Who Are We Talking To?

Who Are We Talking To? is the latest song to be released from the forthcoming Peter Gabriel album, entitled o\i.

Written and produced by Peter Gabriel, the first version of Who Are We Talking To? to be released is the Dark-Side Mix, which this month is by Mike Elizondo.

“Who Are We Talking To? was conceived as something that might encourage activism. It might be naive, but I still believe that people have real power for change if they can get together in large enough numbers. Politicians will respond – democracy or not.

“My hope is that we start thinking of ourselves as global citizens and that we work together to bring about change on a global scale. These issues that we’re looking at, whether it’s climate change, AI, pandemics… these are all things that can’t be effectively dealt with on a national level – only globally. A country can have all the bright intentions that it wants, but it’s pretty meaningless unless we have everyone working on it at the same time.

“Many people feel powerless, oppressed and scared at the increasing divisions in the world. At the same time, I would argue that those all-powerful nations that think they are invincible are actually totally vulnerable now. Everybody’s hackable. I think we’re learning that with the right AI, and once we get quantum computing cutting through cyber security, we’re all open to attack and the only sensible course of action would, of course, be to work together. 

“I really want to see big popular movements that are not about dividing us, with immigration, into them and us, but just the whole messy mass of humanity working together to deal with the things that may very well destroy us soon if we don’t. So, this song is a plea for activism.”

“There is some sort of message, but it’s got to be served on a danceable platter,” adds Gabriel. “Absolutely the references are from funk and soul and people like Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti and Curtis Mayfield creating beautiful rhythmic vehicles to deliver their message. There’s a lot from that history that fed into this. We have Leo Nocentelli again on guitar adding his unique corner of funk to some of these grooves. David Rhodes originally did a really nice funky pattern that we’ve also integrated. I asked Mike Elizondo to have a go with the Dark-Side mix on this one and I think he’s done a great job.”

The cover art for Who Are We Talking To? is called ‘Bloques’ by Spanish artist Juan Genovés.

“The artwork this month is by a Spanish artist called Juan Genovés and this piece Bloques. When I saw it I felt it hit the spot. Somehow, like many of the images across the album, it beautifully illustrates some of the ideas within the music. His thoughts on political oppression and resistance show lots of little people standing against these big geometric environments. 

“I imagine the title Bloques refers to these big physical blocks within the painting that seem to represent the barriers that divide people and make it harder for them to come together. I think he believed that these blocks were a power, a force, which could be employed for good or for evil – so appropriate for this song.”

The Bright-Side Mix of Who Are We Talking To? will be released on the next new moon.

Words and Music by Peter Gabriel
Engineering by Richard Chappell, Faye Dolle, Katie May
Assistant engineering by Charles Hughes, Xav Sinden, Maisy Preece
Additional engineering by Erica Block, Alex Wilders, Abe Rounds at Phantom Studios, Andriu Yanovski at Match Point Studio, Richard Mitchell at SABC, Dom Shaw
Pre-production engineering by Richard Chappell
Brass Arrangement by Peter Gabriel
Choir MD /Arranger: Diniloxolo Ndlakuse

Produced by Peter Gabriel
Dark-Side Mixed by Mike Elizondo
Mix Assistant: Alex Wilders
Bright-Side Mixed by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent
Mastered by Matt Colton at Metropolis Studios
Recorded at Real World Studios, Bath and The Beehive, London, Match Point Studio, New Orleans, LA, Phantom Studios, Gallatin, TN, SABC South Africa
Cover: Bloques (2011) by Juan Genovés

Drums: Abe Rounds
Rhythm Programming: Mike Elizondo, Peter Gabriel
Percussion: Peter Gabriel, Abe Rounds
Bass: Tony Levin, Mike Elizondo
Synth Bass: Mike Elizondo, Peter Gabriel
Synths: Peter Gabriel, Don E, Mike Elizondo (Dark-Side only)
Electric Guitar: Leo Nocentelli, David Rhodes, Katie May
Synths: Peter Gabriel, Don E, Mike Elizondo
Trumpet, Trombone: Josh Shpak
Saxophone: Evan Smith
Choir: Soweto Gospel Choir
Synth Brass, Vocals: Peter Gabriel