4 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A

The Rhythm Of The Heat Lyrics

Looking out the window
I see the red dust clear
High up on the red rock
Stands the shadow with the spear

The land here is strong
Strong beneath my feet
it feeds on the blood
it feeds on the heat

The rhythm is below me
The rhythm of the heat
The rhythm is around me
The rhythm has control
The rhythm is inside me
The rhythm has my soul

The rhythm of the heat
The rhythm of the heat
The rhythm of the heat
The rhythm of the heat

Drawn across the plainland
To the place that is higher
Drawn into the circle
That dances round the fire
We spit into out hands
And breathe across the palms
Raising them up high
Help open to the sun

Self-conscious, uncertain
I'm showered with the dust
The spirit enter into me
And I submit to trust

Smash the radio
No outside voices here
Smash the watch
Cannot tear the day to shreds
Smash the camera
Cannot steal away the spirits
The rhythm is around me
The rhythm has control
The rhythm is inside me
The rhythm has my soul
4 Meanings

Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.

Add your thoughts...
Cover art for The Rhythm Of The Heat lyrics by Peter Gabriel

Yeah, he was originally going to call it "Carl Jung in Africa" but decided that title was far too pretentious and went with the title we have.

Jung did a lot of work on the "shadow self", the subsumed opposite we all have within us, similar to Freud's id. In literal terms this is about a researcher (probably Jung himself) engaging in some kind of tribal ritual around a bonfire - beating drums, evaporating his own saliva off his palms, denying modern technology and allowing himself to regress into a primitive state. He is terrified and fascinated by this wild, primititve man he discovers within himself.

In the same way, we are all repulsed by the primal urges we all have, but are still tempted by them - tempted to give in to rage, to lust, to gluttony, etc.

That's my take anyway.

Cover art for The Rhythm Of The Heat lyrics by Peter Gabriel

first comment. Woot. Well, I really like this song and I don't know why. But I could listen to it all day everyday :)

Cover art for The Rhythm Of The Heat lyrics by Peter Gabriel

I remember about 10-12 years ago David Copperfield used this song as background music to one of his levitation tricks. He had this jungle-themed stage setup for the trick, and it fit so well with the music. Sounds like some crazy ass Mayan ritual or something. Love the tribal drumming.

Cover art for The Rhythm Of The Heat lyrics by Peter Gabriel

The song is a reference to an experience Carl Jung had with a group of African drummers, if i'm not completely off.

 
Questions and Answers

Ask specific questions and get answers to unlock more indepth meanings & facts.

Ask a question...