The surreal video for "Steam" was directed by Stephen R. Music writer James Masterton stated in his weekly UK chart commentary, that "the correspondingly ingenious video will propel this into the Top 10." Music video On Secret World Live, "Steam" is preceded for a minute or so by the "Quiet Steam" version. It is a very lo-fi take on the popular version that appeared on the album. "Steam" also charted within the top 10 in Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand and Portugal.Īn alternative version of this song called "Quiet Steam" was a B-side on the " Digging in the Dirt" single. In Canada the single became a number-one hit, topping the RPM Top Singles chart on the week of 27 February 1993, knocking Whitney Houston's hit " I Will Always Love You" off the top spot after a 10-week run. "Steam" reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart, number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number one on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. Gabriel has said that the song is about a relationship in which the woman is sophisticated, bright, cultured, and knows everything about anything while the man knows nothing about anything however, he does know about the woman, and she does not know much about herself.
" Steam" is the second single from English rock musician Peter Gabriel's 1992 album Us.