Top 10 Best Songs by Peter Gabriel

A sober, piano-driven ballad that cuts through bone and marrow. Gabriel's voice is here naked and vulnerable, without the production embellishment that marks his later work. The song sounds like an apocalyptic vision performed in an empty concert hall. The melody is stately and melancholic. The feeling of loneliness and impending doom is purely carried by the dynamics of his keyboard playing and the raw edge on his voice.

With its whistling melody and childish chorus ("Jeux sans frontières"), this seems like a cheerful song, but appearances deceive. The lyrics are a cynical commentary on warfare and diplomacy, wrapped in bizarre, almost surreal production. The drums are dry and machine-like (without cymbals), creating a disconcerting, claustrophobic atmosphere. Kate Bush sings the ethereal background vocals, giving it a ghostly tint.

An intense dive into the human psyche. The production is coarse-grained and funky, with a rhythm that literally sounds like digging in the earth. Gabriel sings about excavating painful memories so you can heal. The contrast between the restrained verses and the explosive anger in the chorus is masterful. It's therapy set to music, raw and confrontational.

The opening of the album So immediately sets a cinematic mood. The hi-hats from drummer Stewart Copeland (The Police) clatter like rain against a window, while the heavy bassline forms a threatening undercurrent. Gabriel's voice is powerful and beseeching. The song feels grand and atmospheric, like a cleansing storm passing through the landscape, full of emotional charge and symbolism.

A tribute to poet Anne Sexton. Gabriel is at his most hypnotic here; the percussion is soft and cyclical, based on the Brazilian forró rhythm. The mood is dreamy and introspective. Two vocal layers overlap (a high and a low octave), creating a ghostly effect. The song rocks you in a trance, sad but of breathtaking beauty.

Perhaps the most romantic song in his catalog, also thanks to the iconic scene in the film Say Anything. The song builds slowly toward a euphoric finale, where African influences (featuring Youssou N'Dour's vocals) take over. The message of complete surrender is strengthened by the warm, organic instrumentation. It feels like a musical embrace that can last forever.

A monumental protest song about the murdered anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. The song relies entirely on a heavy, resonant drumbeat that sounds like a funeral march. There are no traditional instruments, only synthesizers and those thundering drums. The mood is oppressive and solemn. When the audience sings along at the end, grief transforms into a powerful statement of resistance. Music that made history.

An explosion of soul and funk, complete with screaming brass. The shakuhachi flute in the intro is iconic, after which the song bursts into an irresistible groove. It's playful, sexy and perfectly tight in production. Gabriel sounds more confident than ever, clearly enjoying his role as a pop star. It's a rare moment when artistic integrity and massive commercial success found each other perfectly.

A heartbreaking duet with Kate Bush. The bassline from Tony Levin is warm and comforting, like an arm around your shoulder. Gabriel takes the role of the desperate man, while Bush is the voice of hope and support. The interplay between his earthy, tired voice and her angelic, clear singing is magical. The climax, where the music swells and gospel influences allow for an emotional release that draws tears.

His debut single and still his most beloved song. The acoustic guitar riff in an unusual 7/4 time signature gives the song a skipping, restless yet hopeful character. It's about letting go of the old (Genesis) and jumping into the unknown. There's a timeless joy in this song. The production is open and airy, and when the choir comes in with "Boom, boom, boom," you feel the physical sensation of a quickening heart. A masterpiece of optimism.