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.
Fool's Mate
Ian Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lavender Sally
You got me going again
Raggedy Sally
You got me going again
I was down as down can be before
You came along
You got me going again
These fools are rising
Two fools are smiling
Stupid I love you
You got me moving again
Dumbo I need you
You got me feeling again
It took a fool to lift me from the
Deepest sleep I know
Sally
You got me going again
You brought me through
I am your fool
Put away your pity
This is what I say
Take me to the city
Here I am again
The lyrics of Ian Gillan's song Fool's Mate tell a story of how Lavender Sally and Raggedy Sally have both helped the singer get out of a state of deep depression. The singer paints a picture of himself being at his lowest point, feeling down to the point that he cannot move, and suddenly Sally comes along and gives him the strength to start again. Sally is portrayed throughout the song as being wise, kind and caring, helping the singer to go out into the world again and live his life more fully.
The song could be interpreted as being about the importance of having good friends in your life who can help you overcome tough times. This is emphasized by the line "I am your fool", where the singer seems to be acknowledging that he has been foolish in the past and has needed Sally's help to become stronger. The chorus of the song features the lines "These fools are rising, Two fools are smiling" which could be interpreted as Sally and the singer both being 'fools' (in a positive sense) for having overcome their obstacles and rising together.
Overall, Ian Gillan's Fool's Mate is a beautiful ode to friendship, resilience and hope. It encourages people to reach out to others during tough times and emphasizes the importance of sticking together and supporting each other through life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Lavender Sally
Addressing a person named Sally, possibly a lover, using the poetic phrase Lavender Sally.
You got me going again
Sally has rekindled the singer's emotions and energy, implying that they were previously in decline.
Raggedy Sally
Another poetic variation on addressing Sally, implying that she may be unkempt or wild.
You got me going again
Repeating that Sally has revitalized the artist's emotions and possibly their life in general.
I was down as down can be before
Elaborating on how low the artist was feeling before Sally's arrival, acknowledging that things were bleak.
Sally
Simply calling out Sally's name again, as if to emphasize her importance and presence in the lyrics.
You got me going again
Repeating yet again that Sally has revitalized the singer's emotions and possibly their life in general.
These fools are rising
A sudden shift in perspective, suggesting that Sally and the artist are now the ones in control or 'rising' above others.
Two fools are smiling
Continuing the theme of the previous line, it's almost as if the artist and Sally are aware of how foolish they may seem, but they are still enjoying themselves, hence the smiles.
Stupid I love you
Admitting that the love between the artist and Sally may seem foolish or impractical to others, but they still love each other regardless.
You got me moving again
Sally has not only revitalized the singer's emotions, but also their physical body. This line could imply that the singer was feeling stagnant before.
Dumbo I need you
Another playful term of endearment for Sally, suggesting that she may be a bit silly or goofy, but the artist still needs her.
You got me feeling again
Repeating that Sally has revitalized the singer's emotions and possibly their life in general. This line could also imply that the singer had been feeling numb or disconnected before.
It took a fool to lift me from the
Acknowledging that the singer was in a negative state before Sally 'lifted' them out of it. The term 'fool' could refer to the singer's own foolishness in not realizing Sally's importance before.
Deepest sleep I know
Further elaborating on how low the singer's state was before Sally's arrival, using the metaphor of a deep sleep as a negative emotional state.
Sally
Calling out Sally's name one more time, as if to punctuate her importance in the lyrics.
You got me going again
Repeating one final time that Sally has revitalized the artist's emotions and possibly their life in general.
You brought me through
Acknowledging that Sally has helped the singer through a difficult time or emotional state, perhaps even saved them from it.
I am your fool
The singer is proudly declaring that they are 'Sally's fool,' implying that they are willing to make themselves foolish or vulnerable for her love.
Put away your pity
Possibly addressing others who may have been looking down on the artist and Sally's relationship, asking them to stop feeling pity for them.
This is what I say
Asserting the artist's voice and autonomy, implying that they are confident in their choices and emotions, even if others may not understand or approve.
Take me to the city
Asking Sally to take the artist to a more bustling or exciting environment, possibly implying that they want to experience life to the fullest with her.
Here I am again
A final declaration of the singer's presence, possibly implying that they are ready to face whatever comes their way with Sally by their side.
Contributed by Sophie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.