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Peter Gabriel — Listening Wind
Album: Scratch My Back
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2525









Released: 2010
Length: 4:16
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Mojique sees his village from a nearby hill
Mojique thinks of days before Americans came
He sees(serves) the foreigners in growing numbers
He sees the foreigners in fancy houses
He dreams of days that he can still remember...now.

Mojique holds a package in his quivering hands
Mojique sends the package to the American man
Softly he glides along the streets and alleys
Up comes the wind that makes them run for cover
He feels the time is surely now or never...more.

The wind in my heart
The wind in my heart
The dust in my head
The dust in my head
The wind in my heart
Tu sei sgangheraaa........AT THIS POINT
(Come to) Drive them away
Drive them away.

Mojique buys equipment in the market place
Mojique plants devices through the free trade zone
He feels the wind is lifting up his people
He calls the wind to guide him on his mission
He knows his friend the wind is always standing...by.

Mojique smells the wind that comes from far away
Mojique waits for news in a quiet place
He feels the presence of the wind beside(around) him
He feels the power of the past behind him
He has the knowledge of the wind to guide him...on.
Comments (299)add comment
 TerrorGovernor wrote:

Terrorist times


An insight into why the USA scuttled out of Afghanistan after a 20 year failure

Just saying

If Angelique Kidjo does a cover of this song, I'd sure like to hear it here, Bill.
Most beautiful song about terrorism ever. Haunting but so beautiful.
I enjoy this song, but it does not have the pacing and suspense created by the original.  That song still gives me chills.  
 diggyduffy wrote:


I like PG but David Byrne's original version has an ironic edge, which this song needs and, I imagine, was intended, an edge that PG's mellow voice can't match. Also, an American singing this give it added strength.


I agree, but listening to this, slightly weary version, gives it a 'new' slant to me ...
 ThirdRail_33 wrote:

Great fan of both TH and PG. I think PG nails this song and, a rarity, improves what already was a very good TH piece. IMHO, his production and instrumentation intensifies the chilling lyrics. "Listening Wind" could easily be mistaken for one of PG's own original works. 



I like PG but David Byrne's original version has an ironic edge, which this song needs and, I imagine, was intended, an edge that PG's mellow voice can't match. Also, an American singing this give it added strength.
 phlattop wrote:

Every artist has a peak period and then lesser periods. The well of great ideas runs dry or not as full. Some are able to rely on great craftsmenship (Dylan, McCartney) and some come close. I'm not judging Gabriel here; just pointing out what's inevitable. Beethoven and Mozart may be the only artists that put out equally great work in their final years.

A lot of people expect a McCartney to crank out another "Here, There and Everywhere" or Dylan write another "Idiot Wind" in their 70s. They're still doing good to great work. It's just not at the same inspired level of their masterpieces.


It should be pointed out that both Beethoven and Mozart died young by todays standards.
 dswpro wrote:
To those who are bashing this CD: I really enjoy this work and Peters interpretations of others music. He has more creativity in his toe-jam than most of you have in your entire life. If you find it boring, listen to something else. Come back to it in twenty or thirty years after you grow up and experience some life, like raising kids, losing friends or children before their time, struggling every day to make a difference. You might begin to understand the places Peter draws from to create his music and communicate to us. Until then, take a little sip from a bottle of shut-the-fuck-up.

 
I have noticed that none of the most *snarky* critics have ever shared their music to be judged! Just saying ...
 memoryboxer wrote:
This project frustrates me. I came to it through Elbow's beautiful cover of PG's Mercy Street. Pretty much every artists cover of PG is amazing, some fairly true to originals, others are interesting riffs. Gabriel's album however continually falls flat. Excellent song choices and lush orchestration throughout but nearly every song reduced to the same plodding rhythm and his vocals maintain a monotonous whine and drone. A real pity; I used to find him near godlike in status from Genesis to his first 3 solos (and The Passion IS truly godlike) but sadly he seems to have lost his *oomph*.
 
Every artist has a peak period and then lesser periods. The well of great ideas runs dry or not as full. Some are able to rely on great craftsmenship (Dylan, McCartney) and some come close. I'm not judging Gabriel here; just pointing out what's inevitable. Beethoven and Mozart may be the only artists that put out equally great work in their final years.

