Uriah Heep is an English rock band formed in London in 1969. Their current … Read Full Bio ↴Uriah Heep is an English rock band formed in London in 1969. Their current lineup consists of guitarist Mick Box, keyboardist Phil Lanzon, lead vocalist Bernie Shaw, drummer Russell Gilbrook, and bassist Dave Rimmer. They have experienced numerous lineup changes throughout their 53-year career, leaving Box as the only remaining original member. Notable former members of the band are vocalists David Byron, John Lawton, John Sloman and Peter Goalby, bassists Gary Thain, Trevor Bolder, John Wetton, Bob Daisley, Paul Newton, and John Jowitt, drummers Nigel Olsson, Iain Clark, Lee Kerslake and Chris Slade, and keyboardists Ken Hensley and John Sinclair.

Uriah Heep were part of the early 1970s rock scene, and have been referred to as pioneers of the hard rock, heavy metal and progressive rock genres. The band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide with over four million sales in the U.S, where its best-known songs include "Gypsy", "Easy Livin'", "The Wizard", "Sweet Lorraine", and "Stealin'". They also maintain a significant following and perform at arena-sized venues in the Balkans, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Finland and Scandinavia.

Uriah Heep have released twenty-four studio albums of original material, twenty live albums and forty-one compilation albums (including two greatest hits albums). Twelve of the band's studio albums have made it to the UK Albums Chart (Return to Fantasy reached No. 7 in 1975), while of the fifteen Billboard 200 Uriah Heep albums, Demons and Wizards was the most successful (No. 23, 1972). In the late 1970s the band had massive success in Germany, where the "Lady in Black" single was a big hit.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uriah_Heep_(band)

Studio albums
...Very 'eavy ...Very 'umble (1970)
Salisbury (1971)
Look at Yourself (1971)
Demons and Wizards (1972)
The Magician's Birthday (1972)
Sweet Freedom (1973)
Wonderworld (1974)
Return to Fantasy (1975)
High and Mighty (1976)
Firefly (1977)
Innocent Victim (1977)
Fallen Angel (1978)
Conquest (1980)
Abominog (1982)
Head First (1983)
Equator (1985)
Raging Silence (1989)
Different World (1991)
Sea of Light (1995)
Sonic Origami (1998)
Wake the Sleeper (2008)
Into the Wild (2011)
Outsider (2014)
Living the Dream (2018)
Chaos & Colour (2023)

Sympathy
Uriah Heep Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sympathy just doesn't mean
That much to me
Compassion's not
The fashion in my mind
And if you're looking for
A shoulder to cry on
Don't turn your head my way
'Cause I'd rather have

My music any day

You and I are
Masters of our destiny
We look for consolation all the time
Until we find out things are not
What they were meant to be, oh no
And if it doesn't suit our mood
We'll call it crime

Dedication's not an obligation
Or a figment of
Someone's imagination
It's the only way they say
To live from day to day
To make each passing way
A small sensation

Dreams are the possession of
The simple man
Reality the fantasy of youth
But living is a problem that
Is common to us all

With love the only
Common road to truth

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Uriah Heep's song "Sympathy" reflect a person who values music over human connection, believing that sympathy and compassion are not essential to them. The singer suggests that people should not turn to them for comfort or support as they would much rather immerse themselves in their music. The lyrics focus on the idea that people are in charge of their destiny, constantly looking for consolation until they realize that things are not always as they are meant to be. The song highlights the idea that people often label things as a "crime" if it does not align with their moods or expectations. Dedication is seen as a way of living a fulfilling life, and it's the only way to make every day something worth cherishing. Finally, the song suggests that dreams are simpler to accomplish than reality, but the only way to achieve truth is through love and acceptance.

The song may have been controversial upon release, as it opposed the mainstream idea that sympathy and compassion were vital to human interaction. The lyrics showcase the singer's belief in self-sufficiency and promote the idea that people should prioritize themselves over others.

Line by Line Meaning

Sympathy just doesn't mean
I don't value sympathy as much as others do

That much to me
It doesn't hold great importance in my life

Compassion's not
I don't rate compassion

The fashion in my mind
It's not something that occupies my thoughts

And if you're looking for
If you're seeking

A shoulder to cry on
Someone to confide in

Don't turn your head my way
It's best to look elsewhere

'Cause I'd rather have
Because I prefer

My music any day
To listen to my music instead

You and I are
We

Masters of our destiny
Are in control of our future