Roland,, described as "the male Kate Bush" by one-time label mate Robyn Hitchcock, has released a series of albums for collectable labels such as Bam Caruso, New Rose and Imaginary in a low-key career that has seen him acclaimed on the continent but somewhat ignored in his native country. In England he is better known as a writer of mass market books on mysticism and the occult for major publishers. However, his reputation as a uniquely imaginative and consistently fascinating figure on the psych-pop circuit has substantially increased with each album. Other cult figures such as Robyn Hitchcock, Nick Saloman (Bevis Frond), Nick Nicely, and Andy Ellison (John's Children) have made guest appearances on his albums, several of which are now listed as highly collectable.
Since 1979 Paul has been spinning his bizarre tales in music. Among his more whimsical creations are the eccentric characters on the largely acoustic album "Happy Families" and its prequel "A Cabinet of Curiosities".
His first album "The Werewolf of London" (1980) which boasted a penchant for historical and supernatural themes was picked up by Armageddon Records, who at the time also had the Soft Boys on their roster.
And it was there that Paul met Robyn Hitchcock who later appeared on tracks for Paul's second album.
After an abortive flirtation with the music business, when he was managed by David Enthoven and June Bolan (widow of Marc Bolan), he returned to Armageddon in 1985 for the mini-album "Burnt Orchids".
Its title track was the first to feature Paul backed by a small string and woodwind ensemble, a trademark of all his albums to date.
The success of the album led to Paul's first tours in Europe and label deals in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the USA and Japan.
A series of diverse albums followed, including the psych cult classic "Danse Macabre" (1987), the acoustic based mini LPs "A Cabinet of Curiosities" (1987) and "Happy Families" (1988), the rockier "Duel" (1989) with its medieval-tinged three-song suite "The King Must Die", the folk rock of "Masque" (1990), the more commercial "Roaring Boys" (1991), "Strychnine" (1992), a mini-album of cover versions and "Sarabande" (1994). "Gargoyles" (1996) and "Pavane" (2004). Many albums have followed.
http://www.paulroland.de
http://www.paulroland.co.uk
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Gary Gilmore's Eyes
Paul Roland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A stethoscope upon my heart, a hand against my head
They´re peeling off the bandages, I´m wincing in the light
The nurse is looking anxious, and she´s quivering in fright
I´m looking through Gary Gilmore´s eyes
The doctors are avoiding me, my vision is confused
I listen to my earphones, and I catch the evening news
A murderer´s been killed, and he donates his sight to science
Looking through Gary Gilmore´s eyes
I smash the light in anger, push my bed against the door
I close my lids across the eyes, and wish to see no more
The eye receives the messages, and sends them to the brain
No guarantee the stimuli, must be perceived the same, when
Looking through Gary Gilmore´s eyes
Gary don´t need his eyes to see
Gary and his eyes have parted company
The lyrics to Paul Roland's song Gary Gilmore's Eyes describe the experience of a person who has undergone a cornea transplant and now sees the world through the eyes of the executed murderer Gary Gilmore. The singer is lying in a hospital bed, recovering from the surgery, with a stethoscope on their heart and a bandage on their head. Despite feeling pain and discomfort, they are fascinated and perhaps disturbed by the idea that they are seeing the world through the eyes of a notorious killer.
As the singer listens to the news, they learn that Gary Gilmore has been executed and has donated his eyes to science. This revelation only adds to their sense of unease and confusion. They feel as if they are locked into Gary Gilmore's perspective, unable to escape the memories and impulses that once drove him to commit heinous acts. The final verse of the song sees the singer smash a light in anger and wish to see no more. They understand the power of the eye to shape our perceptions of reality and recognize that they may never be able to escape the imprint of Gary Gilmore's violence on their vision.
Line by Line Meaning
I´m lying in a hospital, I´m pinned against the bed
The singer is in a hospital and unable to move.
A stethoscope upon my heart, a hand against my head
Medical personnel are checking the singer's vital signs and observing their behavior.
They´re peeling off the bandages, I´m wincing in the light
The singer is undergoing a medical procedure that is causing them pain.
The nurse is looking anxious, and she´s quivering in fright
The nurse taking care of the artist appears nervous and scared.
I´m looking through Gary Gilmore´s eyes
The artist feels like they are seeing the world through the perspective of Gary Gilmore, a murderer whose eyes were donated to science after his execution.
The doctors are avoiding me, my vision is confused
The doctors treating the singer are purposely avoiding contact, and the singer is experiencing blurry vision.
I listen to my earphones, and I catch the evening news
To pass the time, the singer is listening to music and paying attention to updates from the outside world.
A murderer´s been killed, and he donates his sight to science
The artist learns of Gary Gilmore, the murderer whose eyes they feel like they are seeing the world through.
I´m locked into a private ward, I realise that I must be
Looking through Gary Gilmore´s eyes
The artist is confined to a private room and is coming to terms with the idea that they are seeing the world through Gary Gilmore's eyes.
I smash the light in anger, push my bed against the door
In frustration, the artist destroys a light fixture and barricades their door.
I close my lids across the eyes, and wish to see no more
The singer covers their eyes, hoping to stop seeing the world through Gary Gilmore's perspective.
The eye receives the messages, and sends them to the brain
No guarantee the stimuli, must be perceived the same, when
Looking through Gary Gilmore´s eyes
The artist acknowledges how the brain processes visual stimuli, and how seeing through someone else's eyes can distort their interpretation of reality.
Gary don´t need his eyes to see
Gary and his eyes have parted company
The singer reflects on Gary Gilmore's fate, as he no longer needs his eyes to perceive the world.
Contributed by Parker V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jean Kuldieu
Still shaking from such an unusual peculiar touch : precious artists like this one should be, and stay, treasured in one's heart ! T.V. Smith and Gaye Advert could feel very proud .
Itsmeeman1
Me too. Took me this long to find this version as it was the one I heard first and for superior in it's creepy quality to the Adverts.
Chris Dansey
So Ade Edmonson wasn't the first person to folk up a punk tune.
Enevan1968
@silenceseaandsky : No, I agree with you.