Peter Gabriel- Not One of Us (First Listen)

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Song Link: • Peter Gabriel - Not On...

[@OronOfMontreal]

Director Alan Parker died only a week or two ago. He made the movie "Birdy" which won a special jury award at Cannes, for the way that Peter Gabriel's (first ever) soundtrack helped to propel the story in a novel and innovative way. This song was repurposed, without words but retaining Gabriel's weird, percussive vocalizations, as "Birdy's Flight" in one of the film's most exciting scenes.

[@robertjewell9727]

I interviewed Mr. Parker many years ago. At the time, he had just released Pink Floyd's The Wall. It was a fantastic chat on live radio and he was a good fellow and very appreciative of our conversation.

[@-davidolivares]

Come on Birdy! Birdy come on! I’ll have to dig it out and give it a listen or just stream it... gotta love technology.

[@delllittle5692]

The sounds of this song from the "bass" and drums, to the keys, guitars and vocals have always been my nirvana. If ever I had a goal to achieve, it was to sound like this. The power and the sparseness combination is amazing. This and a few others during this time is when I became a big fan of the producer Steve Lillywhite.

[@robw1571]

I think it is talking about classism, racism, xenophobia, etc... about how we have this need to categorize the "other" so that we feel like we belong to something and they don't. It's human nature, though reflective people like Peter recognize this in themselves where as many go on through their life blind to their petty divisions.

[@progperljungman8218]

Doubt this one is about racism though. "...you look like we do..."

[@315Mikey]

Peter introduces a live performance of this song as follows; this next song "deals with certain groups of people who separate themselves from other groups of people in order to feel strong. This song is for those people on the outside and it's called 'Not One Of Us'". The lyrics at the beginning of the second verse drive that home; "There's safety in numbers when you look to divide. How can we be in when there is no outside." It's on the latter half of this album that Peter Gabriel achieves a nearly perfect balance between musical artistry and message-driven lyrics. If you listen to his second album, he strives for message more fervently and the quality of some of the music suffers a bit for it. But on this album, he nailed it! The next track on this album is a simple track with few lyrics, but the final track is a catchy anthem that decries the death of political activist Steven Biko, for whom the song is named. Astute observations as always and will be watching to see where you venture next.

[@sandraandmichaelfield1602]

During PGs live shows he would introduce this song by saying "This song is about people who form themselves into groups in order to feel strong by excluding others".

[@josephparks1505]

"It's only water in a strangers tear"... now that sums up much of what ails us.

[@MickLoud999]

This, apparently, is the first album to feature the "gated reverb" later popularized by Phil Collins in his song "In the Air Tonight". Since Intruder is the first song on the album it is often referred to as the first song to feature it with Phil playing drums on that track as well.

[@utubernow1]

Only Peter Gabriel could produce that, love it or hate it. I love his uniqueness. Thanks for the reaction.

[@MrBlond777]

I agree with your industrial punk vibe! I have always loved this song since I first heard it back in the 80’s on Plays Live. All the musicians are great too. The studio version packs a punch 🥊 and the ending is sublime. Yep 👍 Gabriel is a genius!

[@peteharper2687]

This album really stood out for me at the time of release, nothing else was like it, I even bought the ein deutsches album version, which feels even more stark.

[@johnmavroudis2054]

The lack of cymbals on this album gives it a more rhythmic tone - and a more unsettling listening experience... I'll just repeat myself here: THIS album is Gabriel's solo masterwork. He would, of course, go on to write brilliant stuff and produce brilliant albums... but I would hold this up as the standard. Thanks for going through these albums, Justin!

[@markmilner842]

A great song about the group rejection (and fear) of “the other”. The line, “how can we be in if there is no outside?” is telling. Jerry Marotta’s drumming is fantastic, as is the fretless bass work of John Giblin. The whole song has a great post-punk/New Wave vibe to it, and feels slightly paranoid in its edginess.

[@michaelbochnia5686]

Getting to this a bit late. Love the imagination of Gabriel, sometimes a bit to mechanical in sound for me but he is a special talent. The 80's were filled with him, and that was great. Now back to another tropical storm to deal with. Cheers!

[@JustJP]

Never late😀

[@DrakusRecords]

Love the drumming in this song. The lack of symbols gives this whole album a dark and cold feel, and the toms almost sound like war drums. Such a great sound.

