On The Air

Album: Peter Gabriel (second, scratch) (1978)
Play Video
  • Built in the belly of junk by the river my cabin stands
    Made from the trash I dug out 'the heap, with my own fair hands
    Every night, I'm back at the shack and I'm sure no one is there
    I'm putting the aerial up, so I can go out on the air

    On the air
    On the air
    On the air

    Every morning I'm out at dawn with the dwarfs and the tramp
    For a silent communion lit from above by the sodium lamps
    Everyone I meet on the street acts as if I wasn't there
    But they're all going to know who I am 'cause I can go out on the air

    On the air
    On the air
    On the air

    Leaving the car down leafy lane
    Turning out Tarzan for my Jungle Jane
    anyone at all
    From Captain Zero and his brand of superhero
    standing by a call
    Oh it's not easy
    No it's not easy
    Making real friends

    Don't give me your steak-reared milk boys, milk boys
    Half alive on empty white noise, white noise
    I got power, I'm proud to be loud; my signal goes out clear
    I want everybody to know that Mozo is here

    On the air
    On the air
    On the air Writer/s: PETER GABRIEL
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Paul from NowhereJesse, I think you should feel free to write your own Mozo story. I'd read it. It's a little like the movie Pump Up the Volume
  • Louis from Syracuse, NyMozo in On The Air refers to Rick Mozo. At the time Rick was road crew sound man for Nazareth and also produced one of their albums. Nazareth was coming off the road and Peter had left Genesis and was heading on tour. Rick was to go with Peter. Thus the line. My signal goes out clear, I want everyone to know Mozo is here.
  • Jesse from Toronto, CanadaDoes anyone know where one could acecss more information about the Mozo story?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.