Peter Gabriel – Biko
Tracklist
| A | Biko | 8:56 | |
| B1 | Shosholoza | 5:15 | |
| B2 | Jetzt Kommt Die Flut | 4:54 |
Companies, etc.
- Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Charisma Records Ltd.
- Marketed By – Phonogram Ltd.
- Distributed By – Phonogram Ltd.
- Recorded By – Charisma Records Ltd.
- Pressed By – CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton
- Published By – Peter Gabriel Ltd.
- Published By – Hit & Run Music (Publishers) Limited
- Published By – Diplomat Music
- Recorded At – Crescent Studios
- Remixed At – Crescent Studios
- Lacquer Cut At – The Sound Clinic
Credits
- Engineer [Engineered By] – David Lord
- Engineer [From The Original Tapes Engineered By] – Hugh Padgham
- Lacquer Cut By – Jonz*
- Producer [From The Original Tapes Produced By] – Steve Lillywhite
- Producer [Produced By] – Peter Gabriel
Notes
B2 is a German version of "Here Comes The Flood".
[Labels:]
℗ 1980 Charisma Records Ltd.
Original sound recording made by Charisma Records Ltd.
Side A:
Peter Gabriel Ltd/Hit & Run Music Pub Ltd
Side B:
(1) Diplomat Music
(2) Peter Gabriel Ltd/Hit & Run Music Pub Ltd
Track durations do not appear on the release.
Runouts:
- Runouts are etched except for the stamped Aston Clinton stamper numbers and letter 'A'
- Letter A appears as a "broken" A (Λ)
[Back cover:]
Who:
Bantu Stephen Biko was a young South African leader who died in 1977 as a result of injuries received during interrogations by the South African Security Police. For further information, I would suggest the book "Biko" by Donald Woods on Penguin.
Why the song:
I believe Steve Biko was very important. He could have been a very positive force in Africa and a leader young people all over the world could have identified with.
When I heard of Steve Biko's detention on the radio, I was sure that publicity would protect him. World attention had been attracted to the large number of prison suicides: slipping in showers, jumping from windows and hanging . . . I was shocked one breakfast to hear of his death and wrote some thoughts down in my diary which were to be the start of the lyrics two years later.
Why put it out differently:
Some people have questioned the motive for putting this out as a 12" and a single when two other singles have been taken off the album.
Firstly I wanted the song to be available to anyone who did not want to spend the money for an album, secondly I would like to hear it on the radio and thirdly, since recording it in another language I have approached the mix differently and wanted to have an alternate version available in English. The vocal track has been re-recorded and the track re-mixed.
What "Shosholoza" means:
"Shosholoza" (Go in Peace) was one of the tracks off the soundtrack LP Dingaka that inspired the direction for the music of the song "Biko". The original is an unaccompanied chant to which I have added an arrangement and a new rhythmic section of the song.
Thanks to Mercury Records Inc. for permission to use "Shosholoza".
The proceeds of this song go to the Steve Biko Black Consciousness Movement. Thanks to Charisma Records for their contribution.
Re-recorded and re-mixed at Crescent Studios, Bath.
[Labels:]
℗ 1980 Charisma Records Ltd.
Original sound recording made by Charisma Records Ltd.
Side A:
Peter Gabriel Ltd/Hit & Run Music Pub Ltd
Side B:
(1) Diplomat Music
(2) Peter Gabriel Ltd/Hit & Run Music Pub Ltd
Track durations do not appear on the release.
Runouts:
- Runouts are etched except for the stamped Aston Clinton stamper numbers and letter 'A'
- Letter A appears as a "broken" A (Λ)
[Back cover:]
Who:
Bantu Stephen Biko was a young South African leader who died in 1977 as a result of injuries received during interrogations by the South African Security Police. For further information, I would suggest the book "Biko" by Donald Woods on Penguin.
Why the song:
I believe Steve Biko was very important. He could have been a very positive force in Africa and a leader young people all over the world could have identified with.
