Big Time by Peter Gabriel | The Vidnight Society

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Watch "Big Time" by Peter Gabriel here: • Peter Gabriel - Big Time
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Welcome to The Vidnight Society, our music video review show!
For our pilot episode, Ryan Murphy and Neil Cicierega discuss Peter Gabriel's stop-animation sizzle reel follow up to Sledgehammer, Big Time. 1986's So was a bit of a singles machine for Gabriel with plenty of solid music videos to match.
Guaranteed* Video will be posting one episode of The Vidnight Society per week, and every few episodes we'll be taking picks from our Patrons!
#TheVidnightSociety

[@GuaranteedVideo]

We'll be back next week with Lionel Richie's Dancing on the Ceiling!

[@SamHaefnerArchive]

@ManiacBomb Imagine trying to dictate the artistic style of groundbreaking artists that have been successful for more than a decade 🤔🤔🤔

[@martin-gt7id]

Via a friend: Journey's Separate Ways

[@ZyxthePest]

@@anothermediocreuser6422 Because we all know how well AVGN derivatives age...

[@SkibbitySkooby]

@@anothermediocreuser6422 nah it was lit. it's interesting to see opinions of people one is a fan of

[@funkybunko]

They really just used Waffle King by Weird Al as background music. I love this show already.

[@ChelseaColeslaw]

I think Weird Al's song "Talk Soup" is the better Peter Gabriel pastiche

[@JeonardShadby505]

Nice choice for a first episode, this is definitely one of Gabriel's more underrated videos.

[@b.parker1740]

Yeah, I was surprised that they didn't go with something incredibly, recognizably 90's with the nature of Neil's content. This was still cool though. I hope they eventually try tackling "Heart-Shaped Box" or "Losing My Religion."

[@allrudegirl]

I just want you to know how happy I am that someone out there is discussing 80s music videos. I was a teen in the 80s and videos were everything to me. I never imagined the phenomenon would fizzle out the way it did. I find it bizarre that they were never really reviewed and appreciated the way albums, movies, books, and plays are. I'm really excited to see you guys continue this work!

[@Dollop_of_Mayo]

I just rewatched the vid for Big Time like 2 weeks ago and the song was stuck in my head until a couple days ago, driving me mad, and then I clicked this video knowing full well what was going to happen

[@JurassicSound]

YAY! THINGS!!!!!!

[@MrArekrem]

I miss this series

[@dude157]

I was born 86 too. I feel like 'Digging in the dirt' is the third part that makes up the trilogy, thematically Sledgehammer is about creation, big time life, Digging in the dirt, death.

[@miketscott]

Re: Peter Gabriel/Phil Collins: I don't remember who it was, but years ago I saw a quote stating something along the lines of: "I wish Peter Gabriel would put out more commercial material and Phil Collins more artistic." In defense of Phil: I'd say give Phil's first three solo albums a chance. Lots of personal stuff there. Also, the guy was EVERYWHERE in the 80's. He produced albums and songs for other artists as well as played drums for Robert Plant, Adam Ant, Paul McCartney, Band Aid, Robert Fripp, etc.

[@LSmallButera]

Good shout out to strata cut!!!!!!

[@neilcic]

I feel like I gotta show you Freaked some time.

[@midnightsoftware1904]

Loved the upload, can't wait for the next one :)

[@justtony6081]

Thank you, this music video is amazing.

[@PlebeianGoth]

I love this! I can't wait to see what other videos you review next. I wanna make a suggestion for a video, but I have no idea where to even begin. ^^

[@TheTrout9000]

Great watch, guys. Fun new project.

[@Byona]

This was a very good idea! Also it's good to hear Ryan's thoughts on stop motion animation

[@bobbys999]

I'm so excited for this series!

[@Hateburn]

This was awesome! I'd heard the song but never seen the video. What an excellent discussi. Thanks!

[@Martin-tz4kz]

Radical!

