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Peter Gabriel — Big Time
Album: So
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 523









Released: 1986
Length: 4:23
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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, yes
(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
Comments (78)add comment
80's yuppie music, like a lot of Gabriel's stuff was then but it was still decent until it was over-played.
Posted 7 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Great album, but I've never been a fan of this song.
Posted 10 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Zep wrote:
Not having heard it on FM radio, I find it rocking fresh. 

 
Are you Amish?
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Not having heard it on FM radio, I find it rocking fresh. 
Posted 10 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Something annoying about it.
Posted 10 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
 MiracleDrug wrote:


which would be never...

 

And I would consider that a success.
Posted 11 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:
Still love this song, but it's been overplayed on FM radio. The video absolutely blew people's minds when it came out. 
 
Because it blew my mind when it came out, it can never be overplayed:  "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."

Yeah; I worked it out, too.  (<---- cynical self-awareness.)
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]

marvelous song...  love it...
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
{#Wave}  Hi there!  {#Wave}
Posted 11 years ago by Derecho    [ Reply ]
 stevendejong wrote:

 Tony Levin with his Chapman stick *defines* the sound of the song in my opinion. 

 

Posted 11 years ago by winter    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church loves this song—  and this whole incredible album...
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Thanx to RP to let us listen such a really really good song !  again & again !
 
Posted 11 years ago by DCABERO    [ Reply ]
Sick of this B I G  T I M E  !!!
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]

Oh lord, if I hear this one more time, I swear...{#Arghhh}


Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 RussNelson wrote:


And neither one think much of you either, when they think of you.
 

which would be never...
Posted 12 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:


I despise Sarah Palin and PG quite equally!{#Cheers}
 

And neither one think much of you either, when they think of you.
Posted 12 years ago by RussNelson    [ Reply ]
 CoYoT51 wrote:
A REAL Bass Guitar would have been so good in this tune... too bad...
 
Well, Chevy Chase was busy with that Paul Simon video.

/obscure?
Posted 12 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
WHAT? Levin's stick work in this one song advanced the practice of bass playing. You are evidently not a bass player—or a base Philistine.
A REAL Bass Guitar would have been so good in this tune... too bad...
 


Posted 12 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
The lyrics in this one were so ahead of their time it's a little creepy. Big box stores, monster SUVs, McMansions, and waistlines all sprung right up after this song came out, just like the clay gizmos in the video.

Impressive foresight mr. Gabriel. Too bad so many have taken big time culture to heart instead of getting the joke...
Posted 12 years ago by foothillfreak    [ Reply ]
 CoYoT51 wrote:
A REAL Bass Guitar would have been so good in this tune... too bad...
 
 Tony Levin with his Chapman stick *defines* the sound of the song in my opinion. 
Posted 12 years ago by stevendejong    [ Reply ]
Can't get into him at all
Posted 12 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
One of the first songs I ever heard from Mr. Gabriel.  We've had a splendid relationship since then.
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Gave it a 10 to push it above 7

Nah, 8 - ok song from a "so so" (pun intended) album...  his earlier work is much better


Posted 13 years ago by justsomeone    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:


Still love this song, but it's been overplayed on FM radio. The video absolutely blew people's minds when it came out. 
 
I always figured he threw this tune together just so he could have another song with a stop-motion animation video made for it, though this tune has a little more lyrical content than "Sledgehammer" does.   Not a bad song, really, just a little over-played.

Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
"And my heaven will be a big heaven."
Posted 13 years ago by netskink    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
I have never heard this one before
 

Me neither.  I did spend the 80s living in a cave, that may have something to do with it.

Posted 13 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
this is weird.....I haven't rated this song yet
Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:


Wish I could agree with you but you are simply WRONG.

 
Wish I could disagree with you both but you are complexly right.

Posted 13 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
 johnjconn wrote:
Ok , here's a new way to fun with this song,,,,, only on RP

First , click on the RP home page "Click here to listen"

Then go to the Listen tab and launch a Windows Media session.

Thus you'll be listening to two sessions of RP. They are out of sync by about a second or two.

Thus it sounds like your back in the 80's , brain a little fuzzy , but not for the same reasons it was fuzzy back then. This song sounded better with the echo.

try it
 
I've done this accidentally via similar means. I was about to rate a song really low because of it when I realized what was happening. I thought, man, this song is WAY too busy, it's giving me a headache!

Posted 13 years ago by Nerubo    [ Reply ]
While not approaching the brilliant heights of a song like "Mercy Street", this song has a tongue-in-cheek appeal.  The guys driving the jacked-up trucks with logos of their least-favorite truck brand being peed on would probably not even realize this song was making fun of them. I'm especially fond of the line "I will pray to a big God."

Posted 13 years ago by Nerubo    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

Wish I could agree with you but you are simply WRONG.

 

Wish I could agree with you but you are simply WRONG.

Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
A REAL Bass Guitar would have been so good in this tune... too bad...
Posted 13 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
I still like the funky PG.
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 Ayarose wrote:

And neither should Michael Franti, or Stevie Wonder, or Heart, or Jude, or Nirvana, or something that other guy doesn't like - because we all know we have way too many choices that play such a diverse variety.... let's get rid of everything everbody doesn't like and sit here and listen to nothing all day....................

