 Peter Gabriel 1: Car (1977) [ larger cover art ] |
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Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing, stretching every nerve
I had to listen, had no choice
I did not believe the information
Just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom, boom, boom
"Son," he said, "grab your things
I've come to take you home"
To keep in silence, I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Though my life was in a rut
Till I thought of what I'd say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom, boom, boom
"Hey," he said, "Grab your things
I've come to take you home"
Yeah, back home
When illusion spin her net
I'm never where I want to be
And liberty, she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouette
Who close their eyes but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me
Today I don't need a replacement
I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom, boom, boom
"Hey," I said, "You can keep my things
They've come to take me home"
| stevendejong | Posted: Mar 13, 2013 - 02:33 horstman wrote: I always thought this was Jesus saying goodbye to mankind and hello and welcome to God the Father. My take. Nope, it's definitely about Genesis. And then I mean the band :) |
| Lazarus (Bethany) | Posted: Feb 16, 2013 - 17:01 hayduke2 wrote: shay shay lour shure, thank you master! I be sure... hope you be having a marvelous time right now... love this song... |
| On_The_Beach (The Blue Planet) | Posted: Feb 09, 2013 - 19:22 ckcotton wrote: Lets not forget where it all began....  Looks like Pete lost a bet. |
| hayduke2 (Southampton, NY) | Posted: Feb 09, 2013 - 17:44 (former member) wrote: be brave... be yourself... love this song... shay shay lour shure, thank you master! |
| walk (SF) | Posted: Jan 30, 2013 - 22:10 never say acid never got anyone anywhere ckcotton wrote: Lets not forget where it all began.... |
| lily34 (GTFO) | Posted: Jan 30, 2013 - 21:59 such memories for me. such real, (and in hindsight) inconsequential memories. but i can name 20 people these memories involve. much like characters from a novel or something. love that song. |
| kanga311 | Posted: Jan 16, 2013 - 13:13 I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Solsbury Hill as an undergrad in 1996, and it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. This is my favorite PG song, and I'll never forget the experience I had there...going to Real World Studios...meeting wonderful people who helped me find my way around in those glorious pre-smartphone days...getting lost on the lovely UK countryside in mud up to my ankles.... Amazing.  |
| horstman (Syracuse, New York) | Posted: Jan 16, 2013 - 09:50 gjeeg wrote: Peter's farewell song to Genesis. I've always taken it this way. I always thought this was Jesus saying goodbye to mankind and hello and welcome to God the Father. My take. |
| Euskadita (MX) | Posted: Jan 16, 2013 - 09:37 This song reminds me my brother who loved this song and passed away exactly a year ago... |
| Lazarus (Bethany) | Posted: Jan 16, 2013 - 09:34 Everybody in my church loves this song... |
| ckcotton (Adding snarky comments since 2007) | Posted: Jan 09, 2013 - 09:37 Lets not forget where it all began.... |
| Lazarus (Bethany) | Posted: Jan 03, 2013 - 17:44 Don't be afraid to be yourself... love this song... "To keep in silence I resigned |
| lemmoth (NYC) | Posted: Nov 14, 2012 - 15:45 Pilgrim301 wrote: You folks know why, at least in part, this is such an amazing song, right? It's in 7/4 time. Count it out ... 1,2,3,1,2,3,4 .... 1,2,3,1,2,3,4 .... I really appreciate the lyrics posted below — for some reason I'd never thought to google it but I've wondered all my life (well, since discovering PG in 1987) ... I also really appreciate the background re: the song that says goodbye to Genesis. The things one learns on RP; I love it!  Cool facts. Love odd time signatures - Take Five anyone. Hearing Lou Reed (whose music I love) murder this during a Peter Gabriel concert last year was sad - but got to see Peter again this year. |
| Pilgrim301 (Edmonton, AB) | Posted: Oct 25, 2012 - 14:17 You folks know why, at least in part, this is such an amazing song, right? It's in 7/4 time. Count it out ... 1,2,3,1,2,3,4 .... 1,2,3,1,2,3,4 .... I really appreciate the lyrics posted below — for some reason I'd never thought to google it but I've wondered all my life (well, since discovering PG in 1987) ... I also really appreciate the background re: the song that says goodbye to Genesis. The things one learns on RP; I love it! |
| Dinges,_the_Dude (below sea-level, N52°37', E4°88') | Posted: Oct 18, 2012 - 04:44 Sweet memories of a happy childhood... |
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: Oct 14, 2012 - 07:10 _Very nice after the nice Neil song! |
