Peter Gabriel - Big Time

The official Big Time video. Directed by Stephen R. Johnson.
The fourth single to be taken from Peter's fifth studio album. The album was his first one to have a proper title and So was a watershed release in his career. Its marriage of the artistic and the commercial made for an indisputable success, with the album quickly sitting atop the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic.
Listen / buy:
smarturl.it/PeterGabriel-So
Aside from some intriguing collaborations - with Laurie Anderson on This Is The Picture, Kate Bush on Don’t Give Up and Youssou N’Dour on In Your Eyes - it was the unity of singer, band and producer that made So such a crucial record in the Gabriel canon.
petergabriel.com
Hi There!
I'm on my way I'm making it
I've got to make it show, yeah
So much larger than life
I'm going to watch it growing
The place where I come from
Is a small town
They think so small
They use small words
- But not me
I'm smarter than that
I worked it out
I've been stretching my mouth
To let those big words come right out
I've had enough, I'm getting out
To the city, the big big city
I'll be a big noise with all the big boys
There's so much stuff I will own
And I will pray to a big god
As I kneel in the big church
BIG time I'm on my way I'm making it
BIG time, Oh yeah
BIG time I've got to make it show, yeah
BIG time
BIG time so much larger than life
BIG time I'm going to watch it growing
BIG time
My parties have all the big names
And I greet them with the widest smile
Tell them how my life is one big adventure
And always they're amazed
When I show them round the house to my bed
I had it made like a mountain range
With a snow-white pillow for my big fat head
And my heaven will be a big heaven
And I will walk through the front door
BIG time I'm on my way I'm making it
BIG time
BIG time I've got to make it show, yeah
BIG time
BIG time so much larger than life
BIG time I'm going to watch it growing
BIG time
BIG time my car is getting BIGGER
BIG time my house is getting BIGGER
BIG time my eyes are getting BIGGER
BIG time and my mouth
BIG time my belly is getting BIGGER
BIG time and my bank account
BIG time look at my circumstance
BIG time and the bulge in my
BIG, big, big, big, big, big, big, big
BIG, big, big, big, big, big, big, big
#MusicVideo

[@earthsign7568]

When I saw Peter here in Vancouver he yelled: what time is it? and I shouted 'Big Time' from the audience. People stared at me blankly until the music started.....

[@jax254]

This was the last thing my dad texted me before he passed away. Along with the link he said “Watch the video it’s coooool”. This video is so goofy and weird, just like my dad and just brings me to tears of happiness and sadness. Music has always been a big part of me and my dad’s relationship so I’m glad I have another song to remember him by. Thank you Peter Gabriel for adding another special memory for me.

[@idsassi]

RIP bro i hope one day i will share this song with my son too

[@simonjohnson1381]

Your dad had excellent taste

[@Preppy-pink98]

That is an awesome story😊

[@nicolaupoceiro7570]

@Kristin j.r. Kind of logical since that golden generation is dying away now...

[@TerrenceCallahan]

your dad knew what was up! This video is a masterpiece RIP to your pops

[@clayr9833]

"...and my Heaven will be a BIG Heaven...and I will walk through the front door."

[@davidg.9932]

Happy 74th Birthday Peter Brian Gabriel 02/13/1950 in Surry, England. A living legend in the progressive rock genre. From Garden Wall to Genesis to his solo albums. Musical perfection. Cheers Peter Brian and many more..

[@shutterbug_713]

He looks like a goat nowadays

[@SomeOfTheJuice]

I think, as a bass player, one thing that does not get talked about with this song enough is the creativity in using both bass and bass synth in this instead of one or the other. Both can be used in harmony with each other to create different sounds, and there's many songs that I think can actually benefit from that approach of moving between them to create different textures like this song does.

[@lachemoilcul]

Could you explain further for non musicians? I wasn't aware there were 2 types of bass in this song, how can they be distinguished?

[@IAmInfinitus208]

​​​​​@@lachemoilcul Starting at 0:38 to 0:55, that's Tony Levin's actual bassline kicking in only for that solo. Drummer Jerry Marotta used his drumsticks to hit the strings while Tony fretted the notes. Everything else was purely synthesized before and after the solo, which is more artificial to the ears after enough repeated listenings since this was around the point synthesizers were now becoming more the norm. Edit (October 24, 2023): Just recently saw them on the Dallas performance for Peter's I/O tour this last Thursday. Tony stayed playing the main synth bass on keys and saved the funk fingers on his Stingray 5 only for the solo.

[@josephdougherty3653]

Well said paully people who have never played a bass will not understand

[@agustinenriquez-zs2de]

@@IAmInfinitus208 what gear was Levin using? a stick?

