Gabriel has been a champion of world music for much of his career. He co-founded the WOMAD festival in 1982. He has continued to focus on producing and promoting world music through his Real World Records label. He has also pioneered digital distribution methods for music, co-founding OD2, one of the first online music download services. Gabriel has also been involved in numerous humanitarian efforts. In 1980, he released the anti-apartheid single "Biko". He has participated in several human-rights benefit concerts, including Amnesty International's Human Rights Now! tour in 1988, and co-founded the Witness human rights organisation in 1992. Gabriel developed The Elders with Richard Branson, which was launched by Nelson Mandela in 2007.
Gabriel has won three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1987, six Grammy Awards, thirteen MTV Video Music Awards, the first Pioneer Award at the BT Digital Music Awards, the Q magazine Lifetime Achievement, the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the Polar Music Prize. He was made a BMI Icon at the 57th annual BMI London Awards for his "influence on generations of music makers". In recognition of his many years of human rights activism, he received the Man of Peace award from the Nobel Peace Prize laureates in 2006, and Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2008. AllMusic has described Gabriel as "one of rock's most ambitious, innovative musicians, as well as one of its most political". He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010, followed by his induction as a solo artist in 2014. In March 2015, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of South Australia in recognition of his achievements in music.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Gabriel
Studio albums
Peter Gabriel (1977; known as Peter Gabriel 1 and Car)
Peter Gabriel (1978; known as Peter Gabriel 2 and Scratch)
Peter Gabriel (1980; known as Peter Gabriel 3 and Melt)
Peter Gabriel (1982; known as Peter Gabriel 4 and Security)
So (1986)
Us (1992)
Up (2002)
Scratch My Back (2010)
New Blood (2011)
Steam
Peter Gabriel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stand back!
What are those dogs doing sniffing at my feet
They're on to something, picking up
Picking up this heat, this heat
[Chorus 1:]
And how you feel to make it real
Real as anything you've seen
Get a life with this dreamer's dream
You know your culture from your trash
You know your plastic from your cash
When I lose sight of the track
You know the way back
But I know you
You know your stripper from your paint
You know your sinner from your saint
Whenever heaven's doors are shut
You kick them open but
I know you
[Chorus 2:]
Give me steam
And how you feel to make it real
Real as any place you've been
Get a life with the dreamer's dream
Stand back!
Stand back!
Can't you see I've lost control I'm getting indiscreet
You're moving in so close 'til I'm picking up
Picking up this heat, this heat
[Chorus 1]
You know your green from your red
You know the quick from the dead
So much better than the rest
You think you've been blessed
But I know you
You know your ladder from your snake
You know the throttle from the brake
You know your straight line from a curve
You've got a lot of nerve
But I know you
[Chorus 2]
Everybody nosedive
Hold your breath, count to five
Back-slap, booby-trap,
Cover it up in bubble wrap
Room shake, earthquake
Find a way to stay awake
It's going to blow, it's going to break
This is more than I can take
Oh yeah, I need steam
Feel the steam all around me
Ah you're turning up the heat
When I start to dream aloud
See you move your hands and feet
Won't you step into this cloud of steam
This steam
[Chorus 1]
Help me yeah
Ready to steam out the log jam
Stir crazy from the freezer to the boil
Water's bubbling, it's b-b-b-bubbling
Bubbling [Repeat x 4]
Like it's coming to a boil
Give me steam, lady
Give me steam around me now
Ahh, coming alive [Repeat x 2]
Said give me some steam
The lyrics to Peter Gabriel's "Steam" delve into themes of control, power, and intensity. The opening lines command the listener to "stand back" twice, as if warning them of the explosive energy to come. Gabriel then wonders about the dogs sniffing at his feet, implying that the people around him are onto something and can sense the heat of a powerful moment. The chorus is an invocation for "steam," which could be interpreted as raw energy or emotion that is necessary to make a dream or desire a reality. Gabriel speaks to someone who seems to have a clear understanding of the world around them, knowing the difference between culture and trash, plastic and cash, and sinners and saints. Despite this, Gabriel asserts that he "knows" the person, which could indicate that he possesses a deeper knowledge or understanding beyond their surface-level perception. The second chorus again calls for "steam," asking for the emotion/willpower to be real as any place the singer has been.
The second half of the song increases in intensity as Gabriel exclaims that he has lost control and that the heat is causing him to become indiscreet. He again affirms that the person he is speaking to knows the difference between things like green and red, quick and dead, and ladder and snake. However, Gabriel also implies that the person may have a bit too much confidence or nerve, saying "you think you've been blessed, but I know you." The song then builds to a chaotic ending, with the repeated line "give me steam" urging for more of this energy to power through whatever obstacle is in the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand back!
Warning to stand back and not interfere with what is to come.
Stand back!
Reiteration of the warning for someone to stand back.
What are those dogs doing sniffing at my feet
People are paying attention to me and what I'm doing.
