Civilian: Difference between revisions

Civilian (1980)

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<h1>Civilian (1980)</h1>

<A HREF="../pix/big/civilian.gif"><IMG SRC="../pix/civilian.gif" ALT="[Cover]"

WIDTH=168 HEIGHT=164></A>

[<i>

<A HREF="../coolstuff.html#CIVILIAN">Cool Stuff</A>

<H2><A NAME="ABOUT">About the Album</A></H2>

it is more pop-influenced than previous Gentle Giant works, it is still a

<b>Civilian</b> was Gentle Giant's final album, not counting the

  Words and music by Gentle Giant

  Recorded August-November, 1979

  Thanks to: Skinny Bishop for providing fine vintage equipment, etc.

  Sibecor Corp. for their Norman guitars, Yamaha drums and Rotosound strings

  All songs &copy; 1980 Alucard Publishing Ltd.

  An Onward U.S. production engineered and remixed by

  Geoff Emerick at Sound City, Van Nuys, California

  Tape operator: Torrie Swensen;  

  Bijou Studios, Hollywood, California

  Second engineer: David Zammit;

  Wessex Studios, Highbury, London

  Second engineer: Mike Shipley

  Design: Nancy Donald/Ginger Canzoneri

  Photography: Dan Weiner

<H2><A NAME="TRACKS">Track List</A></H2>

<LI> <A HREF="#CONVENIENCE">Convenience</A> (Clean And Easy) (3:14)

<LI> <A HREF="#ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT">All Through The Night</A> (4:20)

<LI> <A HREF="#SHADOWS ON THE STREET">Shadows On The Street</A> (3:18)

<LI> <A HREF="#NUMBER ONE">Number One</A> (4:39)

<b>All lyrics reproduced with the permission of DRT Entertainment (USA) and Alucard Publishing, Ltd. (UK).</b>

</p>

<A HREF="../pix/misc/civf1.jpg">page 1</A>,

<A HREF="../pix/misc/civf2.jpg">page 2</A>,

<A HREF="../pix/misc/civf3.jpg">page 3</A>,

 

 

<H3><A NAME="CONVENIENCE">Convenience (Clean And Easy)</A></H3>

Plastic, plastic, take the modern way.

Simulation, for my instant day.

Why should I care, if you say that it's no good.

It's for me, can't you see?

Convenience, everything is clean and easy.

 

I can't read, but then I watch T.V.

Stimulation, they can do it for me.

How can you say, what is right and what is wrong.

It's for you, for me, too.

Convenience, everything is clean and easy.

 

Just believe me, it runs like a big machine

It's just for me, can't you see?

Convenience, everything is clean and easy.

<H3><A NAME="ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT">All Through The Night</A></H3>

Everyday they clock me, everyday is just the same.

And the people I see, wear the same face as me.

As I turn the handle, time goes slowly by.

Is that all that there is until the day that I die?

 

[Chorus]

All through the night.

Through the night.

All through the night.

I can't believe I'm free til morning.

 

If I wipe the dirt and sweat,

Then I find that more's still there.

If the summer don't get you,

Then the winter always will.

Try not to think, it never gets nowhere.

But at least everyday ends, and the night's always there.

 

[Repeat Chorus]

 

<H3><A NAME="SHADOWS ON THE STREET">Shadows On The Street</A></H3>

And we're sitting here

Wondering where the peaceful night has gone.

Over factories.

 

 

 

 

<H3><A NAME="NUMBER ONE">Number One</A></H3>

You walk in here, and it seems you think

You own the place.

You ruin the sinks and you write on the wall.

After all the consideration given you,

I thought you would be grateful,

But no, you're not at all.

 

[Chorus]

What can I do, what can I do, I've tried.

What can I say, do it my way.

Don't you forget, never forget,

I'm Number One, yes, I'm Number One.

Number One, and you're still no one.

 

You say you're angry,

It doesn't make much sense to me.

You're paying your rent,

And at least you've got a job.

I've explained all the sacrifices offered you.

You take them without thanks,

I forget that you're still slobs.

 

[Repeat Chorus]

 

<H3><A NAME="UNDERGROUND">Underground</A></H3>

Wheels go 'round, from end to end,

A passage run, go down, descend.

And underground the air is stale

With blurring light and endless rail.

On the wheels in motion, underground.

