JUKEBOX: “Down to Earth” by Peter Gabriel

WALL-E and EVE (a.k.a. the cutest robot couple of all time)

Hi everybody! It’s Kimberly here for my sixth post for the genre “Children’s Music.”

For many years now, we as the human race have been occupied with the idea of exploring “The Last Frontier.” The song “Down to Earth” by Peter Gabriel reflects the exact opposite idea, coming back to the frontier we already know. Pixar’s 2008 movie WALL-E is about a robot that has the unfortunate job of dealing with all the waste that humans have left on earth. WALL-E’s entire life changes when he meets another robot named EVE. While on Earth, EVE discovers the last living plant on Earth. Without getting too much into the movie itself, the last living plant on Earth is what allows the humans to come back from space to the very planet that they had destroyed so many years ago. Peter Gabriel’s “Down to Earth” is written in the viewpoint of mankind as they make their way back to Earth.

Some of you may be familiar with another Peter Gabriel song called “In Your Eyes.” Fun fact: If you know the movie Say Anything (You know, the movie where John Cusack holds up the giant boom box above his head to impress the girl), “In Your Eyes” is actually the song that is coming out of boom box. I would describe Peter Gabriel’s sound as classic and soulful. I find it appropriate that he was the artist chosen to provide the credits song for WALL-E because his voice is so soulful and grounded (pun intended) that it provides the perfect transition from the R2D2-esque sounds of space to Earth.

“Down to Earth”, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 2009, starts off with a cool instrumental that smoothly ties in the stellar sounds present throughout WALL-E. It is a soulful almost gospel-like song, which sends the message that even though people make mistakes they can always start over again and come back “down to Earth.” There is even a choir that can be heard in the background which emphasizes that gospel effect. I like the imagery in the lyrics, such as “We’ve got snow on the mountains/We got rivers down below,” which again help bring the audience back from space to Earth. I’m giving “Down to Earth,” 4 records because although the instrumentals and lyrics are intriguing the song is missing a distinguishable melody that will leave a lasting impression on future generations.

Overall, “Down to Earth” is a song of redemption that may guide its listeners to remembering that no living person is ever past the point of no return. Until next time, please enjoy “Down to Earth.” J

Below are the credits for WALL-E where you can listen to “Down to Earth.”