Biko (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Biko


Artist = Peter Gabriel
from Album = Peter Gabriel
Released = 1980
Format = 7-inch
Recorded =
Genre = Experimental rock
World music
Length = 7:22
Label = Charisma Records
Writer = Peter Gabriel
Producer = Steve Lillywhite
Last single = "No Self Control" (1980)
This single = "Biko" (1980)
Next single = "Shock the Monkey" (1982)

"Biko" is a protest song by British rock musician Peter Gabriel. The song was included on Gabriel's third album, "Peter Gabriel" (1980). It is about Steve Biko, a noted black South African anti-apartheid activist. Biko had been arrested by the South African police in late August 1977. After being held in custody for several days, he was interrogated in room 619 of the Walmer Street prison in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. [http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/governence-projects/black-consciousness/biko/his-death.htm] Following the interrogation, during which he sustained serious head injuries, Biko was transferred to a prison in Pretoria, where he died shortly afterwards, on September 12, 1977. Gabriel often plays the song at the end of concerts, encouraging the audience to join in the singing, and eventually leaving only the drummer on stage.

"Biko" was first released as a single in 1980, when it reached #38 on the British charts. A live version, recorded in July 1987 at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, was released later that year, reaching #49 in the UK. This version was included on the soundtrack of "Cry Freedom", a 1987 film about Steve Biko.

Robert Wyatt released his version in 1984 on his E.P. "Work In Progress" (Rough Trade RTT149) [ [http://www.disco-robertwyatt.com/images/RW_solo/ Robert Wyatt - Solo ] ] .

Simple Minds released a cover version on their 1989 album "Street Fighting Years". It was also covered by Black 47 and Joan Baez on her 1987 album "Recently" and by Manu Dibango on his 1994 album "Wakafrika".

Steve Van Zandt stated that he was inspired by this song to write his 1985 anti-apartheid protest song "Sun City", performed by Artists United Against Apartheid.

"Biko" was also featured prominently in "Evan", the last episode of the first season of the American television show "Miami Vice".

One line of the lyrics reads "Yihla Moja" which in Xhosa means "Come Spirit".

References