He was an accomplished instrumentalist and composer, who played keyboards, guitars, drums, bass and cellos, as well as singing vocals. His talents also extended to producer. He toured with Eddie Money before winning the Yamaha songwriting competition with his progressive rock group Giraffe. Producer Patrick Leonard was impressed with Gilbert's performance at the competition and invited him to join him in forming a new band which became Toy Matinee. During this time, Gilbert worked on the projects of several established pop musicians, including Madonna, Michael Jackson and produced Keith Emerson's album Changing States.
The lone Toy Matinee album was released in 1990 but effectively shelved by the record company, so Gilbert assembled a new backing band to promote the album, eventually getting two successful singles released: "The Ballad of Jenny Ledge" and "Last Plane Out".
Later, Gilbert was part of a songwriting collective (called "The Tuesday Music Club") that met at producer Bill Bottrell's studio in Pasadena, California. After he began bringing his then girlfriend Sheryl Crow to the sessions, the result was Crow's debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club. Gilbert co-wrote many of the songs on that album, including 1995 Grammy Record of the Year "All I Wanna Do." Crow later acrimoniously split with most of the musicians in the collective and only Bottrell was involved in her follow-up album. Meanwhile the remainder of the collective worked with singer-songwriters Susanna Hoffs and Linda Perry on two more albums.
Gilbert continued to work in television and movie soundtrack work as well as studio work and producing and eventually released his first solo album Thud(1995) as well as partially reforming Giraffe to perform the Genesis masterpiece "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" at Progfest 94. Gilbert's manager sent a copy of the recording to Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford who were searching for a new Genesis front man to replace Phil Collins. His manager was coming to Gilbert's home to tell him that he had managed to get him an audition when he discovered him dead.
Gilbert's second solo album, The Shaming of the True was released posthumously. The album was largely incomplete, but Gilbert's estate asked Spock's Beard drummer Nick D'Virgilio to complete it based on the extant tapes and Gilbert's notes. A live album (composed mostly of songs from Thud), and a compilation of Giraffe material that Gilbert had been working on and an "industrial" album with Gilbert's latest group, Kaviar have also been released in the years since his death. His estate has promised two more posthumous studio albums and a live performance from Gilbert's promotional group for Toy Matinee.
Discography:
N.R.G. - No Reasons Given (1984)
Giraffe - The Power Of Suggestion (1987)
Giraffe - The View From Here (1989)
Toy Matinee - Toy Matinee (1990; remastered & rereleased 2001)
Sheryl Crow - Tuesday Night Music Club (1993)
Kevin Gilbert - Thud (1995)
Giraffe - Giraffe (1999)
Kevin Gilbert & Thud - Live at the Troubadour (1999)
Kevin Gilbert - The Shaming of the True (2000)
Kaviar - The Kaviar Sessions (2002)
Kevin Gilbert - Nuts (2009)
Kevin Gilbert - Bolts (2009)
Kevin Gilbert - Performs Toy Matinee Live (2010)
Kevin Gilbert - Toy Matinee Acoustic Rehearsal (2014)
Joytown
Kevin Gilbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mothers always make sure everyone is happy and well fed
And everything is instant, no one has to wait too long
And Lennon never has to sing a Paul McCartney song
We're living here in Joytown, the City of the Sun
And everyone loves everyone loves every single one
And no one fears the darkness, no one fears the number six
Everyone talks openly of great things they have read
And no one ever says the things that are better left unsaid
And everyone has someone they can share their sadness with
No one leaves the slightest doubt, no one takes the fifth
Jesus and Muhammed and Buddha live in town
Zoraster and Ba'h'aula and Moses hangs around
And when they get together they are quite a noisy crew
They laugh about their legacies over cigarettes and brew
Senator McCarthy enjoys a book by Marx
And people tear down parking lots
So they can build more parks
And Jimi plays the perfect note that never seems to end
and Martin Luther King has got a blond white girlfriend
We're singing here in Joytown
Won't you come and sing along?
We'll never tell you that you ain't singing the right notes,
Never criticize your song.
