"Been Undone" is a song by English musician Peter Gabriel, released through Real World Records. Written and produced by Gabriel,[1] it is the lead single from his forthcoming eleventh studio album O\I. Like all songs from O\I and the preceding I/O (2023), the release of "Been Undone" corresponded with the lunar cycle and also received multiple mixes, including a Bright Side mix by Mark "Spike" Stent and a Dark Side mix by Tchad Blake.[2][3] The song's Dark-Side mix was released on 3 January 2026 to coincide with the Wolf Moon.[2] The song's Bright-Side Mix was released on 18 January 2026 on its corresponding new moon. It is 52 seconds shorter than the Dark-Side Mix.
Background
Aspects of "Been Undone" were taken from a chord progression and series of guitar riffs by David Rhodes on a demo titled "Sit", which had been created roughly 30 years prior to the release of "Been Undone". Gabriel revisited "Been Undone" with Rhodes, Tony Levin, and Manu Katché at Real World Studios, where it was the final song developed for O/I.[2]
The cover art for the single is Ciclotrama 156 (Palindrome) by Brazilian artist Janaina Mello Landini. Commenting the artwork in a press release, Gabriel said that unravelled rope in the artwork resembled "fractals or tree trunks" and expressed his belief that it "looks like the brain in some ways too". Gabriel also mentioned that Landini would create a different piece of artwork specifically for the track.[4]
Personnel
Personnel adapted from Gabriel's website:[5]
Musicians
- Peter Gabriel – piano, synthesizer, rhythm programming, lead and backing vocals
- Manu Katché – drums
- Tony Levin – bass
- David Rhodes – electric guitar
- Richard Evans – acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin
- Faye Dolle – rhythm programming, additional synthesizer, percussion
- Charles Hughes – percussion
- Ged Lynch – percussion
Technical
- Peter Gabriel – words and music, production
- Tchad Blake – mixing ("Dark-side" mix)
- Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing ("Bright-side" mix)
- Matt Colton – mastering
- Faye Dolle, Katie May, Dom Shaw, Richard Chappell, Ben Findlay – engineering
- Xav Sinden, Charles Hughes, Maisy Preece – assistant engineering
- Recorded at Real World Studios (Wiltshire), The Beehive (London)
Packaging
- Cover art – Ciclotrama 156 (Palindrome) by Janaina Mello Landini
Charts
References
- ↑ Ewing, Jerry. "'I have been thinking about the future and how we might respond to it.' Peter Gabriel announces surprise new album and single". Louder. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 Lapatine, Scott (3 January 2026). "Peter Gabriel Announces New Album 'o\i'". Stereogum. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ Moderelli, Rob (5 January 2026). "Peter Gabriel Unveils New Album 'o/i' with "Been Undone (Dark-Side Mix)"". Relix Media. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ↑ Jones, Damian (3 January 2026). "Peter Gabriel announces new album 'o\i' and looks to the future on new single 'Been Undone'". NME. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ "Been Undone". petergabriel.com. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 January 2026.