Family Snapshot

Song infobox
Name = Family Snapshot


Artist = Peter Gabriel
Album = Peter Gabriel
Released = 30 May 1980
track_no = 5
Recorded = Late 1979
Genre = Progressive rock
Length = 4:28
Writer = Gabriel
Label = Charisma (UK), Mercury(U.S.)
Producer = Steve Lilywhite
prev = I Don't Remember
prev_no = 4
next = And Through the Wire
next_no = 6"Family Snapshot" is a song written and performed by British musician Peter Gabriel, appearing on his third eponymous album. The song was inspired by "An Assassin's Diary", published in 1973 and written by Arthur Bremer, who attempted to assassinate George Wallace, a politician who supported racial segregation. Gabriel talked about the book in an authorized biography of him written by Spencer Bright and published (ISBN 0-283-99498-3) in 1988::"An Assassin's Diary" was a really nasty book, but you do get a sense of the person who is writing it. Bremer was obsessed with the idea of fame. He was aware of the news broadcasts all over the world and was trying to time the assassination to hit the early evening news in the States and the late night in Europe to get maximum coverage.

The musical transition reflects the progress and emotions throughout the story. It starts off as a slow, jazzy piece, where the killer goes through his plan. It transitions twice; first to full-blooded rock for the building suspense, as the target unwittingly comes closer to the assassin; and then back to a quiet, mournful climax as the shooter, having just shot his target, remembers his childhood loneliness and thirst for attention that led him to where he now is.

Personnel

*Peter Gabriel – vocals, piano
*Jerry Marotta – drums, percussion
*Phil Collins – snare drum
*Dick Morrissey – saxophone
*Dave Gregory – guitar