This Song has a very special meaning for me. When in 1999 my Mother was hospitalized for treatment of advanced cancer, my older brother (i was 17, he was 22) made a music cassette for her to listen to. And this was the first song on the cassette. She lost her battle but did never "give up" and is not forgotten.
Thanks for sharing. Compilation tapes were such a great gift to give back in the day. Had a bunch of them myself, and for sure this song was on one of them. :)
similar here. My first wife was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 1987; the So album was already "in heavy rotation" in our home, but this song soon took on new meaning for her as she drew inspiration from the optimism in the lyrics Kate sang. Unfortunately, she too lost her battle, but lives on in my memories -- and this song is part of that piece of my world.
While "Tony Levin of King Crimson" is technically true, at least in their later forms, it rather understates Tony's reach and influence. In particular, he is the bassist for all of Peter's solo work, in the studio or live. He is also a session artist appearing on more than 500 albums, including Lennon's Double Fantasy, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Paul Simon and many others. He is also one of the founding members of Liquid Tension Experiment. Very imposing figure, and all around nice guy. He probably don't want or need a whole lot more recognition, but he certainly deserves it.
and dont forget Tony Levin plays with YES when Chris Squire out, in 1989: Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe... Tony was the bass!! My favourite bassist and the Best of the World!!
@Gerald H I know. I'm just plugging a guy who didn't get near enough love for how fucking good he was at that instrument. He's on YT, and worth investigating, though the content is somewhat limited in scope. Last I heard he gave up music entirely and went into another career path.
@@twelveeighteenofficial7487 A lot of true "Stick Masters" out there, including Emmet Chapman the inventor (RIP). Basically folks who can use The Stick like a piano. Tony is NOT one of them , but he does use the it to great musical effect in his own way.
@@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328 Note, I did specifically say he was good at playing it. I just disputed whether he qualified as a "master" of it, because I've heard him play it, and I've heard other people who play it as it was intended to be played and at a virtuosic level, and there's a chasm of difference.
I love Kate Bush. And I agree she does her usual amazing job on this song. But Gabriel has performed this song live with a few other singers (at least in part because Bush practically never tours). Most do a decent job. But anyone who really loves this song, should definitely check out Paula Cole's performance with Gabriel live. I wouldn't have thought it possible, but if anything I think Cole may do the song even more justice than Bush does. Her timing, with just a hint of swing at just the right moments, and of course her **voice**, are just as amazing as Bush's performance.
Massive Kate Bush fan here, and obviously right now so much focus is on her. But just to say, Peter's voice is astonishing in this song. So emotional and raw and powerful.
She took her talent in a direction that isn't compatible with my tastes but that's fine. I did like that first album. I think her work with Peter is her best.
The bass used was Tony Levin's Musicman bass (I believe it was a 5 string.) The the odd bass tone is due to Tony's using disposable diapers as a mute, which he called "Super Wonder Nappy Bass" sound.
The 5 string Musicman bass was not available when this album was recorded. Levin used a four-string bass and an octaver to get the deep bass sound. On some of the tracks, he even had pieces of drumsticks taped to the fingers to create a special hammering effect.
Oh yes. Dough, please dig into some of Kates work. She is totally unique and for the most of her work, you have to listen twice or more, to fully understand her approach. You should listen to 'The Ninth Wave' suite which is the B-side (:-) of The hounds of love. Beautiful!
This song literally saved my life when I was in college. Going thru women/relationship problems, and had too much to drink, I drove my car as fast as I could down a sharply winding road at reckless speed along a river, daring/trying to miss every curve and plunge into "that river flowing", which ironically I didn't realize until recently was in these lyrics. Well luckily when I reached the end of the road and was determined to try it again even faster, going back the other way, this song came on the radio and brought me back to reality and a calmness just came over me, and I learned to not react so dramatically to things which were out of my control. Unfortunately just recently, be it 30 yrs later, those feelings have resurfaced, and most of the old friend/support group has moved on, and idk if this song will be of as much help this time around.