A lot of people expect a McCartney to crank out another "Here, There and Everywhere" or Dylan write another "Idiot Wind" in their 70s. They're still doing good to great work. It's just not at the same inspired level of their masterpieces.
Rated this 10 due to the mood, even though he has a terrible Mojique pronunciation. Ugh.
 mrtuba9 wrote:

I wonder why I backed it down to a 6 ¯_(ツ)_/¯ Oh well, back to a 7. Must have been a bad day...

 
Nine.
I love Peter, but this cover doesn't add anything to the original.
Listen to "The Power of the Heart" from this album.  I know some have said that Peter's work on this album is less than fully engaged but that one track proves otherwise, at least to me.
In a strange and odd way, this song reminds me of a famous portuguese one:

Band: Xutos & Pontapés
Song: Remar Remar
Its a pity that "and I scratch yours" failed because many artist were not able/willing to co operate. But Scratch My back is an interesting experiment that many other bands should try. Losing my Religion springs to mind.
I agree - it is one of the occasions the cover outshines the original. But, it also made me go back and listen to the Talking Heads version - and it is better than I remember it.

Geoffrey Oryema (on Peter Gabriel's label) has an excellent cover of Listening Wind, as well.

 ThirdRail_33 wrote:
Great fan of both TH and PG. I think PG nails this song and, a rarity, improves what already was a very good TH piece. IMHO, his production and instrumentation intensifies the chilling lyrics. "Listening Wind" could easily be mistaken for one of PG's own original works. 
 
I wonder why I backed it down to a 6 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Oh well, back to a 7. Must have been a bad day...

Wonderful strings on this.
 alisathegreat wrote:

I would agree. PG seems to simply want to re-hash his old glory tunes and doesn't have anything else in him. I had him at "God-like" when his "SO" album came out, then elevated him even more with his "US" album, esp when I saw him in concert. Canadian Robert LePage had directed his concert, which was amazingly artistic and moving. And then..... fshhhhhhhhhhh..... slowly the balloon of creativity faltered and then nothing. For years. So sad. 
 
I suggest you read the Wiki>>>>
While he may not have made music personally that you've been impressed with, he hardly has been re-hashing his old glory tunes. The same year that he put out Us, he founded WitnessThat's more than most people achieve in a lifetime, and it was most certainly a creative act. If you take a look, you'll see he's hardly been standing still since Us. 
One of the few occasions where the cover is WAY better than the originals. Bravo!
I have this disc in the car this week and there are some killer songs. His version of Lou Reed's  "Power of the Heart" had me in tears as I walked into the building. So beautiful.
 memoryboxer wrote:
This project frustrates me. I came to it through Elbow's beautiful cover of PG's Mercy Street. Pretty much every artists cover of PG is amazing, some fairly true to originals, others are interesting riffs. Gabriel's album however continually falls flat. Excellent song choices and lush orchestration throughout but nearly every song reduced to the same plodding rhythm and his vocals maintain a monotonous whine and drone. A real pity; I used to find him near godlike in status from Genesis to his first 3 solos (and The Passion IS truly godlike) but sadly he seems to have lost his *oomph*.
 
I would agree. PG seems to simply want to re-hash his old glory tunes and doesn't have anything else in him. I had him at "God-like" when his "SO" album came out, then elevated him even more with his "US" album, esp when I saw him in concert. Canadian Robert LePage had directed his concert, which was amazingly artistic and moving. And then..... fshhhhhhhhhhh..... slowly the balloon of creativity faltered and then nothing. For years. So sad. 
 TerrorGovernor wrote:
Terrorist times
 
That's just one way to look at it
This project frustrates me. I came to it through Elbow's beautiful cover of PG's Mercy Street. Pretty much every artists cover of PG is amazing, some fairly true to originals, others are interesting riffs. Gabriel's album however continually falls flat. Excellent song choices and lush orchestration throughout but nearly every song reduced to the same plodding rhythm and his vocals maintain a monotonous whine and drone. A real pity; I used to find him near godlike in status from Genesis to his first 3 solos (and The Passion IS truly godlike) but sadly he seems to have lost his *oomph*.
Terrorist times
Still find this the most difficult PG album to listen to. 
 rrabarg wrote:
I know and love the Talking Heads version of this song - I love orchestration of this cover, especially the strings.  However PGs vocals are not as punctuated or engaging as in the original.  

