Peter Gabriel, who is nominated for a best song Oscar for the “WALL-E” track “Down to Earth,” will not perform at the awards ceremony next week.

In a video posted on his website, the British rocker revealed that Oscar producers told him the three nominated songs will be performed as a medley, which meant “Down to Earth” would only get 60 to 65 seconds of air time.

Gabriel, who received the nomination along with Thomas Newman, said he doesn’t believe that is enough time to properly showcase the song. “I think it’s a bit unfortunate because while songwriting is a small part of the filmmaking process, we still work bloody hard and deserve a place in the ceremony as well,” he said.

“It’s not going to do me any harm to make a little protest, but I think for some of the other artists it’s not so easy.”

He added that he will still attend the ceremony and hopes the Soweto Gospel Choir, which is featured on the track, will perform the portion of the song in his place.

The other two songs nominated in the best song category are both from “Slumdog Millionaire,” A.R. Rahman and M.I.A.’s “O Saya” and Rahman’s “Jai Ho.”

The 81st annual Academy Awards will air live from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre beginning at 8 p.m. on Feb. 22.






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