"Live and Let Live"
Single by Peter Gabriel
from the album I/O
Released	27 November 2023
Genre	Progressive pop[1]
Length	6:46 (bright-side mix) 7:11 (dark-side and in-side mixes)
Label	Real World EMI (UK/Japan) Republic (US/Canada)
Songwriter(s)	Peter Gabriel
Producer(s)	Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel singles chronology
"And Still" (2023) "Live and Let Live" (2023)

"Live and Let Live" is a song by English musician Peter Gabriel, first released on 27 November 2023 as the final single released in promotion of his tenth studio album I/O,^[2] four days before the record's release. It is the final track on the record; the dark-side and in-side mixes of the track are also extended by an additional 25 seconds. The artwork for the single was designed by Nick Cave with his piece "Soundsuit".^[3]

Background

According to Gabriel, the song is about forgiveness, tolerance, and optimism. The track was described by Gabriel as "a joyous, rousingly-positive, closing note for the album".^[3] Elaborating on this, Gabriel stated:

"If we look at what's happening in the Middle East now or in Ukraine, all sorts of places around the world where there's still violence and brutality, to walk around with a bunch of flowers, preaching forgiveness seems trite and pathetic, maybe. But in the long run, I think people have to find a way. 'Peace only happens when you respect the rights of others' is a quote from the Peace University in Costa Rica and I think that's a really important message for me and for my life. You either belong to that hurt or you free yourself and forgiveness is clearly a super effective way of freeing yourself."^[3][4]

The track has also been described as a powerful anthem about love and forgiveness, Gabriel has also stated that when writing the track he had Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu in mind.^[5]

Personnel

• Peter Gabriel – lead vocals, backing vocals, piano, synths, programming, percussion
• David Rhodes – guitars
• Tony Levin – bass
• Manu Katché – drums
• Melanie Gabriel – backing vocals
• Brian Eno – synths, rhythm programming
• Oli Jacobs – programming
• Katie May – percussion
• Richard Chappell – programming
• Paolo Fresu – trumpet
• Steve Gadd – brush loop

Orchestra

• Orchestral arrangement: John Metcalfe and Peter Gabriel
• Violins: Everton Nelson, Ian Humphries, Louisa Fuller, Charles Mutter, Cathy Thompson, Natalia Bonner, Richard George, Marianne Haynes, Martin Burgess, Clare Hayes, Debbie Widdup, and Odile Ollagnon
• Violas: Bruce White, Fiona Bonds, Peter Lale, and Rachel Roberts
• Cellos: Ian Burdge (including solo cello), Chris Worsey, Caroline Dale, William Schofield, Tony Woollard, and Chris Allan
• Double bass: Chris Laurence, Stacy Watton, and Lucy Shaw
• Flute: Eliza Marshall
• French horn: David Pyatt, Richard Bissill
• Tenor trombone: Andy Wood, Tracy Holloway
• Bass trombone: Richard Henry
• Tuba: David Powell
• Orchestra conductor: John Metcalfe
• Orchestra leader: Everton Nelson
• Sheet music supervisor: Dave Foster
• Orchestra contractor: Lucy Whalley and Susie Gillis

Choir The Soweto Gospel Choir Soprano: Linda Sambo, Nobuhle Dhlamini, Phello Jiyane, Victoria Sithole
Alto: Maserame Ndindwa, Phumla Nkhumeleni, Zanele Ngwenya, Duduzile Ngomane
Tenor: George Kaudi, Vusimuzi Shabalala, Xolani Ntombela, Victor Makhathini
Bass: Thabang Mkhwanazi, Goodwill Modawu, Warren Mahlangu, Fanizile Nzuza
Soloists: Phello Jiyane (Soprano), Duduzile Ngomane (Alto), Vusimuzi Shabalala (Tenor), Fanizile Nzuza (Bass), Victor Makhathini (Male voice Zulu improvisations), Phumla Nkhumeleni (Female ululating and chanting)

• Musical director / vocal arranger: Bongani (Honey) Ncube

Charts

References