Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon on 'The Boy In The Bubble' and 'Biko"

February's Full Moon sees the release of the second 'double A-side' - Digi 45 from the 'Scratch My Back' project on iTunes. Peter Gabriel's version of 'The Boy In The Bubble' and Paul Simon's reciprocal cover of 'Biko'
Peter, Paul Simon, Bob Ezrin and John Metcalfe talk about the two songs and the process of recording the two tracks in this video.

[@a.duncan6791]

I have never thought this to be lyrics set to happy music. From the first call of the accordion, and then the bass and the percussion, the arrangement commands one to listen to the words. I'm sure Simon lives in that "distant constellation", else how could he see so much that others walk by daily. Heroes and pop charts...

[@paulonius42]

Thank you for posting this, and it's great stuff! I am a little put off, though, by their repeated surprise at the depth and darkness of the lyrics. They act like they discovered some hidden truth here, but THAT is the reason the song worked in the first place--the darkness mixed with the cheerfulness. What they're talking about "discovering" is what people liked about the song when it first came out. Oh well.. :) Thanks again for posting this!

[@marieloubrumm4000]

Paul Simon est un génie 😘👏❤❤

[@oO0catty0Oo]

I've always sung this as a lullaby to my kids, I thought I was just bent. I'm glad I'm not the only one who got this vibe.

[@achasonc]

genius, pure & simple

[@thomaslarkin9791]

Ladies and Gentlemen in the YEAR 2022 we are STILL in the presence of GREATNESS..

[@pm94952]

I agree with Gabriel's asessment of the lyrics to the Boy in the Bubble; the lyrics juxtapose such dark, ironic sentiments with seemingly flip phrases like "it's the turn-around jump shot, every generation throws a hero up the pop charts", and the music on the track is so propulsive and danceable it makes the lyrics almost seem like an afterthought..genius! I saw Paul last night at the Greek Theater and he opened the show with that song. It's my favorite song from that album.

[@tyleryesta1]

The reason I think Paul's version is so powerful is because of the variance between lyric and music. Almost like a "Maxwell Silver Hammer" approach, where it may take a few listens to truly understand what he's saying. Gabriel's somber, minimalist arrangement puts a magnifying glass to the lyric. It's beautiful and necessary, but for me it sort of missing the point.

[@zodiacbluesbaby]

Paul Simon's Biko makes it more a folk song than Gabriel's big portentous anthem. Nice.

[@spindrssd]

Real World Studios

[@astridsegall]

Que lindo dos del mismo origen 🕎⚛️vuelvan trabajar juntos.

[@Frankour0097]

Personaly my friend lover of music, the original music was... just not good you know, some times you cant mix happy and sad and get a masterpiece, sometimes , i think you have to get all of it sad, or happy. With all respect my friend. Is just my opinion.

[@JerryAulenbach]

Which studio is this?

[@connieadams5538]

I have a much better, slower, personal version of Boy in the Bubble. and it's great. It's one of the best songs of PS as well as the Graceland album.

[@gerardodelacruz1430]

in police room what?

[@ilpensionantedelsaraceni2029]

six-one-nine (619)

[@jfrancisbf]

Ilpensionante Delsaraceni ...Oh.... Biko........