Inspired by Albumism, I’m doing my own version of Flying Solo with individual tracks. Band breakups and hiatuses are never fun, but these solo jams were defining moments in my life’s soundtrack.

So was a true landmark album in many ways. While commercially successful, Peter Gabriel didn’t give in to the pop sounds surrounding him. Instead, he rose above them, elevating pop with songs like “In Your Eyes”, “Sledgehammer”, “Big Time”, “Red Rain” and “Don’t Give Up”, one of a few collaborations he’s had with Kate Bush. But to this day, my favorite track on the album is still the understated and underrated “Mercy Street”.

Surrounded by mega hits “In Your Eyes” and “Big Time” on Side B, “Mercy Street” was complicated. It was haunting, yet inviting. It wasn’t merely sung. It painted a picture like all the best songs do. When you turn it on, you can see the empty streets and the fog-covered sea. This artistic depth proved Peter Gabriel never lost the progressive itch that made him so unique.

“Looking down on empty streets, all she can see are the dreams all made solid, are the dreams made real.”