My life would have been significantly less enriched without Peter Gabriel’s music, both at Genesis and in his solo career. It has accompanied me since my early teens and has truly been a blessing in my life.

My father died in 2000. I tried to listen to I Grieve soon after. I couldn't make it past the first verse. It was a whole year before I could listen to the song in its entirety. I cried like a baby. Only Peter could write about what I was going through. The end of the song is the surprise. You realize that no matter the degree of loss you're going through, life does carry on and on and on.

That Voice Again by Peter Gabriel I think is one of the most wonderful tracks of all time describing that totally destructive emotion that humans experience -that of doubt. The fact that he also finished this track with a ground-breaking 13 seconds at full vocal power on the word of love....is truly astounding.

I'd put Family Snapshot in my top 3. One of his few "storyteller" type songs, is as intense and disturbing as anything he's ever written. The way the music slowly ramps up with the intensity of the lyrics, is simply brilliant.

It would be hard to remove any of these songs but I would have to put “Here Comes The Flood” at number one if I made a list. I suppose I’d have to expand the list to 15 and include “Mother of Violence” somewhere as well as “Sky Blue.” Flood and Mother were my gateway PG songs.

Lay your hands on me, my favorite. Also miss San Jacinto...

There are not many albums where every song is a masterpiece. 'So' is one such album.

All great picks. I would add Here Comes the Flood. The version he recorded with Eno, and that prescient scientist's voice warning of rising oceans puts a deep grieving bass line to the song's emotional score in the age of climate change.

10:35 I love that Solsbury Hill is near the top. I would have had it at #1, but In Your Eyes is so well-known and beloved by many people who grew up in the 80s, like me. For me, Solsbury Hill is a kind of revelation---a life-changing, life-affirming epiphany that you might miss if you're not looking in the right place, or if you're not paying attention. Plus, most of the song is in 7/4, giving it that remarkable, slightly off-kilter cadence.

The first song i ever heard from Peter was "San Jancinto" from :Plays Live" i was devistated, could not believe how deep going and special pop music could be... from that moment Peters music belongs with me and never get bored, because he is realy taking care of his songs and production, its timeless and filled with passion... its enriches my soul and life belings

I think IV is his greatest album. San Jacinto and Wallflower are my absolute favorites and I would put them in my top 5 of his best songs.

I would put "Mercy Street" in the top stop without a single doubt, but other than that, a very nice list, imho. Thanks for that!

He is a genius of music.

San Jacinto takes me into a different world just like what's happening to its protagonist. It's sound and music are very transformative and compelling. Here Comes the Flood's lyrical metaphor is very powerful. Tragically, we were listening to that song when my friend told me that a Pacific Southwest Airlines plane had crashed here in San Diego. We opened the front door and saw the smoke from the crash's aftermath rising in the distance... truly a flood of sadness from the sky that wounded us (victims & witnesses) deeply. It still rather haunts me when I hear the song made more powerful by its juxtaposition to the community trauma. Yet, separated from that trauma, the song is independently very touching and moving ... a kind of hymn. 😊I think the video ruined "Don't Give Up" IMO. The message is great, the video smaltzy. The video suggests clumsily a sort of erotic love where I feel the lyric expresses an agape form of love. Thanks for the video. Listening to PG and discussing his songs' meanings are well worth the time.

I was homeless, sleeping in a car at the age of 16. A friend at a movie theater would occasionally let me crash on his couch. It was the year SO came out. He was a lifelong fan and gifted me his duplicates of everything Peter Gabriel had ever done, the soundtrack to Birdie, all of the Genesis stuff, it was all there. I ended up rooming with him until I was 18 and that music establish a baseline for quality that it’s been hard for other acts to meet. SO is sacred ground for me and Gabriel’s music spoke to me then, and did every moment in my life afterwards. My relationship with some of the songs has changed, some of become revelatory only with age I’ve seen him live more than half a dozen times, and he never disappoints. If I were religion, he would be one of the Saints.

