And just like that… Peter Gabriel has released a new song, “I’m Amazing,” (via his Real World Productions) and it’s, well, amazing. The former Genesis frontman and progressive rock pioneer began his co-headlining “Rock, Paper, Scissors” tour with Sting on June 21 and since it’s been years since he’s released an album of original songs – since 2002’s Up to be exact – this took us by surprise. And while there’s no news yet of a full-length, it’s great to hear that he’s still got his fastball.
The song was inspired by the man who was, for decades, the world’s most famous person. Says Gabriel: “I wrote a song a few years back – ‘I’m Amazing’, which was, in part, inspired by Muhammad Ali’s life and struggles and at the time of his death, when so many people are celebrating his life and thinking about all he achieved, it seemed the right time to release it.”
It’s his first new release since the track “Show Yourself” featured in the film Back to Front – Live in London in 2013.
“I’m Amazing” is 7:28 of pure Gabriel with echoes of such past hits as 1982’s “I Have The Touch” and even 1980’s “Games Without Frontiers.” The African tribal poly rhythms and chanting, that the performer has long embraced, comprise the song’s final minute-and-a-half.
Related: Sting and Peter Gabriel announce summer tour
Have a listen. (In fact, we recommend you listen to it twice to let it sink in.) “Happy times ahead…” indeed.
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ROCK PAPER SCISSORS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR ITINERARY – 2016
June 21 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
June 23 Washington, DC Verizon Center
June 24 Wantagh, NY Jones Beach Mon.
June 26 Philadelphia, PA BB&T Pavilion
June 27 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
June 29 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
June 30 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
July 02 Worcester, MA DCU Center
July 03 Brooklyn, NY Coney Island Amphitheater
July 05 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
July 07 Québec, QC Festival d’été de Québec (Plains of Abraham)
July 09 Chicago, IL United Center
July 10 Milwaukee, WI Summerfest
July 12 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
July 14 San Jose, CA SAP Center at San Jose
July 15 Lake Tahoe, NV Harvey’s
July 17 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
July 18 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
July 21 Seattle, WA Key Arena
July 23 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
July 24 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
