Perspective
Peter Gabriel Lyrics


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I need perspective 'cause I'm facing the wall
I need perspective 'cause I'm not that tall
I need perspective heard the trumpet call
Don't trust my eyes want to know where things fall

I need perspective party time for the newly wed
I need perspective colors ran as the images bled
I need perspective like confetti on the flower bed
Don't trust my eyes priest crying he's got fire in his head

Oh Gaia, if that's your name
Treat you like dirt, but I don't wanna blame
Oh Gaia, the wind heats the fire and blows the ash away

I need perspective sitting in a long long hall
I need perspective staring at the white white wall
I need perspective waiting for the phone to call
Don't trust my eyes there's one thing I've got to tell you all

I need perspective to see through red red skies
I need perspective to carry merchandise
I need perspective I don't trust my eyes
Don't trust my eyes and I don't like surprise

Oh Gaia, if that's your name
Treat you like dirt, but I don't wanna blame
Oh Gaia, the wind heats the fire and blows the ash away

I used to be industrial giant
Sitting in a garden full of chemical plant
Trying very hard to get you off my mind
Acting like any man
Taking you for everything I can
Just the same, the same as all my kind
So blind (I need perspective)

I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective




I need perspective
I need perspective

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Peter Gabriel's "Perspective" depict the internal struggle of a person who is trying to gain a broader understanding of the world while simultaneously acknowledging their limited perspective. The repetition of the phrase "I need perspective" underscores the singer's desperation to see beyond their present circumstances. The first stanza talks about perspective in terms of physical height and the inability of the singer's eyes to see the entire picture. The second stanza uses vivid imagery to illustrate how the singer's perspective has been distorted by external factors that have affected them emotionally. The third stanza invokes the name "Gaia," the Greek goddess of the Earth, to suggest that the singer is seeking a deeper understanding of the natural world and their place within it.


The final stanza references the singer's past life as an "industrial giant" whose perspective was limited by their desire for wealth and power. The repetition of the phrase "I need perspective" throughout the song suggests that the singer has undergone a profound transformation and is now seeking a more holistic understanding of the world.


Overall, "Perspective" can be interpreted to be a reflection of the human condition, highlighting our limited understanding of the world and our constant quest for greater knowledge and self-awareness.


Line by Line Meaning

I need perspective 'cause I'm facing the wall
I'm stuck and need a fresh outlook on this situation


I need perspective 'cause I'm not that tall
I can't see everything that's happening, so I need a bigger view


I need perspective heard the trumpet call
Something significant has happened, and I need to reevaluate my understanding of things


Don't trust my eyes want to know where things fall
I'm seeing things, but I don't know if they're truly accurate, so I need to figure out the actual situation


I need perspective party time for the newly wed
There is a celebration, but I need to have a better understanding of what's truly happening


I need perspective colors ran as the images bled
Things are becoming chaotic, and I need to reevaluate my understanding of the situation


I need perspective like confetti on the flower bed
I need a fresh outlook, like confetti being thrown in the air


Don't trust my eyes priest crying he's got fire in his head
I'm seeing something unusual, and I need to question whether or not it's accurate


Oh Gaia, if that's your name
Addressing the earth as if it were a person


Treat you like dirt, but I don't wanna blame
Although we may not always treat the earth well, I don't want to blame it for our actions


Oh Gaia, the wind heats the fire and blows the ash away
Natural processes help to clean up the mess we create


I need perspective sitting in a long long hall
I'm in a situation of waiting or monotony, and I need a fresh viewpoint


I need perspective staring at the white white wall
I'm feeling trapped and unable to move forward or find a way out


I need perspective waiting for the phone to call
I'm anticipating something to happen, but I need a different outlook while I wait


Don't trust my eyes there's one thing I've got to tell you all
I'm seeing something, but I need to convey a message that things may not be as they seem


I need perspective to see through red red skies
There are obstacles or dangerous situations, and I need to see the situation from a different perspective in order to navigate it


I need perspective to carry merchandise
I need to figure out the most efficient and effective way to transport goods


I need perspective I don't trust my eyes
I need to find a different way to perceive things because I might not be seeing things accurately


Don't trust my eyes and I don't like surprise
I don't like situations that sneak up on me, and I need to be prepared with a different perspective


I used to be industrial giant
I was successful in a previous life or stage of my career


Sitting in a garden full of chemical plant
My success came at a cost to the environment


Trying very hard to get you off my mind
I'm trying to move on from the past and the ways things used to be


Acting like any man
I'm behaving in a typical way, like I think I should


Taking you for everything I can
I'm trying to get everything I can out of the situation


Just the same, the same as all my kind
I'm typical and similar to others in my situation


So blind (I need perspective)
I was unaware of the negative consequences of my actions, and I need a new perspective to see the situation clearly


I need perspective
Throughout the song, the singer is continually expressing their need for a new outlook in various situations




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Peter Gabriel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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