Nice job. Peter has always been my favorite artist, well, maybe tied with Genesis while he was there. Lots of other great tunes that make you think/feel more than most music, especially today's music: Humdrum, Here Comes the Flood, White Shadow, Indigo, Family Snapshot, and every song on Security, including the mentioned Shock the Monkey. Great stuff, nothing superficial about Peter's music.

this man is a gift I dont throw the word Love around but what his music means to can only be described as Love

It’s always a beautiful thing to find someone who loves and appreciates the same artists. ❤️

Props to the video creator - I’m not sure I would have had to courage to even attempt a list for an artist of such magnificence, integrity, complexity, and depth.

I listened to 'Don't give up' at a time, where I saw dark rivers flowing for myself. Even now, over 20 years later, I have to turn it off, when it is played on the radio. It still hits me deep.

Listening to the songs he is releasing at the moment, from his upcoming album release i/o I think we may have a new contender. "Playing For Time" just gets better and better every time I hear it.

Secret World is my favorite. Blood of Eden and Sky Blue are also great. I first heard The Book of Love only couple of weeks ago! (I know it's a cover song) Hadn't noticed anybody praising and mentioning it, for some reason. But I watched that one South Park episode, and there it was..

Any song by Peter would fit in this list perfectly, but I would personally place Secret World in there, especially the live version from the eponymous live... This show is a masterpiece, I saw it on TV many times and I feel more attached to it than the I/O tour I've seen in Paris last week.

EVERYTHING YOU LISTED PLUS San Jacinto, Here Comes the Flood, Family Snapshot, On the Air, In Your Eyes (new CD? Playing For Time & The Court)

My all time favourite musician. It is an impossible task to choose only 12 songs let alone order them. Your list is excellent. My own list would probably change from month to month. Others that I would recommend include, Here Comes the Flood, Signal to Noise (VH1 Live version), I Have the Touch, I Grieve, San Jacinto. I'm also really enjoying what has been shared from the new album (i/o).

I must admit, I am surprised that Wallflower did not feature in this - a heartfelt and emotional song.

I think you've curated a brilliant list here, choosing songs with specific subtexts (and not so sub!) and emotional angles. That's one way to keep the list manageable! Personal favourites that aren't listed include San Jacinto, Secret World (particularly the live version from the Secret World tour DVD), Here Comes the Flood, Signal to Noise, Family Snapshot, More Than This, Shock the Monkey. There are many, many more.

Peter has been in my musical life over 40 years. I absolutely also love the songs "Excuse Me" "Moribund the Burgermeister" and "Lay your hands on me".

I've been buying Gabriel records since Solsbury Hill came out. Picking the top 10 is tough, but San Jacinto, I Grieve, Father Son, Signal To Noise, Secret World would have to be included

Deeper tracks all the way! It was quite moving to see him on tour this time. He closed the set with Biko and during the track said to the audience "it's up to you now." It made me think about how he's been a voice on these issues for so long and he's getting up there, in a way he's trying to pass the torch. But there was also a sadness to it, I sensed some frustration that not much has changed in all of these years. As someone who has tied her life's work and career to social change, I've been feeling that way too, and can now see how the older people I've always met along the way seemed tired but were still fighting for what is right.

Intruder is up there cause the lyrics are quite dark and the drums has no cymbals. That constant drum throughout the song keeps us so engaged. When it ends you realize how creepy that song is.

My favorite song is:Here comes the Flood.

I bought the So album in 1987 just before I went away to university. I still play it often and it's 1of my top 5 albums of all time.

Wow, you hit upon a few I have not heard before. Amazing. My top ten share a few of yours, my number one is, Signal to Noise. A masterwork of introspection that reaches deep inside your soul.. 2 would be Wallflower a song of martyrdom celebrating the power to overcome tyranny . 3 Biko follows as you elaborated on, 4 Mercy Street was so evocative. 5 With this Love, the children chorus from the Last Temptation soundtrack. 6 Supper's Ready. a most excellent, End of Day's Oratorio. 7 San Jacinto beautiful and tribal, was lucky to see him perform this one live when his tour hit San Diego. 8 Visions of Angels, so beautiful. 9 White Mountain. classic Jack London style story telling. 10 the entirety of A Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Red Rain as a favorite soul wash. In a playful mood look to the Hogweeds. Almost forgot Here Comes the Flood, in its three versions. particularly the solo piano one. liked Brian Eno's touch. My word, almost forgot Down the Duce Vita. dynamic orchestration.

