Peter Gabriel

Won’t Stand
Down

The fifth song from o\i, and in Gabriel’s words a song to encourage some sort of activism. It began as music he thought of writing for The Elders – the group of former leaders whose only currency is moral authority – and it holds on to justice, compassion and democracy, because he believes people answer better to a hopeful picture of the future than to a dark one. The rhythm grew out of the Cuban feel of Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing, and he kept it a band performance, with fewer layers than most of the record. Mark “Spike” Stent’s Bright-Side Mix came first, at the flower moon on May 1, the first of two full moons that month; Tchad Blake’s Dark-Side Mix followed at the new moon.

Words and music by Peter Gabriel; produced by Peter Gabriel. Recorded at Real World Studios, Bath; The Beehive, London; and Phantom Studios, Gallatin, Tennessee. Peter Gabriel: vocals, piano, synths and rhythm programming; David Rhodes: acoustic and electric guitar; Tony Levin: bass; Manu Katché: drums; Abe Rounds: additional drums and percussion; Mike Elizondo: rhythm programming; Faye Dolle: backing vocals. Bright-Side Mix by Mark “Spike” Stent; Dark-Side Mix by Tchad Blake. Real World Records. Artwork for the single: Shirin Neshat – two pairs of hands inscribed with lines by Rumi. Photograph: Gandhi leading the Salt March to Dandi, March 1930 – a walk of some 240 miles against the British salt tax, and the founding image of mass nonviolent protest. Photographer unknown.