View source for Don't Give Up (Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush song)

{{Short description|1986 single by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Don't Give Up
| cover      = Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush - Don't Give Up.png
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Peter Gabriel]] and [[Kate Bush]]
| album      = [[So (album)|So]]
| B-side     =
* "[[In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel song)|In Your Eyes]]" (Special mix), "[[Excellent Birds|This Is the Picture]]" (UK)
* "Curtains" (US)
| released   = 20 October 1986<ref name=lange>{{Cite web|url=http://gaffa.org/garden/chrono.html#79|website=Kate Bush timeline|title=Kate Bush timeline}}</ref>
| recorded   =
| studio     =
| genre      = 
| length     =
* 6:32 (album version)
* 6:07 (12-inch single edit)
* 5:40 (7-inch single edit)
| label      = [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
| writer     = Peter Gabriel
| producer   =
* [[Daniel Lanois]]
* Peter Gabriel
| chronology = [[Peter Gabriel]]
| prev_title = [[Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel song)|Sledgehammer]]
| prev_year  = 1986
| next_title = [[In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel song)|In Your Eyes]]
| next_year  = 1986
| misc       = {{Extra chronology
 | artist     = [[Kate Bush]]
 | type       = single
 | prev_title = [[The Big Sky (song)|The Big Sky]]
 | prev_year  = 1986
 | title      = Don't Give Up
 | year       = 1986
 | next_title = [[Experiment IV]]
 | next_year  = 1986
}}
{{Audio sample
 | type = single
 
 | description = {{ffdc|log=2024 April 16|date=April 2024}}
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|VjEq-r2agqc|"Don't Give Up"}}
}}
}}
"'''Don't Give Up'''" is a song written by English rock musician [[Peter Gabriel]] and recorded as a duet with English singer [[Kate Bush]] for Gabriel's fifth solo [[studio album]] ''[[So (album)|So]]'' (1986). An edited version was released as the third single from the album in the UK on 20 October 1986 and as the fourth single in the US in March 1987.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/314/mode/2up?q=Peter+Gabriel|title=Great Rock Discography|date=22 February 1995 |isbn=978-0-86241-541-9 |last1=Strong |first1=Martin Charles |publisher=Canongate Press }}</ref> It spent eleven weeks in the [[UK singles chart|UK Top 75 chart]] in 1986, peaking at number nine.

In 1987 the song won an [[Ivor Novello Awards|Ivor Novello Award]] for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ivorsacademy.com/awards/the-ivors/archive/?ay=1987 | title=Archive &#124; the Ivors &#124; the Ivors Academy &#124; Champions of Music Creators }}</ref>

==Background==
The song was inspired by the [[Great Depression|Depression-era]] photographs of [[Dorothea Lange]], showing poverty-stricken Americans in [[Dust Bowl]] conditions.<ref name=lange/> Gabriel saw Lange's images in a book entitled ''In This Proud Land'' (1973) and felt that a song on this topic was appropriate. He also cited unemployment in the United Kingdom under the [[premiership of Margaret Thatcher]] as further inspiration.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=772AV6upth4C&pg=PA63 |page=63 |title=Gabriel |date=September 1986 |journal=Spin|last=White |first=Timothy |volume=2 |number=6 |issn=0886-3032}}</ref>

Gabriel composed lyrics about a man whose unemployment causes stress in his domestic relationship. He had watched a TV program about the consequences of unemployment on family life, and said that it "played into my own problems at that time. I think a combination of that and domestic difficulties."<ref name="Hand-Made">{{Cite web |last=Bacon |first=Tony|date=29 January 2019 |title="High-Tech and Hand-Made": Peter Gabriel Shares His Recording Philosophy - Bacon's Archive |url=https://reverb.com/news/high-tech-and-hand-made-peter-gabriel-shares-his-recording-philosophy-bacons-archive |access-date=10 February 2024|website=Reverb |language=en}}</ref> The verses, sung by Gabriel, describe the man's feelings of isolation, loneliness and despair; the choruses, sung by Bush, offer words of hope and encouragement. The title was something that Gabriel's former wife, Jill, would say when he was experiencing emotional difficulties. "When he gets into very deep depressions, I am always saying don't give up. I think the song is very much about us."<ref name="Every">{{Cite book |last=Scarfe |first=Graeme |title=Peter Gabriel: Every Album, Every Song |publisher=SonicBond |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-78952-138-2 |location=United Kingdom |page=122}}</ref>