Just went to the io concert last Monday, and I was disappointed that "In your eyes" wasn't in the show. Because it really is his best song! Peter must have known, because it was the first encore! Tears in my eyes when this is played!

Thank you for including Mercy Street. I, too, have long felt a kinship with Anne Sexton, and from the first listen I knew this song was extraordinary. Ten spots isn’t sufficient to highlight Gabriel's genius, is it? There are 3 I must add, although that still doesn’t make the list exhaustive. I would’ve had to shoehorn the magnificent Here Comes the Flood-so extraordinary to see it live, with him singing and playing solo at the keyboard. One of his most important songs is Wallflower; his voice has never been so plaintive as he pleads "hold on!" And the complex, interesting, and downright weird sounds and rhythms in The Family and the Fishing Net (not to mention the lyrics!) should handily place it on any Gabriel list. Although I saw i/o in concert, I'll wait until the actual album is released before placing any of those songs in the running although-fair warning-And Still has already captured my heart.

You missed San Jacinto . That song is Pure Genius.

Peter Gabriel is a modern day composer like those of the 18th century. A master in musical composition as well as an innovator. He was "Sampling" music digitally before anyone ever heard of it. He's the Godfather of sampling. It's just sad that no one uses it with a sliver of the skill or love Peter does and did. Also...one the best large venue live shows I've ever seen. 1993, Phoenix Az. A night I'll never forget. Nearly three hours of absolute perfection!

I agree with #1! "In Your Eyes" is a beautiful love song and it is spiritually uplifting. Peter Gabriel fangirls like me find this song especially swoon-worthy!

One of the best song writers ever up there with John Lennon ❤

i am a life time fan and talked with the great man for half an hour; i think it would be difficult to find a kinder man on this planet; the thing about his songs is that each one has a different subject that often deals with minorities, but all of them have a strong emotional impact and deal with the human condition like the great artists of the past did; mercy street is his masterpiece, no doubt; i also love passion which highlights his collaboration with world artists like nusrat fateh ali khan and youssou n'dour ; i believe the passion album is one of the summums of his career and shows his ability to work with musicians from all nations and instruments from different cultures; that being said in your eyes, here comes the flood, don't give up, sollsbury hill, washing of the water, san jacinto, biko, red rain, i grieve, darkness and so many others are great songs; i am less enamoured by sledgehammer, digging up the dirt and a few others which i consider to be commercial songs; let us also not forget the musicians that supported peter: levin, stuermer, richard evans, david rhodes, katché, wemba, bush, o'connor and the great paula cole

Absolute brilliant writer, Game without frontiers is a brilliant song and sing it out loud, that’s just one of his brilliant works

A living breathing lyrical superstar!

Lovely. I can't listen to Washing of the Water without tearing up to "I'll get those hooks out of me And I'll take out the hooks that I sunk deep in your side Kill that fear of emptiness, that loneliness I hide" I've been a huge fan of his since Trespass. I would have added "Come Talk to me" I am estranged from my youngest daughter and it hits hard.

An excellent songwriter, vocalist and live artist. I have seen him in concert a number of times, and its always great. Highly recommended! The first song I ever heard of him was "Shock the Monkey" and I bought the LP in 1982, as the first one ever I paid for with my own money, hoping that the rest was the same. It wasnt. I was hugely disappointed, but since I had paid a lot of money for the record, I forced myself to really listen to it - and boy did it grow on me! Its still one of those records I can pick up and listen to from start to end, as its brilliant - as are the others I that care before and after. A wonderful artist :)

San Jacinto is a glaring omission but great list!

It's hard to find a better PG song than "Here Comes the Flood" but the version on the Robert Fripp album "Exposure" is even better IMO to the one on the PG album. Gabriel's singing on that version is outstanding, haunting, powerful.

Here Comes the Flood; Wall Flower; Family SnapShot all on my list along with all the ones you picked. Pure genius.