[@IAmInfinitus208]

​​@@agustinenriquez-zs2de Very likely the Stingray. No way the drumstick method I've mentioned would work on the Stick given how small that spacing is, plus that's more for tapping so using the drumsticks might feel awkward to play.

[@AldenRDavis]

1986: Cool song 2022: Still a cool song

[@notsure1969]

Otherwise known as a "classic".

[@Reesej0520]

2006: The theme for WrestleMania 22

[@flowerlandofjohn]

Yes! How about some “fusion-drums” on this track. Enjoy! ✌🏻🤩 kzbin.infohIk9mcR6ok4?feature=share

[@kathifinnegan9953]

I so agree!

[@dakotadrummer]

1986: Cool Song 2006: Awesome at WrestleMania 22 2022: Still a cool Song including good Memories🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@rederickfroders1978]

Put this musicvideo on the wall in a museum

[@AldenRDavis]

1986: Cool song 2024: Still a cool song

[@debsy101games]

I know you, already commented

[@grimefighter8867]

You again?

[@ehs1452]

Bro released the sequel

[@amybahner6511]

I know that's right!!❤

[@verityvinyl8540]

Peter Gabriel is pretty awesome, brother

[@siliquaesid703]

The whole album "So" is just on another level.

[@the_katman2181]

Absolutely. It's one of the best albums of the 80's. Produced by Daniel Lanois, which explains why it sounds so damn good.

[@jefferyvogel3812]

Absolutely...

[@Babycatcher_Jen]

@@the_katman2181 Erasure's The Innocents is in that top five with it! Also, a transcendent album...the tops have to take one on a journey!🤗

[@the_katman2181]

@@Babycatcher_Jen Yes, that's a great one. Also Tears for Fears "Songs from the Big Chair", Depeche Mode "Music for the Masses", Talking Heads "Stop Making Sense", Paul Simon "Graceland". The 80's had such good albums.

[@a1960g]

@@the_katman2181 Love every single one you mentioned.

[@cnking27]

This song is such a deep biting commentary on fame, fortune, and the American dream, as a kid I had no idea.

[@georgesawtooth2214]

So Gabriel isn't a part that? It always amazes me how these performers bitch and moan about money, success, greed yet they are a huge part of that. And they use oil to get around.

[@wpochert]

It's actually more of a commentary on the dis-ingenuousness of almost everyone with fame, fortune, and political power.. up to and including Vatican. It's also a cautionary tale on what can happen to you as you move up the ladder. It's definitely NOT a shot at the ability to achieve.. I.E. the American dream

[@wpochert]

@@georgesawtooth2214 Gabriel is not so much speaking about money success and greed.. its more about the danger of what can happen to you along the way and once you are on top.

[@bryangould1666]

I think this song is where he came into his own ,commercially and artistically

[@bryangould1666]

The whole album has a clear crisp sound and a new sheen of consummate professionalism which really gives the songs a big boost

[@scotttemple7844]

Probably one of the greatest music videos of all time Early early MTV

[@crnkmnky]

Not _that_ early. The formula had been developing for five years. But artists like Peter Gabriel and Michael Jackson had perfected it by the mid-80s.

[@tylerkeller8869]

@Scott Temple: The song itself i think I prefer over Sledgehammer. But the former is included in top 10 greatest videos lists constantly. Usually its in the top 3.

[@jgramage]

@@tylerkeller8869 For me, it's Steam > Big Time > Sledgehammer. But always fun to watch a Gabriel video.

[@MegaUnwetter]

@@jgramage Stand back, im on my way im making it

[@debby2131]

I enjoy all of Peter Gabriel's songs. Very creative musician.

[@iflybynotrideby3339]

Best Wrestlemania song. I grew to like this song once I heard it as a Wrestlemania theme song in 2006. Ever since then I’ve been vibing to this song

[@parisbeech2180]

Wrestlemania 22 baby

[@mdh16off59]

Werstlmania 2016 too and 2012 and 2011

[@mdh16off59]

​@@parisbeech2180 yeah

[@SantiagoDelOlmo081]

@@mdh16off59 the banners of course the Mcmahons, Triple H and Carlito lol

[@christopherloyd8938]

​@@parisbeech2180 Definite facts my brother I have this wrestlemania 22 on vhs trying to put it on DVD. I'm getting it from my brother cause his copies better we ordered it.😎💯

[@doyleperkins4916]

Peter Gabriel of Genesis not only "reinvented" himself as a solo artist in the 1980s-he transformed our world and broadened our pop horizons.

[@PinkyakaAyannaj]

💙🤍🙏🏽

[@paullo796]

Totally amazing artist, Phil Collins is another!

[@kelechitv1637]

no wonder why i got genesis vibes

[@markperry2827]

Peter was genesis and his solo career was more than his group career. The creativity left Genesis when he exited stage left.

