A Literalist Reaction to Peter Gabriel - Games Without Frontiers

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Dave (the 36-year-old with the impressive beard) was raised almost completely sheltered from pop culture by his strict military family. He was homeschooled his entire life until he entered college. He legitimately has very little knowledge of music and bands from before 2000.
John (the guy in disguise) has been a MUSIC LOVER since he was born in the 1960's. Problem is, he rarely knows or fully grasps the lyrics. Dave, on the other hand, has never heard or rarely overheard the music John chooses to play for him, but tends to take lyrics literally, sometimes to unexpected ends.
John remains in the dark both as a wry play on the situation but also because of legal issues causing his attorney to recommend maintaining a low profile.
We did not write nor do we own the Copyright for the song used in this Educational Video. This is a real, honest reaction to a song Dave have never consciously heard before and/or listened to with intent. Any "facts" offered by John "Doh" are based more on his remembrances than on any actual research. Please feel free to correct him. He loves it.
Fair use principles under Section 107 of the Copyright Act allow the unlicensed use of copyrighted materials for fair use purposes, such as commentary, criticism, teaching, and news reporting.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Some great comments from peope who know more about the "friendly" sport competition that this song makes references to, give 'em a read! On a side note, I was unable to see Peter Gabriel last night and a last minute attempt to sell my tickets was also fruitless. So, I paid $300 to go to work and miss a great show. :( - JD

[@dlw32]

Gabriel is one of my favorite artists…

[@alanmccartney3922]

"Its a knockout" was a UK based contest between two small towns for a winner playing silly, competitive, physical games. Similar shows also started up in mainland Europe. Finally it was decided to play the games internationally. It became quite a thing with countries like Germany, UK, France, Denmark Italy etc all playing in very competitive games. The international TV show was called "jeux sans fronteires"

[@alanbeaumont4848]

Jeux sans Frontieres (the UK qualifying heats were called It's a Knockout, also in the lyrics) was a wildly popular game show in the UK in the 1970s (we competed 67-82), parodying sports events. The games were usually themed to the host country and were generally a little surreal; contestants were often encumbered by fancy costumes and performing absurd tasks; perhaps most memorably penguins collecting water from a waterfall while balancing on a rotating stage, providing for plenty of pratfalls and barging about. It was usually very very funny and as a teenager I loved the competitive nature of Britain versus the continental nations. It fell out of favour in the end because, instead of being the knockabout fun intended, national pride encouraged towns to include ever greater numbers of actual athletes in their teams. In effect it became the thing it parodied, which is probably what inspired Peter to adopt it here. Sport is after all stylised warfare at an international level and everyone is trying to get an edge and bend the rules. The song is also noting the cynicism of war and dehumanizing of the enemy; to those in charge, insulated from the horror, it can seem like a game.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Wow! Great info, thanks!

[@robinmarks1710]

Bankers are the real enemy's of the world Dave. "All wars are bankers wars" Smedley Butler, most decorated marine in history, late 1800's/early 1900's.

[@Triplecenturies]

At 15 year old in 1980, it was then that I learned that you could buy the music you hear on the radio. The cassette being the popular format back then. For Christmas in 1980 I got my primary wish - a boom box with a cassette player. The only cassette I wanted was in my stocking... Peter Gabriel's Melt. I wanted this cassette specifically for this song - Games Without Frontiers. I've been a fan since. Seeing him in Pittsburgh this Saturday. Second row, center!

[@hadz8671]

"She's so funky, yeah!"