[@elegantirony78]

"There is safety in numbers when you learn to divide, how can we be in if there is no outside" is the key lyric

[@JustJP]

Thats a great point EI

[@schuylersouthwell2554]

Melt. Great album and great songs. Hi from Phoenix, where we're headed for a few days of 115 / 46. In re: No cymbals. Gabriel is known for 'prohibiting' certain instruments in the early days. He felt that cymbals and hi-hats were too 'upper-register' and detracted from the more world-music feeling he was beginning to explore. However, on 'So', he asked Jerry Marotta to not use cymbals or hi-hats, and a battle of wills ensued. (Classic Albums "So" documentary. Peter: "One of the worst things you can ever do to an artist is give them complete freedom, 'cause they just sit there thinking 'What the hell am I going to do'; but, I think creative people are devious, and if you tell them what they >>can't

[@neilhinks5734]

A punk song by by Mr. Prog himself... 😊 IMHO, there is no one who can write material which captivates you, while leading you down different genres of Music!! ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ Great chorus, again.. Accessible, and very interesting. The music always sounds right, Justin your review is bang on too. PG is a Genius imho Have a great day Justin 😊

[@peetee303]

Great reaction Justin thank you, I love the lyric "it's only water in a stranger's tear" implying the lack of empathy for anyone outside of a insular group of people, this is what I love about Gabriel he came from a prog rock group and started a solo career it would have been all to easy to carry on in a similar and predicted musical style as Genesis but he took the hard route and worked hard to find his own eclectic style, never afraid to try new things a real visionary with an edge to his music, I cannot think of many artist from well known groups who travel that difficult path instead of the easy option, Peter Hammill he also has that edge.

[@davidbarker77]

Not a favourite of mine, but I deeply appreciate his experimentation and innovation. It was well worth listening to again.

[@progperljungman8218]

I'm so surprused you didn't dig this more Justin. I felt pretty sure you'd start reviewing with "Perfect song - just perfect!" (But then I've listened to it A LOT since it came out in the 80's...) Might be that you don't fully appreciate that "tribal rock feel" combined with "industrial" and also very delicate instrumental touches. To me it's not a cold song but with some sharper edges now and then. That, in my experience, only helps to put emphasis on the warmer (but dramatic!) "tribal parts".

[@bobholtzmann]

It kind of follows the A-B-A-C-A-B formula - and even though Phil didn't drum on it, I have a feeling he went back to the group and said, "Hey, I have a new song!"

[@greenbluemonkey]

I've listened to this album over and over for years. Never gets old. Its PGs best solo album IMO. A concept album and an exploration into empathizing with many types of characters and their disorders, Security is a great album as well. I Have the Touch.

[@JAKProductions3]

I've always been a fan of Peter Gabriel, but I had never heard that song. I agree that early peter gabriel often does seem to be some form of proto industrial music. Just coming off the prog scene, it make sense he would still be fairly experimental.

[@garycoates4987]

this is my favorite Gabriel album

[@natewilliams1062]

So good. So many layers. So much thanks I must give to you for listening to this album. You done good.

[@JustJP]

Thank you Nate🙂

[@johnpbh]

I do listen to the end of the videos and you can add Spain to your list of countries where you are being listened to... If you do Biko from this Album but don't know anything about Stephen Biko can I suggest it might be worth a little read up before listening. I think it would really help the finer appreciation. I know it did for me as I listened to the track. Keep on rocking young sir.

[@BeeBumper]

I think it is a great song

[@IllumeEltanin]

I think Biko is my favorite Gabriel song. Although, I also enjoy Solisbury Hill. But, Biko is just another level. After listening to the studio version, I strongly recommend watching Gabriel close his Live Aid set with Biko. Powerful. As far as reading up on Stephen Biko before listening to the song, I think I'm going to respectfully disagree. Please, hear me out in my reasoning. I was very sheltered in 1980, even though I was 20 years old. I had little to no idea of political situations around the world at that time. Upon hearing Biko, it piqued my interest, which I think was part of Gabriel's intent. Doing further research after hearing Biko hit me like a ton of bricks. I almost think approaching Biko with a sense of naivety towards the topic makes it even more powerful.

[@JustJP]

Ty John! Sending over some sunshine from Florida!🔆

[@realbser1956]

Perceptive analysis young man. Enjoy the point of view from someone who’s never heard this before. Gives me more insight into the lyrics than I either knew or had forgotten.

[@brendanc.8019]

I have long been a Gabriel fan. I love your reactions sir. I have an odd request. Check out Gonzo’s song from The Muppet Movie. So much more than a silly kids song. Thoughtful and in a way heart wrenching. You know you will not be going back there someday.