Hard to pick a favourite 10 songs, and I noticed you have flocked a lot around the So album period, at the peak of his popularity. I personally feel his whole discography is fantastic including the amazing Up album from which you have not picked any favourites. It has amazing songs like Darkness, No Way Out and Signal to Noise. Perhaps the at times noisy soundscape puts many people off but the amazing dynamic in the songs that Peter masters in these songs is just epic. A lot of younger audiences I play these songs for are often suprised at never heard much about Peter - as the only thing the radios play is the old hits. As much of Peters other work it is a serious psychology lesson in every song. Looking forward to see him live on the I/O tour now soon.

IN YOUR EYES is my pick (because it was personally such a balm for my soul when it was a hit frankly) but he has SO MANY. I love the ones you picked and your insights. KZfaq knows i love PG and this popped up in my feed. Subbed!!!

"Mercy Street" always floods me with deep emotions, like no other song does. The final images for "In Your Eyes" are taken from the "Secret World" concert video, one of the best music shows ever, if not the best, period. If you haven't watched it yet you'll thank me later, now go.

While i was studying German decades ago my friend's roommate dubbed for me 2 Peter Gabriel German albums. What a treat!

Great video! I would have added "Secret World" to the top 5. I'm listening to it now and have goosebumps.

One of my all time favorite artists. An absolute songwriting genius. I would have included I Have The Touch in the top 12 for sure, pretty high up there, too. Not sure why it was left out. The layers in that song are incredible. Especially listening in headphones and hearing every little thing going on, it is pure genius. Maybe not as socially important as other songs, your list is certainly incredible. But, that just speaks to the genius of Peter Gabriel. There are way too many amazing songs to condense it down to just 12! I don't think I'd be able to do it.

Great list and nicely done. In a world of wonderful artists, Peter just seems to be a little above the rest. I was hoping for a comment about “Here Comes the Flood”. As I get older that song never stops revealing itself to Me

One of my biggest bucket list items is to see him in concert before he retires. My buddy just bought us tickets for him in September. I have never been this excited. This mans music means so much to me. I already missed my opportunity for Tom Petty so Im glad I wont miss this one too.

Been a fan for 46 years, since my awakening. Personal favourites are.... San Jacinto. Downside Up. Wallflower. In Your Eyes. Washing of the water. Blood of Eden. Family Snapshot. Come talk to me. Darkness. Mother of violence. Across the river. Here comes the flood. And more recently, Four kinds of horses and Panopticom. Live versions are always better. The word Genius is often over used, but not where Peter Gabriel is concerned.

I can't choose a favorite - I love them all. And each one has a gut-deep meaning for me that most assuredly not was he intended. But that's why they are integral to my heart and soul. That is how I hear them.

Over-played or not, I never tire of hearing "Sledgehammer".....much as his pal's much over-played "In The Air Tonight". How does one band produce two such amazing song writers/singers? (not to mention Mike Rutherford, though we should). So much imagery, so many metaphors in all of their work....particularly in Genesis. Art as therapy, for sure. Yours I found an excellent summary.

I find it interesting you mention a religious element to In Your Eyes. As the years have gone by I have felt connections with this song and spiritual writings like the Psalms, Song of Songs, and the poetry of the Sufi Mystic Rumi. I am going to Peter’s concert in Pittsburgh in September and I cannot wait, as this will be a bucket list activity for me.

Thanks for this assessment of his songs. Ive shared this with alot of friends. A song is not just a song with PG . This guy a has inspired me for 40 years. Cheers from Australia

Well spoken. And Gabriel explained near perfectly.

Well done. I’d have to have Wallflower, Kiss of Life, Down to Earth and Here Comes The Flood on my list. Can’t really go wrong with any PG or early Genesis song!

Studio and live artist at the top of his game. I can never listen to 'Biko' without feeling very sad and confused. I was quite young when Steven Biko died and that day a part of my childhood died with him.

“What’s your favourite Peter Gabriel song?” Me: *points to stack of Peter Gabriel albums*

Great choice! I would add "shaking the tree" and "Big time" Thanks for the video 🎉

The man is simply a genius, and his music inspires my own creation x

Agreed I call him the magician a master of music what a guy

'Peter Gabriel is a bit of ........ an enigma' I was thinking is a bit of ........ alright. I adore him ♥️

Games without frontiers, shock the monkey, mercy street, San Jacinto are some of my all time favourites along with the majority of his catalog, Ovo and others are just brilliant

Great list - hard to argue that any of the songs on there don't belong, but I wish we could shoehorn Only Us in there... musically and lyrically brilliant! Oh and I'd have Mercy Street at the top - an absolute masterpiece...

