Top 9 Peter Gabriel Albums

Emily Davies

•July 10, 2025•

6 min read

Three BRIT Awards, six Grammys, thirteen VMAs, and the first Pioneer Award at the BT Digital Music Awards are just a few of the outstanding achievements in Peter Gabriel’s career so far.

Whether you’re coming here from the groundbreaking music video to “Sledgehammer” or from the 1987 classic RoboCop, there is absolutely no denying the impact of Gabriel’s career on modern music.

Five Exceptional Decades

With a career spanning five decades, Gabriel has managed to totally redefine what it means to be a solo artist. His ability to bring a uniquely bold sound to every album since leaving Genesis in 1975, along with how his lyrics perfectly balance playfulness with important political issues, has made him a household name that spans all demographics.

The nine solo albums that came after his departure from Genesis have featured some of the most ahead-of-their-time musical moments, along with plenty of smash hits, experimental soundscapes, and lyrics that’ll last a lifetime.

Let’s check out Peter Gabriel's top albums.

9. “Up” (2002)

In true Peter Gabriel style, “Up” is by no means easy listening. Completed over the span of a full decade, many fans claim this to be his darkest and most emotionally heavy record he has ever recorded.

Some of the more poignant tracks include “Darkness” and “The Barry Williams Show”, which tackle subjects such as mortality, the media, and even the human psyche with the head-on style that only Gabriel can manage.

Whilst “Up” isn’t necessarily one of the fan favourites, it cannot be ignored as being a real masterclass in mood, texture, and intricate rhythms that clearly cements Gabriel as one of the musical greats of the century. Definitely give this album a second or even a third listen, and you’ll come to realise why it is a seriously underrated album that really does deserve more recognition.

8. “Scratch My Back” (2010)

If you want an album of covers that really makes you forget there ever was an original mix, you cannot miss “Scratch My Back”. We say goodbye to drums and guitars and give a warm welcome to the fusion of Gabriel’s unmistakable voice along with a wonderfully talented orchestra.

We see classics from Bon Iver and David Bowie get completely reimagined as each track gets stripped right down to its bare bones, as Gabriel performs them in a totally new light. My personal favourite is his cover of Arcade Fire’s “My Body Is A Cage”, which is both haunting and magnificent. The marriage of Gabriel’s distinct vocals and the soft piano shows off the song in a whole new light.

“Scratch My Back” may not be a typical album for Gabriel, but it definitely helps to illustrate his ability to command respect across the genres and how his mind can transform pretty much any piece of music you throw his way. If you’ve not given this album a listen, I thoroughly recommend you do now!

7. “Peter Gabriel 1: Car” (1977)

We’ve seen it so many times: a popular artist splits from their band and goes at it solo. However, whilst this was a gamble for Gabriel to start his post-Genesis career, nobody can say that it didn’t pay off.

Known best as simply “Car”, it was the first time the world got to see a solo Peter Gabriel, and it's safe to say he wasn’t afraid to get weird. “Solsbury Hill” is the standout track from the album, serving as a fond farewell to Genesis and a symbol of Gabriel’s newfound independence.

“Car” is well worth another listen as the insane range of sounds is a great introduction to Gabriel’s vast musical talent as he seamlessly takes us on a trip through theatrical rock right over to ambient experimentation without so much as a second thought.

6. “Peter Gabriel 2: Scratch” (1978)

His second self-titled album says hello to new producer, Robert Fripp, as we take a visit to ambient, avant-garde textures to help Gabriel craft an even more distinctive sound.

It’s disappointing that “Scratch” was not one of Gabriel’s most commercially successful albums, as tracks like “Mother of Violence” and “White Shadow” give us a glimpse at a more intimate, introspective Peter Gabriel that many fans would love to see more of.

5. “Us” (1992)

For many big fans, “Us” is considered Gabriel’s most human album, which shows a bit more of a vulnerable portrayal of Gabriel. Whilst not as successful as “So”, “Us” still has plenty of tracks such as “Come Talk To Me” and “Digging in the Dirt” that perfectly capture Gabriel’s journey through loss, love, and fatherhood.

On the other hand, “Steam” shows us more of a cheeky, sensual vibe that definitely stands out against some of the more ambient, meditative work we often see from Gabriel. Overall, this is well worth a listen!

4. “Peter Gabriel: Melt” (1980)

The infamous gated reverb drum sound heard on “Intruder” and the incredible tribute to South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko found on “Biko” are just a couple of reasons why “Melt” is considered to be Gabriel’s artistic breakthrough album.

“Melt” is a defining moment for popular music as we see Gabriel perfectly blend together elements of post-punk, electronic, and world music in a way that felt fresh and exciting during 1980. This album was one of those musical moments that everyone could agree was groundbreaking and one of the reasons why Gabriel is so infamous and well-respected in the music industry.

3. “Peter Gabriel 4: Security” (1982)

On his fourth self-titled album that fully pioneered the sound that would later be known as “worldbeat”, Gabriel manages to fuse together elements of Western rock with indigenous rhythms to give us a sense of urgency that shook the industry.

Of course, “Security” also delved even further into Gabriel’s technological fascination as we saw Fairlight CMI sampling and incredibly complex polyrhythms that pushed the boundaries of music in the 80s. For music fans, “Security” is a beautiful example of how musical genres can evolve over time, thanks to talented souls like Gabriel and the development of new technologies.

2. “So” (1986)

From the incredible duet with Kate Bush on “Don’t Give Up” to the tenderness of “In Your Eyes” and arguably his biggest hit “Sledgehammer”, “So” gave us some insanely cool musical moments and is definitely one of the standout albums from the 80s.

For many of us, “So” is the album that made Gabriel a global name. The immaculate production from Daniel Lanois paired with the raw talent of Gabriel has made “So” a timeless and truly iconic album that still resonates all these years in the future. Show this album to your kids, grandkids, and enjoy it as it was a hugely iconic moment for us all in the 80s.

1. “Passion” (1989)

Of course, number one is “Passion” created as a soundtrack for the Martin Scorsese film “The Last Temptation of Christ”. “Passion” saw Gabriel working with musicians from across Africa, the Middle East, and even Asia to honour their traditions whilst using atmospheric production to bring forward a soundscape that honestly made the movie.

Tracks like “The Feeling Begins” and “Zaar” take us beyond the screen and drop us right into the movie, speaking to the soul and perfectly capturing the feelings of the movie in a way not many other artists could. Gabriel certainly took some artistic risks here, and we can safely say it paid off.

Experience Peter Gabriel Like Never Before

Ready to experience the genius of Peter Gabriel in full? Back to Front: Live in London is here for you to witness the magic of “So” and other fan favourites. Now available in stunning 4K and recorded at London’s O2 Arena, you can stream the entire concert film and enjoy an electrifying performance.