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What time signature is Solsbury Hill in

Author

Sarah Scott

Published Mar 22, 2026

The 7/4 stomp of “Solsbury Hill” is one of its indelible and striking features, that feeling of a beat missing in every measure giving the song a constant sense of struggle — and subsequently, of endurance.

What tempo is Solsbury Hill?

It is performed in the key of B major with a tempo of 102 beats per minute, with Gabriel’s vocals ranging from F♯3 to G♯4.

Why is it called Solsbury Hill?

The name ‘Solsbury’ may be derived from the Celtic god Sulis, a deity worshipped at the thermal spring in nearby Bath. A geological map by Horace B Woodward in the back of the 1888 Handbook of Bath labels the hill as ‘Stilisbury Hill’.

Where is Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill?

Solsbury Hill is located near Bath, England, where Gabriel would often walk or jog. According to legend, a temple was built there to honor Apollo, god of light, music, and poetry.

When was Solsbury Hill released?

Solsbury Hill was the first single to be taken from Peter’s debut solo album and was released in March 1977. The song was written by Peter, recorded and mixed at The Soundstage, Toronto and produced by Bob Ezrin.

Where is Peter Gabriel today?

Peter Gabriel was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2014. Today, he makes his home in Wiltshire, England, where he maintains a commercial recording studio and a record label, Real World Records.

Who plays guitar on Solsbury Hill?

2. The heartbeat. Part of the reason the song’s unusual time signature works is because it’s all in the guitars — that gorgeous spider web of an acoustic riff (played by Lou Reed and Alice Cooper guitarist Steve Hunter) circling the song’s perimeter and providing its pristine, immediately recognizable framework.

How tall is Solsbury Hill?

The top of the hill (altitude 191m, 625 feet) is owned and managed by the National Trust and offers views back towards Bath and the surrounding countryside. The hill is also the site of an Iron Age hill fort, and was the inspiration for Peter Gabriel’s song “Solsbury Hill”.

How do you get to Solsbury Hill?

By bus: From Bath bus station take bus 3 (First group) to Batheaston (bus route to Bathford). From Batheaston you can walk up to Little Solsbury Hill. By car: Little Solsbury Hill is situated between the A46 and the village of Batheaston.

What is Gabriel's net worth?

Net Worth:$95 MillionHeight:5 ft 10 in (1.791 m)

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Can you climb Solsbury Hill?

This circular walk climbs this small hill made famous by the Peter Gabriel song ‘Solsbury Hill’. If you’re coming from the centre of Bath you can reach the hill by following the Kennet and Avon Canal to Bathampton and then picking up the Limestone Link to take you to Little Solsbury Hill. …

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How long does it take to walk up Solsbury Hill?

30-45 min.

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Does Peter Gabriel speak German?

On the earlier song “Spiel Ohne Grenzen,” for instance, Gabriel’s pronunciation is fine but there can be no mistaking that he is not a native speaker of German. On the Security tracks, there are fewer howlers and he nails a few of the words quite impressively.