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Peter Gabriel — Blood Of Eden
Album: Secret World Live
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4006









Released: 1994
Length: 6:42
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I caught sight of my reflection
I caught it in the window
I saw the darkness in my heart
I saw the signs of my undoing
They had been there from the start
And the darkness still has work to do
The knotted chord's untying
The heated and the holy
Oh, they're sitting there on high
So secure with everything they're buying

In the blood of Eden
Lie the woman and the man
With the man in the woman
And the woman in the man
In the blood of Eden
Lie the woman and the man
We wanted the the union
Oh, the union of the woman
The woman and the man

My grip is surely slipping
I think I've lost my hold
Yes, I think I've lost my hold
I cannot get insurance anymore
They don't take credit, only gold
Is that a dagger or a crucifix I see
You hold so tightly in your hand?
And all the while the distance grows between you and me
I do not understand

In the blood of Eden
Lie the woman and the man
With the man in the woman
And the woman in the man
In the blood of Eden
Lie the woman and the man
We wanted the the union
Oh, the union of the woman
The woman and the man

At my request, you take me in
In that tenderness, I am floating away
No certainty, nothing to rely on
Holding still for a moment
What a moment this is
Oh, for a moment of forgetting
A moment of bliss
Ohh

I can hear the distant thunder
Of a million unheard souls
Of a million unheard souls
Watch each one reach for creature comfort
For the filling of their holes

In the blood of Eden
Lie the woman and the man
With the man in the woman
And the woman in the man
In the blood of Eden
Lie the woman and the man
We wanted the union
Of the woman and the man

In the blood of Eden
Lie the woman and the man
I feel the man in the woman
And the woman in the man
In the blood of Eden
Lie the woman and the man
I feel the man in the woman
And the woman in the man

In the blood of Eden
We have done everything we can
In the blood of Eden
So we end as we began
With the man in the woman
And the woman in the man
It was all for the union
Oh, the union of the woman
The woman and the man
Comments (394)add comment
Official - TODAY - new I/O album released (after a year of slow drip). [Dec. 1, 2023]
 OHMish wrote:

I love that big shout/scream/chant/calling, or what you would call it


That's the narrator having an orgasm while being stabbed by his lover. 
He and Phil kissed and made up yet? No? Grow up boys. 
 DigitalJer wrote:

Gabriel's concerts are the stuff of dreams...theatrical, incredibly evocative; warm.


Very true - quite excited that I have tickets for the new I/O show this Sept in Chicago.
 Hippostar wrote:

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Peter "Listen-to-my-way-unnecessarily-exaggerated-vocal-fry" Gabriel.



You're a real dick , aren't you?
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Peter "Listen-to-my-way-unnecessarily-exaggerated-vocal-fry" Gabriel.
Tsk, bit heteronormative there Pete. 
Saw Mr. Gabriel perform this an age ago. That memory is a treasure, just as this song is. Paul Cole voice is perfectly matched to Gabriel's. She said this about working with Gabriel “ he was very generous in sharing the spotlight,” .. “The way he treated the band as a voice, as a collective voice, was really inspirational.”
EXCELLEENT!! I never heard this tune before. Thanx RP!
Peter Gabriel certainly counts as one of my most beloved artists. Both when he was with Genesis and then during his solo career he has never failed to amaze me with his musicianship. Songs like Blood of Eden send those music induced chills up my spine. What pleasure and enjoyment he provides. I try to see artists live as often as possible, but I have never seen Mr. Gabriel live . . perhaps someday.
 xcranky_yankee wrote:
still prefer Sinead O'Connor whose background vocals made the song stand out
 
Sinead O'Connor sings this?  Why do we never hear this version on RP?  Is it not deemed good enough?
 h8rhater wrote:
"or a proper thought."  You might as well be do as you request.

Much as it pains me, I think jonahboo was right on that one.  Much like (to make a sentence up) "It was a lion or tiger."
 bdwhitepm wrote:

Kate bush is still my favorite on this track.



I think it is Paula Cole............
 jonahboo wrote:


HUH? holy shit - compose a sentence or proper thought



"or a proper thought."  You might as well be do as you request.
 jonahboo wrote:

this guy is a blow hard
he needs to return to his cave now




Actually, he lives in Box (UK).  AND the only blow hard here is you.

Boo!!!!!!
Kate bush is still my favorite on this track.
 paloeguevo wrote:


I am pretty sure that's Paula cole with the background vocals
still prefer Sinead O'Connor whose background vocals made the song stand out

Gorgeous track, spine chilling stuff.
Giant swings on Mr. Gabriel for this listener.  Some stuff I absolutely adore, some tracks I find insufferable.  Oddly enough though, this is one that sort of slides right up the middle.  I mean, it's okay, but would I be sad if I never heard again?  Probably not?  That being said, the bass playing is delicious,  nice and warm and round.  