[@flowerlandofjohn]

Yes, a brilliant man! How about some “fusion-drums” on this track. Enjoy! ✌🏻🤩 kzbin.infohIk9mcR6ok4?feature=share

[@bossshun9]

1986: Cool song to hear. 2024 to 2030: This is still a good song for me.

[@TurboLoveTrain]

A time traveler that came back to tell us something. :) You can't unsee it.

[@richardcrompton6009]

Talking heads, Bowie, Peter Gabriel.. What amazing years we had then

[@rick_terscale1111]

@wrestlegamia productions Now we have nothing but COVID-19 (just a little REALITY, no joke, mmm-hmm!)

[@enigmaisgayy9493]

pg and david byrne are still alive though

[@user-lt3yb4fm6q]

+The Police.. 🙂

[@TechnicJunglist]

Gary Numan & Peter Murphy as well

[@vrtk4870]

tears for fears don’t forget them

[@shannoncasey7630]

My very favorite part of the song... "But, not me! I'm smarter than that... I worked it out. I've been stretching my mouth, to let those big words come right out."

[@jonathanblount6437]

Mine too

[@marcoantoniorodriguesfaria355]

Tá na Federal 😊👩‍✈️

[@jojovaldez2766]

I.ll.play.Big.Time.on.my.phone.sometimes

[@dbsti3006]

I liked before that "the place that I come from...is a small town. They think so small, they use small words." Then the part you mention. It creates a story. He was too big to be in a small town and was meant for something bigger and better. It's quite clever lyrics.

[@shannoncasey7630]

@@dbsti3006 YES! I definitely agree.

[@talismanskulls2857]

After all these decades, still one of my true favorites. I understood what was really being said even back then.

[@markberryhill2715]

Do you remember when the eighties were referred to as "The Big Eighties",named so for this song?

[@jonnyweiss6083]

Peter - I’m living with Lady from Stevie Ray Stiletto Band. 43 Albums. Jonny Weiss Music 🎶

[@jonnyweiss6083]

I’m A FAN!

[@shutterbug_713]

I like it LOUD!

[@timetraveler_from_2012]

Why is it a weird thing that you understood what was being said back then? Music is made for an audience and the audience for this song definitely wasn't decades in the future. Not that it can't be applicable now, but it would be weird if it only made sense now

[@mogznwaz]

That bass is KICKING

[@louise_rose]

Yes it is, what a GREAT riff! A guy called Simon Clark apparently, he used to work with Bill Nelson and is also playing the Hammond organ here.

[@aurel724]

Peter: I got a weird song Director: well I got a weird video. Fantastic.

[@Republic_Of_Vicoria_Official]

Hi Bomb from BFB

[@guitarsinger7382]

Hahahaha great one!!

[@stuff31]

Hit the nail on the head there.

[@jswallet]

Great comment! HAHA

[@petergant8767]

Two minds with but a single WEIRD thought!

[@newforestroadwarrior]

That stop-motion sequence from 0:21 to 0:54 is absolute genius

[@dbsti3006]

So much larger than life. Lol.

[@dalelerette206]

0:36 there something magical happening in the sound at this moment.

[@thiagoferreiraruiz8897]

Stop motion 0:46 to 0:50 3D Graphic in 4D

[@thiagoferreiraruiz8897]

​@@dalelerette206 4D Graphic is 1:19 to 1:24

[@fredericriberdy]

It remind me the fragols rock

[@theylivewesleep4570]

That bass line!

[@dinacarr2734]

Tony Levin!!!!!

[@louise_rose]

@@dinacarr2734 No, mainly a guy called Simon Clark it seems. Levin was a standing member of Peter's band of course, but it seems on this one he's just "fretting" on a drumstick bass The main bassist is Clark.

[@MikeJ-uc3xg]

2024 Still a great song!

[@KevinKnight-by4yt]

Yes.

[@shutterbug_713]

I like it loud!

[@BigDaddy-xx1gk]

Absolute perfection. I remember when the album came out, people were just dumbfounded at the sound. His tenor voice, so operatic, and below it that bass that just kept crushing your brain over and over. Then, when the video debuted, it was like a complete jaw-dropping event! They kept announcing the day and time on MTV. We could not wait. I was a freshman in college, and everybody I knew couldn't stop talking about it. Everything he did was a goddamned work of art.

[@SCHPANNERMAN]

i am loving your story....for me it was the Michel Jackson Thriller moment

[@indiag89]

That’s so cool. I love 80s music but I was born in 89 so I didn’t get to experience it when it was all new.

[@SyndicateOperative]

*cough* genesis

[@MidnightSwinger]

This is so thrilling to imagine. I was all of two years old, and I remember seeing the videos for this and Sledgehammer for the first time and being blown away, and sitting in front of the TV screaming. It really was something...

