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.
Hang Me Out to Dry
Ian Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't want to change my situation
I can't lose
Got this strange infatuation
When my seeds were sown
Then the cold wind blowing in my face
My life was just confusion
And when I roll my eyes they say
And one day my woman said to me
You're almost human
Hang me out to dry
I can't lose
When I travel down my own road
I can't lose
You don't know the things that I know
And when the rain comes down
I see the lights in town gently calling
But I have to keep on walking
And when the dogs are howling
At the full moon
I start falling
And my head that's almost human
Reaches out and keeps me talking
Hang me out to dry
I can't lose
When it's ripped down to the bone
I can't lose
A better time I've never known
When my seeds were sown
Then the cold wind
Blowing in my face
My life was just confusion
And when I rolled my eyes
They said I lost my sense of reason
And one day my woman said to me
You're almost human
Hang me out to dry
The lyrics of Ian Gillan’s Hang Me Out to Dry are reflective of a person’s self-assuredness and resistance to change. The two stanzas of the song repeat the phrase “I can’t lose” to hammer home the message of being in control and confident of one’s position. The song speaks of the personal journey of someone who has faced multiple challenges in life resulting in confusion, but has emerged a stronger and more “human” individual. When the seeds were sown, and the cold winds blew in his face, the person faced a lot of confusion and uncertainty. However, the person has come out of this experience almost heroic, reaching out to others in times of distress and talking them through their problems.
The recurring idea is that of infatuation; a strange attraction to his life situation, the singer in the song doesn’t want to lose what he has built. The ‘things’ he knows are not necessarily tangible, but rather a compilation of all his experiences- positive and negative. Even with lights and the ease of reaching out, the singer continues to walk down the lonely path he has chosen for himself. Overall, the song can be interpreted as an ode to personal resilience, the journey from confusion to clarity, and the importance of owning one’s decisions in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't lose
I am confident and determined in my situation and will not be defeated.
Don't want to change my situation
I am content with the way things are and do not wish to make any changes.
Got this strange infatuation
I have a peculiar attraction towards something or someone.
When my seeds were sown
In the past, during the early stages of my life.
Then the cold wind blowing in my face
During difficult times, things were not in my favor and I had to face hardships.
My life was just confusion
I was going through a chaotic and bewildering phase.
And when I roll my eyes they say
People judge me and my actions without understanding my situation.
I've lost my sense of reason
They think I am irrational and not thinking logically.
And one day my woman said to me
At some point, my significant other told me something that had a profound impact on me.
You're almost human
She made me realize that I am not perfect, but that's okay as I am still a flawed, yet emotional being.
Hang me out to dry
Let me take responsibility for my actions and face the consequences of my decisions.
When I travel down my own road
I am following my own path and not relying on anyone else for guidance.
You don't know the things that I know
I have unique insights and knowledge that others do not possess.
And when the rain comes down
During difficult times and moments of despair.
I see the lights in town gently calling
I am enticed by the allure of other opportunities and possibilities beyond my current situation.
But I have to keep on walking
Despite the temptations and hardships, I must stay true to myself and keep moving forward.
And when the dogs are howling
During moments of chaos and turmoil.
At the full moon
Occurring during specific times, possibly during a full moon phase.
I start falling
I begin to lose control and give in to my emotions.
And my head that's almost human
My mind, despite its imperfections, is still an attribute that makes me human.
Reaches out and keeps me talking
I use my thoughts and words to help me cope with my struggles and express myself.
When it's ripped down to the bone
During times of great pain, sorrow, and vulnerability.
A better time I've never known
Even though the situation is dire, I hold on to the hope that things will get better.
Contributed by Cooper A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-ei9hx9wq7b
Великолепно!!!!!!!!! Слушатьислушать с повторениями, ну, ПростоКайфуешь, Что-тоНевообразимое!!! Какие, Грани, - что Голос,чтоАртистизм,чтоТембрЗвучания, - а-"переходы"....... Очень-очень-очень Удивительно-Восхищает!!!!!!!!! Гениально!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@goransimic6527
No the east no the west Gillan is the best!!!
@olgak_9932
Огонь! Гиллан Forever! Лучший! ❤️
@comment_king3612
Oh man...This is the perfect music.Gillan is still the best singer who ever was born on this planet.
And man..Laurence..how you stepped into the song with that bass run..Omg...Gillan and his friends will live forever!
@southshore8911
beautiful
@rainbow2710
This is super cool, band in top form, orchestra in synch, and Gillan taking his voice just where he wants. Brilliant!
@judithineichen-vokinger8001
Wow ,,,, Ian Gillan stil got! 50 years ago i was flashed from Deep Purple. Music keep us alive. ❤
@janosvass7351
wonderfull
@michaelbosi8104
LOVE!
@AnthonyEmery1970
"my head that's almost human, reaches out and keeps my talkin' - hang me out to dry" - legendary Gillan lyric