Giant for a Day!
Studio album by
Gentle Giant
Released11 September 1978
RecordedApril – May 1978
Studio
GenreArt rock,[1] pop[1]
Length35:33
LabelChrysalis (UK)
Capitol (U.S.)
ProducerGentle Giant
Gentle Giant chronology
The Missing Piece
(1977) 		Giant for a Day!
(1978) 		Civilian
(1980)
Singles from Giant for a Day!
  1. "Thank You"
    Released: September 1978[2]
  2. "Words from the Wise"
    Released: January 1979

Giant for a Day! is an album by the British band Gentle Giant, released in 1978.[3][4] The band's previous use of counterpoint and medieval-themed arrangements was not present on this recording. This album features a pop rock sensibility, instead of their usual progressive rock sound. Unlike the previous albums, the band did not make any tour or concerts to support this album.[5] From the album only the title track was ever played live by the band during its final tour supporting the Civilian album.[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Philadelphia Daily NewsA[1]
Rolling Stoneunfavourable[8]

The Philadelphia Daily News noted that "each piece works well as a distinct pop song."[1]

Track listing

All lead vocals by Derek Shulman, except "Friends", sung by John Weathers.

All tracks are written by Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, and Ray Shulman, except where noted

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Words from the Wise" 4:14
2."Thank You" 4:50
3."Giant for a Day" 3:49
4."Spooky Boogie" (instrumental) 2:55
5."Take Me"Derek Shulman, John Weathers3:39
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."Little Brown Bag"3:26
2."Friends"2:00
3."No Stranger"2:29
4."It's Only Goodbye"4:19
5."Rock Climber"3:52

Personnel

Gentle Giant

Release details

References

  1. ^ a b c d Takiff, Jonathan (4 October 1978). "Words from the Wise Giant". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 30.
  2. ^ "The Great Rock Discography". p. 325.
  3. ^ Walters, Barry (11 January 2006). "Gentle Giant". The Village Voice. Vol. 51, no. 2. p. C82.
  4. ^ Gress, Jesse (August 2012). "10 Things You Gotta Do to Play Like". Guitar Player. Vol. 46, no. 8. pp. 88–96, 98, 100.
  5. ^ "*** Part Seven **". Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  6. ^ "*** Part Eight **". Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  7. ^ Little, Patrick (2011). "Giant for a Day! – Gentle Giant | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  8. ^ Bloom, Michael (2011). "Gentle Giant: Giant For A Day : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 16 March 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
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