"...an artist of such raw talent, ambition and good will... Phillips' main attraction is still his voice. Reedy and flexible, with a remarkable falsetto, it is a potent dramatic instrument. " that's what Rolling Stone Magazine had to say about Shawn Phillips, a musician whose work literally fits into no category.
Shawn Phillips has almost twenty albums to his credit (of which millions have been sold) and a host of associations with some of the most respected names in the industry including Donovan, Paul Buckmaster, J Peter Robinson, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and many others, yet he is virtually forgotten except by his cadre of loyal fans. The Texas-born singer/songwriter was called "The best kept secret in the music business," by the late rock impresario Bill Graham.
Beginning in the 1960s, Phillips made noteworthy contributions to popular music. He performed at the "Isle of Wight" festival and was cast to play the lead in the original production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (he had to withdraw due to his heavy recording and touring schedule.)
Throughout the 60s Phillips worked the folk music scene in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury, New York's Greenwich Village, and London. In 1967 Phillips moved to Positano, Italy, where he remained throughout the 1970s, writing some of his most well known work. This period produced the albums 'Contribution', 'Second Contribution', 'Collaboration' and 'Faces".
Four of his albums "Faces," "Bright White," "Furthermore" and "Do You Wonder" made it into the Billboard Top 100. In addition, the singles, "Lost Horizon," "We" and "Woman" made Billboard's top 40. One of the most sought after Christmas songs is Phillips' 1970 45rpm release of "A Christmas Song" on A&M 1238. The track is now available on the re-issue of Faces.
His latest album, 'No Category' featuring his longtime collaborators Paul Buckmaster and Peter Robinson was released in 2002.
Today Shawn lives in Port Elizabeth, South Africa dividing his time between writing, touring, and his work as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter.
Official Shawn Phillips website : www.shawnphillips.com
Shawn Phillips Merchandise can be purchased here: http://www.zazzle.com/shawnphillips_emh
The Man
Shawn Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a man with a gun and he's got you on the run,
cnd you thought he was your benefactor,
cnd he will never quit till your life has turned to shit,
cnd he's taken everything you've worked for,
cnd make you want some satisfaction
Like the sunlight in a day, he will never go away,
He is holding on to all his power
cnd in the hour of your need, he is only feeling greed,
cnd he simply wants to see you cower,
Before a shadow of yourself is all that's really left,
It is time for you to take some action.
cnd he plays his deadly games, from behind his hidden names,
Moving money all around the nations,
Never getting caught, everything is easy bought,
cnd the law is just a desecration,
You know that without fail, they will never go to jail,
Your survival makes a great detraction
cnd the honest man's a slave, just to make a living wage,
But the cost of life is so much higher,
Rising to the sky, with your salary in a dive,
You are listening to a master liar,
What manner of a jerk, can think that this will work,
It's a recipe for disaster.
With the power of the mind, I know that we can find,
cn economy of salvation,
Looking at the human race, put the numbers into place,
Undergo realization,
Dream becomes reality, simple continuity,
I'm talkin 'bout our civilization
The lyrics of Shawn Phillips's song "Man With a Gun" explore themes of power, corruption, and the struggle of the individual against oppressive forces. The song depicts a man with a gun who appears to be a benefactor but ultimately turns out to be the singer's downfall. The man with the gun is relentless in his pursuit of power, taking everything the singer has worked for and leaving them feeling helpless and defeated.
The lyrics highlight the anger and frustration that should arise in the face of such oppression. The man with the gun is a symbol of the age, representing the systemic issues that plague society. His power seems eternal, like the unending sunlight, and his greed knows no bounds. The singer realizes that it is time to take action rather than succumbing to fear and cowering before the oppressor.
The song also tackles the idea that those in power can manipulate the system and remain unpunished. The man with the gun effortlessly moves money around nations, never getting caught, while the law becomes a mere desecration. The honest man becomes a slave just to make a living wage, and the cost of life keeps rising, leaving individuals feeling trapped in a cycle of hardship.
However, despite the bleak portrayal, the song holds a glimmer of hope. It suggests that through the power of the mind and collective action, an "economy of salvation" can be achieved. By examining and understanding the human race and its numbers, true realization can occur, leading to a better civilization.
Overall, "Man With a Gun" presents a critical commentary on power imbalances, corruption, and the need for individuals to rise up and take action against oppressive forces.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a man with a gun and he's got you on the run,
There is a dangerous person threatening you with a weapon, causing you to flee.
And you thought he was your benefactor,
You mistakenly believed that he was someone who would help or support you.
And he will never quit till your life has turned to shit,
He will not stop until he ruins your life completely.
And he's taken everything you've worked for,
He has seized all your hard-earned possessions.
A symbol of the age, that should fill you full of rage,
He represents the current era, which should evoke strong anger and frustration within you.
And make you want some satisfaction
This should drive you to seek retribution or justice.