[@marcopivetta7796]

this was a great idea, y'all

[@tracy_chapman6900]

this was a great first episode and i cant wait for more. if i could make a suggestion, any of primus's videos would be great

[@ZspotMotorsport]

Eighty-Sixers represent! I dig this series guys, can't wait to see more.

[@ryanmatney9013]

It was Roger Ebert that said the quote about stop motion looking fake and feeling real.

[@Luschan]

I love this, can’t wait for more. i’ve Always thought big time was the better video/song too, but Neil has a very strong argument.

[@meli_lemon_real]

"that kid probably compares everything to minecraft though"

[@ciara947]

This is so cool I love it

[@versesca]

I've been really excited about this series. I love the Weird Al pastiche in the back, hope you work this in with other artists he parodied in the future.

[@slowmotionspot]

I got excited when you mentioned Freaked. I love the opening of that movie

[@ArtFluids]

Not as creative of a video but Shock The Monkey is just as cool and an amazing song.

[@Arcade_Cat_]

The first video in my recommendeds after this is actually Sledgehammer, not Big Time, so I guess there’s that.

[@torgosaves427]

I love both videos equally, but I love the ideas expressed in the song Big Time much more. It's a great critique of how narcissistic and greedy society was becoming in the 80s. It's also a self-examination of things he was feeling and experiencing as he became more and more successful in the music industry.

[@ndm13]

Ashamed to admit that somehow I missed both these songs. Thanks for clueing me in! Both songs and videos are awesome (although Big Time edges out for my first impressions) and So has officially been added to my Never-Ending List of Albums to Listen To™

[@Vince-lq3ve]

I would recommend you run your ears through the entire Gabriel solo discography...there are gems throughout.

[@BellaExclamationMark]

I used to have nightmares with Sledgehammer as a kid :c

[@Rhlgull1331]

Neil doesn’t age

[@quietchina]

Peter Gabriel always put out the best vids!

[@justsignmeup911]

I submit and approve

[@FrankieSmileShow]

Peter Gabriel definitely loved goofy, creative theatrics, looking back at him prancin around on stage in dozens of costumes during old Genesis live shows like The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Selling England by the Pound and Foxtrot. I never thought of it that way before, but those videos really do feel like they come from a similar "place", although I imagine they might not have been his own creative work as much as the animators' and directors', so its probably more a matter of his interest than one of his own ideas? A little while ago, they released a DVD called "PLAY" that had all of Peter Gabriel's music videos collected in one place.

[@KevinJamesVideo]

I had that DVD. It rules.

[@milkbox103]

the ending lol

[@AndrewFullerton]

You thought I wouldn't notice Waffle King by Weird Al in the background, but I did.

[@jombones3324]

Big time is frickin great

[@RogueCarrot]

I like this series already. I really like the set too. Looking forward to more.

[@RogueCarrot]

OMG, did I space out because I didn't even notice the use of Waffle King and I literally just watched this video 5 minutes ago.

[@ZyxthePest]

Fun Fact: The guy who did the videos for Steam and Kiss That Frog also directed The Lawnmower Man. Edit: He did Kiss That Frog, but I BELIEVE he also did some effects for Steam.

[@PogieJoe]

I recommend y'all check out Jack Stauber to see the influence of this video passed down to today!

[@RandomDude647]

you should totally have an episode abt talking heads

[@ArborealOreo]

This channel is like Red Letter Media, but for music videos. Neat!

[@abnt_official]

We have that same floor tile in my house

[@cashc4434]

I'm not into Peter Gabriel myself, but this is really interesting.

[@iwantmytvnow]

I gotta check out sledgehammer

[@goombaartist]

Big Time is my choice for the Riddler's theme song

[@kappappa]

You guys didn't talk much about the song itself. I think it's one of Gabriel's best and Randy Newman's cover of it is worth checking out. I sort of think one way it lags behind Sledgehammer is that the visuals fit the music and lyrics fit a little better in that one.

[@mikececconi2677]

It is Important that Lou Reed's "No Money Down" is on your list somewhere.