So you really need to check out 10cc in the years when Godley and Creme were part of the band (they went off very successfully to make videos in the growing MTV market). I would suggest ‘One night in Paris (all parts) from the album ‘The original soundtrack’ for something to get your teeth into (NB this was released BEFORE Bohemian Rhapsody you will see the connection) alternatively you could go for the more obvious choice of ‘I’m not in love’ from the same album which was quite literally a music industry changing track.
I came in to say exactly the same monkey, I was surprised to hear you say Doug that you don't know 10cc. There are 3 absolutely terrific albums for you to get your teeth into, Sheet Music, Original Soundtrack and How Dare You? I agree that One Night In Paris has to be heard, in full, with the volume up and a glass of absinthe...
This is one of Peter Gabriel's best vocal performances, for sure. Kate is often tagged as "quirky" and is usually placed into the "art pop" category. But she takes risks at times that often place her closer to people like Laurie Anderson or David Byrne. She and Gabriel make a good team because they have very similar artistic temperaments. She can be an acquired taste, but patience will pay off. That melodic bass instrument is -- wait for it: a bass. 😁
I have always "shipped" Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. They are artists who are so akin to one another. Also, 10CC, you have to explore 10CC. They are just so great. My favorite happens to be How Dare You. They are are clever, witty songwriters and such good musicians and did some great things with musical engineering.
Exactly! Just skip their debut album (come back to it later) and listen to the three (maybe four) albums that followed. Forget about their 80's albums.
Agreed, it's rare to get four supremely talented musicians in one band. Godley & Creme actually directed the Don't Give Up music video, they had many strings to their bow!
What a precious recording, the entire record. The ideas, the sonics, the tones, the expressiveness - Peter Gabriel is a musical gift from another plane.
What makes it such a great song is that we all have in some form felt the cry of dispair and helplessness that Gabriel projects in this song. Even if you don't feel you have that conforter in your life you have it in the voice of Kate Bush in this song encouraging to not give up.. And as it's been pointed out, it's not about any specific situation so everyone can relate to it in some way. Love the bass in this as well.
Since you don't know 10CC: They were awesome. Listen to "I'm Not In Love" of the mid 70's when digital was not around for years to come. They overdubbed themselves about 75 times to create that unique sound.
In these times of stress and mental health issues, I have used this song as an emotional dipstick - some days I can happily sing either or both parts, on others I'll croak through half a line before the tears start and I know to seek out support and show myself some kindness. Absolutely love this song.
Doug - This truly is a gorgeous song. I've known it since the release of So and appreciate you featuring it on your channel. Tony's playing on here is fantastic! I love the vocals at the end; which are more prominent in the live versions. I like that the song is both heart wrenching and inspirational in a tug-of-war fashion. Honestly, I think Kate's vocals are better suited than Dolly's would have been.
So many possible choices. Her catalog is filled with great songs. "Man With the Child in His Eyes" is very good, but from a songwriting/analysis point of view, her first single, "Wuthering Heights" is IMHO a better choice. That said, every album is chock full of creative, engaging work.
@@harvey66616 I agree on Wuthering Heights, It's her debut, it was her only U.K. #1 (until Running Up that Hill hit it this year), it has the distinction of being the first self-penned U.K. #1 by a female artist in the U.K., the back story of the lyrics is fascinating and it's harmonically and melodically very interesting.
I saw Peter Gabriel in London on the tour supporting the So album. When he introduced Don't Give Up he also introduced Kate Bush to sing it with him. One of a number of very fortunate events in my life of attending live music.
"Don't give up" is such a strong song. All of the comfort you need at a certain time, all hope, all these special things are provided through this song. When I heard it for the first time, I must have been 13 or so. Although such a song does not belong to a teenager's catalog, I felt from the first second on that this song is special. Later then, it brought me comfort when I was sad. It brought me hope when I was devastated. It brought me a smile when times were hard. By the time I heard it for the first time, I didn't understand English. And so, I was unable to figure out the meaning. Later, I found out what Peter wrote with this song. This is amazing until today. By the way, thank you for pulling down the fences for a moment. We all are normal people with all emotions that you can imagine. I saw that the song touched you. This is normal, this song touches everyone. Great video. Thank you.
