“Don’t Give Up” is arguably the most hauntingly beautiful duet of all time. The stunning song is written and sung by Peter Gabriel, who is vocally accompanied by the great Kate Bush. The song was released as a single on Gabriel’s fifth studio album “So” (1986). But what’s the story and meaning behind the song? Let’s find out!
The Story Behind the Song
Peter Gabriel’s inspiration behind “Don’t Give Up” was a Dorothea Lange book titled “In This Proud Land”. The book features photographs of everyday life conditions during the Great Depression in America. It reminded Gabriel of the ongoing economic difficulties in England under prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
Peter Gabriel decided to write about these economic difficulties from the perspective of a man and woman in a relationship. With the song’s idea in mind Gabriel started searching for a woman to sing on “Don’t Give Up”. In an interview with The Quietus Gabriel said: “Because there was this reference point of American roots music in it when I first wrote it, it was suggested that Dolly Parton sing on it. But Dolly turned it down.”
Dolly Parton’s rejection led Peter Gabriel to friend Kate Bush. The two established a friendship in 1979, when Bush provided backing vocals on the Gabriel songs “Games Without Frontiers” and “No Self Control”. They also sang a cover of “Another Day” together during a 1979 Christmas special. It turned out to be a golden combination, for Bush elevated the song to a new level.
In an interview with Spin, Peter Gabriel said: “The sensitive treatment Kate gave our give-and-take on that song was gratifying.” In another interview Gabriel admitted a lot of the song’s power came from the way that Kate sings it.
The song was recorded at Gabriel’s home studio in Ashcombe House. It eventually appears as the third track on Gabriel’s 1986 album release “So”. The track is accompanied by a music video, where Gabriel and Bush sing the song while embracing each other.
The Meaning Behind the Song
Peter Gabriel’s “Don’t Give Up” tells the story of a couple during economic difficulties. The man, portrayed by Gabriel, is unemployed and feels beyond hopeless. The woman, portrayed by Kate Bush, encourages him with words of hope and love.
Gabriel himself said about the song in 1986: “It’s not just a song about a woman supporting a man in a demanding relationship. The chief thing dragging them down is unemployment, which is presently tearing the social fabric of Thatcher’s England apart … Without a climate of self-esteem, it’s impossible to function.”
The Song’s Legacy
“Don’t Give Up” was released as the third single of “So”. The song peaked at 72 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was a top-10 hit in The UK, Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, and Belgium.
Read more: The 10 Best Peter Gabriel Songs of All Time
Gabriel and Bush performed the song live just once. On other occasions, Gabriel is supported by a different singer. During the “Secret World Live” tour Gabriel sang “Don’t Give Up” together with Paula Cole. He also released a version of the song with Ane Brun on his 2011 studio album “New Blood”.
The song has been covered numerous times. Most notably by Willie Nelson and Sinéad O’Connor, and Alicia Keys and Bono.
The song became a support anthem for people going through tough times, including Elton John. In the documentary “The Kate Bush Story: Running Up That Hill”, Elton John said: “That record helped me get sober. So she played a big part in my rebirth. That record helped me so much. I never told her that but it did.”
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The song is also on the Maire Brennan CD “wisper to the wild water” as a bonus track.