When I heard of Steve Biko's detention on the radio, I was sure that publicity would protect him. World attention had been attracted to the large number of prison suicides: slipping in showers, jumping from windows and hanging . . . I was shocked one breakfast to hear of his death and wrote some thoughts down in my diary which were to be the start of the lyrics two years later.
Why put it out differently:
Some people have questioned the motive for putting this out as a 12" and a single when two other singles have been taken off the album.
Firstly I wanted the song to be available to anyone who did not want to spend the money for an album, secondly I would like to hear it on the radio and thirdly, since recording it in another language I have approached the mix differently and wanted to have an alternate version available in English. The vocal track has been re-recorded and the track re-mixed.
What "Shosholoza" means:
"Shosholoza" (Go in Peace) was one of the tracks off the soundtrack LP Dingaka that inspired the direction for the music of the song "Biko". The original is an unaccompanied chant to which I have added an arrangement and a new rhythmic section of the song.
Thanks to Mercury Records Inc. for permission to use "Shosholoza".
The proceeds of this song go to the Steve Biko Black Consciousness Movement. Thanks to Charisma Records for their contribution.
Re-recorded and re-mixed at Crescent Studios, Bath.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
- Matrix / Runout (Label, side A): CB 370 A
- Matrix / Runout (Label, side B): CB 370 B
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side A, variant 1): CB 370 A1 A JONZ
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side B, variant 1): CB 370 B2 34 A SOUND CLINIC
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side A, variant 2): CB 370 A1 JONZ A
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side B, variant 2): CB 370 B2 20 SOUND CLINIC A
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side A, variant 3): CB 370 A2 3 A JONZ
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side B, variant 3): CB 370 B2 9 SOUND CLINIC A
Other Versions (5 of 8)
View All| Title (Format) | Label | Cat# | Country | Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biko (12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single) | Charisma | 6000 564 | 1980 | ||||
| Biko (12", 45 RPM, Single) | Charisma | CB 370-12, CB 370 12 | UK | 1980 | |||
|
New Submission
|
Biko (12", Maxi-Single) | Charisma | 6000 492 | 1980 | |||
|
New Submission
|
Biko (7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo) | Charisma | CBDJ 370 | UK | 1980 | ||
|
New Submission
|
Biko (7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single) | Charisma | CB 370 | Ireland | 1980 |
Recommendations
Reviews
-
'The outside world is black and white
With only one colour dead'
These lines are pure genius.
This alternative version is great. The cover by Simple Minds is very interesting too (on their 1989 album Street Fighting Years). -
A record that could only be written by a genius. From the record to the sleeve, Gabriel's motifs are quite clear - a shout against totalitarian brutality and injustice; the brutal death of the South African martyr as directed by the Apartheid authorities didn't go unnoticed and this song is a clear reminder of the ultimate sadness and gruesome politics. While eternally condemning the (now-declined) racist regime of South Africa, 'Biko' still echoes this frustrating state of being, as the world today continues to stumble upon greed, power and corruption, causing righteousness to perish further into oblivion.
Despite the menacing drumming and accompanying chants that mercilessly fight against prejudice during the song, there is still space left for optimism. A tiny air of hope. Gabriel sings with suppressed sadness - but everytime he stands towards the glorifying bagpipes arrangement, breaking down into 'Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja - The man is dead', he unleashes the moment of shedding an honest tear. 'Shosholoza' is understandably a conceptual part to the main track, while the German-titled 'Jetzt Kommt Die Flut' addresses rage against Apartheid's monstruous act of Biko's dismissal.
'Biko' is a truly thought-provoking piece - a hit that condemns pop-music as form of entertainment. The 12" version needs no specific introduction - like the original album version, this one is a fight-against adventure all of its own, extended and more confrontational towards racist violence.
A shocking collage on the rear cover of the single, juxtaposing severe burns on Biko's body with everyday leisure life, serves the warning purpose alone - but once you hear the music contents, it certainly won't make you indifferent - but politically aware. World, are you listening?
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