"Don't Give Up" is a song written by Peter Gabriel and recorded as a duet with Kate Bush for Gabriel's album “So”. The single version was released as the second from the album in the UK in 1986 and fifth in the United States in 1987. The verses, sung by Gabriel, describe a man's feelings of isolation and despair; the choruses, sung by Bush, offer words of hope and encouragement. This song was released during Margaret Thatcher' "industrial 80s"in UK. It was a time when Thatcher had reduced the power of Trade Unions and many people had lost their jobs.
Gabriel originally wrote the song from a reference point of American roots music and he approached country singer Dolly Parton to sing it with him. However, Parton turned it down, so his friend Kate Bush took her place.
Two videos were created for the song. The second, by Jim Blashfield, featured Gabriel and Bush's faces superimposed over film of a town and its people in disrepair The first, by Godley & Creme, consisted of a single take of the singers in an embrace, as the sun enters total eclipse and re-emerges.

In this proud land we grew up strong
We were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail

No fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I've changed my face, I've changed my name
But no one wants you when you lose

Don't give up
Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not beaten yet
Don't give up
I know you can make it good

Though I saw it all around
Never thought I could be affected
Thought that we'd be the last to go
It is so strange the way things turn

Drove the night toward my home
The place that I was born, on the lakeside
As daylight broke, I saw the earth
The trees had burned down to the ground

Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up
We don't need much of anything
Don't give up
Cause somewhere there's a place
Where we belong

Rest your head
You worry too much
It's going to be alright
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Don't give up
Please don't give up

I got to walk out of here
I can't take anymore
Going to stand on that bridge
Keep my eyes down below
Whatever may come and whatever may go
That river's flowing
That river's flowing

Moved on to another town
Tried hard to settle down
For every job, so many men
So many men no one needs

Don't give up
Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not the only one
Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are
Don't give up
You know it's never been easy
Don't give up
Cause I believe there's the place
There's a place where we belong