Peter Gabriel — Road to Joy
Album: i/oAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1724
Length: 5:15
Plays (last 30 days): 9
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Waking up, waking up, waking up...
Waking up the road to joy
So as swollen skies
Look for anchors, look for tides
Sharp sounds swim around
Soaking into the brittle ground
Been so many days, been held inside this body
Been so many days and there's nothing to do
Been so many days, and you're throbbing at the darkness
Been so many days, I've been waiting for you
Back in the world
Waking up the road to joy
Love comes through the walls
Wants the earth wherever it falls
Life's form won't calm you down
Going in for another round
This is how it goes, I've been listening to the voices
This is how it goes, you were sure I was gone
This is how it goes in a state of meditation
This is how it goes, I've been waiting for you
Back in the world
Waking up the road to joy
Back in the world
Walking down the road to joy
The engine stops and silence pours
Fills the holes and cracks, don't fuse
Young and old, girl and boy
Dance along the road to joy
Picture sharpens in your head
Opens up when it's been read
All the things you strain to see
Come on, darling, come to me
Show your eyes, show your teeth
That's the way to build belief
Touch my hair, touch my knee
You can wake up every part of me
Get the blood to flow in every nook and cranny
Get the blood to flow from my head to my toes
Get the blood to flow, flowing all around me
Get the blood to flow with the life in my soul
Back in the world
Walking down the road to joy
Just when you think it can't get worse
The mind reveals the universe
Opens up a distant star
It gives you straight just who you are
I'm more a dog, you're more a cat
Then we're getting bored of that
Alive again, upon a snake
Then we jump into the lake
Waking up the road to joy
So as swollen skies
Look for anchors, look for tides
Sharp sounds swim around
Soaking into the brittle ground
Been so many days, been held inside this body
Been so many days and there's nothing to do
Been so many days, and you're throbbing at the darkness
Been so many days, I've been waiting for you
Back in the world
Waking up the road to joy
Love comes through the walls
Wants the earth wherever it falls
Life's form won't calm you down
Going in for another round
This is how it goes, I've been listening to the voices
This is how it goes, you were sure I was gone
This is how it goes in a state of meditation
This is how it goes, I've been waiting for you
Back in the world
Waking up the road to joy
Back in the world
Walking down the road to joy
The engine stops and silence pours
Fills the holes and cracks, don't fuse
Young and old, girl and boy
Dance along the road to joy
Picture sharpens in your head
Opens up when it's been read
All the things you strain to see
Come on, darling, come to me
Show your eyes, show your teeth
That's the way to build belief
Touch my hair, touch my knee
You can wake up every part of me
Get the blood to flow in every nook and cranny
Get the blood to flow from my head to my toes
Get the blood to flow, flowing all around me
Get the blood to flow with the life in my soul
Back in the world
Walking down the road to joy
Just when you think it can't get worse
The mind reveals the universe
Opens up a distant star
It gives you straight just who you are
I'm more a dog, you're more a cat
Then we're getting bored of that
Alive again, upon a snake
Then we jump into the lake
Comments (65)add comment
Wow, it's been nearly a year, and I'm still freaking out about how much I dig this great song. Those unique, soulful vocals and KILLER LYRICS make it one of my all-time favorite songs by him! When I consider how his truly genius early work on Trespass, Nursery Cryme, and Foxtrot blew me away more than 50 years ago, it is beyond impressive, though! THANKS, PG and RP!
Laptopdog wrote:
THANK YOU to whomever uploaded i/o.
I'll bet you're a lot of fun at parties.
Parties are WAY overrated. Just so you know.
THANK YOU to whomever uploaded i/o.
I'll bet you're a lot of fun at parties.
Parties are WAY overrated. Just so you know.
sunybuny wrote:
THANK YOU to whomever uploaded i/o.
CoYoT51 wrote:
to WHOEVER uploaded. Whoever here is the subject to the verb "to upload", so WHO, no WHOM.
I'll bet you're a lot of fun at parties.
THANK YOU to whomever uploaded i/o.
CoYoT51 wrote:
to WHOEVER uploaded. Whoever here is the subject to the verb "to upload", so WHO, no WHOM.
I'll bet you're a lot of fun at parties.
MayBaby wrote:
Watch out: Grammar Police on task.