 
The vocals are stilted and awkward. I suspect he's hoping to capture some of the Rhythm & the Heat magic again. Nope.
I love Peter, but I find this awful. Geoffrey Oryema has a cool version. 

 
 SmackDaddy wrote:
Again with PG. You obsess much?
 
Bill *likes* PG (apparently).  You've aimed the term "obsess" in exactly the wrong direction.
From a purely musical standpoint, monotonous.  Strings intriguing but melody insipid. PG has achieved much better results elsewhere. 
Nice cover.
Why all the hate? 
 Stelvio wrote:
a really bad song
 
Shooting the messenger, American Imperialist!


Again with PG. You obsess much?
 Tomasni wrote:
I like Peter Gabriel
but Listening Wind
  is for me only 5
 


 
Um, good for you?
I like Peter Gabriel
but Listening Wind
  is for me only 5


For a few seconds, I thought RP was going to play this song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rw3q32oPCk 

The Man Who Lived on His Bike! 

I like Peter Gabriel
but Listening Wind
  is for me only 5


J'ai découvert cette chanson avec la reprise de Peter Gabriel : c'est une merveille de sensibilité !
I discovered this song with the cover of Peter Gabriel: it's a marvel of sensitivity!


I know and love the Talking Heads version of this song - I love orchestration of this cover, especially the strings.  However PGs vocals are not as punctuated or engaging as in the original.  

I like Peter Gabriel
but Listening Wind
  is for me only 5


Mojique...
I find it to be very meditative and poetic, a good break from faster rock.
Yes.
It sounds arthur russell to me, sounds good
 fatcatjb wrote:
this song is getting through to me...after many listens. Maybe I have had enough wine for it to make sense. I am a big PG fan from way back...this song I usually find long and irritating...perhaps there is hope for me

 
Same here, except that I'm NOT a big PG fan from the day, quite the opposite actually, never really dug him and in my "olderness" I am finding some of his work to be enjoyable. 

Funny thing is this seems to be one of his lower rated songs on RP; so maybe I'm attracted to his less desirable stuff?

And there's always hope, fatcatjb. 

Peace, Love and RnR...and sex and drugs too - not always in that order ;-)


this song is getting through to me...after many listens. Maybe I have had enough wine for it to make sense. I am a big PG fan from way back...this song I usually find long and irritating...perhaps there is hope for me
This song, after I heard it several times, made me better understand something. Excellent in my book.
And talking heads still suck... 
 MrsTom wrote:
Bumped the rating up on this. Quite understated for PG
 
Agreed
Bumped the rating up on this. Quite understated for PG
 slandering wrote:

I totally agree to Mr. McNaught - thats shitty

 

I totally disagree with you both - your comment is shitty
This is an example of a song I listened to many times as played by the Talking Heads, but never really heard until listening to this version (especially the lyrics!).  To me, that says a lot in favor of this cover. 
Great fan of both TH and PG. I think PG nails this song and, a rarity, improves what already was a very good TH piece. IMHO, his production and instrumentation intensifies the chilling lyrics. "Listening Wind" could easily be mistaken for one of PG's own original works. 
Excellent song.
 Stelvio wrote:
a really bad song

 
Why? You should distinct between your opinion and the reality 
a really bad song
very boring
Great TH-song. I'm off for a while to Spotify to play the superb original.
This  cover is Better than the Talking Heads (I m a huge fan of the TH's). Gabrial is just so dramatic in his cover, it sucks you in to the disbare of the boy and the lost hope of a generation. Heaven help us all.
 fatcatjb wrote:
easily my least favorite PG song

 
This is a Talking Heads song.   The original is better on this one.
 willmcnaught wrote:
Sorry Peter as much as I love your music, The Talking Heads version is sooo much better. {#Rolleyes}

 
I totally agree to Mr. McNaught - thats shitty
easily my least favorite PG song
Sorry Peter as much as I love your music, The Talking Heads version is sooo much better. {#Rolleyes}
 rushfan wrote:
Probably sacrilegious to say, but this is on my list of songs that are better than the original. 