[@therealtwiggyleaf]

Thanks Justin! I am from Glasgow, Scotland, but have lived for long periods of time in both Johannesburg, South Africa, and London, England. Peter Gabriel has always been one of my most favourite musical artists since way back in school when I first encountered Genesis. I am hoping you will also be reviewing his next album after this one, which I usually include as one of my Top Ten albums of all time. As ever, great review!

[@courtneywallace871]

Not sure, but that guitar effect might be Fripp-a-tronics. Another recommendation that I’m not sure would translate well to these reaction videos is The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Gabriel’s last album with Genesis and it’s definitely a masterpiece. Pretty weird stuff, but great. Again, in my top 5 albums of all time.

[@Sir_Blobfish]

I may have mentioned on one of your Peter vids before. But please check out the movie “Birdy”. It’s such a beautifully written, acted and shot film that Peter did all the music for. He uses the crescendo of this song as a major theme to the movie. It’s so fantastic. One of my all-time favorite movies with perhaps the best ending scene ever. Matthew Modine and Nicholas Cage are the two young actors in it. So worth the time.

[@jimhardiman3836]

Such a special album.

[@benoitrenaud519]

The percussion at the end is just fantastic! Anticipating the next album.

[@kuhnhan]

I don't know how you feel about thrift stores, but we have found some nice things for our house at the Goodwill on Hoffner and Goldenrod. They have a lot of knick knack type of things and prints. As for Peter Gabriel, one of my favorite's is "Here Comes the Flood". Especially now.

[@benoitrenaud519]

Can't wait for you to make it all the way to Biko!

[@arielquarante]

As always... great and smart review. Thank you, Mr JP, from the southern hemisphere.

[@sidecardog5244]

Greetings from the Northern Hemisphere...where the toilet flushes the correct way😜

[@arielquarante]

@@sidecardog5244 No matter the way as far as the final goal is achieved... Oh, and by the way... ha ha... this sink or toilet thing is a total myth... ! GOD RACEDIS OLLEH ! YDOOW IH

[@keithpasculli7465]

Love the fretless bass in this song and on this album, Larry Klein and Tony Levin just killed it

[@marcg.9039]

The best Gabriel album

[@justintime42000]

I love Peter’s vocal here. It’s beautiful, smooth and very precise pitch wise. I also love the verse melody and the production overall. The chorus makes the point lyrically but musically it’s kind of a letdown. The way the chorus comes in with the guitar is reminiscent of Shock The Monkey. Nice review, Justin!

[@JustJP]

Ty Cathy!

[@MegaFreddie46]

I'm watching and listening to you from Italy. Glad as ever to go all through a video of yours, because you are very entertaining and on point. I really appreciate your ability to recognize the different elements, both musical and lyrical. I can't wait to see you react to "Biko". Have a great day! 😊

[@JustJP]

Ty Paul!

[@dogstar7]

Glad I found your channel, Justin. This is one of my all time favorite albums from back in the day. Your commentary is the best of the reaction channels I've seen. You have an ear for the instruments and recognize the artists and their individual contributions. You got a sub. Can't wait to dive in and see what else you've been listening to

[@JustJP]

Ty so much John! Hope that you have a wonderful day!🔆

[@stevemd6488]

Good song good thoughts as always JP. As someone else said Biko is the song off this album, it was used in a Miami Vice episode way way back. Also a missed PG gem is a song Modern Love from his first solo album (the car cover album). Real rocker.

[@stevemd6488]

@Paul-Martin Scheib kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2iQf2CKeNRpZq8

[@PIGFRAN]

Do you want to take some risk? Do Legião Urbana - Faroeste Cabloco... It is sang in Portuguese....

[@MILESnomore]

one of Peters lost gems

[@jeffmartin1026]

When you find yourself on the outside, don't look in, look furthur out.

[@rrgane]

Justin, at some point when you have some time, might be fun to do a once through album review of 'Seconds Out' .. you will be familiar with most the songs by now. By the way, what happend to your cilantro plant?

[@-davidolivares]

Tacos

[@justintime42000]

David Olivares 😂😂😂

[@-davidolivares]

Cathy Wood He he hee. God, I want some tacos now.

[@JustJP]

Ty R! I'll be honest as it's unlikely to happen anytime soon, moreso because I've heard a few of the songs on SO already, and I want to explore more new things I haven't heard yet. But there's always a chance.