THANK YOU to whomever uploaded i/o.
to WHOEVER downloaded. Whoever here is the subject to the verb "to upload", so WHO, no WHOM.
*To ... *uploaded
Great song, BTW
to WHOEVER downloaded. Whoever here is the subject to the verb "to upload", so WHO, no WHOM.
*To ... *uploaded
Great song, BTW
Watch out: Grammar Police on task.
joko63808 wrote:
Yes!
I am amused that he periodically goes back to the well with his pop formulae, gathers a new pile of money and then goes off to do whatever he likes.
examples: Steam, Big Time, Sledge Hammer are all the same song.
Cue Blues Traveller: The Hook.
Kiss that frog Part 2 ?
Yes!
I am amused that he periodically goes back to the well with his pop formulae, gathers a new pile of money and then goes off to do whatever he likes.
examples: Steam, Big Time, Sledge Hammer are all the same song.
Cue Blues Traveller: The Hook.
sunybuny wrote:
THANK YOU to whomever uploaded i/o.
CoYoT51 wrote:
to WHOEVER downloaded. Whoever here is the subject to the verb "to upload", so WHO, no WHOM.
*To ... *uploaded
Great song, BTW
THANK YOU to whomever uploaded i/o.
CoYoT51 wrote:to WHOEVER downloaded. Whoever here is the subject to the verb "to upload", so WHO, no WHOM.
*To ... *uploaded
Great song, BTW
sunybuny wrote:
to WHOEVER uploaded. Whoever here is the subject to the verb "to upload", so WHO, no WHOM.
THANK YOU to whomever uploaded i/o.
to WHOEVER uploaded. Whoever here is the subject to the verb "to upload", so WHO, no WHOM.
Klingt nicht neu, aber gut.
First song I've heard off of this album(s) that I actually like at first listen.
This album is so confusing with all of the different mixes of the same songs. Maybe as time passes I'll dig deeper into.
I'll give it an 8 for now.
This album is so confusing with all of the different mixes of the same songs. Maybe as time passes I'll dig deeper into.
I'll give it an 8 for now.
joko63808 wrote:
I'm not hearing that at all. It's the same voice, though. Pretty amazing that he can keep going so strong!
Kiss that frog Part 2 ?
I'm not hearing that at all. It's the same voice, though. Pretty amazing that he can keep going so strong!
Uh, 'Kiss That Frog' would like a word, Peter ...
I like what I hear. Though the hook sounds a lot like Massive Attack's Atlas Air.
I like this: feeling some Genius of Love, Kiss the Frog, and maybe Carpet Crawlers.
Bill Your recent comment seems rather unusual indeed. Never say never holds true. Best to you and Lady R. 
I'm pretty damn impressed. Easy to consider many rock stars as washed up and producing weak material in their 70s, but this is not the case here. Same goes for Robert Plant, he keeps delivering great music.
i feel like the guitar line is an audio reference to Bowie's "Let's Dance."
I was channeling Golden Years, hearing the instrumentation...love this tune
Nice. Just nice.
I was waiting for new stuff to be far more interesting.
I was waiting for new stuff to be far more interesting.
joko63808 wrote:
That's what I was thinking
Kiss that frog Part 2 ?
That's what I was thinking
aspicer wrote:
For sure! I saw the show in Chicago - VERY impressive.
Bragging -> I saw him on most tours (including Amnesty) starting with album 4. When he walked into the crowd using armrests he walked right between me and Bob. We held up the Gabe!
For sure! I saw the show in Chicago - VERY impressive.
Bragging -> I saw him on most tours (including Amnesty) starting with album 4. When he walked into the crowd using armrests he walked right between me and Bob. We held up the Gabe!
I’ve heard this song many times on RP. It lifts me up every time.
So good to see Mr. Gabriel still producing great works.
So good to see Mr. Gabriel still producing great works.
PG sounding EXACTLY like PG. Excellent!
A cool box set of I/O is being released tomorrow for any big fans (like me).
covers are lazy
BigR wrote:
Wow, thank you for helping out here. I heard that, something, just couldn't for the life of me pinpoint the other song. Tip-of-the-tongue kinda thing that just wouldn't come to me. You nailed it
Please tell me someone else hears my favourite part of Closer (Nine Inch Nails) - the outro that was always lurking - as the hook in this! (Sorry about the 'u' yeah - Canadian). Our outros are lurking, and this wonderful song is a bridge from where we were (dancing to NIN) to where we're going. Sorry if it is just so obvious that no one has commented on it yet. This is not a "stealing" 'dig' (ha) at the composer, just an observation from someone who loves hearing how musicians lift each other... for everyone. Well played, Mr. G! And Trent, others have lifted you, too, to become another ground breaker. (Loved your work in Quake, too!). Peter and Trent, you have both inspired a best friend and now-successful LA composer friend of mine.
