Tuesday Tune: Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill is a fantastic and catchy tune and one of my favourite tracks by him. It was released in 1977 as the lead single from his first solo album.
The song is steeped in symbolism and personal meaning, offering a glimpse into Gabriel's decision to break free from the band Genesis and forge his own path.
The lyrics paint a picture of a man seeking clarity and liberation. The opening lines, "Climbing up on Solsbury Hill / I could see the city light," establish a sense of separation and reflection. Perched atop the real-life Solsbury Hill in Somerset, Gabriel surveys the world below, contemplating a significant change.
The song takes on a more cryptic tone with the arrival of a mysterious figure: "Eagle flew out of the night / He was something to observe / Came in close, I heard a voice / Standing, stretching every nerve."
This eagle, often interpreted as a spiritual guide or a symbol of freedom itself, instructs Gabriel to "grab his things" and head "back home."
"Home" in this context perhaps isn't a physical location, but a place of artistic and personal truth. The lyrics hint at the stifling nature of Gabriel's time with Genesis.
Lines like "My friends would think I was a nut / Turning water into wine" suggest his creative ideas were met with resistance. He felt trapped, going through the motions but yearning for something more.
The decision to leave the band wasn't easy. "Hey, back home / To keep in silence I resigned," sings Gabriel, acknowledging the potential consequences of his choice. There's a risk of being seen as crazy, of losing the security and success he had with Genesis. But the desire for freedom wins out. The final verse pulsates with newfound resolve: "When illusion spins her net / I'm never where I wanna be / And liberty, she pirouette / When I think that I am free." Gabriel rejects the constraints of expectation and embraces the uncertainty of following his own creative vision.
Solsbury Hill is perhaps an anthem for anyone who has ever felt the need to break free from a stifling situation, to chase a dream even if it means leaving behind the familiar. It's a testament to the power of self-belief and the courage it takes to make a leap of faith. The song's enduring popularity would suggest that most of us agree with that sentiment. Find your own Solsbury Hill and break free.