Peter Gabriel Releases New Single “Playing For Time”

Peter Gabriel has released the third new single from his upcoming new studio album, i/o, again to coincide with the new moon, as he has with previous singles “Panopticom” and “The Court”.

Playing For Time is a song that I have been working on for a long time and have performed live, without lyrics, so some people may be familiar with it. The song it’s about time, mortality and memories and the idea that each of us has a planet full of memories which get stashed inside the brain.

Written and produced by Peter Gabriel, the track was recorded at Real World Studios in Wiltshire and The Beehive in London, and features Tom Cawley on piano. The orchestral arrangement, by Ed Shearmur, was recorded at British Grove Studios in London with a number of players who previously featured in the New Blood Orchestra. The track is accompanied by a cover image featuring the work of visual artist Annette Messager.

I’d seen the work of Annette Messager, who is a wonderful artist, many years ago and nearly got her involved in the Art from Us project, but this time I thought she’d be exactly the right person to ask to do something for this song.

Peter Gabriel is also set to embark on a major European Tour in May, which will see him hit venues in Krakow, Milan, Berlin, Munich, Zurich, London, Lille, Stockholm and others.