(Finished October 30th, 2018) Classic CD: Peter Gabriel's CD "Us"

Hello,

"Us" was Peter Gabriels first pop CD since 1986's "So", a CD that featured some of the best songs of the 80s. It featured such classic songs as "Sledgehammer", "Big Time", "Don't Give Up" and "In Your Eyes". Those are four truly great songs and there are several other good songs on "So" as well. Of course that would lead someone to ask me, "well why don't you write a blog about 'So'?" Well that story, article, blog has already been written many times. Yes, that could probably be said about "Us" as well, but that's a not as popular of a blog would be my expectation. I base that on "So" selling over 5 million copies and "Us" only selling 1.6 million copies. Although strangely enough the highest each CD could get to was #2. Although a world beating CD, "So" would never hit #1. It just couldn't get past Whitney Houston or Janet Jackson, no shame there. It's not like he was kept out of the #1 spot by fricking Billy Ray Cyrus. The lesser known, but almost as good songs as the more famous songs on "So".

"Red Rain":

"That Voice Again":

"Mercy Street":

"We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)":



Warning, corny 80's video coming up. "This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds)" (with Laurie Anderson):

Following the release of "So", Peter Gabriel flirted with being the biggest music star in music. My guess is that's not something that Gabriel wanted or felt comfortable with. So of course he did what any self-respecting rock star would do. He composed a non-pop soundtrack about the life and death of Jesus Christ, composing the soundtrack for "The Last Temptation of Christ". It's simply called "Passion", it's music with Arabic influences and probably couldn't be any further away from "So". Here's the first song from "Passion", "The Feeling Begins":

Here's another song from that soundtrack "Of These, Hope":

Up next was a greatest hits CD "Shaking The Tree". It wasn't until six years later that Gabriel released a new CD of pop songs. However his soundtrack work had influenced his new pop songs, just listen to "Secret World" if you don't believe me.

By the time he released "Us", it had been six years since the worldwide smash of "So". Six years is a long time for popular music. The mid 80's was a great time for music, so much great music was being released. 1986 was obviously the year of "Sledgehammer", but also "Papa Don't Preach", the greatest love song ever "Glory of Love", "You Give Love A Bad Name" and the funk classic "Word Up". Multiple genres were being represented, but it tended to be poppier. While there were some one hit wonders

But just six years later there didn't seem to be a consistent music theme. 1992 was the year of Kris Kross' "Jump", En Vogue's "My Lovin'", Billy Ray Cyrus' "Achy Breaky Heart"- yes, all those songs came out in the same year- also KLF's "Justified and Ancient" and Ugly Kid Joe's "Everything About You". Black music, for lack of a better term, was much more dominant. But instead of songs by Michael Jackson and Prince, it was musicians that had relatively short careers. Not that their work is any less vital, perhaps not as memorable as more established stars. In 1992 more genres were having a chance to shine. 1992 is the year of Shakespeare's Sister's "Stay" and Arrested Development's "Tennessee". What a great and weird year for amazing music.

The #1 song when "Us" was released was Boys || Men's puke inducing "End of the Road". Pop music had changed and so had Peter Gabriel. He was dealing with the end of his first marriage, his relationship with Rosanna Arquette and growing distance between him and his first daughter. "Us" was recorded over 2 1/2 years from the late 80's up to mid-1992. I'm sure with such a long recording time, the CD probably underwent many changes. And how could not the personal changes also have some effect?

Again "Us" only had about 1/3rd the sales of "Us". In album sales it couldn't get past Garth Brooks or Billy Ray Cyrus- it's hard to believe he was ever that popular. Now while "Us" didn't have as many sales, it doesn't mean it's not as good as "So". It's not, as "So" is Gabriel's masterpiece. Nonetheless "Us" is still a very, very good CD. If you disagree with me, that tells me you haven't listened to it in a long time or ever.

Hopefully I'll be able to post the videos for all the great songs of "Us" tomorrow.

1) "Come Talk To Me":

2) "Love To Be Loved":

3) "Blood of Eden" (featuring Sinead O'Connor)":

4) "Steam":

5) "Only Us":

6) "Washing Of The Water":

7) "Digging In The Dirt":

8) "Fourteen Black Paintings":

9) "Kiss That Frog":

10) "Secret World":

1.	"Come Talk to Me"	7:06
2.	"Love to Be Loved"	5:18
3.	"Blood of Eden" (with Sinéad O'Connor)	6:38
4.	"Steam"	6:03
5.	"Only Us"	6:30
6.	"Washing of the Water"	3:52
7.	"Digging in the Dirt"	5:18
8.	"Fourteen Black Paintings"	4:38
9.	"Kiss That Frog"	5:20
10.	"Secret World"	7:03

themusicaddict