| hayduke2 (Southampton, NY) | Posted: Oct 07, 2012 - 06:52 such a life affirming song, as I scroll down the comments I had to stop and all read the lyrics MsJudy was kind enough to share, Thank you! |
| gjeeg (Syracuse, New York) | Posted: Oct 07, 2012 - 06:46 Thanks! Thirty five years and I did not have it all! MsJudi wrote: This is totally schmaltzy, I know, but whenever I hear this song, I hear and recognize the same voice that called me to my life. "Climbing up on Solsbury Hill I could see the city light Wind was blowing, time stood still Eagle flew out of the night He was something to observe Came in close, I heard a voice Standing stretching every nerve Had to listen had no choice I did not believe the information I just had to trust imagination My heart going boom boom boom "Son," he said "Grab your things, I've come to take you home." To keep in silence I resigned My friends would think I was a nut Turning water into wine Open doors would soon be shut So I went from day to day Tho' my life was in a rut "Till I thought of what I'd say Which connection I should cut I was feeling part of the scenery I walked right out of the machinery My heart going boom boom boom "Hey" he said "Grab your things I've come to take you home." (Back home.) When illusion spin her net I'm never where I want to be And liberty she pirouette When I think that I am free Watched by empty silhouettes Who close their eyes but still can see No one taught them etiquette I will show another me Today I don't need a replacement I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant My heart going boom boom boom "Hey" I said "You can keep my things, They've come to take me home." |
| IndyDoug (Indianapolis) | Posted: Oct 07, 2012 - 06:45 Pete rides his bicycle around the stage during a concert for this song. Brilliant. |
| gjeeg (Syracuse, New York) | Posted: Oct 07, 2012 - 06:43 Peter's farewell song to Genesis. I've always taken it this way. |
| itaish (Berkeley, CA) | Posted: Oct 01, 2012 - 14:39 The opening of this song is fabulous. |
| BKardon (Louisville, CO) | Posted: Oct 01, 2012 - 14:37 PG is hit or miss for me, though I generally like him overall, but there's no denying the lightning in a bottle he caught on this one. Great tune. |
| Sloggydog (UK) | Posted: Sep 27, 2012 - 09:11 Bugger me. A Peter Gabriel song I like. (Peter in my ratings has 3x1's 1x2 & 3x3's and now 1x9) |
| helenofjoy (Lincoln, Nebraska) | Posted: Sep 16, 2012 - 15:21 Moves me. |
| On_The_Beach (The Blue Planet) | Posted: Sep 12, 2012 - 17:51 Great song that still holds up after all these years. Too bad about the munchkin voices at the end, but hey, artistic license. Something timeless and universal about the lines "Son" he said, "Grab your things, I've come to take you home." |
| ColdBear (France) | Posted: Sep 05, 2012 - 17:32 So deep in my heart. So deep... |
| stunix (Narrowboat nr Caen Locks) | Posted: Aug 05, 2012 - 06:49 to see Solsbury Hill, click here the "city lights" are from Bath of course. Not far from me, a very pretty city but not very big, its hardly London, Manchester, Cardiff or Glasgow. Not many eagles around there, it was probably a buzzard or a red kite. |
| whiskofclarity | Posted: Jul 30, 2012 - 15:43 w/r/t RP HD: That's not Solsbury hill, it's Glastonbury Tor! 3 days ago, Olympic opening ceremony: "THAT'S NOT GLASTONBURY TOR!!!" |
| stunix (Narrowboat nr Caen Locks) | Posted: Jul 30, 2012 - 15:42 a video on how to play the riff. been trying for a day or two, didnt realise just what a good player PG really is. http://goo.gl/JW4IB |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Jul 26, 2012 - 11:04 be brave... be yourself... love this song... |
| Biscobret (Vashon, WA) | Posted: Jul 26, 2012 - 11:04 What a great song - one of those old songs I just don't tire of - GREAT melody! |
| stevendejong | Posted: Jul 23, 2012 - 03:55 Obviously, the actual album that should be listed here is not Shaking The Tree, but Peter Gabriel 1. |
| MsJudi (Houston, TX) | Posted: Jul 15, 2012 - 17:52 This is totally schmaltzy, I know, but whenever I hear this song, I hear and recognize the same voice that called me to my life. "Climbing up on Solsbury Hill I could see the city light Wind was blowing, time stood still Eagle flew out of the night He was something to observe Came in close, I heard a voice Standing stretching every nerve Had to listen had no choice I did not believe the information I just had to trust imagination My heart going boom boom boom "Son," he said "Grab your things, I've come to take you home." To keep in silence I resigned My friends would think I was a nut Turning water into wine Open doors would soon be shut So I went from day to day Tho' my life was in a rut "Till I thought of what I'd say Which connection I should cut I was feeling part of the scenery I walked right out of the machinery My heart going boom boom boom "Hey" he said "Grab your things I've come to take you home." (Back home.) When illusion spin her net I'm never where I want to be And liberty she pirouette When I think that I am free Watched by empty silhouettes Who close their eyes but still can see No one taught them etiquette I will show another me Today I don't need a replacement I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant My heart going boom boom boom "Hey" I said "You can keep my things, They've come to take me home." |