Thank you! :)
Wow, thank you for helping out here. I heard that, something, just couldn't for the life of me pinpoint the other song. Tip-of-the-tongue kinda thing that just wouldn't come to me. You nailed it
Nice surprize from Peter. Bravo !!!
Please tell me someone else hears my favourite part of Closer (Nine Inch Nails) - the outro that was always lurking - as the hook in this! (Sorry about the 'u' yeah - Canadian). Our outros are lurking, and this wonderful song is a bridge from where we were (dancing to NIN) to where we're going. Sorry if it is just so obvious that no one has commented on it yet. This is not a "stealing" 'dig' (ha) at the composer, just an observation from someone who loves hearing how musicians lift each other... for everyone. Well played, Mr. G! And Trent, others have lifted you, too, to become another ground breaker. (Loved your work in Quake, too!). Peter and Trent, you have both inspired a best friend and now-successful LA composer friend of mine.
Thank you! :)
Thank you! :)
Overplayed!
Edweirdo wrote:
I would save your money ... there's very little difference between the two mixes, and certainly not enough to warrant buying the whole album twice.
Or just buy the CD or digital tracks and get both bright and dark side mixes included.
I would save your money ... there's very little difference between the two mixes, and certainly not enough to warrant buying the whole album twice.
Or just buy the CD or digital tracks and get both bright and dark side mixes included.
So many nuanced sounds and instrumentation on this track (whole album really), turning it up a bit will help you fully appreciate how good this really is!
petecallaghan wrote:
I would save your money ... there's very little difference between the two mixes, and certainly not enough to warrant buying the whole album twice.
My wife bought me the bright side album on vinyl. He matches an artist and an example of their art to each song, along with a page of explanation for each, making the double album a multifaceted experience.
Now I wonder if the dark side mix has its own art....
I would save your money ... there's very little difference between the two mixes, and certainly not enough to warrant buying the whole album twice.
My wife bought me the bright side album on vinyl. He matches an artist and an example of their art to each song, along with a page of explanation for each, making the double album a multifaceted experience.
Now I wonder if the dark side mix has its own art....
Now I wonder if the dark side mix has its own art....
That voice brings me unfettered joy and so many happy memories.
A catchy tune! Had the tab minimized, thought it was TV on the Radio haha
joko63808 wrote:
I made a similar comment before I saw yours. I suppose it isn't easy to completely divorce yourself from your own music as a musician. It's still Gabriel to the soul, though.
Kiss that frog Part 2 ?
I made a similar comment before I saw yours. I suppose it isn't easy to completely divorce yourself from your own music as a musician. It's still Gabriel to the soul, though.
Exciting new work... I love it! This has the feel of an instant classic; a tantalizing blend of familiar and new... Very catchy stuff! Way to bring it back BIG, Mr. G!
Overplayed!
Sounds to me like 'ol Peter of the Gabriel clan has come 'round to epiphany. Dancin' along the road to Joy, indeed. So it goes for each and every one of us. That moment of pure and total focus on a scene of Infinite light. All it needs is you seeing it.
Highlow~
Highlow~
Baby Kiss That Frog!
Nice. "This is how it goes in a state of meditation." HA! Sets me in mind of what was once said about enlightenment. Before it occurs, you wash clothes, cook meals and tote water. After enlightenment, you wash clothes, cook meals and tote water. 😏
Manu Katche & Tony Levin! 
Pretty groovy. I like it! Got a Shaking the Tree kind of vibe.
joko63808 wrote:
Yeah! Also feels a bit like David Bowie's "I'm Afraid of Americans"--but happier...
Kiss that frog Part 2 ?
Yeah! Also feels a bit like David Bowie's "I'm Afraid of Americans"--but happier...
Wow, if you're going to have a complete return to form, Peter Gabriel is here to show you how to do that!! Just going to pop this straight into my playlist 
Gabriel singing about his Peter..... simple joy. The album is quite excellent, Playing For Time really connects with me as I inch towards retirement and will finally have time for my Road to Joy.