They're on to something, picking up
They sense that something is happening or about to happen.
Picking up this heat, this heat
They are noticing the intensity of the situation.
Give me steam
Give me the energy and power to make something happen.
And how you feel to make it real
Use your emotions to make your dreams a reality.
Real as anything you've seen
Make your dreams so real that they are indistinguishable from reality.
Get a life with this dreamer's dream
Live a better life with the power of your dreams.
You know your culture from your trash
You are able to distinguish between the valuable and the worthless.
You know your plastic from your cash
You know the difference between things that are fake and things that are real.
When I lose sight of the track
When I lose direction or focus,
You know the way back
You are able to guide me back on track.
But I know you
But I know that you have your own agenda and motivations.
You know your stripper from your paint
You are able to discern between serious and superficial qualities.
You know your sinner from your saint
You can distinguish between good and bad people.
Whenever heaven's doors are shut
When things seem hopeless or impossible,
You kick them open but
You have a way of overcoming obstacles.
I know you
But I know that you have your own motivations and goals, even if they conflict with mine.
Can't you see I've lost control I'm getting indiscreet
I'm losing my grip on the situation and becoming too emotional or revealing too much.
You're moving in so close 'til I'm picking up
You are getting too close to me, and I'm starting to notice the intensity of the situation.
Picking up this heat, this heat
I'm noticing the intensity of the situation, and it's making me react emotionally.
You know your green from your red
You know the difference between right and wrong.
You know the quick from the dead
You are able to make quick decisions that can make the difference between success and failure.
So much better than the rest
You are superior to other people in your ability to discern and make decisions.
You think you've been blessed
You believe that your abilities are a gift and that you are meant to succeed.
But I know you
But I know that you have your own motivations and goals, even if they conflict with mine.
You know your ladder from your snake
You are able to tell the difference between a beneficial opportunity and a harmful one.
You know the throttle from the brake
You can recognize when to take action and when to hold back.
You know your straight line from a curve
You are able to distinguish between the right and the wrong path to take.
You've got a lot of nerve
You are able to take risks and make bold decisions in the face of uncertainty.
Everybody nosedive
Everyone is taking a sudden plunge or a sudden loss of value or status.
Hold your breath, count to five
Take a moment to assess the situation and gather your thoughts before reacting.
Back-slap, booby-trap,
A situation that involves friendly advice before a harmful surprise.
Cover it up in bubble wrap
Protect yourself from negative consequences by taking precautions.
Room shake, earthquake
The intensity of the situation is increasing to a point where it could potentially cause harm.
Find a way to stay awake
Stay alert and keep your mind focused even when things get tough.
It's going to blow, it's going to break
The situation is reaching a critical mass and could potentially result in disaster.
This is more than I can take
The pressure of the situation is overwhelming and unbearable.
Oh yeah, I need steam
I need energy and power to overcome the obstacles I'm facing.
Feel the steam all around me
I'm surrounded by energy and excitement that is empowering me.
Ah you're turning up the heat
You are increasing the intensity of the situation and pushing me to my limits.
When I start to dream aloud
When I start to talk about my aspirations and goals,
See you move your hands and feet
You become more engaged and active in helping me achieve my goals.
Won't you step into this cloud of steam
Join me in this empowering and exciting situation.
Help me yeah
Assist me in achieving my goals and overcoming obstacles.
Ready to steam out the log jam
I'm ready to overcome obstacles and achieve my goals.
Stir crazy from the freezer to the boil
I'm going crazy with anticipation and excitement for what is to come.
Water's bubbling, it's b-b-b-bubbling
The anticipation and excitement is building to a critical mass, like water boiling over a fire.
Bubbling [Repeat x 4]
The intensity and excitement is continuing to build.
Like it's coming to a boil
The situation is reaching a critical turning point where something is about to happen.
Give me steam, lady
Give me the energy and power to achieve my goals and overcome obstacles, particularly from a female perspective.
Give me steam around me now
Surround me with energy and excitement to empower me to achieve my goals.
Ahh, coming alive [Repeat x 2]
The energy and excitement is causing me to feel alive and empowered.
Said give me some steam
I'm asking for the power and energy to achieve my goals and overcome obstacles.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER GABRIEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesdominguez7685
I love how even though the technology is dated, the sheer imagination on display still makes it fun to watch.
@trysometruth
Well put.
@libby5623
It’s adorable. And so much lighter than some of his older work.
@idjut1080
Untouchable
@thomaselliott573
even though you are a fool
@somedumbozzie1539
More fun to watch you needed to use your imagination.
@TheMarcusEly
Yet another killer bass line. Along with Peter’s amazing vocals. A winning combination.
@Booogieman
Thanks to Tony Levin!
@standhd
Tony Levin featuring his Funk Fingers.
@Shoregrey
To add to the other commenters: Tony Levin of Prog rock staples King Crimson and Liquid Tension Experiment