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.
On the Rocks
Ian Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock on music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Unless they try to play it too darn fast
And change the beauty of the melody
Until they sound just like a symphony
That's why I go for that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you want to dance with me
If you want to dance with me
took my loved one over cross the tracks
So she can hear my man a wailin' sax
I must admit they have a rockin' band
Man, they were goin' like a hurricane
That's why I go for that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Way down South they gave a jubilee
The jokey folks they had a jamboree
They're drinkin' homebrew from a water cup
The folks dancin' got all shook up
And started playin' that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Don't care to hear 'em play a tango
I'm in the mood to dig a mambo
It's way to early for a congo
So keep a rockin' that piano
So I can hear some of that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
The lyrics to Ian Gillan’s “On the Rocks” are a celebration of rock and roll music, specifically its rhythm and beat. The first verse is an invitation to just listen to and dance to rock and roll music, no matter how it's played. The second verse briefly touches on the genre of modern jazz, and while he has no problem with it in principle, Ian Gillan doesn't like it when they play too fast, because it ruins the melody. The third verse tells a story of taking a loved one to hear a great saxophonist at “cross the tracks,” where they played with a “rockin' band” that was going “like a hurricane." The fourth and final verse describes a jubilee and jamboree where “jokey folks” were drinking “homebrew from a water cup” and dancing to rock and roll music. The song's rhythm is reminiscent of classic rock and roll, and the cadence of the lyrics captures the energy and excitement of the genre.
In the context of the time period when the song was recorded, “On the Rocks” is a fitting tribute to rock and roll music. After a brief decline in the late 60s and early 70s, rock and roll was experiencing a revival in the mid- to late-70s, with punk and disco leading the charge. Gillan’s song pays homage to the roots of rock and roll and the simple joy it can bring to people. The song’s lyrics nod to other musical genres like jazz and mambo, but it’s clear that rock and roll is what gets him moving.
Line by Line Meaning
Just let me hear some of that rock and roll music
I want to listen to rock and roll music.
Any old way you choose it
No matter how you play it, I'll still listen.
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
It's got a strong, catchy rhythm that you can't help but move to.
Any old time you use it
You can listen to it anytime you want.
It's gotta be rock and roll music
The only type of music I want to hear is rock and roll.
If you wanna dance with me
If you want to dance with me, then you'll have to listen to rock and roll.
I have no kick against modern jazz
I don't have anything against modern jazz music.
Unless they try to play it too darn fast
Unless they play it too quickly and ruin the melody.
And change the beauty of the melody
If they change the melody, then it's not as beautiful.
Until they sound just like a symphony
If it sounds too much like a symphony, then it's not jazz anymore.
took my loved one over cross the tracks
I took my loved one to a different neighborhood.
So she can hear my man a wailin' sax
So she can listen to the saxophonist play a great solo.
I must admit they have a rockin' band
I have to admit that the band is really great.
Man, they were goin' like a hurricane
They were playing so fast and energetically.
Way down South they gave a jubilee
Down South, they had a big celebration.
The jokey folks they had a jamboree
The people there had a lively party.
They're drinkin' homebrew from a water cup
They're drinking homemade alcohol from cheap cups.
The folks dancin' got all shook up
The people dancing got really excited and moved a lot.
Don't care to hear 'em play a tango
I don't want to hear a tango played.
I'm in the mood to dig a mambo
I want to hear and dance to a mambo.
It's way too early for a congo
It's too early to start dancing to the congo.
So keep a rockin' that piano
So keep on playing the piano in a rock and roll style.
If you wanna dance with me
If you want to dance with me, then you'll have to listen to rock and roll.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ᴠᴀɢ ɢʀᴇɢɢØʀʏ
His tone is just amazing. I never get tired of listen to him. He is absolutely unique. Handsome and charming person. Brilliant singer. I’m saying this every time when I’m writing a comment about him: it’s impossible to dublicate him. He is very underrated!!! Great Ian Gillan.
Monica Barreto
Very good Band!!!!I think Ian Gillan always gives his best
Alcatraz Eleochestra
Ian Gillan is one of my favorite singer of all time. His voice and showmanship really great
Martin Plummer
Never ever get tired of listening to gillan , he is amazing!!
Mark Brock
Loved the Gillan band at that time,Mr Universe,Glory Road,Future Shock....all brilliant albums.
Danny Martinez
Such an authentic original heavy musical demonstration. These guys blow every body away. Serious bad ass rock n rollers.
Racine Evans
Great song!!! RIP Mr. Torme
Peter Baxter
Ian Gillan has the ultimate rock voice!!!!
Paleo Aram
One of the Gillan best! Always loved this song.
Mrs. Palafox
THAT AWESOME VOICE,! A REALLY POWERFUL VOICE! YOU ARE IMPRESSIVE MR. GILLAN!!