"Love Can Heal" is a song by English musician Peter Gabriel, released as the ninth single in promotion of his tenth studio album I/O. Due to August having a blue moon, this was the second of two tracks to be released in August alongside "Olive Tree". Three versions of "Love Can Heal" were created, starting with the Bright-Side mix, which was produced by Spike Stent. On 15 September 2023, the Dark-Side mix (produced by Tchad Blake) and the In-Side mix (produced by Hans-Martin Buff) were also released.[1] Gabriel described Buff's mix as an "immersive" experience that provided the listener "a place just to drift off into."[2]
| "Love Can Heal" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Peter Gabriel | ||||
| from the album I/O | ||||
| Released |
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| Studio |
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| Venue | Rexall Place (Edmonton) | |||
| Length | 5:59 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) | Peter Gabriel | |||
| Producer(s) | Peter Gabriel | |||
| Peter Gabriel singles chronology | ||||
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A music video by Aardman Animations and cover artist Antony Micallef was also released alongside the track.[3]
Background
editThe song was debuted live back in 2016 during the Rock, Paper, Scissors tour in North America. Gabriel wrote the song as a tribute to Jo Cox who was murdered that same year.[4][5] Prior to her assassination, Gabriel had encountered Cox at a leadership conference.[2] In a press release, Gabriel explained that he included the track on i/o because he believed it fit with the theme of "being connected to everything".[6]
According to Gabriel, the track is a "dreamy, experiential piece with some abstract imagery" and "a carpet of sound, a tapestry where things are woven together, but not necessarily supposed to stick out, but just form part of a whole".[4][7]
The cover was designed by artist Antony Micallef with his work "a small painting of what I think love looks".[4] About the track and artwork, Micallef said,
"With 'Love Can Heal' I could see my images coming up when I was hearing it. [...] I love artists who take risks and Peter's always chopped and changed and I like to do that too with my work and you know it doesn't just rest on this one thing."[6][8]
Personnel
edit- Peter Gabriel – lead vocals, backing vocals, synths, piano, hairy drum
- David Rhodes – guitars, backing vocals
- Tony Levin – bass
- Ged Lynch – percussion
- Melanie Gabriel – backing vocals
- Ríoghnach Connolly – backing vocals
- Jennie Abrahamson – backing vocals
- Linnea Olsson – solo cello, backing vocals
- Angie Pollock – synths
- Katie May – guitar effects
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Downloads (Offizielle Download Top 100)[9] | 75 |
References
edit- ^ "New moon Love Can Heal mixes released". PeterGabriel.com. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Peter Gabriel shares new song 'Love Can Heal'". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ "Peter Gabriel Shares New Song "Love Can Heal": Listen". Stereogum. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ a b c "Love Can Heal released". PeterGabriel.com. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ "Watch Peter Gabriel Debut New Song "Love Can Heal" At Joint Tour With Sting Opening Night In Columbus". Stereogum. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ a b Rapp, Allison (31 August 2023). "Hear Peter Gabriel's Newest Song, 'Love Can Heal'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ "Peter Gabriel drops his new single "Love Can Heal"". Classic Rock 106.9. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ Redfern, Mark (30 August 2023). "Peter Gabriel Shares New Song "Love Can Heal"". www.undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ "Download Charts Single". GfK Entertainment charts. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2024.