You folks enjoy...my hands are cold...off to grab a hot cocoa...
This brings me to tears nearly every time… it touches me
Ali Mullah by Transglobal followed by Peter Gabriel's Blood of Eden. Brilliant continuity, Bill and Rebecca. You know it's good when it happens and you think "what an obvious combination!" I just never thought of it myself!
 unclehud wrote:

The anthem of my divorce.  Uncanny how he captured the narrative and my emotions.  To wit:

Is that a dagger or a crucifix I see
You hold so tightly in your hand?
And all the while the distance grows between you and me
I do not understand


Background vocals on this recording are stunning.



I am pretty sure that's Paula cole with the background vocals
Peter Gabriel is a musical genius! 
His shows have always been the absolute finest I have ever attended and I'm old.
Beautiful!
 pigtail wrote:
Missive to Mr. Gabriel......

Please tour the US again!
 
Agreed, two of the best concerts I ever saw were both PG.
The anthem of my divorce.  Uncanny how he captured the narrative and my emotions.  To wit:

Is that a dagger or a crucifix I see
You hold so tightly in your hand?
And all the while the distance grows between you and me
I do not understand


Background vocals on this recording are stunning.
Usually a big PG fan, but all that "Woman - Man" droning loses me
Missive to Mr. Gabriel......

Please tour the US again!
50 hours of meditation, or just one Peter Gabriel song... same effect on my soul.  
Chobham's finest.
🧡
I loved Peter Gabriel since Genesis. His evolution as an artist strangely tracked the things going on in my life. So it was, so it is, so it shall be.
Классика не стареет
Evokes tones of the great 👍 Robbie Robertson
Yesterday we had the union of the person, woman, man, camera and TV in a five-way freaky deek. 
I have really loved this song but feel it is getting too much airplay on RP being it has been in the line up for 18yrs.  I'm a big fan of RP but am finding the mix is not changing enough to keep me listening...overplayed gems still become overplayed.
 jmkate wrote:
this is beautiful..
 
Thank you for that.  Yes-I agree.  After reading all of the cynical comments I came to the conclusion that I am a hopeless romantic dreamer.  Long Live RP!
It's expected that there will be some repetition in music, but geez!

Peter, puh-lease!
I really don't get Gabriel, solo or otherwise. Sorry. ~duck~
 MrStatenIsle wrote:

Definitely agree that this version is awesome; a great live album. Haven't heard the Sinead take, but think PC harmonizes just fine with him here.
 

I like this version too. Rated it an 8. Sinead would get an 9 from me. 
Ugggh... this song is so hokey.
Very nice song
Life is full of unsung luxuries. PSD is one of them. Gabriel's voice has grown so old on these ears.
So beautiful!  Perfect balance of masculine and feminine through song
 radioparadise9 wrote:

Maybe one of you is ... the voting starts now
 

HUH? holy shit - compose a sentence or proper thought
this is beautiful..
 jonahboo wrote:
this guy is a blow hard
he needs to return to his cave now
 
Maybe one of you is ... the voting starts now
 RProckStation wrote:
bring back the rock radio paradise station~!
 
It's back - off you go
 mach-hog wrote:
I hear this song very, very often on RP. I am beginning to become immune to its merits.
 

Plays (last 30 days): 2

Try getting out more.
I hear this song very, very often on RP. I am beginning to become immune to its merits.
Beautiful song
 andychannelle wrote:
Having watched a lot of live PG videos, I was convinced he was miming. Turns out he reverse mimes; rerecording/dubbing all the vocals in the studio post gig. Bit of a cheat, innit?
 
I doubt that. Last Peter Gabriel show I was on, there was an option to buy a USB stick with THAT show, that just ended. I bought it; I was pretty close to the stage during the show, and when I was listening to the recording, I recognized several "quirks" in singing on the recording that I definitely heard live. And I am not talking about the occasional talk between songs. And the sound quality of his voice was pretty much like the one we just heard in this song.

Also, I used to be an audio engineer at the radio station. I never recorded bands but I know it is very hard to get that same concert sound later on in the studio. I am not saying it's impossible, just very hard.