[@konjus]

You gotta do the one for Peter Gabriel's Steam, that music video is a fever dream.

[@my_wheelhouse]

please keep talking about things, im interested.

[@ApocalypseMoose]

Weirdest episode of Re:View ever.

[@mihaelasl.8935]

i love genesis (and phil collins' work but ignore that for a min lol) and haven't watched big time yet so this was a huge revelation to me! we definitely need shows like this especially since the modern consensus on music videos is that noone watches them so why even bother making them well produced

[@Boonehams]

For how much you crapped on Phil Collins, the nightmarishly creative video for Land of Confusion is classic. Those Spitting Image puppets really tapped into the grotesque and surreal parts of the brain.

[@brennanseymour4367]

Adding to the Peter v Phil comparison, look at Phil-era Genesis' 'Land of Confusion' music video. Lots of comparisons, but without the lighthearted tone

[@lastflunky]

The sledgehammer music video used to scare me as a kid

[@Inksmudger]

You guys should do Ana Ng by They Might Be Giants! It's probably one of my favorite music videos from any artist.

[@brynstarre]

Kevin Nod.

[@lucas532br]

Loved the video. Peter Gabriel is much much better than Phil Collins indeed. I gotta side with Neil, Sledgehammer is a better video and to me a better song, Tony Levin on the bass (maybe Chapman Stick?) is killing it!

[@kappappa]

HIlarious that the video that autoplays after this one is Sledgehammer.

[@SilverSurfer166]

Ah, the good ole days when MTV actually played music videos, and they were great.

[@mrbuckets1106]

This song and video are amazing. Peter Gabriel is awesome, look toward his earlier solo work and his time in Genesis. Phil Collins sucks. Anyone who doesn't like stop motion can go to bed. You should do Tetsuo The Iron Man next, the weirdest Tool video ever made

[@MrArekrem]

Diggin' in the Dirt is superior Peter Gabriel stop motion mv.

[@MelodyBurst]

I thought I dreamed Steam. Steam looks like a lost Xavier Renegade Angel episode.

[@pine790]

While I think the visuals in Sledgehammer are great and you can definitely feel the effort that went into them I have to be honest and say the visuals in Big Time just stick with me more. the concepts being explored resonate a lot better and shots like the giant slot machine pyramid church or the expanding brutalist monument just do a lot more for me than a bunch of wacky stuff happening to Peter Gabriel's head. That and I just like the song more to be fair.

[@Carzand]

Spaceballs the escape sone!

[@TheFunklin]

Immediately had to give this a like the second you said that Peter Gabriel is much better than Phil Collins. Thank you

[@Vince-lq3ve]

exactly the opposite for me. Loved what they were doing and then out came the standard Gabriel is better than evil Phil and it took everything a down a notch or two. However each is entitled to their opinions but few can deny Phil's talents as a drummer, nor his pitch perfect voice. The guy is enormously talented, just not into weird which I really do like about Pete. Two massively talented but very different artists -can't we just respect both of them?

[@Collegio1]

Their voices are not similar. Instead, they're distinct. Phil's voice has a sawmill-like sound to it, while Peter's is more like having a bubble in the back of the throat. If I heard Phil Collins singing "Sledgehammer" and Peter Gabriel singing "Invisible Touch," it would be obvious. Speaking of, after "Invisible Touch" hit number 1 on the Billboard chart, the following week "Sledgehammer" overtook it.

[@tacticaljunk1608]

Neil looks handsome. Good job Neil.

[@flamingolegs]

remembered this from the depths of my brain maybey this inspired fredhammer

[@ellaguro]

surprised you guys didn't talk about the themes of Big Time - it being an obvious, on the surface critique of 80's hyper-individualism and capitalism in general, which is very much reflected in the video as well. the song is actually used to great effect on the documentary Inside Job. Sledgehammer is a great song/video but it's more personal and doesn't take on some of those bigger themes - which might be why i prefer Big Time.

