Draft:Looking for the Happy
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| "Looking for the Happy" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Peter Gabriel | ||||
| from the album O\I | ||||
| Released | 28 August 2026 | |||
| Length | 8:34 (Bright-Side Mix) 8:39 (Dark-Side Mix) | |||
| Label | Real World | |||
| Songwriter | Peter Gabriel | |||
| Producers |
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| Peter Gabriel singles chronology | ||||
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"Looking for the Happy" is a song by the English musician Peter Gabriel, released as the ninth single from his upcoming eleventh studio album O\I (2026).[1] Similar to other songs on O\I, "Looking for the Happy" was released to coincide with the lunar cycle, with Mark "Spike" Stent's "Bright-Side mix" being released first to coincide with the Sturgeon Moon in August, and Tchad Blake's Dark-Side mix following afterwards during the new moon. "Looking for the Happy" was written by Gabriel with the intention of writing an upbeat positive song, with its themes centered around technology and nature.
Background
[edit]"Looking for the Happy" initially was in a Latin style, as Gabriel said of the groove; "I'm always happy once the groove is kicking, it suggests where to go and makes it easy to play through and explore different ideas. Then I can take one look around the studio at any time and see happy faces everywhere and I think — this is why I play music.[1] Gabriel commented that the song was intended to "explore consciousness, technology and nature".[2]
In the song, I'm talking about trying to communicate with animals or connecting with nature, or sitting under the old oak tree with a cup of tea and appreciating that. The simple things — opening up to what's good, while we're busy complaining about what's bad.[1]
Gabriel wrote "Looking for the Happy" as a challenge for himself to write a happy song, explaining he that finds it easier to write he finds it easier to write sadder songs. He elaborated that, "In the song, I'm talking about trying to communicate with animals or connecting with nature, or sitting under the old oak tree with a cup of tea and appreciating that. The simple things — opening up to what's good, while we're busy complaining about what's bad."[2] He characterised "Looking for the Happy" as a song about gratitude and "trying to do a little less bitching".[3]
Release and artwork
[edit]The single was released on 28 August 2026, as the ninth of the songs planned for O\I, with each single release tied to each month's full and new moons. The single's artwork is of the 1986 painting Closed Circuit II by Tishan Hsu, a New York based artist.[1][4] Gabriel mentioned that he was relatively new to Hsu's artwork and found that it had "a childlike simplicity" with technological references. He believed that Closed Circuit II was "blank and full of feeling" and also compared it to the Instagram logo, which Gabriel said was created several years after Closed Circuit II.[1] He also felt that the artwork tied into the song's themes of exploring technology, nature, and humanity.[2]
Similar to the other songs on O\I, "Looking for the Happy" received multiple mixes. The "Bright-Side" mix for "Looking for the Happy" was done by Mark "Spike" Stent and released on the full moon in August. During the next new moon, a "Dark-Side" mix produced by Tchad Blake released on the next new moon.[5][6]
Personnel
[edit]According to Bandcamp:[7]
- Peter Gabriel – piano, synthesizers, synth brass, vocals, rhythm programming, percussion
- Manu Katché – drums, percussion
- Tony Levin – bass
- Abe Rounds – percussion, additional breakdown hi-hat
- Jack Mills – rhythm programming
- Faye Dolle – rhythm programming
- David Rhodes – electric guitar
- Katie May – acoustic guitar, rhythm programming
- Richard Evans – mandolin
- Don E – additional rideout keys
- Josh Shpak – trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 Breihan, Tom (28 August 2026). "Peter Gabriel Shares New Song "Looking For The Happy": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 Bonner, Michael (28 August 2026). "Listen to Peter Gabriel's new track, "Looking For The Happy"". Uncut. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ Cheolosky, Danielle (26 September 2026). "Peter Gabriel Shares New Song "Face The Wall": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ Taylor, Steven (29 August 2026). "Peter Gabriel Shares New Single "Looking For The Happy"". mxdwn Music. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "Peter Gabriel Shares New Song 'Looking For The Happy'". XS Noise. 28 August 2026. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "Peter Gabriel Previews New Album 'o/i' with Several Songs (Listen)". Rock Cellar Magazine. 10 September 2026. Retrieved 18 September 2026.
- ↑ "Looking for the Happy (Bright-Side Mix), by Peter Gabriel". Peter Gabriel. Retrieved 1 September 2026.