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Length: 5:51
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We were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail
No fight left, or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I've changed my face, I've changed my name
But no one wants you when you lose
Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not beaten yet
Don't give up
I know you can make it good
Though I saw it all around
Never thought that I could be affected
Thought that we'd be last to go
It is so strange the way things turn
Drove the night toward my home
The place that I was born, on the lakeside
As daylight broke, I saw the earth
The trees had burned down to the ground
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up
We don't need much of anything
Don't give up
'Cause somewhere there's a place where we belong
Rest your head
You worry too much
It's gonna be all right
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Don't give up
Please don't give up
Got to walk out of here
I can't take any more
Gonna stand on that bridge
Keep my eyes down below
Whatever may come
And whatever may go
That river's flowing
That river's flowing
Moved on to another town
Tried hard to settle down
For every job, so many men
So many men no one needs
Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not the only one
Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are
Don't give up
You know it's never been easy
Don't give up
'Cause I believe there's a place
There's a place where we belong
Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up
Peter Gabriel originally approached Dolly Parton for the female lead. She turned it down, and thus we were blessed with Kate accompanying Peter and making this song the classic it is.
The Searing Image That Inspired “Don’t Give Up” by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush
Or possibly we do, in alternate universes...
There is a Dolly version across the river.
With Dolly, it probably would have been a classic too. Just a different one. In a perfect universe, we'd get both!
Or possibly we do, in alternate universes...
It seems that being sad is the plan of God for me.
Greetings to the good people in this world.
In love...
A few years I ago I was asked to give the eulogy for a man who took his life with a gun leaving behind his widow and two daughters. He lost his professional job in the film industry and couldn't back on his feet again. Depression cam e in and did its thing.
Kate's "Because you have friends" lyric hits me hard because in his fall he alienated and badly treated his family causing a divide where and pretty much all of us friends sided with the family, not knowing of course where this was going. I'm sure it seemed to him at the end that he had no friends. I've successfully rationalized my way out of the "If onlys" and "I should haves" at this point but an emotional song like this can quickly bypass all that.
The best songs can be the most difficult to hear sometimes.
I listened to this song a lot in the '80s and '90s but never paid close attention to the lyrics. It just seemed like an earnest ballad about the struggling working class man and his supportive spouse. Then I read these comments all these years later and realize the depth of pathos that was there all along for me to see. Now this song haunts me. A lot.
if you haven't felt like this at some point in your life, you're a zombie.
or a lucky bastard
Peter Gabriel originally approached Dolly Parton for the female lead. She turned it down, and thus we were blessed with Kate accompanying Peter and making this song the classic it is.
With Dolly, it probably would have been a classic too. Just a different one. In a perfect universe, we'd get both!
Not disputing that; This, however, is not that recording.
Most would melt into tears...
Cheery song. I envision a guy standing on a bridge rail getting ready to jump. The song ends unresolved but I think he jumps.
Don't quite get this, and I'm even surprised to see other comments say they envision the same. I have actually witnessed someone committing suicide. So perhaps that's why I don't fantasize about it.
I see him at his lowest low somehow hearing a gift, a voice of reason, giving him the strength to carry on... To me, it's a message of hope and redemption.
Given that Paula Cole was about 18 years old when this album was released (and, because of how time works, rather younger when this song was recorded), i think she may not have been the best artist at that time for this role.
That said, her work on the Secret World Live tour is magnificent.
I did see PG in Oakland, as part of that tour. However, he cancelled his original concert for health issues. When he did the make up date, several months later, Paula Cole was not with him.
Instead, it was Sinead O'Connor.
I am not complaining.
But but!!! She did sing with PG
Dolly Parton? Perhaps a better choice than Paula Cole but Kate Bush was perfect for this
Given that Paula Cole was about 18 years old when this album was released (and, because of how time works, rather younger when this song was recorded), i think she may not have been the best artist at that time for this role.
That said, her work on the Secret World Live tour is magnificent.
I did see PG in Oakland, as part of that tour. However, he cancelled his original concert for health issues. When he did the make up date, several months later, Paula Cole was not with him.
Instead, it was Sinead O'Connor.
I am not complaining.
Levin's work on this album... makes me want to quit playing bass
Brilliant to juxtapose (sp?) his bass w/ Kate Bush's soprano.
And to the below post, shut up the pair of you. We don't know.
Silly me. I only had this as a 9.
Anyway, the first part of this song sounds like someone regretting not getting vaccinated and now it's too late. Tell me I'm wrong:
Though I saw it all around
Never thought that I could be affected
Thought that we'd be last to go
It is so strange the way things turn
To me, it sounds more like regretting getting vaccinated.
Anyway, the first part of this song sounds like someone regretting not getting vaccinated and now it's too late. Tell me I'm wrong:
Though I saw it all around
Never thought that I could be affected
Thought that we'd be last to go
It is so strange the way things turn
Amazing. I did not know that. Thanks.
Peter Gabriel: ‘Kate Bush replaced Dolly Parton on ‘Don’t Give Up”
I adore Kate beyond words, but would love to have a chance to hear the Dolly version!
On another PG song page someone recommended the Classic Album documentary series for So. Well worth a view.
