On the Air (song)

Last updated
"On the Air"
Song by Peter Gabriel
from the album Peter Gabriel
Released1978
Length5:30
Label Charisma
Songwriter(s) Peter Gabriel
Producer(s) Robert Fripp

"On the Air" is a song written and recorded by English musician Peter Gabriel. The song first premiered on Gabriel's first solo tour in 1977 and was later included as the opening track on his 1978 solo album Peter Gabriel. For certain performances on the album's accompanying tour, the song served as the set opener, although it occasionally followed a solo rendition of "Me and My Teddy Bear", thus repositioning it to the second song of the set. [1] [2]

Contents

Background

Gabriel wrote "On the Air" about a fictional character named Mozo, a derelict alienated by the world around him. In the song, Mozo attempts to attain fame through the medium of shortwave radio by concocting an alter-ego that closely aligns with his aspirations. [3] [4]

There is a story here concerning this character Mozo who is mentioned. At this point, he's an outsider and he lives in a hollow in a dump on the outside of an anonymous town and he lives out his fantasies on the radio. Through shortwave he becomes whoever he wants, but on the street, he's totally ignored. [3]

Gabriel attributed part of Mozo's creation to a childhood memory of a dilapidated caravan in Horsell Common, which he used to think was occupied by a witch. [5] In July 1978, Gabriel considered the idea of expanding the story of Mozo with Radúz Činčera and later worked with Stuart Kranz in 1979 to develop ideas for the story. [3] [4] By 1987, Gabriel expressed interest in transforming the Mozo story into a movie, but none of these projects ever came to fruition. Gabriel instead scattered songs related to Mozo across his studio albums beginning with his 1977 debut album and ending with So in 1986, with "Red Rain" and "That Voice Again" being the final songs to center around the character. [6] He intended for these songs to exist as part of an overarching story surrounding Mozo, with "On the Air" representing the fantasy world that Mozo occupies. Another song on Gabriel's 1978 eponymous album, "Exposure", was also included within the Mozo story, although "On the Air" was the first and only time the character was explicitly mentioned in the lyrics. [3] [6]

Recording

"On the Air" was first recorded in 1976 for Gabriel's debut album. Larry Fast had developed a synth pattern during these sessions with an Oberheim digital sequencer, which was used to drive some Moog patches. At certain points of the song, Fast fed the sequence through a Mu-Tron BiPhase deep stereo phaser. [7] Fast had been working on a similar sequence for his band Synergy, but he felt that the sequence worked well with "On the Air". Rather than the 4/4 time signature found on the 1978 recording, the original version was set in 6/8 time. Fast later expressed his preference for the original recording despite it being left unfinished. [7]

In a 1980 interview with Smash Hits , Gabriel expressed his opinion that "On the Air" was one of the few songs on the album that received sufficient attention in the recording studio, particularly in regards to the synthesizer arrangement. [8]

Live performances

Gabriel debuted "On the Air" during his first tour in the United States prior to the release of his second eponymous album as the second song of the set. [9] It then appeared during the European leg of the tour and was placed later in the setlist after "Down the Dolce Vita". The synthesiser parts for these performances were played by Bayete. [10]

During Gabriel's tour promoting his 1978 eponymous release, he and his band members navigated through the aisles donning fluorescent orange construction vests and searchlights that they shined into the crowd while Larry Fast's "Disruption in World Communication" instrumental composition played through the loudspeakers. [11] [12] Upon reaching the stage, the band turned their backs to their audience before playing the first chords of "On the Air." [1] Fast, who played synthesisers on this tour, developed some of the sequencing at home on his Apple computer and transferred the data onto cassettes and ROMS. He constructed a case for his single-board machine, which he used to access the coded information specifically developed for the song. [13]

Critical reception

Along with "D.I.Y.", Stephen Thomas Erlewine described "On the Air" as "stunning slices of modern rock circa 1978, bubbling with synths, insistent rhythms, and polished processed guitars, all enclosed in a streamlined production that nevertheless sounds as large as a stadium." [14] The Chicago Sun-Times also identified these songs as the only two highlights on the album. [15] Dave Marsh of Rolling Stone was complimentary of "On the Air", labeling it as a "good rock number". [16] Ultimate Classic Rock placed particular attention on Fripp's production choices, specifically the delay applied to Gabriel's vocals. [17] The Rolling Stone Album Guide thought that the song's "Who-style pomp" demonstrated Gabriel's reluctance at the time to shed his progressive rock inclinations. [18]

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Fripp</span> British musician (b. 1946)

Robert Fripp is an English musician, songwriter, record producer, and author, best known as the guitarist, founder and longest-lasting member of the progressive rock band King Crimson. He has worked extensively as a session musician and collaborator, notably with David Bowie, Blondie, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Daryl Hall, the Roches, Talking Heads, and David Sylvian. He also composed the startup sound of Windows Vista, in collaboration with Tucker Martine and Steve Ball. His discography includes contributions to more than 700 official releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genesis (band)</span> English rock band (1967–2022)