 
And, in my opinion, better than many of the other covers, as well. 
Wow, so poignant given the events in Paris today.
this is a great version of the song, it gives it more depth, he is sounding so sincere 
Wow..I love that song so much.. and how good we have this and the Talking Heads version.!{#Clap}
Probably sacrilegious to say, but this is on my list of songs that are better than the original. 
 oldsaxon wrote:
It's a very creepy song. It was creepy when TH did it and it's creepier when Gabriel does it. It's supposed to unsettle and it's supposed make you think about "why" these things happen and that there are people behind these acts and that they have reasons.

Yes.  Very creepy.  (Write, delete; write something different, delete; write something else, delete; think for a few minutes, and decide that's all I have to say about that.)  Yes, it's a very creepy song.


 arnim wrote:
Why oh why? If you can't improve on a (imho perfect) song, just don't.

 
Agreed.  My favorite Talking Heads song from my favorite album of theirs (Remain in Light.)
A song from the soul of all people who live to see their lands usurped, and their way of life despoiled, by foreign tribes of unsympathetic  strangers.  In light of this it's not so much surprising that the world is the way it is today; more that it's surprising it isn't even more so....

So it goes.
First time I've heard this, or anything from Scratch My Back. It was a neat idea - record an album of covers, then invite the artists you'd covered to record one of your songs in return. I don't think all of the artists Gabriel covered reciprocated, but he did release the counterpart And I'll Scratch Yours last year.

I agree.  This is a Gabriel song I have never heard.  It is awesome. From reading the posts I guess it is a cover.  I still like it.

 


Excellent! More PG please
Nice!
Why oh why? If you can't improve on a (imho perfect) song, just don't.
I'm a fan of Peter Gabriel since so long.
I was found of this song from Talking head.
But sorry i can't stand this cover. What's wrong with you now Peter?

Shut up, Pete!!

 

Run out of own ideas? Burnout?


 ench wrote:
I'm a big Peter Gabriel fan, and the whole orchestration of this song is wonderful, but something about it just seems to rub me the wrong way. I can't quite put my finger on it.

 
It's a very creepy song. It was creepy when TH did it and it's creepier when Gabriel does it. It's supposed to unsettle and it's supposed make you think about "why" these things happen and that there are people behind these acts and that they have reasons.
I'm a big Peter Gabriel fan, and the whole orchestration of this song is wonderful, but something about it just seems to rub me the wrong way. I can't quite put my finger on it.
 bam23 wrote:

The patterns expressed by the sets of specific songs tend to be maintained for some period, often weeks, then disappear for months to years. Anyway, I endlessly read comments here about the excessive frequency of certain songs that I can guarantee I have not heard in months. It seems likely that, depending on when you listen, some songs are likely to show up for you at an unreasonably high frequency. Extreme is always relative to something... 

 

Plus, Bill being the professional that he is, tends to link certain songs or themes rather than stacking songs randomly.  This is one reason why I listen to RP.
 Chipps wrote:
I also reckon that I've heard this about four times in the last week. There are better songs to put on extreme rotation, Bill! 

 
The patterns expressed by the sets of specific songs tend to be maintained for some period, often weeks, then disappear for months to years. Anyway, I endlessly read comments here about the excessive frequency of certain songs that I can guarantee I have not heard in months. It seems likely that, depending on when you listen, some songs are likely to show up for you at an unreasonably high frequency. Extreme is always relative to something... 
I usually don't like Peter Gabriel, but I am absolutely in love with this dreary song. 10
I really admire Peter Gabriel, but I am very sick of this dreary song
I also reckon that I've heard this about four times in the last week. There are better songs to put on extreme rotation, Bill! 
It's a soft and fresh morning, windows open, cloudy summer, comfortable feeling of being at home, listening to the wind and Listening wind.
Serenity is bliss
 Lazarus wrote:

Ahhhh!  Run for the hills!
 

 
Maybe you should perform an exorcism. With dancing. In your franchised mega-church. 