If you're going to revisit Kate Bush I would highly recommend The Ninth Wave, the 2nd side of her 1985 Hounds of Love album; a perfect choice for a Friday masterpiece. PS Godley & Creme are Kevin Godley & Lol Creme who were half of 10cc, a great pop rock band from here in the UK, who were huge in the 70s. They left the band in 1976 and ventured into pop video production, as well as releasing their own music
I find the triple album Consequences by Godley and Creme also very entertaining, as well as An Englishman in New York. Guess they were more famous in Europe
@@classicraceruk1337 Indeed. Of course humor and setting on Consequences is very British (Thank God for the Rolls, the cheaper cars were going backwards) but I am pretty sure Doug would love the instrumental parts like The Flood.
The Us album languished in my collection for about a decade; I listened to it a few times, enjoyed it, and that was about it . But in 2003, my then-wife and I separated (we never reconciled, later divorced); as I'd done before in difficult times I went in search of music to help me cope... and that's when I rediscovered Us, which resonated with me from end to end when I most needed it. Still a favorite. I still sing along with Washing of the Water; every time I hit the line "I'll get those hooks out of me, and I'll take out the hooks that I sunk deep in your side" I can barely keep it together.
Such an uplifting song. As you pointed out, she is supporting him even in the non vocal parts. A brilliant piece of music with eternal hope etched in its DNA. Don’t give up, because somewhere there’s a place where you belong…
I don't find it uplifting. I see the song as a "conflict" between positivity and negativity. Kate is trying to comfort Pete, but Pete's bitterness remains the same as the song fades...
Loving the attention to Kate Bush here. Doug, you gotta hear her earlier work to get a more complete picture. The Dreaming remains as one of my favorite albums of all time, and Never for Ever is another work of genius. She was much more theatrical and experimental with her music in those times.
Hello Doug. This is my first commentary on this channel, so just let me say that I really love the way how you not only analyse the songs from a musicians point of view, but how you dive deeper into the lyrics and their meaning. Really like your channel. This song gives me goosebumps. So sad and hopeful at the same time. A beautiful song by two of greatest voices in popular music. And Tony Levin's bass playing is sublime. Since I'm a huge Peter Gabriel and Genesis fan I'm hoping for more reactions to their music in the future. Greatings from Germany 🇩🇪 🙋♂️
I was 50 and my grandad 92 when he died. He was my last surviving grandparent. The day he died I went to see a 15 month old little friend. She climbed up, put her arms round me, her head on my shoulder, and patted me on the back. Something I’d done to her so many times. It was exactly what I needed at that time. I’ve no idea how she knew. She’s 8 years old now and I do want I can to help, driving her to after school activities, going on litter picking walks, etc. I’ll never forget the love that got me through a dark time. Not even when she’s full of chocolate and high as a kite on sugar.
10cc: One of the best, if not _the_ best British prog-_pop_ bands of the 70's (the great prog-_rock_ bands like Genesis or Yes aside of course). "The original Soundtrack", "Sheet Music" and "How dare you!" are considered to be their best albums (and most inventive, progressive and original).
10cc. Ostensibly a pop band of the 70’s. But surprisingly sophisticated for the radio audience. “I’m Mandy, fly me.” …Some really good progressions in there. “Art for Arts sake” …interesting and reasonably complex. Godley and Creme made a lot of groundbreaking videos for many artists, one of the most popular being “cry” for themselves. It doesn’t look that great now, but there was nothing like it at the time, and it was before computer blending/morphing was available. Worth ten mins of your time. Keep it up buddy. Love your channel.
10cc was a really interesting band from the 70s and after they broke up, two of the members (Godley and Creme) went on to become music video directors. They were a huge part of the look and feel of MTV at the time. "I'm Not In Love" would be a great listen for you!