[@JustJP]

We used the cilantro in rice btw!🙃

[@chrisbradley1192]

Peter worked with Laurie Anderson. Please do a review of "O Superman."

[@bobholtzmann]

Or even better, "Sharkey's Day", because there's lots of great stuff on the Mr. Heartbreak album.

[@robertjewell9727]

Greetings from Vermont. This song like many on this album I believe is not so much about racism or anything quite that specific, but about trbalism and its exclusion. The drumming has that sort primitive exclamation and leads up throughout the song in that final rhythmically frenzied pronouncement. It's interesting that Peter often takes the point of view of bad people in order to describe musically a kind of scary menace.

[@a.k.1740]

Yes, for me this piece is about exclusion in any form of group or context (social, regionalism, religion, sport, politics, but also in what we call Subculture: mods, hippies, bikers, punks, skinheads ....). all this is not specified which allows everyone to make their own interpretation. I love this raw and urgent track with a strong post-punk influence. anyway, everything about this third Peter Gabriel is excellent!

[@bethanyjosephadventures2935]

I never knew, just by watching another video that this was sampled by Alan Wilder for Depeche Mode's song "Rush" along with Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks"

[@Habichiwoowoo]

As strange as the instrumentation is in this song, especially in the beginning, I really love it. I was listening to this album a lot when I moved from San Diego to Provo the year after it was released. This song became very important to me. I identified with it. Being a Mormon in California is not super rare, but a whole lot rarer than being a Mormon in Utah. Which one would think would give one a bit of an advantage. Oh, how wrong one would be. The first line is one of the best lyrics I've ever heard: It's only water in a stranger's tear is a uniquely perfect and perfectly unique way to say, your pain (sorrow, anxiety, whatever) is nothing. It's just another little drop in an immeasurable container; unnoticeable. It took nearly a year for me to own the stigma of being a California Mormon in Utah. Where the prevailing culture tends to operate as if there is indeed no outside. Thanks again for your keen mind. Carry on. Oh, and, I never noticed that there are no cymbals in this. Gonna have to give it another listen (number 2,246) just to make note of it...

[@sandraandmichaelfield1602]

Further to my previous... There's a timeless relevance about the lyrics. Sort of makes you think about the state of conflict that may result from such group identity behavior...Especially given our current state of affairs.

[@ScotInTheDot]

Coming to this VERY late, but you're spot on. I read somewhere that this song was inspired by cliques - but it could just as easily be adopted by the far-right as a theme to justify their fascism... and also vague enough to be used by the far-left AGAINST the racists (with the bigots not being one of us). Also, this was peak into PG's experimental phase, and I'm sure there's plenty of effects in use here that he might regret nowadays when playing live. You know how, if a guitarist gets a new effects pedal for birthday or christmas, and then proceeds to use it constantly for the next few songs? Yeah, something like that.

[@markfeggeler3479]

Wondering when you might revisit a Steve Hackett... maybe try The Steppes, or Waters of the Wild for something different.

[@oliverbendallcharles]

I did read somewhere that it was also inspired by the Nazi germany. Although I can’t find anything written about that now.

[@JamesKovacic]

This song has not aged, sadly

[@crazyprog1938]

Hi Justin love the video! Are you planning to do any more genesis listens?

[@bigjapi1]

He will... Genesis is his favorite band but he loves to make us soffer LOL

[@JustJP]

Yup!🙃

[@EdwardGregoryNYC]

The German version of this album is also wonderful - especially this song.

[@-davidolivares]

Oh yeah, I’ve got that, where is it... hmm, this and Eat Em And Smile in Spanish. Fun stuff.

[@sbsummit]

If you like the drumming at the end, check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3a9YauPrpmmpZo - as others have mentioned, this track was remixed amongst others from this album and from PG4 ("Security") for Alan Parker's film, Birdy.

[@MrPauljohnhughes]

Chesterfield, England.

[@michaelbedford8017]

Are you saying it's about Chesterfield?! Staveley possibly but it's a little hard on them.

[@MikeRoftHolmes]

You need to see the Movie BIRDY with Nicolas Cage and music from Gabriel

[@MikeRoftHolmes]

from 4:55 is in the movie........And a lot of other good stuff from Gabriel

[@EdwardGregoryNYC]

"You look like we do. You talk like we do." Gabriel makes it unclear what difference he is talking about, making it more about hate in general than any specific hate.

[@galier2]

The bass of that song reminds me of Fat bottom from Spinal Tap.

