PETER GABRIEL - SHOCK THE MONKEY

Released: September 1982

Charts:  US: #29   UK: #58 

“Shock the Monkey” is a song released in September 1982 as the lead single from the fourth self-titled studio album, issued in the US under the title “Security”. It became Gabriel’s first Top 40 hit in the US, reaching No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. In the UK, it peaked at No. 58.

“Shock the Monkey” is often mistaken for a song about animal rights or shock therapy due to its title and imagery, but Peter Gabriel has clarified that it is actually about jealousy. The “monkey” symbolizes primal human instincts, particularly fear and insecurity. The phrase “shock the monkey to life” refers to moments of realization triggered by jealousy, confirming one’s fears or suspicions. While the song mentions various animals, its true meaning lies in exploring emotional reactions and human impulses.

“Shock the Monkey” showcased Peter Gabriel’s innovative use of electronic music technology. For this song and the rest of the “Security” album, he used cutting-edge devices like the Fairlight CMI, Prophet 5 synthesizers, and an LM-1 drum machine to create its distinctive sound. Along with co-producer David Lord, Gabriel manipulated samples and processed rhythms, shaping the song from the beat upward. Drummer Jerry Marotta adjusted his playing to suit this approach, avoiding cymbals and using a surdo drum instead of a traditional kick drum. This experimental production technique resulted in a unique sound that was difficult to replicate.

The music video directed by Brian Grant is known for its unsettling and surreal imagery. A staple of early MTV, the video features Peter Gabriel in two contrasting roles: a businessman in a dark suit and a shaman-like figure with white face paint and black geometric markings. The setting shifts between two office-like rooms where a movie projector plays footage of a gibbon. As the video progresses, the businessman’s environment becomes increasingly chaotic, with objects in disarray and Gabriel himself appearing more distressed. The visuals grow more intense, featuring scenes of Gabriel fleeing through a wilderness, being restrained by three little people, and appearing disoriented in a hospital-like setting. The video culminates with the two Gabriels merging, and the gibbon’s face superimposed over them.