Solsbury Hill (song)

"Solsbury Hill"
Single by Peter Gabriel
from the album Peter Gabriel
B-side "Moribund the Burgermeister"
Released

1977 (UK)

1978 (US)
Format Vinyl record (7")
Recorded 1976
Genre Progressive rock, folk rock
Length 4:21
Label Atco Records / Charisma Records
Writer(s) Peter Gabriel
Producer(s) Bob Ezrin
Peter Gabriel singles chronology
"Solsbury Hill"
(1977)		 "Modern Love"
(1977)

"Solsbury Hill" is a song by English musician Peter Gabriel about a spiritual experience atop Solsbury Hill in Somerset, England. Gabriel wrote the song after his departure from the progressive rock band Genesis, of which he had been the lead singer since its inception. The song was his debut single. The single was a Top 20 hit in the UK and reached #68 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977.[1] The song has often been used in film trailers for romantic comedies.[2]

Gabriel has said of the song's meaning, "It's about being prepared to lose what you have for what you might get... It's about letting go."[3] Former bandmate Tony Banks acknowledges that the song reflects Gabriel's decision to break ties with Genesis, but it can be also applied in a broader sense.

Use in Soundtracks

It has been used in a number of films, including the 2001 film Vanilla Sky[4] and the 2004 film In Good Company.[5] Its prevalence has been called "ubiquitous", particularly its inclusion in a satirical re-cut trailer of The Shining.[6]

Track listing

7" UK single (1977)

  1. "Solsbury Hill" – (3:24)
  2. "Moribund The Burgermeister" – (4:17)

7" "Old Gold" single (1982)

  1. "Solsbury Hill" - (3:26)
  2. "Games Without Frontiers" - (3:50)

UK maxi-single (1983, 1988)

  1. "Solsbury Hill" – (3:24)
  2. "Moribund The Burgermeister" – (4:17)
  3. "Solsbury Hill (Full Length Live Version)" – (4:45)

7" European single (1990 re-issue)

  1. "Solsbury Hill" – (4:24)
  2. "Shaking The Tree" – (5:06)

12" UK single (1990 re-issue)

  1. "Solsbury Hill" – (4:22)
  2. "Shaking The Tree" – (5:06)
  3. "Games Without Frontiers (Live)" - (6:06)
"Solsbury Hill (Live)"
Single by Peter Gabriel
from the album Plays Live
B-side "Kiss Of Life (Live)"
Released 1983
Format vinyl record (7")
Genre Folk rock, progressive rock
Length 4:41
Label Geffen Records / Charisma Records

7" US single (1983)

  1. "Solsbury Hill (Live)" - (3:58)
  2. "I Go Swimming (Live)" - (4:29)

7" Netherlands single (1983)

  1. "Solsbury Hill (Live)" - (4:41)
  2. "Kiss Of Life (Live)" - (5:01)

7" US single (1983)

  1. "Solsbury Hill (Live)" - (3:58)
  2. "Shock The Monkey" - (3:58)

Personnel

Cover versions

References

  1. ↑ "Peter Gabriel Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 3 February 2015
  2. ↑ "Peter Gabriel: Story That Bruce Springsteen Was Inspiration for 'Solsbury Hill' Is 'Hogwash. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 February 2015
  3. ↑ Daryl Easlea (2013). "Without Frontiers: The Life & Music of Peter Gabriel". Music Sales Group
  4. ↑ "Vanilla Sky (2001) Soundtrack". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
  5. ↑ "In Good Company (2004) Soundtrack". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
  6. ↑ Linda Holmes (2011-03-14). "Recut 'Ferris Bueller' Trailer Accidentally Nails The Real 'Ferris Bueller'". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2012-09-17.