Like the sunlight in a day, he will never go away,
Similar to the constant presence of sunlight during the day, he will persistently remain a threat.
He is holding on to all his power
He tightly clings to and abuses his position of authority.
And in the hour of your need, he is only feeling greed,
When you require help, he is solely driven by selfish desires.
And he simply wants to see you cower,
His primary aim is to witness your submission and fear.
Before a shadow of yourself is all that's really left,
He aims to reduce you to a mere shadow of your former self.
It is time for you to take some action.
Now is the moment for you to stand up and respond proactively.
And he plays his deadly games, from behind his hidden names,
He engages in dangerous manipulation and deceit under various aliases.
Moving money all around the nations,
He illicitly transfers funds across different countries.
Never getting caught, everything is easily bought,
He consistently evades being apprehended, as he can effortlessly acquire anything he desires.
And the law is just a desecration,
He views the legal system as something to be violated and disrespected.
You know that without fail, they will never go to jail,
You are aware that, without exception, they will never face imprisonment.
Your survival makes a great detraction
The fact that you manage to survive poses a significant hindrance or distraction to him.
And the honest man's a slave, just to make a living wage,
The honest individuals are trapped in a cycle of working endlessly to earn a meager income.
But the cost of life is so much higher,
However, the true expense of living is far greater.
Rising to the sky, with your salary in a dive,
While the cost of living soars, your income declines rapidly.
You are listening to a master liar,
You are falling victim to a skilled and deceptive manipulator.
What manner of a jerk, can think that this will work,
What kind of foolish person believes that this destructive approach will be successful?
It's a recipe for disaster.
This is a combination of actions that will undoubtedly lead to catastrophe.
With the power of the mind, I know that we can find,
By utilizing the strength of our intellect, I believe we can discover.
An economy of salvation,
A system of saving or rescuing our society from its current state.
Looking at the human race, put the numbers into place,
By examining humanity as a whole, we can analyze and arrange the statistics.
Undergo realization,
We must undergo a process of understanding or awareness.
Dream becomes reality, simple continuity,
Our aspirations transform into tangible existence, creating an uncomplicated flow.
I'm talking 'bout our civilization
I am referring to the state and development of our society.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: Shawn Phillips
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mynamedontfi
The glow
Around your face
When you see
The lightning race
I know
I'm very near
And I can hear
The thunder
A woman
Of perplexity
A woman
For eternity
A woman
Of the land
A woman
For a man
I'm down
On my knees
And I'm saying
Please believe me
It's hard
To fall out
Of love
Completely
It's harder
To find a way
To come back
Discreetly
To speak
Of things anew
To weep
In quiet blue
Brocade
Upon your bed
Memories should fade
At least of you
A sceptre
Of ice and fire
A spectre
Of my desire
A girl-child
Of such loveliness
The woman
Of my emptiness
A woman
Of famed renown
A woman
Who kicks the clown
A woman
Of the land
A woman
For a man
@cathyduda5298
I just saw the Japanese skaters skating at the 2022 Olympics and I was stunned to hear Shawn Phillips!! So many memories of the 70's. I saw him in Chicago and again in Phoenix. What an amazing musician!! I have missed him and his music!!
@cyndigrotte2217
I was also stunned to hear this song and had to call my son immediately. I was introduced to his music while I was in college by my sister who just recently passed away and it brings tears to my eyes because she is the one I wanted to call. He came to Minot State University in Minot ND to play at a homecoming concert. I don't remember the exact date. I was so thrilled because I had listened to his music several times. I have two of his albums. Hadn't listened to them in awhile but am listening now.
@lauriewhincup5635
Where did you hear him???
@lauriewhincup5635
@Cyndi Grotte what song and where did you hear it? So curious now💜
@cyndigrotte2217
It was at the Minot auditorium in Minot, North Dakota.
@lauriewhincup5635
@Cyndi Grotte oh THANKYOU!!!! THOUGHT IT WAS OLYMPICS. MISREAD SOMETHING SOMEWHERE.
@rogerblair9958
I worked on audio equipment for a living back in the 70 and for the next 50 years. One day "Woman" came on the radio and it hit me like a brick. I had to find out who this guy was. That was the beginning of the fascination with Shawn Phillips music. I have listened to everyone and have mixed sound for some of the greats. He keeps me occupied still 50 plus years later. I met him and he was a gentleman. Thanks, Mr. Phillips
@shadowdancer1358
Roger Blair lucky you to meet him. My brother did after a concert in Chicago. I saw him 3 times and now...never again.
@idaausburn3550
Yes, mine started as yours one song was Woman as well. But then I ran out as we did in the past 70s and got the 8 tracks and the Album's. met him in Arlington, Tx. Enjoy. I have it set in Utube ready all the time
@jennyhawkins3265
I fell in love w/his music in the 1970's. I've been fortunate to have seen him play 2x. The Japanese pair skaters just now skated to 'Woman' & are in 1st place.