Genesis were an English rock band formed at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey, in 1967. The band's longest-lasting and most commercially successful line-up consisted of keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford and drummer/singer Phil Collins. In the 1970s, during which the band also included singer Peter Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett, Genesis were among the pioneers of progressive rock. Banks and Rutherford have been the only constant members throughout the band's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Gabriel</span> English musician (born 1950)

Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist. He came to prominence as the original frontman of the rock band Genesis. He left the band in 1975 and launched a solo career with "Solsbury Hill" as his first single. After releasing four successful studio albums, all titled Peter Gabriel, his fifth studio album So (1986) became his best-selling release and is certified triple platinum in the UK and five times platinum in the US. The album's most successful single, "Sledgehammer", won a record nine MTV Awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards. A 2011 Time report said "Sledgehammer" was the most played music video of all time on MTV.

<i>The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway</i> 1974 studio album by Genesis

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is the sixth studio album by the English progressive rock band Genesis. It was released as a double album on 22 November 1974 by Charisma Records and is their last to feature the lead vocalist Peter Gabriel. It reached No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 41 on the US Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Levin</span> American bassist (born 1946)

Anthony Frederick Levin is an American musician and composer specializing in electric bass guitars, Chapman Stick and upright bass. He also sings and plays synthesizer. Levin is best known for his work with King Crimson (1981–2021) and Peter Gabriel. He is also a member of Liquid Tension Experiment, Bruford Levin Upper Extremities (1998–2000) and HoBoLeMa (2008–2010). He has led his own band, Stick Men, since 2010.

<i>Nursery Cryme</i> 1971 studio album by Genesis

Nursery Cryme is the third studio album by the English rock band Genesis, released on 12 November 1971 on Charisma Records. It was their first to feature drummer/vocalist Phil Collins and guitarist Steve Hackett. The album received a mixed response from critics and was not initially a commercial success; it did not enter the UK chart until 1974, when it reached its peak at No. 39. However, the album was successful in continental Europe, particularly Italy.

<i>Selling England by the Pound</i> 1973 studio album by Genesis

Selling England by the Pound is the fifth studio album by the English progressive rock band Genesis, released on 28 September 1973, by Charisma Records. The album was recorded in August 1973 following the tour supporting the previous album, Foxtrot (1972). The group set aside a short period of time to write new material, which covered a number of themes, including the loss of English folk culture and an increased American influence, which was reflected in the title. Following the album's release, the group set out on tour, where they drew an enthusiastic reception from fans. Several of the album tracks became fan favourites and featured as a regular part of the band's live setlist into the 1980s.

<i>Peter Gabriel</i> (1977 album) Debut solo album by Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel is the debut studio album by the English singer-songwriter and producer Peter Gabriel, released on 25 February 1977 by Charisma Records. After his departure from the progressive rock band Genesis was made public in 1975, Gabriel took a break to concentrate on his family life. In 1976, he began writing material for a solo album and met producer Bob Ezrin, who agreed to produce it. Gabriel hired several additional musicians to play on the album, including guitarist Robert Fripp and bassist Tony Levin. The album was later known as Peter Gabriel I or Car, referring to the album's artwork produced by Hipgnosis. Some music streaming services, including Gabriel's own Bandcamp page, refer to it as Peter Gabriel 1: Car.

<i>Peter Gabriel</i> (1978 album) Second solo album by Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel is the second studio album by the English singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel, released on 2 June 1978 by Charisma Records. Gabriel started recording the album in November 1977, the same month that he had completed touring in support of his debut solo release. He employed former King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp, who was part of Gabriel's early touring band, to produce the album. Fripp used his Frippertronics effects on the co-written song "Exposure".

<i>Peter Gabriel</i> (1980 album) Third solo album by Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel is the third solo studio album by the English rock musician Peter Gabriel, released on 30 May 1980 by Charisma Records. The album, produced by Steve Lillywhite, has been acclaimed as Gabriel's artistic breakthrough as a solo artist. AllMusic wrote that it established him as "one of rock's most ambitious, innovative musicians".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biko (song)</span> 1980 song by Peter Gabriel

"Biko" is an anti-apartheid protest song by English rock musician Peter Gabriel. It was released by Charisma Records as a single from Gabriel's eponymous third album in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solsbury Hill (song)</span> 1977 single by Peter Gabriel

"Solsbury Hill" is the debut solo single by English rock musician Peter Gabriel. He wrote the song about a spiritual experience atop Solsbury Hill in Somerset, England, after his departure from the progressive rock band Genesis, of which he had been the lead vocalist since its inception. The single was a Top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at number 13, and reached number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Rain (song)</span> 1987 single by Peter Gabriel

"Red Rain" is the first track on English rock musician Peter Gabriel's fifth solo studio album So (1986). In the United States, it was initially only released as a promotional single and reached number three on Billboard magazine's Mainstream Rock chart in June 1986, where it stayed for three weeks between July and August. A year later, in June 1987, it was released as a commercial single in parts of Europe, Australia and the United States, peaking at 46 in the UK Singles Chart after entering the chart in July of that year. A live version also charted in the US and the UK in 1994.