 

Silent noise, relentless sound.

Through shuttered aisle, the wheels go 'round.

The day is night, yet never still,

>From port to port, with miles to kill.

On wheels in motion, underground.

Just the locomotion, underground.

 

Windows dark, no view obscured.

With moving eyes, no sight assured.

Yet moving on, from place to place,

Through corridors, without a face.

On the wheels in motion, underground.

Just the locomotion, underground.

 

<H3><A NAME="I AM A CAMERA">I Am A Camera</A></H3>

My eyes are ready,

They're focusing on you.

I'm watching every move and all you do.

I see you everywhere,

I'm here and now I'm there.

Nowhere you can hide, you're still in view.

 

And when the shutter's open,

Images on my screen,

Sent to the people waiting,

People you've never seen, 'cause

 

[Chorus]

I am a camera,

Looking at pictures of you.

I am a camera.

SMILE,

Now you see me, now you don't.

 

I'm always working,

At night and in the day.

I'm your security, that's what they say.

And if you think you're free,

Then turn your back on me.

I'll catch you as you look the other way.

 

And when the shutter's open,

Images on my screen,

Sent to the people waiting,

People you've never seen, 'cause

 

[Repeat Chorus]

 

<H3><A NAME="INSIDE OUT">Inside Out</A></H3>

As I sit, as the world goes 'round,

In the room I've known before.

Is it me? Am I inside out?

In a dream, as I watch the floor.

 

Everywhere, see, they are closing in,

(Do I need lifting, do I need lifting.)

But you say, no, there's nobody there,

(Do I need lifting, do I need lifting.)

 

How the colors seemed so bright,

Now it feels they've lost their glow.

And the dreams, only nightmares now,

Images, from down below.

Everything is spinning 'round,

'Round and 'round I go.

(Do I need lifting, do I need lifting.)

Where's the door, now I don't know.

(Do I need lifting, do I need lifting.)

 

Funny how I lose control.

Funny how, I don't feel me.

But I do feel I'm inside out.

But I hear, I feel, I see.

Everything is getting dark.

No, please don't lock me in.

Am I here, the light is growing dim.

(Do I need lifting, do I need lifting.)

 

<H3><A NAME="IT'S NOT IMAGINATION">It's Not Imagination</A></H3>

Looked in the papers, looked in the magazines

Wanted to find out, to know.

Was there an answer, was there really something.

Hidden beneath them below.

Searched in the light and underneath the pictures.

Something was written there.

And through the smiles and under all the color

A message on everything there.

But it's not imagination

It's not me, look and see for yourself.

Didn't believe it, although I saw myself.

Wanted to look there again,

But it was real and everybody saw it.

When it was shown, pointed out to them,

S.e.xisting, s.e.x.exciting

What do we see, the product or the message.

So hard to tell I don't know.

[Chorus]

But it's not imagination

It's not me, look and see for yourself.

<H3><A NAME="THATS ALL THERE IS">That's... All... There... Is....</A></H3>

"I'm your security, <i>that's</i> what they say" (from <A HREF="#I AM A

HREF="#ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT">All Through The Night</A>, various places),

"Now <i>they're</i> mine no more" (from <A HREF="#HEROES">Heroes No More</A>,

1:29),

and "Everything <i>is</i> spinning 'round" (from <A HREF="#INSIDE

<i> - from Proclamation #4</i>

They were standing there - they were so near, yet so far away.

Were they so unreal?  Just a dream of someone to be one day?

 

There was endless fame.  They were heroes, now they're souvenirs.

And through changing years I can still remember - no quite so clear.

 

Heroes no more -

Stay with me still.

I dream.  I hope.  I always will.

 

Now they're mine no more as they stand there in the glowing light.

I see every face like my own, but that was another night.

 

Now they're just a dream of the time known ever left to fall.

Soon the game begins, but those heroes yours always to recall.

 

Heroes no more -

Stay with me still.

I dream.  I hope.  I always will.

 

 

<LI> <A HREF="reviews/civilian-lottich.txt">Steve Lottich</A>

<LI> <A HREF="reviews/civilian-rubin.html">Jason Rubin</A>

<LI> <A HREF="../ratings/votes.html">On-Reflection album ranking</A>

<LI> <A HREF="../ratings/proclamation.html">Proclamation album ranking</A>

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