Yes, indeed! Granted, "I'm Not In Love" is more of a production tour de force, but it started out as a bossa nova style tune, so might be interesting to analyze it from that perspective. :) 10cc was a whole other kind of "progressive". Definitely a bit out there, but for someone like Doug here exploring the early adventurers of rock, it's a must-listen at some point!
Fun fact: I came across this video just after sending this to another person. 5 min. ago. On june, 30th, of 2022. That is, how present this song is to me, still today. Greetings from the far north of Germany!
When it is done right by intelligent skilful musicians, music perks you up, makes you want to sing and dance, calms you down, soothes the soul, calls you to arms, informs and educates. It is better than any drug and has no unfortunate side effects. This is such a powerful song.
I was entirely with you up to "better than any drug". Better than most of them certainly, but music can't dig up and turn over all your subconscious stuff like psychedelics do (with the help of music in some cases)... and I can assure you Peter and Kate know all about that... even Doug uses the green stuff to aid music appreciation...
He made a really good first album with the song Games without Frontiers featured on it. There were no cymbals used on the album. None at all 😸 after that he would enter the commercial arena for more exposure I guess 😉
@@zaradragonia9863 Well, "Games Without Frontiers" was on his third album. But that album was really good, as was his actual first (I think Doug has already done "Solsbury Hill" from that album though, one great song among a whole slew of great songs on the album).
What a awesome song !! Me and my wife often dance with each other with this song.......we both had a bad childhood’s and just having each other and songs like this can get you through things you can’t speak of.......♥️
When Peter Gabriel was asked about the video: "I can think of worse ways to make a living." I love his humor. Oh. and if you don't know 10cc, you need to do one of their songs: I suggest I'm Not in Love
The entire track is genius. This was from the 80’s in the UK. Not necessarily the American dustbowl. It was my childhood and it will always be with me. Just absolute frickin genius.
It´s a great song by two great singers. Kate Bush is AMAZING! I´m surprised you don´t know 10CC Godley & Creme, where were you in the 70´s 80´s? I´m Not in Love, An Englishman in New York and Cry are absolute hits, gorgeously beautiful. They are great video makers, they did The Police "Every Breath You Take", Duran Duran "Girls On Film" and Frankie Goes to Hollywood "Two Tribes". Also, they were the first to ever use "morphing" technique in a music video. They did that in 1985, for their beautiful song Cry. In 1991 Michael Jackson´s "Black or White" music video "borrowed" Godley & Creme's idea.
@@leproghead Right... No matter what, Mozart is from 1756, Beethoven is from 1770, and Doug knows, Teach and Play music of all of them. The same applies to Genesis and YES which are bands from 1967 and 1968. Doug is an artist, a very well educated Musician, so, his knowledge of music of a one generation earlier than his, shouldn´t be a problem to learn.
Beautiful reaction Doug, you summed the song up perfectly. Peter's deep empathy for people is woven into the fabric of so much of his music. Some other classic examples are "Biko", "Red rain" & "Wallflower", he has an amazing way of conveying their story & putting you right there with them, extraordinary. Incidentally that plucked counter melody in the opening & verses probably would have been Tony Levin playing the Chapman stick. Best Wishes
The bass is Tony's Chapman Stick, a wonderful and expensive instrument with active strings. 10CC were Manchester's Beatles in the 70's. Sheet Music, The Original Soundtrack, How Dare You and Deceptive Bends are all wonderful records. This video may have contributed to Peter's divorce. (He spent a whole day hugging up Kate Bush. Who wouldn't get jealous?)
Levin played bass guitar not Chapman stick on this track. It's a regular five string Music Man Stingray. As for the hugging and Gabriel's divorce, Lol Creme told that Gabriel was more than a little bit sceptical to the idea at first. It turned out He and Bush ahd done it before and been caught by his wife. But then again, Gabriel's wife had already had an affair on the side for quite some time so their marriage was probably already dead before Kate Bush came into the picture.
