“Digging in the Dirt” is a dark and introspective song by British musician Peter Gabriel, released in September 1992 with “Quiet Steam” on the B-side as the lead single from his sixth studio album, Us. The song showcases Gabriel’s signature blend of art rock, world music influences, and electronic experimentation, while lyrically exploring psychological struggle, self-examination, and emotional healing.

Peter Gabriel - Digging In The Dirt - single cover

The lyrics reflect a deeply personal journey of confronting one’s inner demons, pain, and past mistakes. The song captures the intensity of introspection, therapy, and personal growth, themes that are central to the Us album.

Digging in the Dirt is built on a moody, hypnotic groove, with gritty guitar riffs, layered percussion, and atmospheric synth textures. Gabriel’s spoken-word verses create a brooding tension, which explodes into a raw, impassioned chorus.

The song was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the U.S. and charting well in the UK and Europe. It became one of Gabriel’s most recognizable songs of the 1990s and a fan favorite in his live performances.

The music video, directed by John Downer, is visually striking and surreal, featuring stop-motion animation, distorted imagery, and symbolic representations of decay, rebirth, and self-discovery. The video’s eerie aesthetic and use of time-lapse photography helped make it an MTV staple, winning a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video in 1993.

Peter Gabriel – Digging In The Dirt – Lyrics