==Recording==
Initial ideas for the song date back to 1981 during the recording of his [[Peter Gabriel (1982 album)|fourth self-titled solo album]], which took place at [[Ashcombe House, Somerset]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Don't Give Up (Early multi-track version), by Peter Gabriel |url=https://petergabriel.bandcamp.com/track/dont-give-up-early-multi-track-version |access-date=31 March 2025 |website=Peter Gabriel |language=en}}</ref> Gabriel built the song around a [[tom-tom]] pattern with a three-against-four [[polyrhythm]] that he programmed onto a drum machine.<ref name="Hand-Made"/> He tuned the programmed tom-toms to different pitches with the intention of having [[Tony Levin]] emulate the part on the [[bass guitar]].{{sfn|Scott|2012|loc=28:42}} Halfway through recording, Levin placed a [[nappy]] behind his strings to dampen the sound and achieve a softer tone. Levin had packed the nappies in his [[gig bag]] for his two-month-old daughter because he mistakenly thought that the products were not sold in the UK.{{sfn|Scott|2012|loc=34:23}}<ref name="Every"/> [[Richard Tee]] also contributed piano, in the song's bridge, to infuse a [[gospel music|gospel]] feel into the section.{{sfn|Scott|2012|loc=33:35}} Gabriel attempted a few variations of the ending section, but eventually settled on an arrangement that he was satisfied with.<ref name="Hand-Made"/>

Gabriel developed the "don't give up" lyric and the verses early on, although he did not finalize the chorus until a few months after the melody was solidified. He did not conceive the song as a duet and originally sang all of the choruses himself, but later said that "the story would work better with a man–woman relationship."<ref name="Hand-Made"/><ref name="Gallo">{{Cite book |last=Gallo |first=Armando|title=Peter Gabriel |publisher=SonicBond |year=1986 |isbn=0-7119-0783-8 |location=United Kingdom |page=84}}</ref> The initial demos of "Don't Give Up" were around seven minutes in duration, although Gabriel later decided to edit the song down.<ref name="Hand-Made"/>

{{blockquote|I always over-record, because again it's a classic situation in the studio. The band suddenly starts rehearsing at the end of the song and this sort of magic groove starts coming—and then the tape runs out. So I always make sure we've got five minutes spare, so if something does happen, if the band takes off, then you can get it. And then perhaps you'll come back and try to pull some of that energy into the earlier sections.|Peter Gabriel<ref name="Hand-Made"/>}}

Gabriel wrote the song from a reference point of [[American folk music#Roots music|American roots music]] and approached [[Country music|country]] singer [[Dolly Parton]] to sing it with him. However, Parton turned it down, so his friend Kate Bush took her place.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a341195/kate-bush-replaced-dolly-parton-on-dont-give-up-peter-gabriel-says/ | title= Kate Bush replaced Dolly Parton on 'Don't Give Up', Peter Gabriel says | work=Digital Spy | date=19 September 2011 | access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> Gabriel said that Bush was originally nervous about participating, but delivered an "excellent" vocal take on her second attempt.<ref name="Gallo"/> David Stallbaumer, who served as an assistant engineer for the sessions, thought that Bush's contributions improved the song "almost instantaneously".{{sfn|Scott|2012|loc=30:58}}

