So

So
--

LP cover

**So** is the title of the fourth studio album by British recording artist Peter Gabriel. It was released on 19 May 1986 on Virgin records in the UK. It went on to be one of Gabriel's biggest selling albums and established him as one of the most successful British singer and songwriters in pop culture.

The release of the album was preceded by the single Sledgehammer which had reached no.4 in the UK. Its distinctive sound and famous promo video also established it as one of the most important songs of the 1980s and of Gabriel's whole career. Three more tracks were lifted from the album for release as singles in the UK, including the duet with Kate Bush entitled Don't Give Up (see Singles section below). Bush had previously collaborated on Gabriel's 1980 album *3* (*Melt)*.

The album was received both commercially and critically and went straight to no.1 in the UK and in several other countries, and to no.2 in the US (held off the top by the *Top Gun* soundtrack). The single Sledgehammer also went to no.1 in the US. [1]

The album was produced by Daniel Lanois with Peter Gabriel and the sleeve was designed by Peter Saville Associates. All songs were written and composed by Gabriel alone, except for That Voice Again, written with guitarist David Rhodes. The CD bonus track This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds) features Laurie Anderson and was written by her and Gabriel.

## Personnel

Peter Gabriel sings lead and backing vocals and plays piano, synthesiser, percussion, plus keyboard and drum programming.

Among the other musicians: David Rhodes (guitar), Tony Levin (bass), Jerry Marotta (drums, percussion). *(for full list see External links below)*

## Tracklisting

original UK CD - PGCD5

1. Red Rain
2. Sledgehammer
3. Don't Give Up
4. That Voice Again
5. In Your Eyes
6. Mercy Street
7. Big Time
8. We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)
9. This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds)

*Track 9 appears on CD and MC releases only. LP Side One Tracks 1-4. Side Two Tracks 5-8*

## Re-issues

* **2002**: *So* remaster, 9 tracks with In Your Eyes as final track, as Gabriel had originally wished it.
* **2012**: *So* 25th anniversary deluxe edition, remaster.
	+ CD1: 9-track, with In Your Eyes as final track
	+ CD2: So DNA
	+ CD3/CD4: Live in Athens (1987)
	+ DVD: Live in Athens
	+ DVD: So – The Definitive Authorised Story of the Album
	+ 12" vinyl LP: 9 tracks with In Your Eyes as final track
	+ 12" vinyl single: A1 Courage A2 Sagrada B1. Don't Give Up (Alternative Version Piano & Bvox Mix)
* '*2016*: *So* 2x12" 180g vinyl LP half-speed 45rpm remaster

## Singles

UK rel. date 21 April 1986, UK chart peak 04
* 7: A. Sledgehammer B. Don't Break This Rhythm
* 12": A. Sledgehammer B1. Don't Break This Rhythm B2. I Have The Touch (85 Remix)
UK rel. date 27 October 1986, UK chart peak 09
* 7": A. Don't Give Up B. In Your Eyes (Special Mix)
* 12": A. Don't Give Up B1. In Your Eyes (Special Mix) B2. This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds)
UK rel. date 23 March 1987, UK chart peak 13
* 7": A. Big Time B. Curtains
* 12": A. Big Time (Extended Version) B1. Big Time (Seven Inch Version) B2. Curtains
UK rel. date 06 July 1987, UK chart peak 46
* 7": A. Red Rain B. GA-GA I Go Swimming Instrumental
* 12": A. Red Rain B1. GA-GA I Go Swimming Instrumental B2. A. Red Rain B. GA-GA I Go Swimming Instrumental

*In Your Eyes released as a single in the US in September 1986*

## External links

* Wikipedia
* Discogs
* Musicbrainz
* Spotify 9-track remaster, Special edition