Comparison of naked mole rat and Joel Osteen


The naked mole rat within Reverend Joel Osteen feasts in celebration upon discovering the Achilles heel of Lazarus. Has the global struggle for mankind's soul taken a final turn? Tune in tomorrow, friends! 


A lovely version of the T. Heads song.
I adore PG but I find this song grates on my nerves and then it gets stuck in my head. An immediate mute button leap

Ahhhh!  Run for the hills!


 lily34 wrote:
i swear this was just played yesterday...seems like it.

 
This song has that lasting effect. Not sure it's a good one either. There are so many PG tunes I like far better than this.

Interesting.... the concept of the song, to represent the boy's perspective is great. Unfortunatly, the result is dark. I think the strings communicate the tension quite well. ...a little deep for most people.


I think PG is a genius, but I do not care for this song
 
i swear this was just played yesterday...seems like it.
...fairly loyal Gabriel fan - but I find reading about how late Rihanna was for her concert last night much more interesting than this song...
Ditto.  This doesn't have the tension of the TH version
While I am a huge Gabriel fan, I will stick with the Talking Heads on this one....

Yuck...  sounds like breaking wind...
 DavidS_UK wrote:
I still cannot decide if this is a 5 or 6.
Starts well, but somehow gets stale quickly
 

It's Peter Whiner Gabriel. Of course it gets stale.
I still cannot decide if this is a 5 or 6.
Starts well, but somehow gets stale quickly
 metod wrote:
Try listen to this album with headphones on, undisturbed...like...at night.
A big difference. I find it magical. 
 

you may well be right...as something to listen to as I work I'm really not won over yet.
Try listen to this album with headphones on, undisturbed...like...at night.
A big difference. I find it magical. 
 (former member) wrote:

I am sorry to say it, but yes, this lame version of the song is definitely putrid buttmud...  I get no pleasure saying this song is bad for the nose...


 

Putrid Buttmud.  Love it. 
Oh Romeo, Romeo, where are you??  Get your issues worked out with RP and get yo ass back here!  
I prefer this to the original. It is more melancholy and listenable so I think it gets the point across better.
 romeotuma wrote:


zoophile

What exactly is he doing with his dog? I bet there was a retake on seeing this.
 


 romeotuma wrote:


zoophile
 
Steve Buscemi isn't that close to his brother anymore...
Terrible! -> PSD
Go and listen to the version of Street Spirit from Radiohead in this album. He dilapidated the original song!
 JustJeff wrote:
I didn't realize that this is a Talking Heads song!? Honestly, I prefer PG's version of the song.
 
So THIS is why I don't like this song. Hmmm....
 fandango57 wrote:
I actually happened to be seated near Jerry Harrison at a Peter Gabriel concert last year and when this song was performed I saw a tear run down his cheek.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't because he thought this version was shyte...
 

just imagine the emotions being evoked by hearing a LEGEND like Peter covering something you and your mates wrote...
 rickenbru wrote:

Agreed.  It's not bad... I just like the TH version so much better.
  
Soooooooooo...... much better!
I love a good cover ... and a good string section. Bonus points for both at once.
 
 icemang wrote:
If there wasn't a Talking Heads version that is exponentially better I might like this song. But there is.
 
Agreed.  It's not bad... I just like the TH version so much better.
 lattalo wrote:
I still can't believe Peter Gabriel is not in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame,
???????????? 
 

Eggactly!!!  Most of the inductees are there due popularity.  Why else is Madonna, Buns and Noses, and the Leastie Boys there before PG, Deep Purple and others.  Sorry to pick out those three as examples, I'm just sayin'.
No. Just no.
 JustJeff wrote:
I didn't realize that this is a Talking Heads song!? Honestly, I prefer PG's version of the song.
 
So in the four minutes between when the song ended and when you posted you listed to the THeads version and made up your mind on their relative merits? Impressive work.
I didn't realize that this is a Talking Heads song!? Honestly, I prefer PG's version of the song.
drony and repetitive. ugh!
 lattalo wrote:
I still can't believe Peter Gabriel is not in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame,
???????????? 
 
VERY good point - it's absurd really.
I still can't believe Peter Gabriel is not in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame,
???????????? 
So TRIED to like this album and this song especially (one of my all time favorite Heads tunes) - it's just NOT GOOD at all!