Love Can Heal Explained

"Love Can Heal" is a song by English musician Peter Gabriel, released as the ninth single in promotion of his tenth studio album I/O. Due to August having a blue moon, this was the second of two tracks to be released in August alongside "Olive Tree". Three versions of "Love Can Heal" were created, starting with the Bright-Side mix, which was produced by Spike Stent. On 15 September 2023, the Dark-Side mix (produced by Tchad Blake) and the In-Side mix (produced by Hans-Martin Buff) were also released.^[1] Gabriel described Buff's mix as an "immersive" experience that provided the listener "a place just to drift off into."

A music video by Aardman Animations and cover artist Antony Micallef was also released alongside the track.^[2]

Background

The song was debuted live back in 2016 during the Rock, Paper, Scissors tour in North America. Gabriel wrote the song as a tribute to Jo Cox who was murdered that same year.^[3] Prior to her assassination, Gabriel had encountered Cox at a leadership conference.^[4] In a press release, Gabriel explained that he included the track on i/o because he believed it fit with the theme of "being connected to everything".^[5]

According to Gabriel, the track is a "dreamy, experiential piece with some abstract imagery" and "a carpet of sound, a tapestry where things are woven together, but not necessarily supposed to stick out, but just form part of a whole".^{[6] [7]}

The cover was designed by artist Antony Micallef with his work "a small painting of what I think love looks". About the track and artwork, Micallef said,

"With 'Love Can Heal' I could see my images coming up when I was hearing it. [...] I love artists who take risks and Peter's always chopped and changed and I like to do that too with my work and you know it doesn't just rest on this one thing."^[8]

Personnel

• Peter Gabriel – lead vocals, backing vocals, synths, piano, hairy drum
• David Rhodes – guitars, backing vocals
• Tony Levin – bass
• Ged Lynch – percussion
• Melanie Gabriel – backing vocals
• Ríoghnach Connolly – backing vocals
• Jennie Abrahamson – backing vocals
• Linnea Olsson – solo cello, backing vocals
• Angie Pollock – synths
• Katie May – guitar effects

Charts

Chart (2023)!scope="col"

Peak position
German Downloads (Offizielle Download Top 100)[9]	75

Notes and References

1. Web site: New moon Love Can Heal mixes released . 1 October 2024. PeterGabriel.com . en-GB.
2. Web site: 30 August 2023 . Peter Gabriel Shares New Song "Love Can Heal": Listen . 7 October 2023 . Stereogum . en.
3. Web site: 22 June 2016. Watch Peter Gabriel Debut New Song "Love Can Heal" At Joint Tour With Sting Opening Night In Columbus . 1 October 2024. Stereogum . en.
4. Web site: 31 August 2023. Peter Gabriel shares new song 'Love Can Heal' . 7 October 2023. faroutmagazine.co.uk . en-US.
5. Web site: Rapp . Allison. 31 August 2023 . Hear Peter Gabriel's Newest Song, 'Love Can Heal' . 7 October 2023 . Ultimate Classic Rock . en.
6. Web site: Love Can Heal released . 7 October 2023. PeterGabriel.com . en-GB.
7. Web site: Peter Gabriel drops his new single "Love Can Heal" . 7 October 2023 . Classic Rock 106.9 . en-US.
8. Web site: Redfern . Mark . 30 August 2023 . Peter Gabriel Shares New Song "Love Can Heal" . 7 October 2023. www.undertheradarmag.com . en.
9. Web site: Download Charts Single. GfK Entertainment charts. 28 May 2024. 4 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230904203257/https://www.mtv.de/info/b45gik/download-charts-single. dead.