I/O (song)

"I/O" (typeset as "i/o") is the fourth single and title track of English musician Peter Gabriel's tenth studio album I/O,^[1] his first album of original material since 2002's Up, and his first featuring a title track.^[2] Two versions of the song have been released: the "Bright-Side Mix" (mixed by Mark "Spike" Stent) and the "Dark-Side Mix" (mixed by Tchad Blake). I/O was released on the Pink Moon, the full moon in April, which occurred on the 6th.^[3]

"I/O"
Single by Peter Gabriel
from the album I/O
Released	6 April 2023 (bright-side mix) 20 April 2023 (dark-side and in-side mixes)
Studio	Real World (Wiltshire) The Beehive (London) High Seas (Johannesburg)
Genre	Art rock
Length	3:52
Label	Real World EMI (UK/Japan) Republic (United States/Canada)
Songwriter(s)	Peter Gabriel
Producer(s)	Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel singles chronology
"Playing for Time" (2023) "I/O" (2023) "Four Kinds of Horses" (2023)

Background

Recorded at Gabriel's Real World Studios in Wiltshire and the Beehive in London, "i/o" features regulars Tony Levin on bass, David Rhodes on electric guitar, and Manu Katché on drums.^[4] Additionally, the track is the first of three on the album to feature the Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa, whose parts were recorded at High Seas Studios.^[5] The Soweto Gospel Choir had previously collaborated with Gabriel in 2008 on "Down to Earth" for the WALL·E soundtrack.^[6]

Gabriel explained that I/O stands for input/output, which served as a starting point for writing a song about the world's interconnectedness, adding that "if we can see ourselves as better connected, still messed up individuals, but as part of a whole, then maybe there's something to learn."^[7]

The cover art for this track features Olafur Eliasson's Colour experiment no. 114, which he created in 2022. Gabriel first encountered Eliasson when the artist established Little Sun and later asked Eliasson to submit a piece of artwork incorporating light and nature, which he agreed to.^[4]

Personnel

• Peter Gabriel – lead vocals and backing vocals, piano, synthesizers, rhythm programming, production
• Tony Levin – bass guitar
• David Rhodes – electric guitar
• Manu Katché – drums
• Katie May – percussions, Rickenbacker guitar, acoustic guitar and additional synths
• Oli Jacobs – rhythm programming and additional synths
• Richard Evans – D whistle

Choir

Soweto Gospel Choir

• Soprano: Linda Sambo, Nobuhle Dhlamini, Phello Jiyane, Victoria Sithole
• Alto: Maserame Ndindwa, Phumla Nkhumeleni, Zanele Ngwenya, Duduzile Ngomane
• Tenor: George Kaudi, Vusimuzi Shabalala, Xolani Ntombela, Victor Makhathini
• Bass: Thabang Mkhwanazi, Goodwill Modawu, Warren Mahlangu, Fanizile Nzuza
• Musical director / vocal arranger: Bongani (Honey) Ncube

Charts

Chart performance for "I/O"

Chart (2023)	Peak position
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[8]	70

References

1. Irwin, Corey (6 April 2023). "Peter Gabriel Unveils Title Track for Upcoming Album 'i/o'". Retrieved 6 April 2023.
2. "Peter Gabriel: The Making of "i/o"". 4 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
3. "Peter Gabriel: The next song is the title track". Retrieved 6 April 2023.
4. "i/o". petergabriel.com. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
5. Brodsky, Rachel (6 April 2023). "Peter Gabriel Shares New Song "i/o": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
6. Bonner, Michael (6 April 2023). "Hear Peter Gabriel's new track, i/o". UNCUT. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
7. Jones, Abby (6 April 2023). "Peter Gabriel Shares New Song "i/o (Bright-Side Mix)"". Retrieved 4 March 2024.
8. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2023.