==Music videos==
Two music videos were created for the song. The first, by [[Godley & Creme]], is a single take of Gabriel and Bush, as they sing, in an embrace, while the sun behind them enters a [[solar eclipse|total eclipse]] and re-emerges. Of the shoot, Gabriel remarked, "There are worse ways of earning a living."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mark|last=Blake|author-link=Mark Blake (writer)|title=Cash for questions: Peter Gabriel|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|date=December 2011|page=43}}</ref> According to Gabriel, Godley & Creme suggested the idea of Bush and Gabriel holding each other for the entire video.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McIver |first=Joel |date=22 October 2007 |title=Angelic Gabriel |magazine=[[Record Collector]] |url=https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/angelic-gabriel |access-date=26 March 2025}}</ref> The video was featured in the final broadcast of the channel [[Europa TV]] in November 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsgnwoaVW2Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/YsgnwoaVW2Y |archive-date=14 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Last transmission EUROPA-TV (29 november 1986)|date=29 January 2018 |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><!-- assume no copyvio as company ended in 1986 -->

A second video, directed by [[Jim Blashfield]] and produced by Melissa Marsland in 1988, features the singers' faces superimposed over film of a town and its people in disrepair.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blashfieldstudio.com/musicvideos.html|title=Blank|website=Blashfieldstudio.com}}</ref>

==Legacy==
In a 2014 interview, [[Elton John]] attributed his [[sobriety]] to the song, in particular the lyric from Bush, "Rest your head. You worry too much. It's going to be all right. When times get rough you can fall back on us. Don't give up." He states, "she [Bush] played a big part in my rebirth. That record helped me so much."<ref>{{cite news |title=Elton John Reveals Kate Bush Song 'Saved His Life' |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/elton-john/elton-john-reveals-kate-bush-song-saved-his-life/ |access-date=14 June 2022 |work=Smooth Radio |archive-date=18 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618092631/https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/elton-john/elton-john-reveals-kate-bush-song-saved-his-life/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Similarly, actor [[Matthew Perry]] (who struggled with substance and alcohol addiction) was enamored with the song; it was played at his funeral in November 2023 and was referenced in signed copies of his autobiography ''Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing'', which was released a year before his death.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Don't give up': One of Matthew Perry's favourite songs brought his entire funeral to tears |url=https://www.morefm.co.nz/home/goss/2023/11/dont-give-up-one-of-matthew-perrys-favourite-songs-brought-his-entire-funeral-to-tears.html |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=morefm.co.nz |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jack |first=Amberleigh |date=5 November 2023 |title=The song that brought everyone to tears at Matthew Perry's funeral |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/301002790/the-song-that-brought-everyone-to-tears-at-matthew-perrys-funeral |access-date=6 November 2023|website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> Of the song, Perry said in an interview, "It was so cool and I love that. I've been writing it when I sign the book. I always put 'Don't give up' because you shouldn't give up."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Copson |first=Josie |date=4 November 2023|title=Matthew Perry's funeral song was used to send special message to fans |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/11/04/matthew-perry-funeral-song-special-message-fans-19774331/ |access-date=6 November 2023 |website=Metro |language=en}}</ref> Gabriel said in a 1989 interview that multiple people had approached him to say that "Don't Give Up" "came at a very good time in their life" and recalled an instance where "a well-known American comedian" told him that the song saved his life.<ref name="Hand-Made"/>