@@tessjuel yes, you are right. I read Tony’s book Beyond the Bass Clef (witty and very informative, btw), he described how he had used diapers to achieve this muted sound
These were the days when Tony was playing the "Chapman Stick." 11 strings is it? Nothing else sounds like it. All tapping and hammer downs. Ridiculously elegant.
Never heard of 10cc, Doug?? You’ve astonished me there … thoroughly recommend that you give them a try. Start with “I’m not in love” which should get your harmonic analysis whiskers twitching… ‘Twas the go to anthem of every love-lorn British teenager in the mid 70’s !
Just goes to show how powerful music can be. It can break down barriers. And those two are not only great singers, they present their music in a unique way. Have a look at their live performances
Tony Levin was a master playing Chapman stick which usually has ten or twelve individually tuned strings and is used to play bass lines, melody lines, chords, or textures.
Good to see so many 10cc listeners here,.I'm not sure how popular they were in The States, but they made some great albums in the 70;s...and their early stuff , like " The Dean and I " and " Rubber Bullets " had an American " vibe " , although I preferred their longer songs.
Thanks for featuring this Doug, it's one of my favourites. I've never noticed it before but during the video a solar eclipse is showing in the background...
The melodic instrument is Tony Levin playing the Chapman "Stick". A wonderful string instrument designed in the 1970's. It is mostly used to play bass and higher register melody lines. There is no plectrum used as strings are plucked by "tapping" the notes on the neck. Having 10 or 12 strings allows many melodic and polyphonic voicings.
In 1979 katec did a tv special With peter doing here comes the flood and another song...quite a case of kindred spirits. Kate also featured on Petes 3rd album backing vox
Doug, I love you and what you are doing on this channel. Peter is one uncommonly enlightened soul. For me this song of the 80’s is for us. We who were staying true to the blissful joy of the 60’s & 70’s awakening and saw it all come tumbling down with the advent of cocaine. The darkness moved right into the void that was left in our generational vibration and we are seeing the devastation of the heartless pursuit of power before our very eyes today. All of this darkness is but a raindrop in the power of The Sea Of Love. Hang onto that and to each other.
You commented that you didn't know who Godley and Creme of 10CC were. You absolutely need to add "10CC - I'm not in Love" onto your list then. Check out the video of "The making of I'm not in Love". Fascinating story of how they recorded the song. Love your show. Keep up the great work!
the awesome power emotion meaning within this song is overwhelming i have yet to see a reactor to this composition notice the slow visuals in the background of the total eclipse of the sun that's how drawn into Peter & Kates rendition of this performance the bass also resonates deep in one's core {:-)PAV uk
Sometimes you can feel so ground down by everything around you, that it's hard to keep on moving. And here's some guy in America, shoving his friendly face at the screen, and giving us all a hug from Peter and Kate. Thanks, Doug. Have a hug back ✌️. "Peter Gabriel 4" is the other one I'd go for. There just isn't anything bad about it, from where I sit. Kate Bush, "The Man With The Child In His Eyes".... Wonderful. 💙
What could be better than two of the greatest musical artists working together on a song credited by many as literally a life saver? Elton John being just one citing it as inspiration in a dark suicidal time. You would love just about all of Peter’s output with New Blood orchestra. His version of I THINK ITS GOING TO RAIN TODAY or particularly the astounding MY BODY IS A CAGE. I’m also a fan of Kate Bush’s AERIAL or the live BEFORE THE DAWN which are certainly experimental and impressive. RE 10CC I’m sure you must have heard at least IM NOT IN LOVE? Intelligent pop at its best.
Kate Bush had worked with Peter Gabriel before, for the song "Games Without Frontiers" from so called "Peter Gabriel III / Melt" as the album only has title "Peter Gabriel", like the previous two albums. The bassist Tony Levin invented the method of playing bass on drumstick which Gabriel allowed to be experimented live. Then they suggested Levin to attach short sticks on the fingers, giving the percussive sound to bass without using the slap and pop technique of funk music. Yet it is called funk fingers.