[@robertbrunelle8076]

mtv lol

[@willabarman5080]

w r e s t l e m a n i a 2 2 A real sardonic bass line; simply filthy. This song and video is perfect.

[@iliketrains3495]

Apparently it was recorded by hitting the strings with drumsticks, fun fact

[@synthonaplinth5980]

Daniel Lanois' rhythm guitar work does not get enough credit on this track, it works perfectly with the bass line, be it synth or real.

[@vergon6662]

That bass line comes in thumpin' like a BIG BITCH!

[@blakebrickermusic]

There were two people playing one bass on that part. Tony levin was doing the fretting part (hitting the notes) and Jerry marotta (who was one of the drummers for Peter) was hitting the strings with his drumstick.

[@blakebrickermusic]

Also if I remember correctly, Stewart Copeland played drums on this song!

[@ericrainey8224]

So cool that both Peter and Genesis were at the top of their games at this point

[@dogbeachiracing5998]

I had friends who were old school Genesis fans who would get annoyed with me when I would insist post- Genesis Gabriel was better, and post-Gabriel Genesis was as well. Can't say that about the Floyd now, can we?

[@albertoascari2542]

😊😊😊🎉🎉..This song says it all about the mid 80's..Porsche's, Power Clothes, Stockmarket Wealth, 24 hour partying, everything just got bigger then and more exciting

[@Zzyzzyzzs]

Greed certainly got bigger. There's a good reason the documentary on the 2008 financial crisis, Inside Job, used this as its intro song.

[@juanzanatta5247]

@albertoasca..and the best PURE COCAINE from Pablo Escobar..excuse me mean while I snoring the good stuff..aaaaah....don't give me wrong..I born in COCAINE country (SUDAMERICA),now I'm 25 years CLEAN..

[@pottsie_era]

this song is still fire to this day WrestleMania 22 was also good

[@pottsie_era]

hello people i'm back after nearly 6 months i'm only 19 and i would do anything to go back to relieve the 2000's.

[@Prideoffreedom]

@@pottsie_era fuck that......go back and live the ‘80s

[@cagarber]

Yes! I loved WM22 where I first heard this

[@Bklyn988]

You stole my comment bud, i was about to post that 😪😪

[@pottsie_era]

@@Bklyn988 sorry bro

[@erichkiparski314]

"Inside Job" opening credits. Badass song for a badass intro for a badass documentary

[@NetanyahuWarCriminal]

1980’s Peter Gabriel is the Doctor Who we never knew we needed.

[@Sexy-1945]

I remember as a teenager buying this cassette for 7.99 at Target. I was blown away and still love it now that I'm 51 years old!!!!!! 😊😊😊👍👍👍👍

[@omegaamigo2898]

Director: “how much weird stuff do you want in your video?” Peter Gabriel: “Yes, BIG TIME!”

[@douglassher1710]

Wow what an original line, did you come up with it or was it one of the other dozen commenters who's repeated it?

[@vincentdorner7569]

Asshole

[@alencarmaiaalvim6541]

Peter Gabriel -Big Time.The sound of 80's.

[@nievesofficial]

Nope, sorry, that title belongs to Sledgehammer. :)

[@marilynpirozzi9425]

+TheRobloxian09 P PG was an artist that stood out in the 80s, no matter if it was Big Time, Sledgehammer or Shock the Monkey.

[@cheetahsurge]

+TheRobloxian09 I would have to lean more towards Shock the Monkey, to be honest.

[@dovkfir4660]

Hgfcnvtt the same time hvvfhtu

[@lsc9x]

ONE sound of the 80s, that's for sure!

[@ok-pj4eu]

THIS SONG HAS A VERY UNIQUE SOUND TO IT.

[@vedwalker3974]

This song slaps BIG TIME!

[@willmistretta]

A savage takedown of the culture of ego and excess. Bonus: It's danceable!

[@movesky6696]

all about the bonus make lot of money big

[@SyndicateOperative]

What's perfect is that it isn't even a "takedown", it just represents it. It's just the story of a guy reaching great success. It never specifies how its bad, or tries to show that it'll fail; it lets all of that show for itself. It had the guts to be impartial!

[@clemsonbloke]

Not necessarily a take down, it could also be said to be a celebration of excess and money. Anyone who says money is bad has never had any.

[@SwordHandler222]

How is achieving great success having having great confidence something bad? The song presents it entirely positively anyway, stop thinking all media has to have that same stupid message that material success is totally meaningless, it definitely is not.

[@clemsonbloke]

@@SwordHandler222 That is basically what I was saying. Liberals are the only ones who think it's bad.

[@EsaelPaggin024]

A real sardonic bass line; simply filthy. This song and video is perfect.