==Live performances==
[[File:Peter Gabriel Back To Front-Tour Jennie Abrahamson 29042014.JPG|thumb|[[Jennie Abrahamson]] performing ''Don't Give Up'' at [[Peter Gabriel]]'s [[Back to Front Tour]] 2014 at [[Festhalle Frankfurt|Festhalle]] in [[Frankfurt]], [[Germany]]]]
The song was included in Gabriel's concert film ''Live in Athens 1987''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live in Athens 1987 |url=https://petergabriel.com/release/live-athens-1987-dvdblu-ray/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=PeterGabriel.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> where he sang both parts<ref>{{Cite news |last=Littlejohn |first=Maureen |date=13 July 1987 |title=Gabriel delivers a 'So' effective show |url=https://thegenesisarchive.co.uk/concert-review-pg-the-waterloo-region-record-kitchener-13th-july/ |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |via=The Genesis Archive}}</ref> and [[Secret World Live]] tour featuring singer [[Paula Cole]]. The [[Secret World Live (film)|DVD release]] of a performance in Italy in 1993 (released in 1994) included the duet. An all-orchestral recording featuring [[Ane Brun]] was released on Gabriel's ninth studio album ''[[New Blood (Peter Gabriel album)|New Blood]]'' (2011). During ''[[Back to Front Tour]]'' from 2012 to 2014, Gabriel performed the Song live with singer [[Jennie Abrahamson]].<ref name="Back to Front Tour-Jennie Abrahamson">{{Cite web |author=[[Jennie Abrahamson]] |url=https://jennieabrahamson.com/2014/12/the-back-to-front-tour-is-over/ |title=Peter Gabriel's So Back to Front Tour is over |publisher=Jennie Abrahamson |date=2014-12-20 |language=English |accessdate=2023-08-11}}</ref><ref name="Jennie Abrahamson-Don't Give Up-YouTube">{{YouTube |id=LZnPFiNIDiY&t=1s |title=Peter Gabriel - Don't Give Up Live (Back to Front Tour - London)}}</ref> During ''[[i/o The Tour]]'' in 2023, Gabriel performed the song live with cellist/pianist/singer [[Ayanna Witter-Johnson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Larsen |first=Peter|date=14 October 2023 |title=Peter Gabriel delivers So hits and new i/o songs in powerful Kia Forum show |url=https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/10/14/peter-gabriel-delivers-so-hits-and-new-i-o-songs-in-powerful-kia-forum-show/ |access-date=9 November 2024|website=Daily Breeze |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| all_writing = [[Peter Gabriel]]
| headline    = 12-inch (UK)
| title1      = Don't Give Up
| length1     = 6:30
| title2      = [[In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel song)|In Your Eyes]]
| note2       = Special mix
| length2     = 7:15
| title3      = [[Excellent Birds|This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds)]]
| length3     = 4:16
}}
{{Track listing
| headline    = 12-inch (US)
| title1      = Don't Give Up
| note1       = LP version
| length1     = 6:30
| title2      = Don't Give Up
| note2       = edit
| length2     = 5:26
| title3      = Curtains
| length3     = 3:35
}}
{{Track listing
| headline    = Limited edition 7-inch poster sleeve
| title1      = Don't Give Up
| length1     = 5:40
| title2      = In Your Eyes
| note2       = Special mix
| length2     = 7:15
}}

==Personnel==
{{div col}}
* [[Manu Katché]] – drums, percussion
* [[Tony Levin]] – bass guitar
* [[David Rhodes (guitarist)|David Rhodes]] – guitars
* [[Richard Tee]] – piano
* [[Peter Gabriel]] – vocals, [[Fairlight CMI|CMI]], [[Prophet-5|Prophet]], [[Linn LM-1|Linn]], piano
* [[Andy Clark (musician)|Simon Clark]] – [[Chorus effect|chorus]] [[Yamaha CS-80|CS-80]]
* [[Kate Bush]] – guest vocals
* [[Kevin Killen]] - engineer and mixer
{{div col end}}

