God's Great Banana Skin (song)

"God's Great Banana Skin" is a song by British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, released in 1992 as the lead single from his eleventh studio album of the same name, God's Great Banana Skin. The song peaked at number 32 on the UK Singles Chart.

The lyrics use the metaphor of a "banana skin" to represent the unexpected and often absurd nature of fate or divine intervention in human affairs. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody contrast with the somewhat philosophical and cynical undertones of its message. The lyrics suggest that even with faith or belief in a higher power, life can still be unpredictable and prone to missteps and mishaps. The banana skin, therefore, symbolizes the pitfalls and challenges that can derail even the most well-intentioned plans.

Musically, the song features Rea's signature slide guitar work and is characterized by a blues-rock style with pop sensibilities. The accompanying music video depicts Rea performing the song in a variety of settings, emphasizing the themes of unpredictability and irony present in the lyrics.

The song remains a popular track in Rea's discography and is often included in compilation albums and live performances. It is considered a representative example of his later work, characterized by more introspective and socially conscious themes.