[@Boodieman72]

LOL

[@djlaino]

First, any opportunity to see a concert at Red Rocks should be taken. Something I wish I had done when I spent time in the area. Second, excellent choice of PG tune. I always enjoyed this song, and as a lyrics guy, I had my ideas of its meaning along the lines you discussed. Thanks for the lesson on the background of the source for the song name. It is still a bummer you cannot do Lamb Lies Down... I would suggest Shock the Monkey for your next PG tune as I would really like to know LD's take on those lyrics.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

The " Melt " album might be PG's best(tied with " So " for me). Kate Bush on the female vocals(in French) is just right. PG's pleasantly weird vibe on display. The rebellious, yet kind of fun, tone to this song is why it endures. PG's videos in the MTV era were among the best(and weirdest), along with The Talking Heads' videos, IMHO

[@franckgrandis4354]

Hi, good reaction ! ;-) The versus " Adolph builts a bonfire, Enrico plays with it" ... there is this German versus Jewish connotation It's a game of confrontation... without tears... compared to war !!

[@elrondw8032]

The Intruder from this same album would be a good Halloween song.

[@reneelyons6836]

LOVE!!!!!

[@rk41gator]

You MUST go to Red Rocks and attend a concert. It is not a typical concert venue. Peter Gabriel is at Ball Arena in Denver and I am going Oct. 16!

[@DrNothing23]

They edited out "piss on the goons."

[@BrianR.]

Jeux sans frontières is also the literal French translation of Games without frontiers.

[@jml-rj5re]

Enrico = Enrico Fermi. I think Peter Gabriel isexpanding the notion of was to a nuclear age, where old leaders and generals push a button to kill millions of people rather than battles and hand to hand combat. Which logically ends in total annihilation.

[@IC4N7C]

I love these videos! Also, Kate Bush’s Waking the Witch and Genesis’ Home by the Sea would be great Halloween songs.

[@IC4N7C]

Also, as far as this sounding like 80s. Some 80s bands started in the mid to late 70s. The 80s sound started to come in around that time. A lot of the new sounds from upcoming decades usually do. Ps, I went to my first rock show in August. The Smashing Pumpkins.

[@rk41gator]

A 'fun song'? Hmmm. Peter Gabriel has layers of meanings in most of his songs. He is political and a humanitarian doing concerts for Amnesty International. The female voice IS Kate Bush. The kids playing are world leaders and former historical leaders. (Adolf with his 'bonfire') "She's so popular" is French for 'games without frontiers'. Peter and David Bowie are similar personalities. Excellent discussion.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Remember, when I am describing a song, I am speaking 90% about the sound, the arrangement, the instrumentation, the beat, the playing, the feelings the music (alone) brings up in my humble opinion. So, no matter how political or meaning-soaked the lyrics are, I tend to describe music in terms of those things. Thus, "fun." Like this "fun" song with decidedly not-so-fun lyrics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJDdnaCZZs-faqs - JD

[@rk41gator]

@@LiteralistReactions That is fine. But ignoring the lyrics loses any irony or humor. Guess most Gabriel songs could be considered fun musically. To be frank, I mostly ignored all lyrics for most of my life, only concentrating on the musical elements. Lately, I have concentrated on the lyrics and am rather surprised at what I hear. That has vastly increased my interest, but music is still primary for me too. I love Genesis because they seem to find a way to uniquely express their lyrics through the music and moods they create.

[@eckthtraetheth]

Pete'th a real artitht. I wath in thickth grade when it dropped, and my thithter'th boyfriend made me a mickthed cathette with thith thong on it. I played it during a clath party, and it wath a huge hit. Thudenly, I wath very popular with the ladieth 😉

[@LiteralistReactions]

I hope you've written a "Thank You" note to Peter. You owe him large. - JD

[@eckthtraetheth]

​@@LiteralistReactions by the time Thledgehammer & Tho were releathed, I wath *very* well marinated, if you can grathp the abthtract thymbolithm. Lithening to Pete countth ath a theckthual eckthperienthe, even by yourthelf.

[@rickwestic746]

Enjoyed the reaction very much,I never understood lyric wise but loved the music along with shock the monkey.i know now a lot more than I did.i figured the Adolf part was what I thought.thanks guys!

[@WayneWenthin]

Would that be Enrico Fermi?

[@LiteralistReactions]

Hmmm - could be! - JD

[@cogline]

3 (Melt) is a fantastic album