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1986–1987)
!Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=50}} N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]] between mid-1983 and 12 June 1988.</ref>
|5
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium ([[Top 30]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radio2.be/top-30/|title=De Radio 2 Top 30|website=Radio 2|access-date=13 March 2018|archive-date=15 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215000519/http://www.radio2.be/top-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|7
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|9|artist=Peter Gabriel / Kate Bush|song=Don't Give Up|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|40|chartid=0820|rowheader=true|access-date=22 October 2020}}
|-
!scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-12-06.pdf|title=European Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=3|issue=48|page=12|date=6 December 1986|access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref>
|10
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|4|song=Don't Give Up|rowheader=true|access-date=22 October 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|4|year=1987|week=3|rowheader=true|access-date=22 October 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|5|artist=Peter Gabriel / Kate Bush|song=Don't Give Up|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|16|artist=Peter Gabriel / Kate Bush|song=Don't Give Up|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|Spain ([[Productores de Música de España|AFYVE]])<ref>{{cite book|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|isbn=84-8048-639-2|edition=1st|location=Spain}}</ref>
|13
|-
{{single chart|UK|9|date=19861115|rowheader=true|access-date=22 October 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|72|artist=Peter Gabriel|rowheader=true|access-date=22 October 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|West Germany|27|artist=Peter Gabriel / Kate Bush|song=Don't Give Up|songid=6792|rowheader=true|access-date=22 October 2020}}
|}

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2022)
!Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"|UK Downloads ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/20220805|title=Official Singles Download Chart Top 100 – 05 August 2022 – 11 August 2022|website=Official Charts|date=5 August 2022|access-date=5 August 2022}}</ref>
|48
|-
!scope="row"|UK Sales ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20220805|title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 – 05 August 2022 – 11 August 2022|website=Official Charts|date=5 August 2022|access-date=5 August 2022}}</ref>
|49
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1987)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/sPdqqRt.jpg|title=Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987|publisher=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Music Report]]|via=[[Imgur]]|access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref>
|55
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1987|title=Jaaroverzichten 1987|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=nl|access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref>
|84
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1987|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=26 September 2021}}</ref>
|70
|}
{{col-end}}

==Other versions==
===Willie Nelson and Sinéad O'Connor version===
{{Infobox song
| name       = Don't Give Up
| cover      = Willie_Nelson_&_Sinéad_O'Connor_-_Don't_Give_Up.jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Willie Nelson]] and [[Sinéad O'Connor]]
| album      =
| released   = 1992
| recorded   =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Country music|Country]]
| length     = 4:50
| label      =
| writer     = Peter Gabriel
| producer   = Don Was
| chronology = [[Sinéad O'Connor]]
| prev_title = [[Success (Loretta Lynn song)#Sinéad O'Connor version|Success Has Made a Failure of Our Home]]
| prev_year  = 1992
| next_title = [[You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart]]
| next_year  = 1994
| misc       = {{External music video|{{YouTube|gO6fAJcN89k|"Don't Give Up"}}}}
}}
The song was covered as a duet between American musician [[Willie Nelson]] and Irish singer [[Sinéad O'Connor]] in 1993. The single is included on Nelson's ''[[Across the Borderline]]'' studio album, produced by [[Don Was]], [[Paul Simon]], and [[Roy Halee]]. O'Connor sings Kate Bush's parts in the song. In an interview with ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', Nelson talked about the duet and how it was made. He said:

{{cquote|There was another lady, Dolly Parton, who was supposed to do that part, but she ended up being unavailable. At the rehearsal for the [Bob] Dylan tribute show in New York, Don [Was] suggested Sinead. I'd heard about the controversy with the Pope, but I'd never heard her sing. Don said, 'She's excellent. It turned out that she and Peter Gabriel were friends and she already knew the song. At the concert, she was booed for the controversy. I asked her, 'Are you sure you still feel like coming in to sing tomorrow?' She said, 'Yes, I'll be there.' She came in the next day and sang her off.<ref name="auto">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cRoyAAAAIBAJ|title=Willie Nelson 'restless soul,' settling down| magazine=[[Reading Eagle]]|page=B8 |date=November 25, 1993}}</ref>}}

A [[music video]] was made to accompany the song, featuring both singers. It has a sepia tone. It was reported that funds raised by sales of the single were in excess of $300,000.

