"The Court"
Single by Peter Gabriel
from the album I/O
Released
  • 5 February 2023 (dark-side mix)
  • 20 February 2023 (bright-side and in-side mixes)
Studio
Length4:20
Label
Songwriter(s)Peter Gabriel
Producer(s)Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel singles chronology
"Panopticom"
(2023)
"The Court"
(2023)
"Playing for Time"
(2023)

"The Court" is a song by English musician Peter Gabriel. A version of the song mixed by Tchad Blake, titled the "Dark-Side Mix", was released on 5 February 2023.[1] Much like "Panopticom", the single's release date was chosen to coincide with a full moon.[2] The song's "free-form, impressionistic lyric that connected to justice" concerns the balance between the necessity of the legal system and the abuse of power that happens within it.[3] The song was partially inspired by the work of NAMATI, a charity "dedicated to putting the power of law in the hands of people."[2]

Versions of the song entitled the "Bright-Side Mix" (done by Mark "Spike" Stent) and the "In-Side Mix" were released.[4] The single's cover art features the photograph "Lifting the Curse" by Tim Shaw, who created the artwork as a response to a "curse" levied by artists Gilbert & George on the Royal Academy of Arts after the institution refused to showcase their work.[5] Gabriel commented that "This particular image has an unusual story attached, but I just responded to the photograph of this very strange figure that was being ritualistically burnt. The story behind it, I only discovered afterwards."[6]

John Metcalfe and Gabriel came up with the song's orchestral arrangements, which were recorded at British Grove Studios using many members from the New Blood Orchestra.[6]

Personnel

  • Peter Gabriel – lead vocals, backing vocals, piano, synthesizer, rhythm programming, orchestral arrangement
  • Manu Katché – drums
  • Tony Levin – bass guitar
  • David Rhodes – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Eno – synthesizer, percussion
  • Katie May – percussion
  • Melanie Gabriel – backing vocals
  • Richard Chapell – rhythm programming
Orchestra
  • Orchestral arrangement and conducting: John Metcalfe
  • Orchestra leader: Everton Nelson
  • Violins: Natalia Bonner, Martin Burgess, Louisa Fuller, Richard George, Clare Hayes, Marianne Haynes, Ian Humphries, Charles Mutter, Everton Nelson, Odile Ollagnon, Cathy Thompson, Debbie Widdup
  • Violas: Fiona Bonds, Peter Lale, Rachel Roberts, Bruce White
  • Cellos: Chris Allen, Ian Burdge, Caroline Dale, William Shofield, Tony Woolard, Chris Worsey
  • Double bass: Chris Laurence, Lucy Shaw, Stacey Watton
  • Flute: Eliza Marshall
  • Trumpet: Andrew Crowley
  • Bass trombone: Richard Henry
  • Tenor trombone: Tracy Holloway, Andy Wood
  • Euphonium: Andy Wood
  • Tuba: David Powell

Charts

Chart performance for "The Court"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[7] 59

References

  1. Benitez-Eves, Tina (6 February 2023). "Peter Gabriel Unveils 'Dark-Side' Version of New Single "The Court"". American Songwriter. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. 1 2 Shutler, Ali (5 February 2023). "Peter Gabriel releases new song "The Court" about "unfair" justice system". NME. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  3. Young, Andy (5 February 2023). "Peter Gabriel Reveals "The Court" from Upcoming Album i/o". Consequence. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  4. Rettig, James (5 February 2023). "Peter Gabriel Shares New Song "The Court"". Stereogum. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  5. "Tim Shaw - Lifting the Curse". timshawsculptor.com. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  6. 1 2 "The Court". PeterGabriel.com. 5 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  7. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
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