While he possibly did quite a lot of post production with recordings intended for live albums / publishing, I think it was not at the level that I would consider "cheating" (re-recording vocals or instruments). Sound balance intended for an arena or a stadium is quite different than the one anyone would want on an album.
Le Génie anglais - La belle époque ! Merci pour le partage de votre créativité !
Inconditionnel depuis le début, Génésis ! Joe - Bordeaux - France -
That vocal sustain that brings the crowd back out, fantastic. Oh, and the phone graphic is tops. Carry on.
bring back the rock radio paradise station~!
Gosh, I can't stand this song. For me, it's pure corn. 
this guy is a blow hard
he needs to return to his cave now
 Tomasni wrote:
My rating is just 7

Peter Gabriel has done better than this 

so I Skip
 
"Better"? I know it gives me chills, which in my book is an automatic 10.
 kazoo wrote:
I prefer this to the album version except I wish Sinead O'Connor was singing with him, not Paula Cole. Just the wrong the voice for this.
 
Definitely agree that this version is awesome; a great live album. Haven't heard the Sinead take, but think PC harmonizes just fine with him here.
Saw his first concert, post-Genesis, in Toronto @ Maple Leaf Gardens. Robert Fripp and Larry Fast were part of the band! Fripp played behind a screen!
I prefer this to the album version except I wish Sinead O'Connor was singing with him, not Paula Cole. Just the wrong the voice for this.
The original So Tour was in the top 5 arena concerts I ever saw out of 100's. I also saw the Front to Back tour where he did the whole So album in order, with most of the original tour players, at Red Rocks. Magical...
Beautiful
 Tevin_Chidester wrote:
When do you play Pink Floyd?
 
Often enough!
Will it ever finish? Pretentious crap. :)
If you thought this song was long, pray that Bill never puts the extended version of “Inna Gadda Da Vida” on rotation.
love that long note, great song
It was a 10 when I first heard it some years ago here on RP and it's still at the top of my ratings.  PG stands the test of time.
This song is sooo long. It's the same thing every time, I have to PSD before the end because it gets annoying being so repetitive and slow.
as much as I admire Peter Gabriel, I am really tired of this song
When do you play Pink Floyd?
Play Povi ,,, https://soundcloud.com/iampovi/forbidden-fruit-prod-by-akil-mic-coats  and Justin Miyamoto is The Oceanographers
Crosby Stills and Nash, Joanni Mitchell, Sade, and all please
What is this obsession with Peter Gabriel recently? I have to PSD several times a day because of it.
Having watched a lot of live PG videos, I was convinced he was miming. Turns out he reverse mimes; rerecording/dubbing all the vocals in the studio post gig. Bit of a cheat, innit?
Amen to that. 
jktravl wrote:
Peter is no Phil Collins, and that is A GOOD THING!

 


Peter is no Phil Collins, and that is A GOOD THING!
 brimo19 wrote:
Does Peter Gabriel have to bang every woman who ever sang on one of his records?
Aren't the thousands of women who adore him as an artist enough?
His ex-wife must have thought so. Such a fragile man.

 
Wait a minute, let's hear more about all the women he banged before declaring him a fragile man.
Does Peter Gabriel have to bang every woman who ever sang on one of his records?
Aren't the thousands of women who adore him as an artist enough?
His ex-wife must have thought so. Such a fragile man.
 RabbitEars wrote:
got to see this show from the 3rd row, middle of the conveyor belt. i'll never forget it. 

 
Gabriel's concerts are the stuff of dreams...theatrical, incredibly evocative; warm.
 RabbitEars wrote:
got to see this show from the 3rd row, middle of the conveyor belt. i'll never forget it. 

 
I hope that's not you making all the noise and spoiling things for everyone?
got to see this show from the 3rd row, middle of the conveyor belt. i'll never forget it. 
just love for this song.. <3
Superb Live Version. Tears Flow.
 JasondotG wrote:
I'm sure it's been clarified in the numerous comments below, but this is pre-solo fame Paula Cole singing backup. She performed on the "Secret World Live" tour which also had a concert film of the same name released along with this album. Sinead O'Connor performed on the original recording off the album "Us". 
 

Agreed. Peter is by far the musical and lyrical genius of our lives. He has soothed me when I'm down,and brightened my day on others. 
 easmann wrote:

Agree. Transports me somewhere sublime. Melancholy, but sublime.

 I concur, as well. It's a special song, with passion and gravity. I think these two had an affair around the time they worked on this song together. It's small wonder.


I love that big shout/scream/chant/calling, or what you would call it
Girl from Mass really brings it on this album. Really helps makes the concert.
Anunnaki.

That is all {#Idea} 
I'm sure it's been clarified in the numerous comments below, but this is pre-solo fame Paula Cole singing backup. She performed on the "Secret World Live" tour which also had a concert film of the same name released along with this album. Sinead O'Connor performed on the original recording off the album "Us". 