====Critical reception====
Martin Monkman from [[AllMusic]] felt the duet is the "most stunning song" on the [[Across the Borderline|album]], and "a brilliant piece of casting." He added, "Nelson and O'Connor's rendition is quietly triumphant and every bit as powerful as Gabriel and Bush's original."<ref>{{cite web|first= Martin |last= Monkman |title= Willie Nelson – ''Across the Borderline'' |publisher= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= 18 November 2020 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/across-the-borderline-mw0000097271}}</ref> John Davis from ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]'' wrote, "The teaming of his crisp, autumnal [[baritone]] with the ethereal, spun-steel counterpoint of O'Connor's voice on Gabriel's paean of hope, "Don't Give Up", is little short of haunting. It is arguably the album's most arresting interlude, as well as Nelson's most accomplished pass ever at a modern pop song. And it nearly did not happen at all."<ref>Davis, John (4 March 1993). "For Nelson, time to stretch". ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]''.</ref> Bill DeYoung from ''[[Gainesville Sun]]'' described the duet as "heartfelt".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KJEpAAAAIBAJ|title=Willie Nelson's Americana|magazine=[[Gainesville Sun]]|date=26 March 1993|access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref> Paul Freeman from ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' called it "a striking duet".<ref name="auto"/> Pan-European magazine ''[[Music & Media]]'' remarked that Nelson's version "makes a rodeo queen out of his duet partner".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-04-03.pdf|title=New Releases: Albums|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|date=3 April 1993|page=7|access-date=21 February 2020}}</ref> Roger Morton from ''[[New Musical Express|NME]]'' felt the pair's version "is quite dignified enough to stand up on its own. It's an understated rendering which, a few country twangs aside, leaves the interaction between Nelson's grizzled tones and Sinead's frail quavers to do the work."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Roger|last=Morton|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52912510721/|title=Singles|magazine=[[New Musical Express|NME]]|date=26 June 1993|page=20|access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref> An editor from ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'' wrote that Nelson and O'Connor "make an odd but effective couple".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6LFRAAAAIBAJ|title=Timeless pop and twang|magazine=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=2 April 1993|access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref> David Zimmerman from ''[[USA Today]]'' named it a "wonderful stop" on the album, noting its "hope-and-despair seesaw".<ref>Zimmerman, David (22 March 1993). "Nelson's music knows no 'Borderline'". ''[[USA Today]]''.</ref>

====Track listing====
# "Don't Give Up"
# "Don't Give Up" (instrumental)

