This song was inspired by Dorothea Lange’s book In This Proud Land, which are also the first words of the lyrics. Lange’s photographs chronicled migrant workers during the Great Depression, and the song, about a man struggling to find work, reflected the rising unemployment and economic hardships of the working class in 1980s Britain. But the message transcends any one specific hardship. As a duet between Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, it’s a conversation about despair and encouragement, with his soaring tenor at 3:20 as an exquisite moment of surrender. In our moments of despair, we all need this message.

Peter Gabriel with Kate Bush, “Don't Give Up,” written by Peter Gabriel, 1986.

This post is part of Music 100, a love letter to songs. 100 words on 100 songs in 100 days, running from Groundhog Day to early June, 2025.

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