Bruce, ktorý je považovaný za jedného z najlepších basgitaristov všetkých čias, si udržal sólovú kariéru, ktorá trvala niekoľko desaťročí a hral aj v niekoľkých hudobných skupinách. Bruce, známy ako spevák a basgitarista, bol tiež skladateľom piesní. Hoci sa vyučil ako klasický violončelista a považoval sa za jazzového hudobníka, veľa z jeho katalógu skladieb a nahrávok inklinovalo k blues a rock and rollu.
Od roku 1962 začínal Bruce ako kontrabasista u Grahama Bonda v organizácii Graham Bond Organization , ktorá hrala zmes jazzu, blues a R&B. V tom čase sa zoznámil s bubeníkom Ginger Baker . Po pôsobení s Johnom Mayallom a Manfredom Mannom založil s Bakerom a gitaristom Ericom Claptonom skupinu Cream . Cream mal počas svojej existencie množstvo hitov, väčšinu z nich napísal Bruce s textárom Petom Brownom .
V rokoch od rozpadu skupiny Cream v roku 1968 vydal Bruce množstvo sólových albumov, väčšinou v experimentálnejšom duchu, a spolupracoval so širokou škálou hudobníkov v mnohých žánroch. Na zozname sú Robin Trower , Tony Williams , John McLaughlin , Carla Bley , Allan Holdsworth , Ringo Starr a Frank Zappa . Bol tiež členom kapely West, Bruce and Laing .
V roku 1994 vydal album pod názvom kapely BBM (Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker a Gary Moore) s názvom Around the Next Dream.
Bruce vydal nový štúdiový album Silver Rails v marci 2014 na Esoteric Antenna, jeho prvý sólový štúdiový album za viac ako desať rokov.
Discography
Songs for a Tailor (1969)
Things We Like (1970)
Harmony Row (1971)
Out of the Storm (1974)
The Jack Bruce Band Live ’75 (vydáno 2003)
How’s Tricks (1977)
Jet Set Jewel (nahráno 1978, vydáno 2003)
I’ve Always Wanted To Do This (1980)
Automatic
Inazuma (1987)
Willpower (1989)
A Question of Time (1989)
Somethin Else (1992)
Cities of the Heart (1993)
Around the Next Dream (1994)
Monkjack (1995)
Shadows in the Air (2000)
Rope Ladder to the Moon (2003)
More Jack Than God (2003)
Silver Rails (2014)
Smiles And Grins
Jack Bruce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's only the weekly cleaner
The dials on all the faces
Are gradually getting nearer
So make it careful when you can
Forget it if you've read the plan
Call a friend when you're in doubt
Nights are hard when you're locked out
Grins painted on radiators
Are only the teeth of laughter
The numbers of all the victories
Are stenciled on soon after
So don't regret the leaves that fall
Have a little have it all
Take a bit give just as much
Nights are hard without the touch/crutch
The smiling suburban collars
They power the city's cisterns
Whenever they pull the trainchain/They gradually start the pistons
So keep your hair on if you can
When you're living in a van
Call a friend when you're in doubt
Nights are hoarse when you're locked out
Grins painted on petrol tigers
Are only the tanks of porter
Statistics of all the campaigns
Are written down on water
So don't regret the cars that rust
Everything must turn to dust
Cultivate and dig your croft
Nights are hard when you've gone soft
Lovers in the dark
Murders in the park
By the silver moon
Blankets from the fear
Cars when roads are near
Winter's much too soon
The lyrics of "Smiles And Grins" by Jack Bruce paint a picture of social inequality, detachment from reality, and the importance of keeping touch with oneself and others. The song describes the separation of the city and suburban lives, in which people present fake smiles and grins to the world, cover their problems and struggles, and keep on moving in a society that values power, victories, and campaigns. However, the message of the song is to encourage people to be careful, forget the plan, call a friend when in doubt, and have a little of everything to enjoy life fully, rather than regretting the things that fall, rust or disappear.
The song reveals that nights are hard, and the only way to ease the pain is through human connection and a positive outlook on life. The lyrics mention that lovers may meet in the dark, but there are also murders in the park. The silver moon can bring both comfort and fear, depending on the situation. Therefore, the listener must be mindful, appreciate the little things in life, and not become too soft or detached from reality.
In summary, "Smiles And Grins" is a social commentary on the superficiality of modern lives, encouraging listeners to embrace life's challenges, stay connected with others, and not take everything for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
The smiles on city windows,
It's only the weekly cleaner
The smiles seen on the windows of buildings in the city are not from happy people, they are only reflections of the cleaner working.
The dials on all the faces
Are gradually getting nearer
People's faces are becoming closer and easier to see because of technology, like cameras and screens.
So make it careful when you can
Forget it if you've read the plan
Call a friend when you're in doubt
Nights are hard when you're locked out
Always be careful when you have the chance to, don't worry too much about things you can't change, and ask for help when you need it. Nights can be tough when you feel like you're on your own.
Grins painted on radiators
Are only the teeth of laughter
The grins you see painted on radiators are just there as a form of decoration or to make people smile. They don't actually mean anything.
The numbers of all the victories
Are stenciled on soon after
When people win or achieve something, they like to put a number on it or record it in some way.
So don't regret the leaves that fall
Have a little have it all
Take a bit give just as much
Nights are hard without the touch/crutch
Don't worry too much about things that are out of your control, and don't be afraid to take what you want in life. However, always be willing to give back just as much. Nights can be tough when you feel like you need someone or something to lean on.
The smiling suburban collars
They power the city's cisterns
The people who live in the suburbs may seem like they are disconnected from the city, but in reality, they are a big part of what makes it function.
Whenever they pull the trainchain/They gradually start the pistons
So keep your hair on if you can
When you're living in a van
Call a friend when you're in doubt
Nights are hoarse when you're locked out
Whenever someone takes action, no matter how small, they are contributing to something bigger. Even if you're living in a tough situation, try to stay calm and ask for help if you need it. Nights can be tough when you feel like you're on your own.
Grins painted on petrol tigers
Are only the tanks of porter
The grins painted on cars are just there as a decoration, they don't actually mean anything.
Statistics of all the campaigns
Are written down on water
People like to keep records of things, but sometimes they can be easily lost or forgotten, like writing on water.
So don't regret the cars that rust
Everything must turn to dust
Cultivate and dig your croft
Nights are hard when you've gone soft
Don't worry about things that are temporary or will eventually fade away. Instead, work on cultivating what you have and making it grow. Nights can be tough when you feel like you're not as strong or tough as you used to be.
Lovers in the dark
Murders in the park
By the silver moon
Blankets from the fear
Cars when roads are near
Winter's much too soon
This section of the song is more cryptic and difficult to interpret. It could be about contrasts or opposites, like love and violence, or maybe about how things can change quickly or unexpectedly.
Contributed by Anthony L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.