THANK YOU to whomever uploaded i/o.
Kiss that frog Part 2 ?
Great to hear this great new song live at his Vancouver concert in October 2023! Great show. Also was very conscientious in regularly highlighting/recognizing the other musicians playing with him at that show!
gregoryt wrote:
Awesome. My wife and I flew from Portland to San Francisco to see him/them/his tribute to other artists. I forever regretted not seeing the Secret World Tour in 1993 when I lived there. But, my daughter and I relived Secret World many many times when she was young. We'd watch it at night when I got home from work. It was therefore called "Night Music". She'd dress up as Genesis era Gabriel (frequently the "flower" or the "bat" - those of you who partook in those early Genesis days know of what I speak).
Wow - that is super cool. I like that ritual.
Awesome. My wife and I flew from Portland to San Francisco to see him/them/his tribute to other artists. I forever regretted not seeing the Secret World Tour in 1993 when I lived there. But, my daughter and I relived Secret World many many times when she was young. We'd watch it at night when I got home from work. It was therefore called "Night Music". She'd dress up as Genesis era Gabriel (frequently the "flower" or the "bat" - those of you who partook in those early Genesis days know of what I speak).
Wow - that is super cool. I like that ritual.
derrylm1 wrote:
With ya' - no question, probably 2024 as well!
One of my favourite albums of 2023. So great.
With ya' - no question, probably 2024 as well!
One of my favourite albums of 2023. So great.
Thank you !
4 kind of horses would be great too ;-)
4 kind of horses would be great too ;-)
aspicer wrote:
For sure! I saw the show in Chicago - VERY impressive.
Awesome. My wife and I flew from Portland to San Francisco to see him/them/his tribute to other artists. I forever regretted not seeing the Secret World Tour in 1993 when I lived there. But, my daughter and I relived Secret World many many times when she was young. We'd watch it at night when I got home from work. It was therefore called "Night Music". She'd dress up as Genesis era Gabriel (frequently the "flower" or the "bat" - those of you who partook in those early Genesis days know of what I speak).
For sure! I saw the show in Chicago - VERY impressive.
Awesome. My wife and I flew from Portland to San Francisco to see him/them/his tribute to other artists. I forever regretted not seeing the Secret World Tour in 1993 when I lived there. But, my daughter and I relived Secret World many many times when she was young. We'd watch it at night when I got home from work. It was therefore called "Night Music". She'd dress up as Genesis era Gabriel (frequently the "flower" or the "bat" - those of you who partook in those early Genesis days know of what I speak).
This new lp is amazing. It sounds like it was recorded around the same time as So and Us. His music is so original and amazing. I saw the So tour in DC. In my all time top 5 of all live shows I have attended and I have been to many. Pure talent!
Never heard this prior to now. Love it. 8
Since the year is not showing for new songs on the legacy.radioparadise.com website, this song was released in June 2023 .
Freaking incredible, this sounds just like classic Peter Gabriel from the mid 80s - early 90s. However I see that parts of this album I/O were developed as far back as 1995.
So far in my count we have 2 songs from this powerful album (albumS really) on RP - keep'em coming William! There are several great ones.
dfphillips1 wrote:
For sure! I saw the show in Chicago - VERY impressive.
Very pleased to see this new material from Peter Gabriel. Saw his tour in CA in October, 2023. A stunning visual and musical experience!
For sure! I saw the show in Chicago - VERY impressive.
really sweet song by peter, gave it a 9
New PG!! Sweet!!
This is a groovy tune!!
This is a groovy tune!!
I've been following the slow release of this album with great interest and anticipation - Peter Gabriel is, like Bowie, one of those artists who can almost do no wrong. While I haven't particularly loved some of his later releases, this is a genuine return to form.
Very pleased to see this new material from Peter Gabriel. Saw his tour in CA in October, 2023. A stunning visual and musical experience!
First comment... Nice
Yes!
I am amused that he periodically goes back to the well with his pop formulae, gathers a new pile of money and then goes off to do whatever he likes.
examples: Steam, Big Time, Sledge Hammer are all the same song.
Cue Blues Traveller: The Hook.
Oh noes! Peter Gabriel sounds like Peter Gabriel.