Vocal ANALYSIS of 'Solsbury Hill' by Opera Singer / Voice Coach

Ever since analyzing Phil Collins, you all have let me know that I've left a large piece out of the puzzle by not taking a look at the legendary Peter Gabriel. So here in the new year, we're going to tackle one of the most successful and awarded solo artists with his hit single "Solsbury Hill"

Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she listens to Peter Gabriel for the VERY first time, performing "Solsbury Hill” LIVE at Athens.
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Performed by Peter Gabriel in Athens, 1987
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Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
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#PeterGabriel #Reaction #TheCharismaticVoice
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[markfeggeler]

“I think Genesis has a little progressiveness” is quite the understatement. They were one of the bands at the heart of progressive rock before it was even called that. You should try The Musical Box or Carpet Crawlers from their Peter Gabriel days - just please not the live versions. Also, When he left and Phil stepped out from behind the drum kit to sing, Phil’s first few albums as lead singer are wonderfully progressive.

[colrhodes]

Now maybe it's time to watch Peter Gabriel duet with Kate Bush singing Don’t give up. Also Games without frontiers is a great song. Both have great messages contained within

[MrMarcolondonuk]

I was 23 when I saw this concert in Athens. Location was ancient Greek theatre on the top of a hill called lykavittos. The capacity of the theatre to accommodate crowd was limited, hence the band were repeating the concert for a number of days. The acoustic of the ancient Greek theatre was amazing. Peter and the band were amazing. The best concert ever I have seen in my life.

[cris_j]

The original Genesis lineup was VERY progressive. They were contemporaries with Yes, Pink Floyd, and many other 70's era prog from the UK. Peter sang for Genesis during their prog period, and Phil's ascension from drummer/backing vocals to lead singer coincided with their change to a more pop-friendly format.

[marcanglin]

Elizabeth, "Solsbury Hill" is the ultimate song of personal empowerment. The 7/4 time signature that you so badly want resolved signifies the tense aspect of making a fundamental change in your life that will have profound and long-lasting effects; the resolution at the end of the song is the musical equivalent of the positive outcome. As an aside, "Money" by Pink Floyd is also written in 7/4, with David Gilmour's guitar solo and center section in 4/4. As for Genesis "having a little bit of progressiveness", well, my lady fair, Genesis has A LOT of progressiveness, especially in their music from the '70's !!! As far as Peter's voice telling a story, might I suggest "Supper's Ready" from their album 'Foxtrot'; it is a Gold Standard in the world of Prog Rock. And from his solo work, "In Your Eyes" would be a great landing spot for you. Thank you SO much for your analysis and reviews !!!

[philm]

Peter Gabriel is the consummate storyteller. I never want his songs to end.

[mmisk]

The best Peter Gabriel performance has to be "In Your Eyes" Secret World Live. Just amazing.

[sethcashman]

Everyone mentions Peter's contribution to progressive rock. He was equally important as a champion of - and a messenger for - world music, bringing global sounds to the masses in a way that was both instantly palatable and accurately representative of these artists' essential gifts.

[bigjohndavid]

The studio version is very special and transcendental and must surely be listened to as well...

[jamesgardipee]

"Red Rain" is a really moving Peter Gabriel song. Every time I hear it, his vocal performance just hits me. When it's over, I feel like I just went through and event.

[nahnotsomuch]

I am and have been a metalhead since I was 14 years old. But, Peter Gabriel is in my top 3 fav artists of all time. He is a musical genius (as is Tony Levin). Every time I hear Gabriel singing, it's like "soul calming" to me. Just instantly makes me smile and puts me at ease.

Red Rain would be another great analysis.

[neilmcintosh]

You are right, this song is mostly written in 7/4 time, an unusual time signature that has been described as "giving the song a constant sense of struggle". Which is quite fitting considering Gabriel's meaning of the song is about being prepared to lose what you have for what you might get. Essentially the song is about letting go. The meter settles into 4/4 time only for the last two measures of each chorus and It is performed in the key of B major with a tempo of 102 beats per minute!

[andycollins]

Still gives me goose bumps. Frankly, Peter Gabriel could sing his shopping list and I'd get shivers.

[TheCelticSeer]

Peter was the Original Genesis Singer, after Lamb Lies Down he left and Phil took over.

The song Solsbury Hill is about the point when he left Genesis, It is about his Father (The Eagle) coming to pick him up from the hotel he was at as he couldn't deal with the in-fighting in Genesis anymore and needed to get out for his own sanity. There is a lot to the song that is yet to be explained fully if Peter ever does!!

Watch the version of Solsbury Hill from The Real World LIve video, where the stage revolves and they are all walking on it but going nowhere, except Peter who is cycling around the stage!! He always tried to make the shows an experience you would remember!!

I met Peter a few years back in a DElicatessen I worked in as a Chef in a village called Chobham in Surrey, England, his parents lived just outside the village, he was a really lovely guy, spent quite a bit of time chatting, asked me to deliver some things he'd bought to his parent's house, where he was when I got there, he invited me in for a coffee and I met his parents, who were great!! Such a fun time!!

[QuantumBeeWellness]

Biko live brings me to tears every time, I've been very lucky to see him live

[vernhoke]

Early on, while he was still with Genesis, they were considered a Prog Rock band. The other members wanted to go in a different direction and Peter left. His solo career took off and he put out a number of great songs. Another great one is "In Your Eyes", there's a great live version here on You Tube, written about Rosanna Arquette. Interestingly she was also the inspiration for Toto's "Rosanna".

[scottdevlin]

You really need to do an analysis of "In Your Eyes" from The Secret World Live tour. Incredible performance and one of his best.

[lkjh]

"I think Genesis might have a little bit of progressiveness to them" ~ yeah, I would say so, they were one of THE biggest experimental/surreal prog-rock bands back in the late 60s to mid 70s, but did change style quite dramatically later when Phil Collins took over... really interesting era for Genesis, try look it up :)

[matthewdrews]

Tony Levin (the bass guitarist) is one of the greatest musicians of the generation. Not only progressive, he has such a great pocket that he's able to develop, whether it's with Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Liquid Tension Experiment (Dream Theater side project), or any of the plethora of other project with which he's associated. A true legend!

[SashaRancic]

My favourite part is when the meter changes to 8/4 just when he's singing "son, he said: grab your things I'm gonna take you home" so the word home lands on the downbeat of the next bar. I always felt as if the odd time signature resolves for a brief moment at that point, and it's no coincidence it lands on "I'm gonna take you home".
Many thanks for this wonderful video, Elizabeth!