===Alicia Keys and Bono version===
{{Infobox song
| name       = Don't Give Up (Africa)
| cover      = Dontgiveupafrica.jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Bono]]
| album      =
| released   = {{Start date|df=yes|2005|12|06}}
| recorded   =
| studio     = [[Oven Studios]] (Long Island, NY)<ref name="em">{{cite web |author1=Keith, John Dylan |title=The Studio Diary of Alicia Keys |url=https://www.emusician.com/gear/the-studio-diary-of-alicia-keys |website=[[Electronic Musician]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future]] |access-date=24 November 2018 |date=30 April 2006 |archive-date=24 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124220202/https://www.emusician.com/gear/the-studio-diary-of-alicia-keys |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| genre      = [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
| length     = {{Duration|m=4|s=27}}
| label      =
| writer     = Peter Gabriel
| producer   =
* [[Alicia Keys]]
* [[Steve Lillywhite]]
| chronology = [[Alicia Keys]]
| prev_title = [[Unbreakable (Alicia Keys song)|Unbreakable]]
| prev_year  = 2005
| next_title = [[Every Little Bit Hurts#Alicia Keys version|Every Little Bit Hurts]]
| next_year  = 2006
}}
"Don't Give Up" was recorded by American recording artist [[Alicia Keys]] and Irish musician [[Bono]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bono, Keys Will Duet for Charity|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-dec-02-et-quick2.4-story.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=24 November 2018|date=2 December 2005}}</ref> Retitled "Don't Give Up (Africa)", the song was produced by Keys and [[Steve Lillywhite]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=West, Dave|title=Bono and Keys Record Song for Africa Charity|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a26966/bono-and-keys-record-song-for-africa-charity.html#~oYxRVDkCxAs1Jj|website=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|access-date=24 November 2018|date=4 December 2005}}</ref> On 6 December 2005, the song was released as a single exclusively on [[iTunes]] and a ringtone version was released by [[Cingular Wireless]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Multimedia News Release – This Holiday Season, Get a Cingular Ringtone, Give Life|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/multimedia-news-release----this-holiday-season-get-a-cingular-ringtone-give-life-55136927.html|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=15 December 2014|date=1 December 2005}}</ref> The proceeds of the release went to the charity [[Keep a Child Alive]], for which Keys is a spokesperson.<ref name="bb">{{cite magazine|title=Keys, Bono Team For Charity Song|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60496/keys-bono-team-for-charity-song|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]]|access-date=24 November 2018|date=30 November 2005}}</ref> Keys commented that "I love this song. And I love Bono. I really respect what he has done for [[Africa]] and how he has used his fame to do good in the world. I hope I can do half as much in my life".<ref name="ap">{{cite web|title=Alicia Keys, Bono to Raise Funds with AIDS Song|url=http://www.today.com/id/10269863#.VJBzHcngWvt|website=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]]|date=2 December 2005|access-date=24 November 2018|archive-date=9 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809085932/http://www.today.com/id/10269863#.VJBzHcngWvt|url-status=dead}}</ref> Keys and Bono performed the song live at Keys' charity event the Black Ball, which raises money for the organization Keep A Child Alive.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bono and Keys Duet on Africa Song|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4497232.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=24 November 2018|date=4 December 2005}}</ref> They performed the song also on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' in October 2006.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Serjeant, Jill|title=Bono Launches US Red Campaign for Aids in Africa|url=http://mg.co.za/index.php/article/2006-10-14-bono-launches-us-red-campaign-for-aids-in-africa|publisher=[[Mail & Guardian]]|access-date=16 December 2014|date=14 October 2006|archive-date=25 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125212733/http://mg.co.za/index.php/article/2006-10-14-bono-launches-us-red-campaign-for-aids-in-africa|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The recording of the song took place at the [[Oven Studios]] on [[Long Island]].<ref name="em"/> Keys spoke of the recording session at the studio with Bono and [[Steve Lillywhite]]:{{blockquote|We were playing them the backing tracks and I don't know if I started singing, or he did, but something started happening and we tracked it right here on the spot, that's it, we're done. There was a crowd in here, everybody came in from the other room because they could tell there was something going on in here.<ref name="em">{{cite web |author1=Keith, John Dylan |title=The Studio Diary of Alicia Keys |url=https://www.emusician.com/gear/the-studio-diary-of-alicia-keys |website=[[Electronic Musician]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future]] |access-date=24 November 2018 |date=30 April 2006 |archive-date=24 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124220202/https://www.emusician.com/gear/the-studio-diary-of-alicia-keys |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}

====Track listing====
{{Track listing
| headline        = Digital download<ref>{{cite web|title=Don't Give Up (Africa) (Single Song)|url=http://www.u2wanderer.org/disco/dalb017.html|website=U2 Wanderer.org|access-date=16 December 2014}}</ref>
| extra_column    =
| total_length    =
| title1          = Don't Give Up (Africa)
| length1         = 4:27
}}

==== Charts ====
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2005)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
!scope="row"|US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Pop 100]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/alicia-keys-mn0000005307/awards|title=Alicia Keys – Awards – AllMusic|publisher=AllMusic}}</ref>
|79
|}

===Jann Klose and Annie Haslam version===
[[Jann Klose]] and [[Renaissance (band)|Renaissance]] vocalist and painter [[Annie Haslam]] released their version, produced by Rave Tesar in June 2017. The recording features Jann Klose on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Annie Haslam on lead vocals, John Arbo on upright bass, Rob Mitzner on cajon and Rave Tesar on keys. Proceeds from the sale of the recording benefit [[Desmond Tutu]]'s TutuDesk foundation.