| TerryS (Another SW) | Posted: Jul 11, 2012 - 19:49 coccyx wrote: Yes, a lovely moment... but why were you filling your ears with PG when you could have been listening to the African night sounds (which may have included a sneaking hyena...)... ??? That's the trouble with sneaky hyenas, they make no sound, unless they are heavy with cubs. |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Jun 21, 2012 - 16:40 smackiepipe wrote: Romeo, you never cease to trip me up with some of your comments. Or as we used to say "Make my nipples get harder than old people's toenails!" Hee hee hee... this song is magnificent... it puts a spring in my step this summer day... |
| Diamond_Dog (Round Equatorial Pound) | Posted: Jun 10, 2012 - 03:45 yes!  |
| Stingray | Posted: May 28, 2012 - 07:59 Sir Peter! |
| drivingunit103 (around the 4 western provinces) | Posted: May 13, 2012 - 07:02 linzie wrote: Absolutely defines this guys talents.....I will change to a 10! ...roger that |
| lemmoth (NYC) | Posted: May 09, 2012 - 08:51 Love this song, and I love Lou Reed, but this is my nomination for worst cover ever. I saw it live. |
| ubuntourist (Brain-Washington) | Posted: May 09, 2012 - 08:46 Interesting segue from After the Gold Rush (Neil Young) to this... Me likey. |
| smackiepipe (Western North Carolina) | Posted: May 02, 2012 - 06:17 romeotuma wrote: This song is soooo good my nipples get hard when I hear it... Romeo, you never cease to trip me up with some of your comments. Or as we used to say "Make my nipples get harder than old people's toenails!" |
| xtalman (What dimension?) | Posted: Apr 26, 2012 - 14:28 Yea I am going 9 to 10 on this. So many fine memories. |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Apr 26, 2012 - 14:26 beautiful song... |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Apr 11, 2012 - 14:00 very cool... |
| coccyx | Posted: Mar 31, 2012 - 13:01 heliophagus wrote: I remember hearing this song for the first time on headphones, in the moonlight, in the Namib Desert at the Gobabeb research station during a walk through granite boulders near the bed of the Kuiseb river, keeping a cautious eye out for the hyenas. I was about to emigrate from Africa to America and in some strange way this song seemed "about" what I was experiencing and was about to experience. Heard it this morning when I visited RP because my subscription had expired and a form email from B&R reminded me politely to renew; a nice reward for discharging an enjoyable mandate. Yes, a lovely moment... but why were you filling your ears with PG when you could have been listening to the African night sounds (which may have included a sneaking hyena...)... ??? |
| dkwalika (Upper Midwest) | Posted: Mar 31, 2012 - 12:57 This takes me back. Great first solo LP. |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Mar 25, 2012 - 21:14 This song is soooo good it puts a spring in my step this spring night... |
| linzie | Posted: Feb 28, 2012 - 20:48 Absolutely defines this guys talents.....I will change to a 10! |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Feb 28, 2012 - 20:44 This song is soooo good it puts a spring in my step this winter evening... |
| cyesp (Denver Foothills) | Posted: Feb 23, 2012 - 10:30 A wonderful memory and story, sorry for your loss. But, your timeline might be a little off. 10,000 waves did not exist until the early 80s (1982 I think). justin_thyme wrote: In 1977 this song was an integral part of a major change in my life: it was playing on the cassette deck of my Alfa convertible when I stopped to give a ride to a motorist whose car had broken down on the road from Taos to Santa Fe. She had heard Genesis, but not PG solo — and she was taken with him and with Solsbury Hill. I, in turn, was immediately taken with her. After arranging for a tow truck we stopped for dinner at The Compound, shared a bottle of wine, and ended up spending hours together soaking in a bubbling hot tub at Ten Thousand Waves with a myriad of stars twinkling down on us. We stayed together until breast cancer took her away from me in 1999. Hearing this song is bittersweet for me — but much more sweet than bitter. |