"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

Orchestra

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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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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