The Book Of Love

Peter Gabriel's 'The Book of Love' is a song that delves into the complexities and simplicities of love, using the metaphor of a book to describe the vast and sometimes overwhelming nature of the emotion. The lyrics suggest that love, much like a lengthy book filled with 'charts and facts and figures,' can be tedious and difficult to comprehend. However, the song also highlights the beauty and joy that can be found in the acts of sharing and expressing love. The repetitive nature of the lyrics, with the singer expressing his affection for the partner's gestures, emphasizes the importance of the small, personal moments that make love meaningful.

The song's reference to music being found within 'The Book of Love' suggests that love is not just a concept to be understood intellectually but also an experience to be felt and expressed, often through the arts and particularly through music. The contrast between the 'transcendental' and the 'really dumb' elements of love and music reflects the duality of the experience, which can be both profound and absurd. This duality is a common theme in human relationships and is captured poignantly in the song's lyrics.

The final verses of the song bring a sense of closure and commitment, as the singer speaks of heart-shaped boxes and wedding rings. These symbols of love and marriage signify a deepening of the relationship and a desire to formalize the bond between partners. The song, therefore, moves from a general meditation on love to a personal and intimate declaration of commitment, encapsulating the journey from understanding love as a concept to living it as a reality.