My favorite artist, with Roger Waters. I'm not a big fan of your 3 best songs, but it's personnal. My favorite song is and will always be Mercy Street. Some songs arguably deserve to be there, too: Sky Blue, Here Comes the Flood, The Rythm of the Heat, Signal to Noise...

I would have to agree with the top two. They are a rarity in life, truly perfect songs.

I agree with most of your selection. I also love "White Shadow" very much.

Absolutely Diverse and Offers much insight and wisdom! ❤❤❤ Peter Gabriel 🎼🎶 and oh that voice! Touches the 🌎 with 🎤🤗

Thankyou for making this! I totally agree with all you have said. I’m still listening to his work and learning more. Peter Gabriel is a True artist and an international treasure.

As somebody who just recently got into Gabriel's solo work (having been a 70s Genesis fan for two decades already) Here Comes The Flood was definitely a track I needed to hear! And I'm talking about the epic studio version.

I called my son Gabriel in his honor. No more explanations. SO, So Big PG!!

great work. excited to see your next breakdown.

Great video... I think "Come Talk To Me" could have been on this list as it a list of "songwriting Genius"... I am a musician and can attest to the complexity of rhythms and diversity of textures (e.g. bag pipes, percussion, etc)... I'm going to go watch the live version now, what a great track!!!

His mastery of visuals and sound is astonishing. Peter Gabriel’s genius is uniquely his own, truly artistic in every sense of the word.

He was my first concert at age 13 in 1983 and have been a lifelong fan ever since. Ive seen him many times over the years and I’ll be seeing him next week in Boston ❤️. He is not only a gifted musical genius, but more importantly, an incredible human ❤️

Also, I would add a few such as Burn You Up, Burn You Down and Lovetown (like his "looking in lovetown")

Couple I had to ponder over. Order, they are all great, sooo, what is in an order. Basically a good list. Thanks for sharing.

Great, well put together video mate !! Enjoyed it very much... 🙂👍🏻🙏🏻

His lyrics on Genesis' The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway are outstanding. A true original who, like his old bandmate Phil Collins, loved the Tamla/Stax legends of the mid 60s. That's why he has groove to go with his art.

Es un genio. Y lo que hizo con Genesis fueron obras maestras.

Every song from So can be on this list….

My fav Peter Gabriel song is Darkness ❤

Great choice! 😀 Those that work on the human scale, delving into the nature of human heart are always a treasure

Sky Blue is an incredible piece of songwriting.

Awesome selection of songs from one of the greatest artists on this planet 🌍♾️🌌

Yes, the horns on Sledgehammer are great, but the bass is one of the best bass parts in the history of rock music. Not overplayed at all, I never tire of hearing it. I love the Kate Bush duet but am sad we never got to hear the version PG originally intended (with Dolly Parton). I would have included “Here Comes The Flood,” “Shaking The Tree,” and “I Have the Touch” in place of a few of your picks. His cover of “The Book of Love” is staggeringly beautiful. I got to see him perform that at Radio City Music Hall. I always tear up when I hear it.

I'll never forget the first time I saw the 'Sledgehammer' video in the 80's. Couldn't believe it. I don't think it's hackneyed, I've never seen it on an advert, I love it

Just saw PG in Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago. Ex husband had an extra ticket and invited me 😁👍. Since then I've been TOTALLY getting into PG Genesis stuff....freaking fabulous!!! Now I'm ready to get reacquainted with his solo music. Can't wait! Like Games without Frontiers....TOTALLY forgot about that song

One of the greatest lyricists of all time!

All great songs but one of my favourite PG tracks is No Self Control. Another one featuring Kate Bush, and Phil Collins on drums.

Just seen him live at the Ovo in Glasgow this week. Great mix of new songs and some of the classics. Can’t wait for io album release as the full moon releases have given me time to digest how deep the songs are and are slow burners to take in for new fans.

Love Peter, saw him in concert a few times many decades ago. Biko just grabs me. Got stoned and fell asleep to that song countless times in college.

Absolutely agree the master of music what a guy