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.
Gut Reaction
Ian Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel so dirty
It's all worked out
You tell me I've been wrong
I got no reason to live anymore
Nothing to do but just curl up and die
But wait a minute babe
Are you telling me lies
What you doing
Bringing me down to size?
I can't see your burning eyes
I can't feel your gut reaction
Do you think I'm paralysed
I've got no pity
I'm heading for the city
I just don't think
When I'm taking revenge
I got red mist in front of my eyes
Don't try to stop me
Don't even try
So what's the matter babe?
Hurt your feelings have I
It's making me cry
What d'you expect when
You pierce my heart with a knife
Can you see my burning eyes
Can you feel my gut reaction
I can see you're paralysed
The song 'Gut Reaction' by Ian Gillan is about betrayal and the intense emotions that come with it. The lyrics express a feeling of being betrayed by someone close, and the hurt and anger that comes along with that. The first verse sets the tone for the song, with the singer feeling "dirty" and like there is no reason to live anymore. However, the second verse indicates that perhaps the person who betrayed him is not being truthful, and the singer is confused by their actions. Despite this confusion, the singer still feels a strong urge for revenge, with "red mist" in front of his eyes. The final verse is a plea for the betrayer to understand his pain and feel the same level of emotion that he does.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of intense longing for understanding and acknowledgement of the hurt that the singer is experiencing. There is a lack of communication between the two parties, and this only intensifies the emotions. The focus on the gut reaction and burning eyes indicate a physical manifestation of the intensity of emotion, as if the singer is on fire from the inside out. The overall feeling is one of intense emotion and pain, with no clear way to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel so dirty
I am overwhelmed with shame
It's all worked out
My situation is beyond repair
You tell me I've been wrong
You are saying that I have made a mistake
I got no reason to live anymore
I am feeling hopeless and lost
Nothing to do but just curl up and die
I am so despairing that I see no other option but to give up on life
But wait a minute babe
Hold on a moment, let's talk about this
I can't see your eyes
I can't tell what you're thinking
Are you telling me lies
Are you being dishonest with me?
What you doing
What are you trying to accomplish?
Bringing me down to size?
Are you trying to diminish me or make me feel inferior?
I can't see your burning eyes
I can't sense your passion or intensity
I can't feel your gut reaction
I can't gauge your instinctual response
Do you think I'm paralysed
Do you believe I'm unable to act or respond?
I've got no pity
I am feeling unsympathetic or indifferent
I'm heading for the city
I am leaving this place behind
I just don't think
I am not considering the consequences of my actions
When I'm taking revenge
When I seek retribution for a perceived wrongdoing
I got red mist in front of my eyes
I become blinded by anger or rage
Don't try to stop me
Don't attempt to prevent me
Don't even try
You won't succeed
So what's the matter babe?
What is bothering you?
Hurt your feelings have I
Have I upset or offended you?
It's making me cry
Your reaction is causing me to become emotional
What d'you expect when
What did you anticipate would happen when
You pierce my heart with a knife
You cause me great emotional pain
Can you see my burning eyes
Do you sense my passion or intensity?
Can you feel my gut reaction
Can you sense my instinctual response?
I can see you're paralysed
I can tell you're unable to act or respond
Contributed by Allison G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-tc7uj5hj1s
Лучше нету той минуты, когда Гиллан запоет!!!
@olgak_9932
Здорово!!! Это Гиллан!!!
@Lil1943
This was a tough time in his life, I believe, after being fired from Purple in '89, I think. Believe he lost some self-confidence. A supportive wife and good manager and friends gave him "tough love," according to his autobiography. He had to stop the bad health problems. But he always bounces back! Love his expression in this video when he comes on stage. His eyes tell it all; he's thankful to still have such good fans. Love the guy!
@CatDamon
I think it is funny when I hear idiots that say Ian Gillan did nothing after he left Purple the first time. A lot of this music was never aired or promoted as hard as Purple. Glad to see it back coming around and on Youtube.
@user-vl4rr7fn6k
Incomparable Gillan!❤
@woodyjagla328
,,,, great song, Great album - have seen Ian in Adelaide in concert promoting his album (small little club) ,,,,,, what a voice, what a voice !!!!
@_Rainmaker_
THE REAL KING OF ROCK N' ROLL!
@nazzare79
Gillan was in great shape that night...just listen "no more cane on the brazos", "lucille" or "demon's eye"...
@belchnasty
I'm just discovery this phase of Gillan now. Better late then never I suppose!!
@HippKRK
This band of Gillan was really strong ! Nice performance :)