Hillage started out as a prog rocker, always leaning towards the more whimsical/ mystical side of things in his work with Gong (1973-1975). On going solo, he continued in a similar vein, fusing melodic elements with ambient soundscapes on albums such as "Green", "L", "Fish Rising" and most notably "Motivation Radio" and "Rainbow Dome Musick". One of the first to popularise electronic ambient sounds, his work was rediscovered by later electronic dance acts, giving Hillage a new lease of life as a performer/DJ in the 1990s following a successful stint as producer.
Famously name-checked in the 80s British sitcom "The Young Ones": hippie Neil's party is broken up by the police who crash into the house, bringing the music to an abrupt halt and scratching Neil's LP, causing him to lament "Oh no, Steve Hillage!".
System 7 is the dancefloor project of Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraudy. System 7 are not to be missed with nearing 20 years of experience after having spent much time learning the dance music vibe alongside THE ORB (see first few LPs by the orb). Steve had been visiting a chill out in a converted church squat in London, when he noticed excerpts from Rainbow dome music edited and effected into the live ambient vibes in the chill out. He approached the DJ/musicians who turned out to be The Orb. and as it happens Alex Patterson told Steve he dreamed of remixing rainbow dome music. Steve told Olex who he was and said he'd be happy to do one better and join in some studio colaborations with them and Steve's wife, Miquette. they contributed keyboards and that strange "glissando" guitar effect using bow on strings.
A further project by Steve (and Miqette) is Mirror System their set mixing psy, funk, jazz, and hip hop feels to a seamless and juicy chill out.
Getting Better
Steve Hillage Lyrics
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I used to get mad at my school
The teacher's that taught me weren't cool
You're holding me down
Filling me up with your rules
I've got to admit it's getting better
A little better all the time
It's getting better since you've been mine
Me used to be angry young man
Me hiding me head in the sand
You gave me the word
I finally heard
I'm doing the best that I can
I've got to admit it's getting better
I used to be cruel to my woman
I beat her and kept apart from the things that she loved
Man I was mean but I'm changing my scene
And I'm doing the best that I can
I admit it's getting better
A little better all the time
Yes I admit it's getting better
It's getting better since you've been mine...
The song "Getting Better" by Steve Hillage is a reflective piece about personal growth and change. Hillage starts the song with a common sentiment that many people can relate to - feeling frustrated and held back by the rules and limitations imposed by authority figures who are supposed to be guiding and shaping us. He sings about being angry and feeling like he couldn't thrive under those conditions. However, as the song progresses, Hillage acknowledges that things are improving - both in his own life and in his relationships with others. He credits his partner for helping him to become a better person and leaving behind negative behaviors like being cruel to his woman.
The song has a light, upbeat tone that underpins the message of personal growth and change. The lyrics suggest that Hillage was once resistant to change and had to work hard to overcome negative habits and attitudes. However, the song's joyful chorus - "It's getting better all the time" - suggests a sense of hope and optimism that improvement is possible, even in difficult circumstances. The song ultimately becomes a celebration of resilience and the capacity for personal transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
It's getting better all the time
The singer is acknowledging that things have been improving recently.
I used to get mad at my school
The singer used to feel anger towards school.
The teacher's that taught me weren't cool
The singer's teachers were not seen as cool or likable.
You're holding me down
The rules and restrictions of school were inhibiting the artist.
Filling me up with your rules
The artist felt that there were too many strict rules to follow in school.
I've got to admit it's getting better
The singer is acknowledging that things have been consistently improving.
A little better all the time
The improvements have been gradual.
I have to admit it's getting better
The artist has to acknowledge that things have been improving.
It's getting better since you've been mine
Things have been getting better since the artist has been in a relationship.
Me used to be angry young man
The artist used to be an angry and frustrated person.
Me hiding me head in the sand
The singer used to avoid dealing with problems by ignoring them.
You gave me the word
The artist received some guidance from someone.
I finally heard
The singer started to understand and follow the advice received.
I'm doing the best that I can
The singer is trying their hardest to improve themselves.
I used to be cruel to my woman
The singer used to treat their partner unfairly and harshly.
I beat her and kept apart from the things that she loved
The artist physically abused and emotionally neglected their partner.
Man I was mean but I'm changing my scene
The artist is recognizing their past behaviors as wrong and is trying to improve themselves.
And I'm doing the best that I can
The singer is trying to become a better person.
Yes I admit it's getting better
The singer is acknowledging that things have been consistently improving.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind