Peter Gabriel was, along with Mike Rutherford and others, one of the founders of Genesis, the British progressive rock group. Later they were joined by Phil Collins, who took over vocals after Peter Gabriel left to go solo. I was never especially keen on their music but Peter's solo output was much more interesting to me. Solsbury Hill was, in my opinion, his very best creation. Here's the story. The song is about a spiritual experience that Peter had on Little Solsbury Hill in Somerset, England. Gabriel has said that the song is "about being prepared to lose what you have for what you might get, or what you are for what you might be. It's about letting go", not just the leaving of Genesis but of letting go in general. The opening lyric perfectly sets the scene for the story:
Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing stretching every nerve
I had to listen, had no choice
But the song is also very interesting musically. It is in 7/4 time, which is very rare in popular music and a difficult tempo which helps to convey the idea of 'struggle' within the song. There is the sense that a beat is missing at the end of every bar. When the song has been covered by other artists, for instance Erasure, they have recorded it in the easier 4/4 time thus losing something essential from the song.
The pulse of the song is the constant drumbeat which is like a heartbeat. The sound is actually made by a single drumstick beating on a telephone book! The time-signature works because of the acoustic guitar riffs played by Lou Reed and Steve Hunter, the guitarist from Alice Cooper's band. The four notes played on flute just before the opening lyrics are played by Peter Gabriel himself.
There's not really a chorus in the song but the last line of each of the three refrains is the nearest thing to it. It's always a variation of "My heart going boom, boom, boom. Son, he said, grab your things I've come to take you home."
It's a song that demands to be listened to. Watch this YouTube video which is a joyful montage of different live recordings over the years showing his consistent high quality of work.
If you would like to listen to the original recording, it's HERE
16 comments:
Hello Bazza, Time signatures of (odd number)/4 are always interesting. 3/4 is waltz tempo, which at first was held to be unhealthily exhilarating, but waltzes which are slow, in a minor key, or syncopated (such as some by Scott Joplin) can seem very odd, 'loopy' or affecting. (Think "I've Written a Letter to Daddy"* and how it comes back as an evil undercurrent in the film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.
5/4 is often called a five-step waltz, and they like 7/4 seem to have a limping gait with that missing note. A lot of these were written in the mid 19th century.
--Jim
*Written by Frank DeVol from Canton, Ohio.
The 7/4 meter is definitely interesting. It's nice to hear something a little different. Thanks for explaining more about this song.
Jim: Time signatures are not often explored in popular music. There is a lot to be gained from looking at what one can obtain from that!
Sherry: The song still sounds fresh since it was recorded in 1977! It retains a freshness because of it's original sound.
This is such a good song.
Such a good song! After listening to both videos, I'm gonna be going "Boom-Boom-Boom" for the rest of the day...
Thanks for the background info. It's always interesting to read about the genesis (HA... see what I did there...?) of a song's creation.
Imagine being the descendant of a noble family and going to a classy school (Charterhouse), then finding yourself in progressive music in the 1960s and in humanist causes 50 years later. Quite a career!
1967 was such a great year in our lives.
Hi Bazza - loved reading about the song and see both links ... it's a wonderful song - so delightful to hear at this time ... stay safe - Hilary
Arleen: The good ones STAY good for a very long time!
Susan: It is the kind of song that can stay in your head for a long time. I'm happy with that!
Hels: That's true. In those days music stars were coming from all sorts of places. The art schools provided plenty of rock-stars!
Hilary: It sounds like you were familiar with the song? It's a real classic and a fascinating story.
I remember him from all those years ago. It is one of those songs that gets in your head and replays...over and over...lol. Diana
Diana: Yes it is! But I think it's the interesting story behind the song that adds intrigue for me.
Peter Gabriel is popular in our house!
We really enjoy the Peter Gabriel - Solsbury Hill (Live DNA) video :)
All the best Jan
Jan: I just took a look at your Blog for Low-Carb recipes and I like it! Thanks for visiting.
Post a Comment