[@Vince-lq3ve]

So true about the meaning of Big Time. I had a nice inner laugh when my company (a bank) hosted a huge convention in Toronto for us Branch Managers across Canada and welcomed us into the convention hall to the chorus of this song -guess they didn't spend any time on the full lyrics and meaning of the song.

[@TAXXPAYERMONEY]

so much larger than life...

[@ProtoGhostal1701]

I'm not sure about the rest of the backing music in this video, but I know I heard Weird Al's *Waffle King* at 9:37

[@TheDMhoffland]

yeah phill collins did tarzan soundtrack. But Peter Gabriel did WALL-E!

[@WeWillAlwaysHaveVALIS]

I'm sorry, more creativity than Collin's entire career? Nigga are you straight forgetting his contributions to Genesis? Solo wise I'd be inclined to agree, but you cannot ignore what that dude put into those albums.

[@Endocrom]

Up next: Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (HD version) No respect.

[@erikasrah5828]

nookie ?

[@kats5980]

This is like, vaporwave the show. I feel nostalgia for a time I wasn't alive

[@coolduder1001]

I disagree! Na I don't really care. I look at "Big Time" the same as Michael Jacksons "leave me alone", but I like Mikes song more than "Big time" and I thought the animation more cleverly fit into the song and life of Mike. Edit: "Big time" is more impressive but at the same time is kinda like watching adultswim at 4am, plus it's my second least favorite song on So.

[@Silverblade12345]

Great video, but man can one annoying person ruin a chat replay lol

[@WeWillAlwaysHaveVALIS]

Better song yes, better video... ehhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@Hurrianhymn]

Phil is still front man, Genesis is my favorite band to this day

[@Vince-lq3ve]

Well Phil actually left Genesis in 96. He did return to do a tour back in 2007 I believe but no new music has been produced with Phil since 96. They tried an album with Ray Wilson on vocals but the public didn't catch on to it. Who knows, maybe Phil will rejoin and they might put an album out. Kinda unlikely but you never know.

[@kyokosakura6724]

Phil Collins has a few more impactful songs but they tend to be associated with Miami Vice/Tarzan so that could be why. I agree that Gabriel is a much more interesting, creative, and meaningful artist but Collins only got to being "big studio" because he took off in popularity with his solo career more so than Gabriel. Gabriel was a man ahead of his time and willing to experiment while Collins was a man of his times and willing to refine that pop sound of the '80s. Both are great for who they were. But were we to discuss the direction of Genesis, I'd totally agree that Phil Collins '80s Genesis was just Phil Collins and lost all that made Genesis so good.

[@ZyxthePest]

Yeah, Gabriel was running circles around Genesis by the late 80s/early 90s in terms of quality. We Can't Dance vs. Us? No contest. Pete was onto some next level stuff with that record. Wish it got more love these days, even though it was a big deal back then.

[@Vince-lq3ve]

Eventually Phil Genesis was unlike old Genesis...Trick, Wind ATTWT, Duke, ABACAB still hosted some classic Genesis tunes. On the other hand Peter shed everything Genesis immediately -it was as though none of Gabriel-Genesis was Gabriel. Speaks to the true soul of Genesis -Tony Banks, then Mike, then Phil -oh Steve was fantastic on the guitar of course.

[@Vince-lq3ve]

It's also interesting that Phil's drumming through early Genesis gets so little credit, never mind Tony on keyboards, Steve on Guitar and Mike on Bass etc. It's "Gabriel Genesis" when he was a fifth of the band. So many songs started with Tony Banks and then Gabriel's lyrics were pasted over the top (great lyrics i might add) but for me the instrumentals were some of the most powerful parts of the band -old and new.

[@traog2445]

I like both Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, if I had to select 10 artists work that I would be limited to listen to for the rest of my life Peter's would make the cut, Phil's wouldn't.

[@michaelbonaiuto6968]

BIG TIME IS BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lifeisstr4nge]

Big Time is best