Continuing my look at acclaimed albums released in 1982, we arrive at Peter Gabriel’s self-titled fourth solo album. Not to be confused with his self-titled first, second and third solo albums.
Gabriel is an imaginative fellow, but that imagination didn’t extend to his album titles. Those first four albums, all officially titled Peter Gabriel, have come to be known by a word derived from the album covers: Car, Scratch, Melt and Security.
This album has also been referred to as Mask, which makes more sense based on the album art. I’m not sure where “Security” came from.
This was the album that preceded 1986’s So (with a live album and a soundtrack in between) and you hear echoes of these tracks in ‘Sledgehammer’ and ‘Big Time’ from that great record.
The two best-known songs here are ‘Shock the Monkey’ and today’s SOTD, ‘I Have the Touch.’
The pushing of the people – I like it all so much
Such a mass of motion – do not know where it goes
I move with the movement and … I have the touch
I’m waiting for ignition, I’m looking for a spark
Any chance collision and I light up in the dark
There you stand before me, all that fur and all that hair
Oh, do I dare … I have the touch
Wanting contact
I’m wanting contact
I’m wanting contact with you
Shake those hands, shake those hands
Give me the thing I understand
Shake those hands, shake those hands
Shake those hands, shake those hands
Any social occasion, it’s hello, how do you do
All those introductions, I never miss my cue
So before a question, so before a doubt
My hand moves out and … I have the touch
Wanting contact
I’m wanting contact
I’m wanting contact with you
Shake those hands, shake those hands
Give me the thing I understand
Shake those hands, shake those hands
Pull my chin, stroke my hair, scratch my nose, hug my knees
Try drink, food, cigarette, tension will not ease
I tap my fingers, fold my arms, breathe in deep, cross my legs
Shrug my shoulders, stretch my back – but nothing seems
to please
I need contact
I need contact
Nothing seems to please
I need contact
Meet Me In Montauk 
I never knew that about the titles of his first four albums. Seems like a promotional and marketing nightmare! I don’t own any of those records, but I have heard today’s song and, of course, “Shock the Monkey.” Good stuff.