Solsbury Hill (song)

Single infobox
Name = Solsbury Hill


Artist = Peter Gabriel
from Album = Peter Gabriel
B-side = "Moribund the Burgermeister"
Released = 1977 (UK)
Format = vinyl record (7")
Recorded = 1976
Genre = Folk rock
Length = 4:21
Label = Atco Records / Charisma Records
Producer = Bob Ezrin
Last single = -
This single = "Solsbury Hill" (1977)
Next single = "Modern Love" (1977)Infobox Single
Name = Solsbury Hill


Artist = Erasure
from Album = Other People's Songs
Released = January 6, 2003
Format = CD Single
DVD single
Recorded = 2002
Genre = Synth pop
Length = 04:22
Label = Mute Records
Writer = Peter Gabriel
Producer = Gareth Jones,
Erasure
Chart position = * #10 (UK)
* #29 (Germany)
Last single = "Moon & the Sky" (2001)
This single = "Solsbury Hill" (2003)
Next single = "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" (2003)

"Solsbury Hill" is a song by British 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, explaining the reasons behind his departure. It was his debut single. The single was a Top 20 hit in the UK and reached the Top 70 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It has been used in a number of movies, for example in the soundtracks of the 2001 film "Vanilla Sky", and the 2004 film "In Good Company". Likewise, the song has been covered by many artists, including moe., Dave Matthews, Erasure, Sarah McLachlan, Saga and others.

The song uses the rare septuple (7/4) meter time signature for the vast majority of the song. The last two measures of each chorus are in 4/4.

Alternate versions

"Solsbury Hill" was recorded by British synth pop duo Erasure in 2003 for their cover versions album "Other People's Songs". The track was chosen for the album by Erasure member Vince Clarke. Clarke and singer Andy Bell turned the song into a mid-tempo electronic dance tune, displaying the signature Erasure sound. The only major change made to the structure of the song was the modification of the 7/4 time signature to a more basic 4/4 -- except for the chorus, which slips back into 7/4 time for one line.

Mute Records released the song as a single in the UK and the U.S. "Solsbury Hill" returned Erasure to the Top 10 of the UK singles chart for the first time in nine years, peaking at number ten. It peaked at number twenty-nine in Germany.

The song has additionally been covered by indie-rock outfit Ruby Isle.

Trivia

Peter Gabriel with Genesis performed the song in 1982 at the Six of the Best show, ironically, as it was the song which explained why he left the band.

External links

* http://www.solsburyhill.org
* http://www.solsburyhill.org/essays/car.htm#solsbury Solsbury Hill song explained on SolsburyHill.org