[@spike7038]

Beautifully put Sir......

[@BenJammin77]

Makes me want to learn to play a bass, filthy and funky like that!

[@montparnasse97]

Sardonic is a good descriptor. I was actually just thinking how it's a little menacing. Great song

[@mateorincon3448]

Shows how Tony Levin is one of the best bass players of all time!

[@dnutt022]

The place where I come from is a small town They think so small, they use small words But not me, I'm smarter than that, I worked it out I'll be stretching my mouth to let those big words come right out

[@jularah6946]

The place where I come from is a kinda big town, West Yorkshire and in relation to the ideas of town, was a small mentality yet its growing bigger day by day 💜 Thanks Peter for consciousness expansion growth and we getting into Big Town so much larger than life 😘

[@stephenbailey6709]

Peter Gabriel is big time. So much larger than life.

[@genedelrocini108]

The bass player should be in rock and roll hall off fame

[@roland9625]

Tony Levin is a legend!

[@enriquer.o.3871]

Soon he'll be. For sure.

[@kitcarson2776]

King Tony

[@erikhendrickson59]

Check out "Liquid Tension Experiment Live in NYC." Same bass player - he's absolute incredible!

[@danielblackmon6122]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Levin

[@nevada531]

An artistic genius beyond his time.

[@kerry_flynn]

one of the best videos EVER

[@ericpanissidi6761]

1986 greatest records that year.he had the best video's to

[@KevinKnight-by4yt]

Very vivid.

[@georgemathie8123]

So is his best combination of his vintage prog rock roots with Peter's eccentric art rock with catchy pop hooks and brilliant songwriting

[@AldenRDavis]

1986: Cool song 😎🎹🎸❤️🎤🎶🌟🎵🎉 2020: Cool song 😎🎹🎸❤️🎤🎶🌟🎵🎉

[@imnotcreative2214]

It never gets old.

[@paulguzman1634]

You forgot to mention that in 2020 nobody can touch this kind of talented genius in music, but you are so right on!

[@seeit360]

Genius

[@cdevidal]

2086: Cool song 😎🎹🎸❤️🎤🎶🌟🎵🎉

[@Gsmooth10455]

@@paulguzman1634 best comment out of a lot of great comments.

[@patrickbrulotte3760]

How to know everything in one song ❤

[@braddonnell3920]

Back when music videos were art. This is actual art. The amount of talent required to create this video is mind boggling. This was before all the digital magic of today's computers. People were drawing and sketching and filming and doing this by hand with analog tools.

[@calvinchapman5138]

Wherever I was in the house and the TV was tuned to MTV, as soon as I heard "HI, there," it was a full sprint to the den to catch this video.😎

[@tomwatson9032]

@@calvinchapman5138 I always thought he was saying "Higher"!

[@calvinchapman5138]

How many times has that happened to you! I have mistaken so many song lyrics, like Tower Of Power's So Very Hard To Go. When that song had radio play in the 70s, I heard "so very hot and cold." 🤣

[@MRF1983]

Necessity is the mother of invention. The people making art/ music/ videos like this at the time had a necessary drive to realize what was inside of them, to make it take shape and form. Today, with the ease that technology grants to do that, few people making anything have anything worthwhile to say or show us that will last like this.

[@iseeu-fp9po]

There's actually a lot of digital art in this video. Gabriel was a front runner with adapting to new technology in the 80's, I would say. This is a representation of early-days CGI, but it was there along with stop frame animation. Just take a look at Gabriel's "Steam", for example.

[@JamesKovacic]

One of the most brilliant satires on success/materialism and the American dream. Anyone who takes the lyrics seriously is clearly not aware of Gabriel's genius

[@kurtboyer299]

Was scrolling through to see if anyone has said this. Peter uses some sound-alike words with incredibly dark effect. Like "heaven" sounds like "hell" the second time he sings it. Or "So much stuff, I will own" is sung to sound like "So much stuff, all alone." Pretty creepy shit.

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

"A Snow White Pillow, etc." kind of gives it, away. Who am i kidding....it gives it away, Big Time. Sorry

[@Gildedbutterfly1976]

The American dream died after the 80s. 😂

[@EveryDooDarnDiddlyDay]

Thanks to the Bushes and the Clintons

[@grandmagobet9829]

james kovacic: anyone who uses the satanic symbol for their picture should not and cannot be taken seriously....

[@Staffy78]

The world will probably never see music like this again......

[@gamer55551]

Staffy78 and that sad

[@ignignxkt]

Probably? Sorry, but society as a whole is going down the drain. We most certainly will never receive any type of culture or music like what we got back then ever again.

[@skylartodd4207]

@@ignignxkt Shut the fuck up already

[@Daws867]

@@skylartodd4207 Well...he is right.

