#SLS — I Have the Touch by Peter Gabriel

Jim Adams is the anatomically-oriented host of Song Lyric Sunday.  Jim says:
I am hoping that responses will be more evenly distributed with this week’s prompt being Arms/Elbows/Knees/Legs.

Here are the “rules”:
• Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not. If it does not fit, then please explain why you chose this song.
• Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
• Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
• Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
• Ping back to this post or place your link in the comments section below.
• Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
• Feel free to suggest future prompts.
• Have fun and enjoy the music.

Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel is the fourth eponymous album released by English rock musician Peter Gabriel; in the United States, the album was originally released under the title Security on September 8, 1982.  As with his previous three albums, the album had no title other than Gabriel’s name.

The songs on the album cover a wide variety of subject matter. “The Rhythm of the Heat” is based on Carl Jung’s experience while observing a group of African drummers. “San Jacinto” reflects on the fear and pain experienced by a Native American man who sees his culture overwhelmed by modern white society, its lyrics based on a story told to Gabriel by an Apache member. “Shock the Monkey”, a meditation on jealousy, uses imagery of a primate to describe personal anxieties. “Lay Your Hands on Me” deals with a theme of healing, through trust, which is further explored on later albums. “The Family and the Fishing Net” is a song comparing a modern-day wedding to a voodoo sacrifice. “Wallflower” is about the treatment of political prisoners in Latin America during the 1980s.

In The South Bank Show’s documentary of the album’s recording, the working title for “I Have the Touch” was shown to be “Hands”. In 1983, Gabriel and Peter Walsh re-recorded the track featuring an extended instrumental section, first released as a b-side to the 12″ single of “Walk Through the Fire”, a non-album track from the motion picture Against All Odds in 1984. An edited remix of this version was later released on the 12″ single of “Sledgehammer” and the 1990 compilation album Shaking the Tree: Sixteen Golden Greats. In 1996, Gabriel remixed “I Have the Touch” with Robbie Robertson for the movie Phenomenon. For the first time, the song charted. This version was released on the 2002 compilation album Hit.

Two versions, one has stills, and one has Peter and crew in the recording studio.

The time I like is the rush hour, ’cause I like the rush
The pushing of the people, I like it all so much
Such a mass of motion, do not know where it goes
I move with the movement and, I have the touch
I’m waiting for ignition, I’m looking for a spark
Any chance collision and I light up in the dark
There you stand before me, all that fur and all that hair
Oh, do I dare, I have the touch
Wanting contact
I’m wanting contact
I’m wanting contact with you
Shake those hands, shake those hands
Give me the thing I understand
Shake those hands, shake those hands
Shake those hands, shake those hands
Any social occasion, it’s hello, how do you do
All those introductions, I never miss my cue
So before a question, so before a doubt
My hand moves out and, I have the touch
Wanting contact
I’m wanting contact
I’m wanting contact with you
Shake those hands, shake those hands
Give me the thing I understand
Shake those hands, shake those hands
Pull my chin, stroke my hair, scratch my nose, hug my knees
Try drink, food, cigarette, tension will not ease
I tap my fingers, fold my arms, breathe in deep, cross my legs
Shrug my shoulders, stretch my back – but nothing seems to please
I need contact
I need contact
Nothing seems to please
I need contact
Songwriters: Peter Gabriel