The song Joytown by Kevin Gilbert paints a utopian world where everything is perfect and full of happiness. Through the lyrics, Gilbert describes a society where parents are caring, there is no need to hurry, all art and literature is appreciated, people are truthful with their emotions, and there is no fear or negative feelings. In Joytown, Lennon does not have to compete with McCartney because it is a place of complete harmony.
The chorus of the song reveals that Joytown is the City of the Sun, where everyone loves and cares for each other. It is a society where people talk about the great things they have read, and there is no need to keep quiet about one's feelings. In this world, famous figures from different religions and beliefs, such as Jesus, Muhammed, Buddha, Zoraster, Ba'h'aula, and Moses, live together in peace.
Additionally, Joytown is not without contemporary figures. Even Senator McCarthy enjoys a book by Marx, and parking lots are being replaced with parks. Most importantly, everyone in Joytown sings freely, and no one criticizes or corrects each other's tunes. Therefore, Joytown may represent a world that artists, writers, and any human were dreaming of, free of judgment and negativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Fathers they have big hands and they pat gently on your head
Fathers are caring and affectionate towards their kids.
Mothers always make sure everyone is happy and well fed
Mothers are always nurturing and protective towards their family, ensuring that everyone is content and well-fed.
And everything is instant, no one has to wait too long
Joytown is a place where everything happens quickly with no delays.
And Lennon never has to sing a Paul McCartney song
Even in Joytown, there are some things that just don't happen, like Lennon being forced to sing a McCartney song.
We're living here in Joytown, the City of the Sun
Joytown is a bright, lively place where everyone is happy.
And everyone loves everyone loves every single one
The residents of Joytown are kind and affectionate towards one another.
No one sells his roommate's stuff so he can get a fix
There's no drug abuse or theft in Joytown.
And no one fears the darkness, no one fears the number six
Even things that might normally cause fear, like darkness or the number six, don't intimidate the residents of Joytown.
Everyone talks openly of great things they have read
The people of Joytown are intelligent and well-read, and aren't afraid to discuss the literature that they've enjoyed.
And no one ever says the things that are better left unsaid
There's a culture of honesty and openness in Joytown.
And everyone has someone they can share their sadness with
Even when things aren't perfect, the residents of Joytown have a supportive community that they can lean on.
No one leaves the slightest doubt, no one takes the fifth
There's no dishonesty or deceit in Joytown; everyone is completely transparent and upfront.
Jesus and Muhammed and Buddha live in town
Joytown is a religiously diverse place, with followers of multiple religions living in peace.
Zoraster and Ba'h'aula and Moses hangs around
In addition to more well-known religious leaders, Joytown also has a diverse collection of spiritual leaders.
And when they get together they are quite a noisy crew
Despite their religious differences, the spiritual leaders of Joytown get along well and enjoy each other's company.
They laugh about their legacies over cigarettes and brew
The religious leaders enjoy a friendly, relaxed atmosphere where they can talk and joke about the impact they've had on the world.
Senator McCarthy enjoys a book by Marx
Even political figures in Joytown have diverse interests and are open-minded to new ideas.
And people tear down parking lots
The citizens of Joytown prioritize green spaces over functional but unsightly parking lots.
So they can build more parks
Parks and other public spaces are highly valued in Joytown, and the townspeople are eager to create more of them.
And Jimi plays the perfect note that never seems to end
Even the music in Joytown is perfect and unending, adding to the utopia-esque atmosphere of the town.
and Martin Luther King has got a blond white girlfriend
Even the romantic relationships in Joytown are diverse and accepting.
We're singing here in Joytown
Joytown is a lively, musical place with plenty of song and entertainment.
Won't you come and sing along?
Joytown is an open and welcoming community that encourages visitors to join in the fun.
We'll never tell you that you ain't singing the right notes,
Even if visitors aren't perfect singers, they'll never be criticized or made to feel unwelcome in Joytown.
Never criticize your song.
The people of Joytown are accepting and supportive, and will never criticize or belittle someone for their interests or hobbies.
Contributed by Jeremiah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.