[@harryheathheath5050]

When you here his music it hooks ya like a drug cause the tempo it makes ya think would ya sell yo soul for the $ want man greed want and need

[@user-qj9cd3yr1z]

1 of the songs i would listen to going to work

[@pabo-qv3nx]

This is Music.

[@frnkjones40]

This song still gets me pumped

[@shutterbug_713]

I like it LOUD! I even have a Marshall amp 2 make it loud!

[@ulflyng4072]

True. Brings vitality back. Dance dance dance

[@guilainebassigny4561]

J'adooooore!!!!!!!!!!¡

[@guilainebassigny4561]

Cette chanson me met la pêche!!!!!!!!

[@venture3800]

That feeling when you listen to this song and appreciate the irony and hubris and yet it still applies to your life not completely ironically. Belete me now

[@hugonongbri8100]

This feels like one of those songs that plays at the beginning of an 80s movie about Wall Street

[@SD-ym1rt]

It was used as the opening to a documentary about the 2008/9 financial crisis narrated by Matt Damon, so you're bang on the money!

[@nathanaelcowan6430]

Weekend at Bernie's!

[@SLKR.M]

Documentary / Movie name: Inside Job (2010). Its a documentary about the global economic crisis of 2008.

[@mneisinger72]

WTF?

[@jonbaird8835]

Love the bassline

[@michaelbina6298]

Just discovered my obsession with Mr. Gabriel. Cannot stop.

[@NosyNeighboursSmell]

Same same.

[@NosyNeighboursSmell]

Can’t wait to put it on in local nights out

[@shutterbug_713]

He looks like a goat!

[@user-zq3ej4op6k]

This is just a masterpiece!

[@hemmojito]

This song still works for me

[@lukethespook2784]

Peter Gabriel's music videos are the most creative of all time

[@LynnRowarth]

That video rocks my world.

[@CorFortium_]

Here I am at 49, rediscovering the music of my childhood. I loved this man’s music and his talent before I was a teen. Now I have some life experience and listening to his music and singing his lyrics has become a mantra for me. I believe I have an understanding on his perspective on life, through his music, his lyrics and through reading about his life. I honestly believe he was trying to empower my generation. I feel empowered just listening to his music as an adult. Peter Gabriel - wildly talented artist, profound lyricist, humanitarian ❤

[@MrLeovaras75]

I'm 48 myself, and remember this song like it was yesterday, but even then, I understood the meaning behind the words: Peter Gabriel was criticizing American society for being too materialistic.

[@crankfotton]

We totally care

[@blockstacker5614]

Thanks to my parents I grew up with a lot of this too

[@maskof]

One of the best videos of the 80s.

[@ALOISC1]

One of the best of all time !

[@breakboytee7460]

Peter Gabriel had the coolest videos even today these videos are still cool

[@deenyc705]

A fantastic video for a fantastic song. (And might I say he looked great too;) I remember when this came out on good old MTV and being blown away. I believe it won best video that year. What a talent.

[@zakdean3002]

“The place where I come from is a small town, They think so small, they use small words, But not me! I’m smarter than that! I’ve worked it out, I’ll be stretching my mouth to let those big words come right out…” Love this song so much, especially the lyrics. I remember when this album came out, the videos for this and “Sledgehammer “ got so much airtime. Even at the age of 7, I could relate so much to the words of this song, and it’ll always be one of my favorites of the era.

[@shenacameron]

TotLly cool especially when UT broke

[@velourkungen]

when this album dropped and this song and sledgehammer dropped Peter Gabriel was arguably the biggest thing in pop. this song and the album it is on is one of the best in pop history

[@sdovas]

He wanted another video with the visual impact of "Sledgehammer " but didn't want to have to sit bolted in place and moved like a puppet this time around.

[@NostalgiaMan]

I remember watching this on MTV on a floor model TV and it was the best time. People were so creative

[@heldersufiano2816]

grear times 80,s !!!! i was is scandinavia....in this periode......

[@eds7344]

Back when MTV was actually a music channel!

[@vfromthaburg]

Yes...they "We" sure were, and will be again...more handmade/handcrafted creators, not just computer graphics etc...If we don't take care of Art, Art will take care of Us (& not in good ways)... Remember, Art imitates LIFE, not the other way around.... However, we havent been living, so we all had to do what we had to... Everyday is "supposed" to be a true & affirmed inspiration... This is a beautiful world, I can't wait to see how beautiful it really is...🕊️🌾

[@angelabachin5947]

👍🤗😇💙😜💚😈👍💋👅😔💯❤️🖕

[@angelabachin5947]

Not Angela Bacchin. I let an obvious fool use my phone for HIS FACEBOOK... Not using mine.. I don't comment on KZbin stuff please ignore. His name was jesse McLaren I believe. Bug him

[@therooster5970]

I sorely miss the 80s. Can I please go back and just remain there?