"San Jacinto" is a song written and performed by the English rock musician Peter Gabriel. Released in 1982, it is the second track off his fourth self-titled album. Excerpts of the song’s coda were repurposed for "Powerhouse at the Foot of the Mountain" on Gabriel's 1985 Birdy soundtrack album. He also re-recorded "San Jacinto" with an orchestra on his New Blood album in 2011. A portion of the song also appeared in Starship, a 1984 science fiction film directed by Roger Christian. In 1990, an extended version of the song was included on Gabriel's Shaking the Tree: Sixteen Golden Greats compilation album.

"Family Snapshot" is a song written and performed by the English rock musician Peter Gabriel, appearing on his third eponymous studio album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Self Control (Peter Gabriel song)</span> 1980 single by Peter Gabriel

"No Self Control" is a song written and performed by the English rock musician Peter Gabriel. It was released in 1980 as the second single released from his third self-titled album and peaked at number 33 in the UK. The first 30,000 copies of the single were distributed in picture sleeves.

"Here Comes the Flood" is a song by British rock musician Peter Gabriel from 1977. It first appeared on his debut solo album, Peter Gabriel (Car).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D.I.Y. (song)</span> 1978 single by Peter Gabriel

"D.I.Y." is a song written and recorded by English musician Peter Gabriel. It was included on his 1978 self-titled solo album and was released as a single in May with "Perspective" as a B-side, although it failed to chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Remember (Peter Gabriel song)</span> 1980 single by Peter Gabriel

"I Don't Remember" is a song written and recorded by the English rock musician Peter Gabriel, released as the fourth and final single from his third eponymous studio album in 1980. Although originally only released as an A-side single in the United States and Canada, a live version released with the album Plays Live (1983) reached No. 62 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 75 in Britain for 4 weeks. The song was included in Gabriel's compilation album Shaking the Tree (1990) and two different versions were included in Flotsam and Jetsam (2019).

"Mother of Violence" is a song written and recorded by English musician Peter Gabriel. The song appeared on his 1978 solo album Peter Gabriel and was also issued as a B-side to the re-release of "D.I.Y", the only single lifted from the album.

References

  1. 1 2 Provick, Bill (16 October 1978). "Rock Star Makes Unusual Music". Ottawa Citizen . p. 36. Retrieved 14 August 2024– via The Genesis Archive.
  2. ↑ Denselow, Robin (22 December 1978). "Hammersmith: Peter Gabriel". The Guardian . Retrieved 10 January 2025– via The Genesis Archive.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Birch, Ian (1 July 1978). "Peter Gabriel, Latest Edition". Melody Maker . pp. 10, 46 – via The Genesis Archives.
  4. 1 2 Sweeting, Adam (January 1979). "Peter Gabriel - Past, Present and Future". International Musician and Recording World . pp. 39, 41. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  5. ↑ Scarfe, Graeme (2021). Peter Gabriel: Every Album, Every Song. United Kingdom: SonicBond. pp. 17–18. ISBN   978-1-78952-138-2.
  6. 1 2 Bright, Spencer (1988). Peter Gabriel: An Authorized Biography. London, UK: Sidgwick & Jackson. pp. 126–129. ISBN   0-283-99498-3.
  7. 1 2 Marziano, Alfredo; Perasi, Luca (2024). Peter Gabriel: The Rhythm Has My Soul. Milan, Italy: L.I.L.Y Publishing. p. 35. ISBN   978-88-909122-5-2.
  8. ↑ Taylor, Steve (26 June 1980). "Fame Without Frontiers". Smash Hits. p. 33. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  9. ↑ KMET (10 April 1977), Peter Gabriel The Roxy LA 4.10.77 KMET FM , retrieved 14 August 2024
  10. ↑ Gill, Andy (24 September 1977). "Angel Gabriel and the Last Triumph". NME . Retrieved 14 August 2024– via The Genesis Archive.
  11. ↑ Morse, Steve (3 November 1978). "Grooving With Peter Gabriel". Boston Globe . Retrieved 16 August 2024– via The Genesis Archive.
  12. ↑ Sachs, Lloyd (13 October 1978). "Peter Gabriel: Wacky But Wonderful". Rolling Stone . p. 108. Retrieved 16 August 2024– via The Genesis Archive.
  13. ↑ Sokal, Roman (2003). "Larry Fast: Synth Pioneer w/ Peter Gabriel, etc". tapeop.com. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  14. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Peter Gabriel [2] – Peter Gabriel". AllMusic . Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  15. ↑ DeRogatis, Jim (4 July 1993). "A Solo Discography". HighBeam Research. Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  16. ↑ Marsh, Dave (26 July 2001). "Peter Gabriel [2]". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  17. ↑ Reed, Ryan (24 June 2024). "35 Years Ago: Peter Gabriel's Second Solo Album Released". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  18. ↑ Considine, J. D. (2004). "Peter Gabriel". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp.  319–20. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.