Why You Should Listen To Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel is one of the most important artists of the 20th century. From his early years with the band Genesis to his innovative solo career, Gabriel is one of the most influential artists in modern music. Now who is Peter Gabriel you might ask? Peter Gabriel is an English singer, songwriter, producer, and activist, who rose to fame as the original singer of the band Genesis. After leaving the band in 1975, he launched a successful solo career with his first hit single “Solsbury Hill.” Gabriel’s fifth studio album So (1986) became his best-selling album, spawning the hit single “Sledgehammer,” which became huge during the MTV era. Peter Gabriel's music can be quite the listening experience, providing a blend of artistic innovation, emotional depth, and thought-provoking themes. As a highly influential musician and songwriter, Peter Gabriel has left a significant mark on the world of music, and here are several reasons why you should consider listening to his works.

Early Progressive Rock Master: Throughout the early to mid 70s, Gabriel was the lead singer for Genesis during their progressive rock era. The band featured Mike Rutherford on bass, Phil Collins on drums, Steve Hackett on guitar, and Tony Banks on keyboards. From beautiful fantasy stories to the satirical lyrics of Great Britain's social hierarchies, Genesis have been one of the most important bands in the early development of prog. With albums such as Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, and Selling England By The Pound, these have become stone-cold classics of the prog genre. Peter Gabriel’s lyrical content and unique vocals provide an intriguing depth to the music of Genesis.

Rich Solo Catalog: After Genesis, Gabriel went on to have a successful solo career. In his first few years, he released a series of albums simply titled “Peter Gabriel” (often called Car, Scratch, Melt, and Security). This period saw Gabriel experimenting with various production techniques and incorporating world music influences into his music. The music became more personal for Gabriel as his songs explored themes of identity, isolation, and his own struggles. In the mid 80s to early 90s, Gabriel saw commercial success with the albums So (1986) and Us (1992). Many of his pop hits including “Sledgehammer” and “In Your Eyes” showed that Gabriel can blend pop sensibilities with his unique artistic vision. He also released many film soundtracks including Birdy (1985) and Passion (1989) which is the soundtrack to Martin Scorceses’ film “Last Temptation of Christ.”

Musical Innovation and Experimentation: Peter Gabriel is known for his fearless exploration of different musical genres and innovative soundscapes. Throughout his career, he has blended elements of rock, pop, R&B, world music, and electronic elements, creating a unique and captivating sonic color palette. Listening to Gabriel’s music exposes you to a rich tapestry of sounds from around the world that challenge musical boundaries. With songs like “Biko” taking influences from African music, you can really hear his appreciation for that music.

Profound and Thoughtful Lyrics: Gabriel's lyrics delve into many thought-provoking themes, tackling issues such as love, identity, social justice, and human relationships. This provides listeners with a chance to reflect on and connect with the themes Gabriel sings about. Gabriel's ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through his lyrical content makes his music an intellectually stimulating experience.

Emotional Resonance: Whether it’s his soulful ballads or his energetic anthems, Peter Gabriel has the ability to connect listeners on an emotional level with themes they can relate to. His expressive vocals and evocative melodies provide a cathartic experience for listeners. With songs like “Lead A Normal Life,” “Don’t Give Up,” “In Your Eyes,” and “Games Without Frontiers,” listening to these tunes can be quite therapeutic. Gabriel skillfully combines various textures, instruments, and rhythms to create a sonic landscape that has an emotional impact on the music. His exploration of themes such as identity, self-discovery, and human connection evoke nostalgia and a sense of shared humanity.

Social and Political Commentary: Many of Peter Gabriel's songs dig into social and political commentary, shedding light on issues such as human rights, environmental concerns, and global unity. For instance, “Biko” is a tribute to the South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko, who died while in South African police custody. The song condemns the injustice and brutality of the apartheid and calls for resistance against racial oppression. The song helped raise awareness of the issues going on in South Africa and became an anthem for the anti-apartheid movement. “Don’t Give Up” featuring Kate Bush addresses themes of economic hardship, the emotional toll of facing one’s difficulties, and not giving up. The song is meant to resonate with individuals who are struggling in difficult times and encourages empathy for those in need.

Collaborative Spirit: Gabriel's collaborative nature has led to a multitude of cross-genre partnerships and projects with other famous musicians. He has consistently championed world music collaborations, working with musicians from different cultural backgrounds. For instance, Gabriel has worked with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a legendary Pakistani qawwali singer, on the album Passion (1989). Gabriel has also worked with many notable pop artists including Kate Bush on “Don’t Give Up” and Sinead O’Connor on “Blood of Eden.” His commitment to cultural exchange and artistic collaboration is reflected in his music, which often combine world influences with modern pop sensibilities.

Influence on Popular Culture: Peter Gabriel's impact on popular culture extends beyond his music. In terms of his theatrical stage presence with Genesis, Gabriel set a new standard for live showmanship. His use of makeup, masks, and visual storytelling added a dramatic element to many of his shows, influencing many performers such as Lady Gaga and Harry Styles. Peter Gabriel was an early adopter of music videos as another platform for artistic expression. His hit music videos for “Sledgehammer” and “Big Time” presented many innovative animation techniques and vfx, leading to the popularity of film within music. Gabriel also had an interest in technology, which led to many collaborations with engineers and developers. His involvement in interactive CD-ROMs, immersive experiences, and virtual reality showed his forward-thinking approach to blending music and technology.

In conclusion, listening to Peter Gabriel's music is an opportunity to get yourself into a world of musical innovation, emotional resonance, and thought-provoking artistry. If you have never listened to any of his music, try to gain some familiarity with his hit singles like “Solsbury Hill,” “Games Without Frontier,” “Shock The Monkey,” “Red Rain,” “Sledgehammer,” and “In Your Eyes.” Knowing these songs will help you get into his studio recordings since they provide a good entry point to the sounds of his albums. Gabriel’s ability to blend diverse influences, explore meaningful themes, and create transformative musical experiences makes him an essential artist to discover and appreciate. Whether you're seeking musical inspiration, emotional connection, or simply a fresh perspective on music, digging into Peter Gabriel's discography is well worth exploring.

Fadr allows you to extract the instruments, vocals, midi, and chords from any song, then use AI to create great remixes and mashups instantly. And best of all, its largely free for life, with a couple pro features saved for the premium subscription. Use the Stems Page to start uploading songs, and the Remix Page to try AI remixes!

As always, thanks for using Fadr, and we can’t wait to hear what you make next! Send us your creations on Instagram and Tik Tok! If you have any feedback or suggestions for the site, please fill out our Contact Form.