[@JackiePhillipsTheSocialPet]

I would never want to go back!! Now is much more fun!!!

[@michaelrandall9034]

@@JackiePhillipsTheSocialPet You and I would not get along at all. Enjoy the Shit Show Nightmare! Orwell wasn’t even close to how smooth the strangulation would be. BTW, put your phone in a public toilet. That’s where it always belonged.

[@declinedecline1485]

Hold up, wait a minute! I'm coming with!!!

[@michaelrandall9034]

@@JackiePhillipsTheSocialPet No it’s not and I would place a wager on it!!!!!!! It’s not even close unless you exist via that tiny screen of poor choices and misinformation.

[@JackiePhillipsTheSocialPet]

​@@michaelrandall9034So, you sent your answer in via pigeon??

[@Kristina-qu3wh]

❤🎉❤ Peter Gabriel

[@FishHeadSalad]

"and I will pray to my big god as I kneel in my big church" PERFECT!!!

[@bernardboka4277]

Perhaps the most human and humble line in the song, but completely wrong based on the narrator’s lyrics.

[@bensherman8976]

Peter Gabriel is brilliant. Way ahead of his time. He is one bad mo'fo.

[@goobyhouser]

One of the favorite songs of my childhood I quite literally say "HI THERE" just about every day because of this beautiful song.

[@shutterbug_713]

I like this song loud!

[@user-vd5ko8tg8j]

Мне 59..Когда увидел в первый раз это видио-шок..И только сейчас задумался,как он прав в своём виденье мира и смысла жизни,простите за высокопарность..Обнимаю,тебя,дружище!!

[@bernardboka4277]

Me too, as a physician. It feels right in the spirit of the times

[@benhamilton1156]

Everytime I hear this song or see the vid, beginning n end, it still gives me chills even as a kid, n not in a good way. These days it doesn't bother me much, but the HI THERE still gives me heavy chills.

[@existinginaspace8347]

A certified retail store bop

[@jh9391]

This vid is even more fun after you learn to decode the symbolism. Never gets old!

[@dbsti3006]

I've seen this as a kid and didn't know what it meant. The older I got and the more I watched it...you're right. Eventually you see the message.

[@incognito3862]

I wholeheartedly agree! Same with bits of the Sledgehammer video as well.

[@NicGoldenEddie]

This world you mean, na this universe. You know the fast wilderness of stars. That’s Phil’s boy 😜

[@EJDD1233]

Unfortunately, i've just detected the all seeing eye of illuminatti :(

[@kjmalone17]

@@EJDD1233 yep… scripted fame

[@brian1963110]

Mr. Gabriel is the king of kick ass videos!...:)

[@holeeshietpyro4072]

was mesmerized by peter gabriels videos and music as a kid in the 80s, rewatching them now as an adult i can understand the subliminals and whats being said. wild.

[@MaryShmee]

Yep… I was 18 when this came out and loved it. It’s hard for me to watch now

[@danimal7668]

This bassline slaps so hard!

[@individualchoice9826]

Peter is a genius, vivid imagination, incredibly talented artist

[@johnmoore9021]

This song would be a smash hit if released today.(2019). Which would prove that its a timeless classic. Coming from someone who was teenager in he 80s

[@amystadnik6755]

I watched this video on mtv in the 80s

[@TheCaptainjuicy]

I was a teenager in the 2010s and honestly, this is one of my all time favorite songs.

[@bigtub1101]

Ago I’m 19 now and this has always been a banger for me

[@Supported-Characters]

I remember watching this while high many years ago. It really tripped me out BIG TIME!

[@user-yn7gi5iv8f]

I will play this in London when I go there as well

[@lucario719]

Peter Gabriel went to the director of this video and was like "i want it to look like it was made by that guy in your art class who doesn't know when to stop."

[@aaronbarlow4376]

Ironic considering it's 'stop motion'

[@crinna]

Best comment here

[@kuliimjulischreiben]

“Who doesn’t know when to stop” LOL I lost it 😂😂

[@mikeysuzefour]

Good point @lucario719.

[@mrkremko1]

Some the clay work looks like Bruce Bickford, who’s work is featured in “Baby Snakes”

[@madisonhasson8981]

Played this for my kids and now the parakeet won't stop singing and dancing to it. Very catchy song.

[@StevenAFish]

What a very cool song if you'd ask me!! I really love this song!!

[@friedpancakes266]

The 80s was the last time a man who looked like your father could become a superstar

[@j.b.9260]

Peter had been successful since his early twenties.

[@Nerval-kg9sm]

He was only 35, when he recorded this.