Yes! Loved the bit where his band members (or sound engineer? don't remember) nailed him shut inside his studio out in his garden and wouldn't let him out until he finished the album, apparently he gets distracted on the next idea without finishing the last one ;-)
A few years I ago I was asked to give the eulogy for a man who took his life with a gun leaving behind his widow and two daughters. He lost his professional job in the film industry and couldn't back on his feet again. Depression cam e in and did its thing.
Kate's "Because you have friends" lyric hits me hard because in his fall he alienated and badly treated his family causing a divide where and pretty much all of us friends sided with the family, not knowing of course where this was going. I'm sure it seemed to him at the end that he had no friends. I've successfully rationalized my way out of the "If onlys" and "I should haves" at this point but an emotional song like this can quickly bypass all that.
The best songs can be the most difficult to hear sometimes.
Thanks for sharing that. I hope that in the coming years people come to understand more about trauma, neuroscience and the nervous system. We are naturally avoidant of people in depression because it affects our state negatively. People in depression naturally drive people away not due to some character flaw, but because their bodies are in a state of collapse that affects their thinking. With some understanding of what's really going on, compassion can overtake judgment and we can learn how to be with people in pain.
Peter Gabriel originally approached Dolly Parton for the female lead. She turned it down, and thus we were blessed with Kate accompanying Peter and making this song the classic it is.
Either way, PG is a genius.
Words I didn't hear until quite late in life. Gets me every time I hear them. .
Don't give up.
I read something similar about Paula Cole vs. Sinead O'Conner yesterday. I just don't get it?? Peter chose who to record with... Alas, opinions are ours to have.
For me 9 -OUTSTANDING
thanks bill
A few years I ago I was asked to give the eulogy for a man who took his life with a gun leaving behind his widow and two daughters. He lost his professional job in the film industry and couldn't back on his feet again. Depression cam e in and did its thing.
Kate's "Because you have friends" lyric hits me hard because in his fall he alienated and badly treated his family causing a divide where and pretty much all of us friends sided with the family, not knowing of course where this was going. I'm sure it seemed to him at the end that he had no friends. I've successfully rationalized my way out of the "If onlys" and "I should haves" at this point but an emotional song like this can quickly bypass all that.
The best songs can be the most difficult to hear sometimes.
Peter Gabriel Kate Bush, great
Amazing. I did not know that. Thanks.
Peter Gabriel: ‘Kate Bush replaced Dolly Parton on ‘Don’t Give Up”
Dodged a bullet there.
Yes, this is one sad song,, Kate's constant optimism not withstanding (and I think he jumps too). But you know, the occasional sad song is okay with me. Especially one of this high caliber. A great song regardless and always been one of my faves.
this song has an average rating of 8, I don't get it
But at least he's listening to some quality music....
Everybody should have a First Aid Kate
Best on vinyl too.
Got to walk out of here.
Got to work out a deal.
yes.
Extremely beautiful and moving!
I guess I should then feel sorry for you for missing the point or having a narrow attitude towards life... but I don't feel sorry for strangers and you seem to have enough pity in your life as it is.
.... because my brother shot himself at age 31.
...which only means he's been through a lot worse than you, even though you suffered the loss of him, and you'll never get to know it until you yourself get there.
Please shed some light. This looks like the opening line to a good story.
Kate Bush on the left. PG on the right. Duh.
I read them again...nothing.
I have thrown some shit back at you elsewhere on RP because you seem to get off scott free for some confounding reason...don't be a pussy about it....
go clean your gun.
*wink*
You mean: (aka 'WHINE area') Played twice in the last 30 days I say is not enough! An 8 from me!
Balance it with some of his other work. I recommend "Intruder". There. You can take the sappy again :)
read them again...and again if you must. They tell such a rich story that they desrve understanding.
I read them again...nothing.
I have thrown some shit back at you elsewhere on RP because you seem to get off scott free for some confounding reason...don't be a pussy about it....
Please shed some light. This looks like the opening line to a good story.
.... because my brother shot himself at age 31.
read them again...and again if you must. They tell such a rich story that they desrve understanding.
I'm sure there's a specific story behind the lyrics- but to me, they are translatable to any circumstance involving hardship- whether societal or personal.
It is a very inspirational song. I am not sure what the lyrics mean. I seldom do. I seldom care. But this is wonderful.
read them again...and again if you must. They tell such a rich story that they desrve understanding.
It is a very inspirational song. I am not sure what the lyrics mean. I seldom do. I seldom care. But this is wonderful.
This is such a beautiful song... this album is awesome...
Never a good choice. Ever.
Oh.... and you're so sure of it because you've been through all the possible hardships one can imagine, or...?
... but still incredible and beautiful
But then again, I really like Peter Gabriel...
That's kind of sad. The song is so weepy and maudlin.
Maybe, but that is what happens when you have a catalogue of songs as deep and strong as he does. Few artist reach that mark.I like this one. Bass playing strong, arrrangement builds nicely, heart felt story...
Well except maybe fir Tony Levin's playing :-)
mgkiwi wrote:
heh heh. ummmmmm.... i don't think they have those anymore...almost positive