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.
Sugar Plum
Ian Gillan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cos they say they couldn't use no freaks
I want a position at the top
No training and a two day week
Won't you take me
To the land of flood and hunger
Won't you lead me
To the streets of dust and death
Let it rain on me
Let it shine on you
Let the sun shine through
Sugar plum
I haven't got a car
'Cos I never earned enough
To pay the price of fuel
Now I'm playin' my guitar
'Cos you understand that
I got the blues
Won't you take me
To the land of flood and hunger
Won't you lead me
To the streets of dust and death
Let it rain on me
Let it shine on you
Let the sun shine through
Sugar plum
Now I'm walking through the street
And I haven't eaten nothin'
For a week or two
I imagine that my belly's gonna swell
'Til I can't see my shoes
Won't you take me
To the land of flood and hunger
Won't you lead me
To the streets of dust and death
Let it rain on me
Let it shine on you
Let the sun shine through
Sugar plum
The lyrics of Ian Gillan's "Sugar Plum" can be interpreted as an expression of frustration and disillusionment with society's expectations of employment and success. The singer details his struggles with unemployment and poverty, expressing his desire for a better life in a place of abundance and prosperity. However, this desire is laced with a sense of hopelessness and desperation, as he imagines his belly swelling from lack of food.
The repeated refrain of "let it rain on me, let it shine on you, let the sun shine through, sugar plum" suggests a kind of resignation or acceptance of one's circumstances. The use of the term "sugar plum" can be seen as ironic or sarcastic, as it is traditionally associated with luxury and opulence. This juxtaposition of the singer's reality with his desires creates a sense of contrast and tension within the song.
Overall, "Sugar Plum" can be seen as a commentary on the harsh realities of poverty and economic inequality, and the ways in which these systems can trap individuals in cycles of struggle and desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
I haven't got a job
I am currently unemployed.
'Cos they say they couldn't use no freaks
Employers do not see me as a desirable candidate due to my unconventional appearance.
I want a position at the top
I desire a high-ranking job.
No training and a two day week
I seek a job with minimal working hours and no requirement for extensive training.
Won't you take me
Please help me achieve my goal.
To the land of flood and hunger
Take me to a place filled with chaos and struggle.
Won't you lead me
Please guide me through this journey.
To the streets of dust and death
Take me to a harsh and perilous environment.
Let it rain on me
I am willing to endure challenges and difficult situations.
Let it shine on you
I hope that you can experience happiness and abundance.
Let the sun shine through
May the positive aspects of life shine through the darkness.
Sugar plum
A term of endearment, representing the sweet moments in life that are worth fighting for.
I haven't got a car
I do not own a vehicle.
'Cos I never earned enough
I have not made enough money to afford a car.
To pay the price of fuel
I cannot afford the cost of gasoline to run a car.
Now I'm playin' my guitar
I turn to music as a source of comfort and expression.
'Cos you understand that
Music is a way for me to connect with others who share my struggles.
I got the blues
I am experiencing sadness and hardship.
Now I'm walking through the street
I am walking on foot due to my lack of transportation.
And I haven't eaten nothin'
I am experiencing hunger due to lack of resources.
For a week or two
I have been unable to eat for an extended period of time.
I imagine that my belly's gonna swell
I anticipate that my hunger will worsen and become physically painful.
'Til I can't see my shoes
To the point where my stomach will protrude and obstruct my view of my feet.
Contributed by John L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.