For a kid who loved PIXAR movies. And Robots. And seeing PIXAR movies about robots, it doesn't get any better than this.
Or does it? Oh it does.
WALL-E is a masterclass in story telling, as most PIXAR movies and shorts are. There is such little dialogue in the whole movie but not only does it entertain adults, it keeps kids mesmerized for 97 minutes! While telling a fantastic story!
The year is 2007 and as is a family tradition, we were at AMC Easton watching something and happened upon this promo in the lobby. The metadata on the picture says "Sprint", so that explains the terrible photo because we would have taken it with our phone. Yes, the first iPhone was already out. No, we had two kids and could not afford them yet. I think the first ones we ever got were the 3GS model.
Anyway - as is also a family tradition, we all hate being in pictures, so that explains the boys' excitement in the photo.
But don't let that fool you.
The other picture, with Gabriel wearing his namesake Peter Gabriel shirt, more accurately depicts how he felt watching the movie.
This is where I share how it got even better - because Peter Gabriel composed the end credits song. This song. Which did win a Grammy.
So if today isn't the day we watched the movie at the theatre, then why is it on today?
Because Peter Gabriel said FU to the Oscars. Ok those are my words, but he protested the best way possible for any artist - by not showing up and performing.
This is the Deadline article published on February 12th, 2009.
Peter Gabriel's letter to the Academy:
“I was delighted when “Down to Earth” was nominated for an Oscar. I was also pleased to have been asked to perform the song in the Oscar ceremony. However, in recent discussions with the Producers, it became clear that despite there being only three nominees, only 60-65 seconds was being offered, and that was also in a medley of the three songs. I don’t feel that is sufficient time to do the song justice, and have decided to withdraw from performing.
I fully respect and look forward to the Producers’ right to revamp the show. Even though song writers are small players in the film making process, they are just as committed and work just as hard as the rest of the team and I regret that this new version of the ceremony is being created, in part, at their expense.
I still very much look forward to attending the ceremony.”
He didn't perform - John Legend performed the song instead.
So here we have my son who was named after Peter Gabriel, who loves PIXAR movies, who loves robots, who is a digital artist himself and knows the value of his work being inspired by his namesake. For a song in a PIXAR movie about robots. Holding true to knowing his own artistic worth.
I was 100% supportive of this decision in 2009 and still feel the same way in 2025.
Simply put - the stars aligned for our Gabriel and the worlds Gabriel.
Oh yeah - what were watching at AMC? National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
Shannon’s Perspective:
Redefine your priorities These are extraordinary qualities
Since I know Larry will be covering the reason this song is on here on this day, I'm just gonna talk for a moment about the lyrics I chose and why.
The first line to me feels like what my Gabriel has done with his life. He has decided his priorities are to actually enjoy his life as much as possible. He does not want to spend his life working for the man. He wants to spend his life creating his artwork and making enough to enjoy his life on his terms.
The second line is me finally letting go of the plans I had for his life. All you parents know what I'm talking about. The life we dream for them when they are little. The way we think things might work out for them. It took me a little while to figure out that maybe just maybe he had it right all along.
Down to Earth Peter Gabriel
Did you think that your feet had been bound By what gravity brings to the ground? Did you feel you were tricked By the future you picked? Well, come on down
All these rules don't apply When you're high in the sky So come on down Come on down
We're coming down to the ground There's no better place to go We've got snow up on the mountains We've got rivers down below
We're coming down to the ground To hear the birds sing in the trees And the land will be looked after We send the seeds out in the breeze
Did you think you'd escaped from routine By changing the script and the scene? Despite all you made of it You're always afraid of the change
You've got a lot on your chest Well, you can come as my guest So come on down Come on down
We're coming down to the ground There's no better place to go We've got snow up on the mountains We've got rivers down below
We're coming down to the ground We'll hear the birds sing in the trees And the land will be looked after We send the seeds out in the breeze
Like the fish in the ocean We felt at home in the sea We learned to live off the good land We learned to climb up a tree
Then we got up on two legs But we wanted to fly Oh, when we messed up our homeland And set sail for the sky
We're coming down to the ground There's no better place to go We've got snow upon the mountains We got rivers down below
We're coming down to the ground We'll hear the birds sing in the trees And the land will be looked after We send the seeds out in the breeze
We're coming down (Down) Comin' down to earth (Down) Like babies at birth (Down) Comin' down to earth (Down to Earth) Redefine your priorities (Down) These are extraordinary qualities (Down)
Down Down to Earth We're coming down to the ground There's no better place to go We've got snow upon the mountains We've got rivers down below
We're coming down to the ground We'll hear the birds sing in the trees And the land will be looked after We send the seeds out in the breeze
We're coming down to the ground There's no better place to go We've got snow upon the mountains We've got rivers down below
We're coming down to the ground We'll hear the birds sing in the trees And the land will be looked after We send the seeds out in the breeze
Redefine your priorities These are extraordinary qualities To find on earth
Comin' down, comin' down Comin' down, comin' down Comin' down, comin' down Comin' down, comin' down
2007-12-30 Wall-E Metadata2007-12-30 National Treasure Book of Secrets
Ghost of a Chance 