Peter Gabriel “In Your Eyes” released as single

In Your Eyes Peter Gabriel

Writer(s): Peter Gabriel (see lyrics here) Released: September 2, 1986 First Charted: June 21, 1986 Peak: 26 US, 24 CB, 22 GR, 19 RR, 11 AR, 1 CO, 29 CN, 97 AU, 2 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 6.0 radio, 72.6 video, 53.63 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Peter Gabriel rose to fame as the lead singer of the English progressive-rock band Genesis. After leaving the band, he launched a solo career. His first four albums were all top-ten hits in the UK. None reached the top-20 in the United States, although two would achieve gold status and his fourth album, 1982’s Security, gave him his first top-40 hit in the United States with “Shock the Monkey.” His fifth album, 1986’s So, propelled Gabriel to superstar status, hitting #2 in the U.S. and selling five million copies. “Sledgehammer” was a #1 hit and “Big Time” reached the top 10. “Don’t Give Up” was a top-10 hit in the UK. Surprisingly, though, it was “In Your Eyes” which gave Gabriel his first gold song in the United States. WK It was released as the second single in the U.S. and reached the top 30. The song grew out of a trip to Barcelona, Spain. Gabriel wrote lyrics for a song called “Sagrada” which was scrapped, but elements such as the vocal melody and chord changes were used for “In Your Eyes.” WK Billboard called the song, which features West African musician Youssou N’Dour on backing vocals, “a dreamily textured mood piece.” WK Rosanna Arquette is believed to be the inspiration for the song. WK The song received a second life in 1989 after being used in the teen drama Say Anything, starring John Cusack and Ione Skye. The song is featured in “one of the most famous scenes in music history” SF in which Cusack’s character holds up a boombox blaring the song outside Skye’s bedroom window. It thrust the song back onto the charts, hitting #41 the second time around. Resources: SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 7/13/2023.