. The song reaches a highlight with the line "Oh my candy horizon, will you save us from hell," a plea for hope and salvation.
Some possible interpretations of "Candy Horizon" are that it is a reflection on the search for meaning and purpose, and the struggle to find answers to life's difficult questions. It could also be seen as a metaphor for the human condition, with its constant struggle, despair, and hope for redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
How can you win, how can you fight
How do you achieve victory, how do you resist opposing forces
How can you lose when you know
It's impossible to fail when you're certain
You're always right
You hold absolute conviction in your beliefs
Look at the sky what do you see
Observe the atmosphere, what does it reveal
That same old burning tree
The identical image of destruction and devastation appearing time and time again
I let my hair down on the ground
I cast aside societal norms and conventions in search of something pure and genuine
I listen but there's no sound
Despite my attentive efforts, there's no profound revelation or guidance being given
I'm waiting for something
I have a yearning for some unknown occurrence or occurrence to happen
A message, a sign
A clear indication or directive
An answer that lies in my mind
The solution or resolution is internally residing within my own cognition
I remember you well
I recall your presence and influence distinctly
Oh my candy horizon
Directing address to an alluring, captivating sight
Will you save us from hell
Can you liberate us from an agonizing, tortuous abyss
What have you done
What impact have you caused to come into fruition
Son of a gun
Exclamation conveying disbelief, awe, or amusement
How can you tell
How can one interpret or decipher
When you're always on the run
When you never remain in one location or state for an extended period of time
What do you know
What knowledge or insight do you possess
Look at your face
Observe one's outwardly appearance or demeanor
That same old human race...
The timeless, unvarying portrait of humanity
A message, a sign
A clear indication or directive
An answer that lies in my mind
The solution or resolution is internally residing within my own cognition
I remember you well
I recall your presence and influence distinctly
Oh my candy horizon
Directing address to an alluring, captivating sight
Will you save us from hell
Can you liberate us from an agonizing, tortuous abyss
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tapio A
Leonard Haze is awesome!
Guilherme Motta
I saw him in this tour - 1991 Fantastic; ToolBox is one of my favorite albums, Gillan at his best!!
shjoed
WOW! I picked up Toolbox in the states way after because at the time they were to busy pushin that grunge shit, and finally got it to us! What a GREAT cd!!!! This album wiped the floor with the Deep Purple Slaves & Masters...I think Gillan wanted to prove a point....and he did! ;)
SilverTounge85
@kingfowley Gillan started to struggle w. his voice during the Gillan days in the early 80's. His constant screaming in Black Sabbath during almost every song, was fantastic, but took it's toll on his voice. Gillan only hit the highest notes of 'Child In Time' a handful of times between 1984 and 1987, but I don't care. His voice was and still is great. The man is like 65 or something now and is still amazing. Saw Deep Purple last year, and he belted out 'Speed King' like back in the 90's.
kingfowley
yes me too! i dig the show. gillan voice has been shot for last 15 years :) he still rules
kingfowley
damn right haze is the man!
Jay Dave
Wow, this is from the gig in Ostrava- Czech Republic!!! Gillan had some problems with his voice on this gig. I have this whole concert on a DVD....
nazzare79
this is Ostrava 1991,toolbox tour. Wonderful performance,wonderful Gillan's screams on this tour. The higlight is Bucharest 1992 dvd.don't forget it
GillanManiac
Gillan is the best!!!
alena amnesia
12 по 11-бальной шкале!