That song strikes a nerve with me because it came out at the peak of the "Great Recession" of the 80's. I remember it vaguely on the radio as I drove from place to place applying for jobs while making due with a minimum wage job after my first child was born. It was a tough time that my now grown children will probably never experience.
Rapid second for this! Great track though Roy has done even better. I would love to get Doug’s take on one of his longer pieces like ‘Same old Rock’, ‘Me and my Woman’, or the magnificent ‘One of those days in England’.
Yeah 10CC would be a fun choice for this channel! Somewhere in Hollywood, Don't hang up, The second sitting for the last supper, One night in Paris. They wrote so many good songs!
Thank you! 🙏 Over the years I’ve sent this songs to people in my life going through difficult times. Whether it be family, close friends - it’s always just the perfect mood and sentiment. Thank God for music! 🎶
I love catching you each day. Sometimes I know the music so well because I loved this stuff whenever I heard it. I'd sing along. I have never done well reading music, but I can sing along and harmonize. It's great to have a Daily Doug to tell me more. This tune shows PGabriel's mastery of humanity. poetry, music, stage, and so much else. Hope you will find some Kate Bush (maybe another cooperation) to listen to and comment. Thanks for sharing and caring to be so dedicated to your art.
@@zaradragonia9863 While rumors of an affair with Kate Bush are reportedly just that, apparently he and O'Connor did in fact have a fling. Not that it's relevant at all musically. Just thought I'd mention. 😉
Tony Levin often plays a Chapman Stick bass, and it might be that. The wiki just says "bass". It could be a combo of several bass types. There is definitely a little bit of fretless bass in the latter sections.
@@framundajohnson2186 I agree that is most likely but it does sound perscussive. so. as the previous person said, he also did tapping with things on his fingers, so it's a probably combo of all these things. Live could be done completely diferently, of course.
I join the chorus of voices saying you must listen to 10cc. I'd go all the way back to their first, untitled, album. So talented, so clever, so unique, so weird.
Thank you for your thoughts on Gabriel's song. It means a lot to me and I have followed Peter Gabriel from his early years as a musician. I have struggled with anxiety and depression since I turned seven and I had my first anxiety attack when I thought I was going to die. I'm 65 years old now. The music means so much and I enjoy your comments in your sessions. I can tell you about another wonderful musician I have followed for many years. He unfortunately died a few years ago, but he was a wonderful musician and human being. He was the first white musician to play with colored musicians in South Africa. His name was Johnny Clegg and his song "The Crossing" is about his friend Dudu Mntowaziwayo Ndlovu (who was born a week after me) and his untimely death! The video is Wonderfully Beautiful.
Was so looking forward to this. At least I was finally able to see this. Thanks Doug for posting this on your main channel. Doug, you should react to Mercy Street on this album, unless you did already.
Awwww Doug. The feels at the end of the video were almost better than the song. You are a happy place for me and your channel has helped me so much. Thank you for sharing your heart and soul. Much love ❤️
your videos remind me of our humanity, we speak the same language of music and it's very refreshing to share it with people who get it, music is the true language of all humans and it's just beautiful to share that with each other. thank you Doug for all of your videos and time. this song is a masterpiece.
This is a wonderfull uplifting song. It has helped me to listen to it when i have gone through tough times in my life. Which has happened several times.
I live by myself and during the past few years beginning in 2019, I lost my home, moved 250 miles away to a rural area. Then 3 months later COVID-19 hit. Due to the sparseness of the area where i live, I didnt get the chance to meet people before the pandemic hit. I have a pre-,condition so I was advised to stay home as much as possible. I was for the better part of two years in isolation. I have a cat, friends at home who I spoke with and did zoom calls. I talked to my mother who was 550 miles away. I felt alone but I know I never am alone due to my connection with God. I believed I would be ok and actually began to enjoy the solitude. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say channels like yours kept me going in addition to the other things I mentioned. I now have a steady income, made it over some major hurdles and my cat was by my side the whole time as well. I am very grateful.