[@personalDM]

@@Nerval-kg9sm he looked really bad and old then

[@MegaUnwetter]

@@personalDM It doesn't matter, his music was great and the video is in 480p, maybe that's why he looks older

[@MegaUnwetter]

@@personalDM But yeah, he didn't look particularly pretty, but now he looks good for his age now

[@patton303]

Headphone song for sure. Almost 40 years later and this still blows away most mixes today.

[@CriticalTechReviews]

that guy who popularized loudness mastering should be in prison. I can't find his name now but he was engineering a lot of stuff in the mid 90s.

[@wolfiethedog76]

@@CriticalTechReviews Phil Spector....he is now dead....he was a weirdo and a half.

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

Headphones for people who have no idea what bass is. YEAH!

[@mrsuns10]

@@wolfiethedog76 he also killer someone

[@tiborvisi7438]

You have no idea how it is having a great high-end stereo system with roughly 1200 Watts lol Headphones are very limited.

[@achared8967]

A Big Ass Hit from 1987. Still sounds fkn awesome!!!!

[@lsc9x]

That's because Peter Gabriel kicks ass! That's when you know you've done something right: When the song is still just as awesome 30 years later! (Same Reason Star Wars still kicks ass). =)

[@suazot]

1986*

[@shutterbug_713]

Acha Red, I like it LOUD! I even have a Marshall amp 2 make it loud.

[@TheGodParticle]

Tom S in the UK it was charted in 87. That's were i live. You must be American.

[@TDTam11]

Peaked in Early 1987

[@dbsti3006]

From 0:56 to 1:42. The lyrics. I feel that. I grew up in a small town outside of a small city (Baton Rouge). It was mundane to me, so I joined the military and got exposed to Chicago, Dubai, Manilla, Singapore, now reside in San Diego ever since. It opened me up to so many things. Expanded the vocabulary and experience above the small town lack of knowledge. However, it's important to remember your roots and never sneer down at where you came from nor your folks. They still look at you as a loved one no matter how much better you think you are.

[@pamelqtaylor8335]

Hey there Louisiana fam. Daughter of Louisiana girl and first time my Yankee butt went to her hometown ( that was a block long; Main Street) I was shocked! 😂never forgot I feel you on the want to get out!

[@dbsti3006]

@@pamelqtaylor8335 I want to go back though. Stuck in California. What part of Louisiana?

[@pamelqtaylor8335]

@@dbsti3006 bastrop

[@Jess-kn8vl]

I had the opposite happen. I left and they pretended to not know who I was when I would come back to visit. They won't leave and don't want anyone else to either.

[@forgettingeverythinglikeno2029]

I loved this music video as a kid, and I still do

[@truthseeker1995]

2:50 Look closely at the arms and hands of the figure dancing on the bed. The animator's _actually_ sculpted the clay to look like smear frames in hand-drawn animation, to simulate motion blur. I've never seen this method applied in this way in stop-motion animation, It's really quite impressive!

[@AgsmaJustAgsma]

Yeah, I noticed that the very first time I saw this music video. It's a really simple technique to pull off with plasticine, but it's extremely effective.

[@5150Reaper]

Truthseeker1995 clay figurines where poppin in the 80’s & early 90’s.

[@AGhostintheHouse]

I know Aardman Studios did the animation for Sledgehammer, I bet they animated this video too.

[@AgsmaJustAgsma]

@@AGhostintheHouse Aardman didn't produce this music video. It's from the same director, however.

[@IdiotsAuthority]

A Ghost in the House! I can stand to be corrected but I’m nearly certain that the superb Bruce Bickford was the animator on this. He did some great stuff with Frank Zappa in the 1970s too.

[@lucioetchamendi6362]

Stewart Copeland mastering the drum! Yes!

[@jbjester1]

Lucio Etchamendi I didn't know that - thank you!

[@AImaniaX]

God the creativity in Peter Gabriel’s videos are top notch! Back then this was so impressive!

One of my all time favorite songs EVER

[@Squab1972]

Peter Gabriel videos should not have a dislike button

[@danielhall8943]

least.we.know.who.the.ones.are.who.dont.use.big.words.

[@brucekentnyc]

Dont be alarmed its just a test of the Global emergency alarm system..

[@ricardocerrillo1897]

True that!

[@mikeysuzefour]

1,600 dummies so far hate this song...Why @Tracey Mills??

[@CreatingwithWinglessAngel]

Exactly!!

[@Mangzorz]

Such a badass song.

[@barakcohen3612]

What a brilliant artist ..just wow

[@KevinKnight-by4yt]

One canonly hope.

[@maxheadroom1837]

What a jam

[@pabzarieker]

extremely talented and shamefully overlooked in the "musical genius" category. should be held in higher regard.

[@goranekstrom8987]

A work of Art.

[@gTimber1930]

Artistic Genius.