PETER GABRIEL - DIGGING IN THE DIRT

Released: September 7, 1992

Charts:  US: #52   UK: #24 

“Digging in the Dirt” was released as the lead single from the album “Us”. It reached No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This is one of Peter Gabriel’s most personal and intense songs, exploring themes of self-examination, therapy, and repressed anger. Inspired by his own experiences with psychotherapy and the end of his relationship with Rosanna Arquette, the song reflects his efforts to confront his darker emotions. Gabriel also studied human psychology and violence, reading books like “Why We Kill” to understand destructive behavior. The song’s contrast between aggressive verses and a reflective chorus mirrors his inner conflict, making it a powerful exploration of personal growth and emotional struggle.

Musically, “Digging in the Dirt” blends electronic and organic elements, featuring percussion tracks by Egyptian musician Hossam Ramzy, originally recorded for “Zaar” from Gabriel’s “Passion” album. These rhythms were combined with electronic beats and a synth bass. The song was built around a rhythmic groove, but Gabriel struggled to complete it, initially finding it incomplete without a strong bass and drum foundation. Once the rhythm section was finalized, the track gained its full driving intensity.

The music video, directed by John Downer, was one of Peter Gabriel’s most visually intense and symbolic works. Like his earlier videos for .Sledgehammer” and “Big Time”, it relied heavily on stop-motion animation, requiring Gabriel to remain motionless for extended periods while each frame was painstakingly captured. It won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Short-Form Music Video.

Gabriel appears in various unsettling scenarios: being buried alive, overtaken by creeping vines, and struggling with a wasp, all of which symbolize inner conflicts, repressed emotions, and personal transformation. The imagery reflects the psychological and emotional struggles he was experiencing at the time. The final scene, featuring a vibrant meadow of flowers, offers a stark contrast to the earlier dark and claustrophobic visuals.