Tuesday Tune: Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel’s Solsbury Hill is a fantastic and catchy tune and one of my favourite tracks by him. It was released in 1977 as the lead single from his first solo album.

The song is steeped in symbolism and personal meaning, offering a glimpse into Gabriel’s decision to break free from the band Genesis and forge his own path.

The lyrics paint a picture of a man seeking clarity and liberation. The opening lines, “Climbing up on Solsbury Hill / I could see the city light,” establish a sense of separation and reflection. Perched atop the real-life Solsbury Hill in Somerset, Gabriel surveys the world below, contemplating a significant change.

The song takes on a more cryptic tone with the arrival of a mysterious figure: “Eagle flew out of the night / He was something to observe / Came in close, I heard a voice / Standing, stretching every nerve.”

This eagle, often interpreted as a spiritual guide or a symbol of freedom itself, instructs Gabriel to “grab his things” and head “back home.”

“Home” in this context perhaps isn’t a physical location, but a place of artistic and personal truth. The lyrics hint at the stifling nature of Gabriel’s time with Genesis.

Lines like “My friends would think I was a nut / Turning water into wine” suggest his…