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.
The Sky Is Falling Down
Ian Gillan Lyrics
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I don't know, it sure feels like rain
If you ask me 'what's your pleasure?
(I'll have)
Anything but more of the same
We're going through another phase
We should have seen it coming
But I've got my mind on other things right now
Can you believe the sky is falling down
Can you hear those sirens wailing?
We're being drawn up on to the rocks
All around our system's failing
Someone should keep their eyes on the clock
Don't know if you can feel my pulse
A change of view might do it - oh
It couldn't be any worse
But I've got my mind on other things right now
Can you believe the sky is falling down
The song 'The Sky is Falling Down' by Ian Gillan features commentary on the current state of the world, where every day feels like an impending disaster. The lyrics 'They say the weather's getting better, I don't know, it sure feels like rain' could be interpreted in a few ways - on one hand, it might be interpreted as a metaphor for the current state of the world, where things seem to be getting better, but in reality, it doesn't feel like it. On the other hand, it could literally refer to the weather - temperatures might be rising and weather patterns might be changing, but with all the other environmental problems in the world, it still feels like things are only getting worse.
The song then goes on to talk about 'another phase', where it seems like the world is about to change. At this point, the lyrics seem to suggest that we should have predicted these changes and that it's time to 'count our days'. Perhaps, this interpretation can be interpreted as a warning - suggesting that these changes were gradual and could have been prevented if we had taken the right steps. However, while this underlying message is dark and gloomy, the singer switches focus towards other things, symbolizing the average person’s non-reaction to changes around them, creating a subsequent sense of ambivalence or hedonism.
Overall, the song seems to capture a feeling of desperation, fear, and the desire to escape. It also seems to suggest that people feel powerless in the face of changes happening in the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
They say the weather's getting better
Although people say that things are improving, I don't feel the same way and think things will get worse instead.
I don't know, it sure feels like rain
I am uncertain, but I have a feeling that things will not improve and that we are headed towards a storm.
If you ask me 'what's your pleasure? (I'll have) Anything but more of the same
If you were to inquire about what I desire, I would say that I want something different from what we have been experiencing regularly.
We're going through another phase
Our circumstances are evolving or changing, but we are not sure what it means or where it will take us.
We should have seen it coming
We ought to have foreseen or anticipated the current changes in our circumstances.
It's time to count our days
We should acknowledge the passing of time and make the most of what we have while we still have it.
But I've got my mind on other things right now
Despite our current circumstances, I am preoccupied with something that is not related to our present predicament.
Can you believe the sky is falling down
It is hard to fathom that everything seems to be crashing down around us so quickly and suddenly.
Can you hear those sirens wailing?
Have you noticed the cacophony of sirens sounding in the background, indicating a potentially catastrophic event?
We're being drawn up on to the rocks
We are being led towards a treacherous or perilous situation that could be disastrous for us.
All around our system's failing
Our established methods or systems of doing things are breaking down, and it seems that we may have to adapt to new circumstances.
Someone should keep their eyes on the clock
We need someone to monitor time carefully because it may be running out for us.
Don't know if you can feel my pulse
I am not sure if you can sense how worried or anxious I am about our situation.
A change of view might do it - oh
Maybe if we look at things from a new perspective or approach, we might find a solution to our problems.
It couldn't be any worse
What we are currently experiencing, no matter how trying, is still better or more manageable than what could come next.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: IAN GILLAN, STEPHEN MORRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind