PETER GABRIEL - BIG TIME

Released: November 1986

Charts:  US: #8    UK: #13 

“Big Time” is a song by Peter Gabriel from his 1986 album “So”. It became his second top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 8. Gabriel described the song as a satire on the human desire for success. The lyrics follow a small-town man who becomes larger than life, with the ending featuring heavily processed vocals that deepen to emphasize his growing stature before abruptly cutting off.

“Big Time” features a distinctive bass sound created by Tony Levin and drummer Jerry Marotta, where Levin handled the fingerings while Marotta struck the strings with drumsticks. Inspired by this technique, Levin later developed funk fingers—small drumstick ends attached to his fingertips for live performances. Co-producer Daniel Lanois emphasized the importance of using digital instruments with intention and enthusiasm. He cited “Big Time” as an example of this approach done right, highlighting how the song’s Fairlight bass riff created a unique, robotic drive that wouldn’t have been achievable with a traditional played bass.

The drum parts were challenging to record, with Stewart Copeland’s lighter, poppier take ultimately chosen. His timing issues required meticulous sampling and editing by engineer Kevin Killen. The song also features The Memphis Horns, though on tour, their parts were played via an Akai sampler by keyboardist David Sancious, sometimes requiring Gabriel to extend his stage banter while floppy disks were swapped.

The “Big Time” music video featured a visual style similar to “Sledgehammer,” utilizing stop-motion claymation by David Daniels and strata-cut animation. Directed by Stephen R. Johnson and produced by Prudence Fenton, the video was shot at Peter Wallach Studios, with artist Wayne White also contributing to its creation.