===Shannon Noll and Natalie Bassingthwaighte version===
{{Infobox song
| name       = Don't Give Up
| cover      = Shannon Noll & Natalie Bassingthwaighte - Don't Give Up.jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Shannon Noll]] and [[Natalie Bassingthwaighte]]
| album      = [[Home: Songs of Hope & Journey]]
| released   = {{Start date|2006|12|09|df=y}}
| recorded   = 2006
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| length     = {{Duration|m=4|s=39}}
| label      = [[Sony BMG]]
| writer     = Peter Gabriel
| producer   = Michael Mugisha
| chronology = [[Shannon Noll]]
| prev_title = [[Lonely (Shannon Noll song)|Lonely]]
| prev_year  = 2006
| next_title = [[Loud (Shannon Noll song)|Loud]]
| next_year  = 2007
| misc       = {{Extra chronology
 | artist     = [[Natalie Bassingthwaighte]]
 | type       = single
 | prev_title =
 | prev_year  =
 | title      = Don't Give Up
 | year       = 2006
 | next_title = [[Alive (Natalie Bassingthwaighte song)|Alive]]
 | next_year  = 2008
}}
}}
A cover version was recorded by Australian artist [[Shannon Noll]] and former [[Rogue Traders]] frontwoman [[Natalie Bassingthwaighte]]. It was produced by Michael "fingaz" Mugisha who also produced hits for Jessica Mauboy, Big Brovaz and recorded for the compilation ''[[Home: Songs of Hope & Journey]]''. It was released as a charity single for the [[Clinical depression|depression]] organisation [[Beyond Blue]]. It was the most added song to Australian radio in its first week.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sonybmg.com.au/cd/releaseDetails.do?catalogueNo=88697049352|title=SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT :: Australia :: CD Releases|date=30 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830213416/http://www.sonybmg.com.au/cd/releaseDetails.do?catalogueNo=88697049352 |accessdate=11 March 2023|archive-date=30 August 2007 }}</ref> It made its debut at number seven on the Australian Singles Chart, and, in its second week, climbed to number two with a Platinum certification. The song was also performed live on the fifth season of ''[[Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]''. The music video features Noll and Bassingthwaighte in the studio recording the single.

====Charts====
'''Weekly charts'''
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Chart (2006–2007)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|2|artist=Shannon Noll & Natalie Bassingthwaighte|song=Don't Give Up|rowheader=true|access-date=8 February 2021}}
|}

'''Year-end charts'''
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Chart (2006)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2006/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2006|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref>
|51
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Chart (2007)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2007/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2007|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref>
|54
|}

====Certifications====
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|access-date=8 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite AV media |last=Scott|first=George|title=Classic Albums: So |series=[[Classic Albums]] |year=2012 |location=United Kingdom |publisher=[[Eagle Rock Entertainment]] and Peter Gabriel Records Lh.}}

{{Peter Gabriel}}
{{Kate Bush songs}}
{{Alicia Keys singles}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1980s ballads]]
[[Category:1986 singles]]
[[Category:1986 songs]]
[[Category:1993 singles]]
[[Category:2005 singles]]
[[Category:2006 singles]]
[[Category:Alicia Keys songs]]
[[Category:Geffen Records singles]]
[[Category:Kate Bush songs]]
[[Category:Lady Gaga songs]]
[[Category:Male–female vocal duets]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Godley and Creme]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Jim Blashfield]]
[[Category:Natalie Bassingthwaighte songs]]
[[Category:Peter Gabriel songs]]
[[Category:Pop ballads]]
[[Category:Rock ballads]]
[[Category:Shannon Noll songs]]
[[Category:Sinéad O'Connor songs]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Daniel Lanois]]
[[Category:Songs about loneliness]]
[[Category:Songs about suicide]]
[[Category:Songs written by Peter Gabriel]]
[[Category:Sony BMG singles]]
[[Category:Willie Nelson songs]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Alicia Keys]]
[[Category:Songs about depression]]