Live and Let Live (Peter Gabriel song)

"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, 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".

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". 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."

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.

Personnel

Peter Gabriel – lead vocals, backing vocals, piano, synths, programming, tambourine
David Rhodes – guitars
Tony Levin – bass
Manu Katché – drums
Melanie Gabriel – backing vocals
Brian Eno – additional synths, morph kit
Oli Jacobs – programming
Katie May – clay pot
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

Chart performance for "Live and Let Live"
Chart (2023)	Peak position
German Downloads (Offizielle Download Top 100)	52
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)	74

References

"Peter Gabriel: i/o – A late addition to your albums-of-the-year list". The Irish Times.
News |, A. B. C. (2023-11-27). "Peter Gabriel drops final song from 'i/o', "Live and Let Live"". KSHE 95. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
^ "Live and Let Live". PeterGabriel.com. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
"Peter Gabriel Releases Final 'i/o' Track, "Live And Let Live": Listen". Stereogum. 2023-11-27. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
"Listen: Peter Gabriel Delivers Final 'i/o' Preview on "Live and Let Live"". Jambands. 2023-11-27. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
"Download Charts Single". GfK Entertainment charts. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
"Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 December 2023.

v t e Peter Gabriel
Studio albums	Peter Gabriel (Car) Peter Gabriel (Scratch) Peter Gabriel (Melt) Peter Gabriel (Security) So Us Up Scratch My Back New Blood I/O
Live albums	Plays Live Plays Live Highlights Secret World Live Live Blood Back to Front: Live in London Growing Up Live
Singles	"Solsbury Hill" "Modern Love" "D.I.Y." "Games Without Frontiers" "No Self Control" "Biko" "I Don't Remember" "Shock the Monkey" "I Have the Touch" "Wallflower" "Sledgehammer" "In Your Eyes" "Don't Give Up" "Big Time" "Red Rain" "Shaking the Tree" "Digging in the Dirt" "Steam" "Blood of Eden" "Kiss That Frog" "While the Earth Sleeps" "When You're Falling" "The Barry Williams Show" "More Than This" "Growing Up "Burn You Up, Burn You Down" "Darkness" "Down to Earth" "Panopticom" "The Court" "Playing for Time" "I/O" "Four Kinds of Horses" "Road to Joy" "So Much" "Olive Tree" "Love Can Heal" "This Is Home" "And Still" "Live and Let Live"
Songs	"Here Comes the Flood" "On the Air" "Intruder" "Family Snapshot" "The Rhythm of the Heat" "San Jacinto" "That Voice Again" "Mercy Street" "We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)" "This is the Picture (Excellent Birds)" "Come Talk to Me" "Secret World" "Sky Blue"
Soundtracks	Birdy Passion OVO Long Walk Home
Compilations	Shaking the Tree: Sixteen Golden Greats Revisited Hit Rated PG Flotsam and Jetsam
Concert tours	Secret World Tour Back to Front Tour i/o The Tour
Films	Secret World Live Growing Up: Live Still Growing Up: Live & Unwrapped
Video games	Xplora1: Peter Gabriel's Secret World Eve Myst IV: Revelation
Other	Discography Genesis WOMAD Passion – Sources The Story of OVO Millennium Dome Show Play: The Videos Big Blue Ball And I'll Scratch Yours Real World Records Real World Studios Solid State Logic (SSL)
Peter Gabriel discography

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