[@adammckee3496]

Your hand signals for the bass are more accurate than you realize. Tony Levin frequently uses the Chapman Stick, rather than a traditional electric bass, and it's played the way you showed. Look it up.

[@robertjewell9727]

I thought of that immediately. 😄

[@richardtodd6843]

You beat me to a similar comment.

[@MrSaverio97]

Watching this from BUSTO GAROLFO BG

[@alva1370]

I was wrong about 2112. The comic book version is 23 minutes, the album is a regular album. I think I'm gonna listen to some Rush today.

[@bigjapi1]

Toc toc toc, someone from the sky is knocking the Justin door... just give us a tip on your twitter, what´s coming after you finish PG solo album ? the missing ones from SEBP or the missing ones from W&W ? 🤔 before you dive into TLLDOB 👌😀

[@JustJP]

Haha, ill be finishing Selling England more than likely🙂

[@arminreuter5151]

I always felt the chorus could have been stronger. Especially in live versions it is more like barking. I can see his point, but it doesn't seem so fulfilling as a hook should be. Otherwise it's a great song and I especially like the instrumental part in the end. He used it in his soundtrack for Birdy and it sounds spectacular.

[@AriadneJC]

Ha! Wessex! Maybe if Thomas Hardy were watching... ! But I am actually from that part of the world (okay... a bit further west: I was born and grew up in Padstow, Cornwall) but now live in the opposite corner, just outside the city of Durham in the north east of England. Oh, and the song? Yeah, I like its feeling of enforced separation, segregation, and isolation, reproduced in the instruments and specifically spoken about in the lyrics. I like all of this album but find the final track ("Biko") a bit heavy-handed---even though what it talks about is a terrible tragedy and shouldn't be dismissed.

[@diegofantin6012]

So early. You have to listen to Sui generis "pequeñas anécdotas sobre las instituciones" please just do it

[@Lightmane]

Please just do it? I think you meant to say "I hope you check it out".

[@diegofantin6012]

@@Lightmane yeah... that

[@vdggmouse9512]

It appears as though you found parts of the song praise worthy - but it also seems that you didn't really care enough about the song as a whole since you never said 'I like/love this song.' Peter use to play this at his shows - the crowd usually and exuberantly screamed the chorus 'you're not one of us.' After the album 'So' I am not sure if he has the room to play this live anymore. Not regularly anyway. I agree with you - It's a lower end spectrum of the PG catalog along with 'Shock the Monkey,' 'Games Without Frontiers,' and the dreadful 'Sledgehammer.' Not on the level of 'Solsbury Hill,' 'Here Comes The Flood,' or 'Moribund the Burgermeister.' (All three from his first solo album.) I guess we'll finish up this album and move on to more relevant and thought provoking material. Maybe an album from '71 or perhaps '75?

[@mikep-9995]

So, think of Genesis and the direction they went in after Gabriel and Peter's solo stuff. You get a few albums removed from Peter and I hate that pop version of Genesis. The band should have followed Peter's direction. In any case, when this came out, there wasn't anything like this. Peter is so creative and great vocalist.

[@markspooner1224]

Good one Justin, you're not one of them are you?

[@peppernagre3126]

I don't remember I don't recall This was ok overall

[@bigbgarage]

42 years early…. The 💉not letting the people that decideded not to get it. Not a message that one idea is better than the other. So sad that something like this can separate people.

[@dapablo2]

Wessex? :)

[@Lwize]

Cymbal-free percussion. Probably due to the Zildjian boycott of 1980.

[@Lwize]

@Paul-Martin Scheib Sounds like a Wikipedia entry...

[@anthonyblakely399]

Message clear and deep.....but the mechanics of the song is so dull....it just doesn't speak to me....I don't know.....compared to "Sledgehammer" this song lacks "Sauce." lol

[@Ifyoudonttakeitucantfakeit]

PG4 is light years ahead of this mush. This mush Is way ahead of most rubbish!

[@panurge987]

It's just about xenophobia.

[@christinerobinson548]

I just can not love Pop Pete. That's just me.

[@SpaceCattttt]

Would've been a better single than "Games Without Frontiers".

[@TrevRockOne]

You're buggin

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@TrevRockOne Oh look, you gave yourself a like.

[@TrevRockOne]

@@SpaceCattttt Your speculation is wrong

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@TrevRockOne Let's call it a fact, then. That makes me right.

[@TrevRockOne]

@@SpaceCattttt Wrong again, bucko