<3 PG, his albums are the soundtrack to my childhood, adolescence and post-adolescent angst filled days. The effect of his music on me will never wane. Unlike sooo, sooo much other stuff I have loved and forgotten about. 
gorgeous!
 
 Ptijoc wrote:

The same.
 

Totally agree! 
 fitmartin wrote:
{#Hearteyes} A moment of bliss with Paula Cole singing background

 

 fedtho wrote:

Behold,  good RP listeners. I bow before those simple words telling universal truth. 
 
Agreed, a great performance of our lifetime

many thanks to RP for identifying great art!

Bravo 
 ScottN wrote:

Here too.  Live renditions are tricky...not letting the audience get in the way; as they do here, imo.

 
I know what you mean, but this audience seems pretty restrained with their joy boiling over here and there. 
 garyalex wrote:

Hate is a strong word.  I hate cancer.  I hate genocide.  I hate racism.  Some music I just don't like.  This isn't one of those. 

 
Behold,  good RP listeners. I bow before those simple words telling universal truth. 
I love everything he touches. 
Go on YouTube and watch his shows, just wonderful.
Thanks 
 Meolla_Reio wrote:
It is probably just me, but this song while being great is made pretentiously annoying by the applause and whistles...
Makes me sad, I wanted to like it.
 
Here too.  Live renditions are tricky...not letting the audience get in the way; as they do here, imo.
 tprimeau wrote:

Pretty sure this was Paula Cole when she was a backup singer of Gabriels and before she was famous for singing about cowboys and stuff.
 

That is interesting...

everybody in my alien space craft loves this bloody song... we be dancing cross-eyed buck ass naked and jiggling organs like Willy Shakes...

hope you be having a marvelous time right this minute, tprimeau...


It is probably just me, but this song while being great is made pretentiously annoying by the applause and whistles...
Makes me sad, I wanted to like it. 
I never find Peter Gabriel pretentious. I always find both his studio and live performances very heartfelt and honest. He is a compassionate human and his music reflects this.
For all the criticism, I have wonder why the critics listen to RP.  Just move on...There are thousands of other stations available.
I always find PG a little pretentious but I'm not sure why. His duet with Kate Bush remains one of my all-time favourites
 bstevens1951 wrote:
Send me a postcard from hell, dood.
 

nightdrive wrote:
Hate this guy. Go fuck yourself, asshole.
 



 
Now now children... {#Daisy}
I like Peter Gabriel
Sadly, not much to find on spotify
 Mannick wrote:

And the exact same here too! Maybe that's because his songs are played very often (too often? {#Whistle}) on RP

 
A little precision, please.  No artist's songs are played very often on RP.  Hyperbole is not helpful.  
  jocelynsart wrote:
I really love Peter Gabriel but this song drives me nuts lol!
Ptijoc wrote:

The same.

 
And the exact same here too! Maybe that's because his songs are played very often (too often? {#Whistle}) on RP
 jocelynsart wrote:
I really love Peter Gabriel but this song drives me nuts lol!

 
The same.
I really love Peter Gabriel but this song drives me nuts lol!
Send me a postcard from hell, dood.
 

nightdrive wrote:
Hate this guy. Go fuck yourself, asshole.
 


 nightdrive wrote:
Hate this guy. Go fuck yourself, asshole.
 
This is a really well-adjusted individual. So open-minded, empathetic and sensitive, right, RPers? Our own mascot of misery and misanthropy.  
So many memories and good times with this tune.
 nightdrive wrote:
Hate this guy. Go fuck yourself, asshole.
 
Hate is a strong word.  I hate cancer.  I hate genocide.  I hate racism.  Some music I just don't like.  This isn't one of those. 
Now tell us what you really think.

nightdrive wrote:
Hate this guy. Go fuck yourself, asshole.
 


Hate this guy. Go fuck yourself, asshole.
Always brings tears ......
 govna wrote:
i'm pretty sure this whole concert was lip synced.  

 
Certain NOT to be the case!
Have enjoyed this live album recorded in Italy for twenty years...Paula Cole is the female vocalist on this song...one of the best female singers of our time!
Her first solo album is worth a listen for future
 Lazarus wrote:

I like how a critic described this song as "about trying to work through a failing relationship by making love"... trying to get back to that there blood of Eden and the union of a woman and a man, back when life was paradise, and man and woman were a body of one...

Sinead O'Connor sings on this with Gabriel...

this really is a beautiful song, and a great live version...
 



 
Pretty sure this was Paula Cole when she was a backup singer of Gabriels and before she was famous for singing about cowboys and stuff.