Peter Gabriel - Solsbury Hill

Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
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Published 2012-05-20
The official Solsbury Hill video. Directed by Graham Dean.

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Having left Genesis the previous summer, Peter’s first solo album arrived in February 1977. He was 26. With legendary producer Bob Ezrin taking charge the intention was to make something more direct and tougher than what had come before. Solsbury Hill was the first single to be taken from the album, though the video you see here was created much later "just messing around at Real World with a painter friend of mine Graham Dean." says Peter.

Read more: petergabriel.com/release/peter-gabriel-1/

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
Had to listen, had no choice

I did not believe the information
I just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom boom boom
"Son," he said
"Grab your things, I've come to take you home"

To keep in silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Though my life was in a rut
'Til I thought of what I'd say
Which connection I should cut

I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey," he said
"Grab your things, I've come to take you home"
back home

When illusion spin her net
I'm never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me

Today I don't need a replacement
I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey" I said
"You can keep my things, they've come to take me home"

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
Had to listen, had no choice

I did not believe the information
I just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom boom boom
"Son," he said
"Grab your things, I've come to take you home"

To keep in silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Though my life was in a rut
'Til I thought of what I'd say
Which connection I should cut

#MusicVideo
All Comments (21)
  • @shootist23
    The line "Son," he said,  "grab your things, I've come to take you home," reminds me of being 12 years old and my grandfather coming to take me to live with him.  He saved me from a really bad situation.  That was 33 years ago.
  • @leachristine5264
    As a teenager every friday my dad and I would sit on youtube and hed show me music he liked. I remember when he showed me Peter Gabriel music. This and Red Rain. I became such a huge fan. A few years ago Peter toured with Sting and my Dad (who had been to so many concerts that he saw Zepplin as an OPENING act) was begging begging begging me to go with him. He never saw Peter live and "needed too" with me :) it was the best concert ever. My dad died suddenly a few weeks ago and I'm very depressed but all our music doesnt make me sad. It makes me happy. I know my dad is in heaven listening to all these songs with me.
  • @Dicepit12
    Spent 20 years living out of a bottle. This was my song leaving rehab. Years Sober and just passed my CPA exam, this song…this song. 😢
  • @ManuelPieperDrums
    It was my uncles' funeral song, I still miss you, you were such a kind and lovable human being! I always have tears in my eyes when hearing this song...
  • @pigfish99
    Never fails to make me cry. It was my mom's favorite song by him. Brain cancer claimed her in 2020. She told me to keep her things, they're coming to take her home.
  • @GonzoDuke
    This is the best Peter Gabriel song hands down.
  • @pilotalan
    This song is the definition of timeless. Remember, this was released 44 years ago, yet sounds like it could have been written yesterday. Masterworks are not effected by age.
  • @bettywood4927
    Just saw Peter perform this song in Columbus last month. He was skipping around stage singing “we’re going home”!!! Absolutely a marvel at 72. His last words to the audience was “ what happens next is up to you!” What a remarkable human being. Thank you, Peter.
  • @sandeedoss
    When I woke up on my 21st birthday I said to myself “the song playing on the radio will set the path for the rest of my life”. This was the song playing. I’m 51 now and I’ve never forgotten.
  • @dorothyparker4394
    I am 55 years old and this has been my all-time favorite song since I was 16.
  • @robcrockett3519
    Early gabriel is some of the best music ever. This never gets old.