 
No, no, no. Just the songs that I don't like.{#Snooty}

Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
The one song off this album I don't like, compared to cuts like 'red rain' and 'mercy street' that are SO good
Posted 13 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
Pardon the masked profanity, but I F?(#ING LOVE that bass line!{#Bananajam}
Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 daigoro wrote:
This is a great pop song no matter how you slice it. A great ode to pomposity...

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 my 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

 

Still love this song, but it's been overplayed on FM radio. The video absolutely blew people's minds when it came out. 
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 ellet wrote:
I like it! {#Dance} But I always seem to like the music I listened to during the 80s.
 
THIS.  Must be a bit of nostolgey kicking in.  Good memories.  Funny how the bad memories disappear... {#Jump}
Posted 13 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
Grerat song... audio quality is somehow not quite right.
Posted 14 years ago by amb599    [ Reply ]
 isayhoomhom wrote:

Perhaps that's because you're from Sarah Palin's hometown...{#Think}
 

I despise Sarah Palin and PG quite equally!{#Cheers}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I have never heard this one before, nice to hear fresh music especially when it sux!{#Rolleyes}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I like it! {#Dance} But I always seem to like the music I listened to during the 80s.
Posted 14 years ago by ellet    [ Reply ]
Absolutely horribly boring music
Posted 14 years ago by bookie    [ Reply ]
 flyboy wrote:

Another PG song, another 1.

 
Perhaps that's because you're from Sarah Palin's hometown...{#Think}
Posted 14 years ago by isayhoomhom    [ Reply ]
Gabriel was a big reason for the success of Genesis and then really took off when he went solo.  This album had a lot of good songs.  I also really dug Solsbury Hill from, I think, his first solo effort.
Posted 14 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]

Another PG song, another 1.


Posted 14 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]

Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Mega ear-wormage!

The bass hooks from this song, Talking Head's Once In a Lifetime, and Pink Floyd's Money go into a cage. Which one comes out on top?
Posted 14 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 Ayarose wrote:

And neither should Michael Franti, or Stevie Wonder, or Heart, or Jude, or Nirvana, or something that other guy doesn't like - because we all know we have way too many choices that play such a diverse variety.... let's get rid of everything everbody doesn't like and sit here and listen to nothing all day....................

 
Way to go... smack 'em down.

Posted 14 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 agd3 wrote:
I wish I could say this song was good, but its not ear candy and should not be part of the RP library.  Does not fit the vibe.
 
And neither should Michael Franti, or Stevie Wonder, or Heart, or Jude, or Nirvana, or something that other guy doesn't like - because we all know we have way too many choices that play such a diverse variety.... let's get rid of everything everbody doesn't like and sit here and listen to nothing all day....................

Posted 14 years ago by Ayarose    [ Reply ]
 agd3 wrote:
I wish I could say this song was good, but its not ear candy and should not be part of the RP library.  Does not fit the vibe.
 
{#Clap}

Posted 14 years ago by kestrel    [ Reply ]
so so so so so so so SICK of Peter Gabriel.  BIG TIME.
Posted 14 years ago by cafortier    [ Reply ]
 agd3 wrote:
I wish I could say this song was good, but its not ear candy and should not be part of the RP library.  Does not fit the vibe.
 
Wish I could agree with you but you are simply WRONG.

Posted 14 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
I wish I could say this song was good, but its not ear candy and should not be part of the RP library.  Does not fit the vibe.
Posted 15 years ago by agd3    [ Reply ]
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good for the ears!

 romeotuma wrote:


This song is soooo good for the ears...
 


Posted 15 years ago by kilroyjoe3    [ Reply ]

not to be confused with "Big Fun"


Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]

aw, ya beat me to it
 Blarg wrote:
Hi there!
 


Posted 15 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
This is a great pop song no matter how you slice it. A great ode to pomposity...

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 my 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


Posted 15 years ago by daigoro    [ Reply ]
{#Yes}
Posted 15 years ago by akmegan    [ Reply ]
Ultimate MTV


Posted 15 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
hmmm no... i don't think so.
Posted 15 years ago by TheFriendlyCat    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana}

{#Nyah}
Posted 15 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
 Omega wrote:
Anything, anything at all besides Big Tiime and Sledgehammer.  

I agree wholeheartedly.  Love most of Peter Gabriel's stuff but those two songs are big stinkers.
Posted 15 years ago by Bridieboo    [ Reply ]
Could not agree more - DETEST Big Time and Sledgehammer, but the rest of the album is amazing.  He's also absolutely fantastic live - saw him many years ago in WOMAD - excellent!
Posted 15 years ago by bluemoon88    [ Reply ]
 Omega wrote:
Anything, anything at all besides Big Tiime and Sledgehammer. Commercial radio made me think I didn't like Peter Gabriel; then I heard his albums and was blown away.
 
Similarly, except with me I heard songs like this on RP and changed my mind. My view of PG was also vastly improved when I realised that he'd been instrumental in the formation of the Afro-Celt Sound System. 7 from the Nottingham jury.


Posted 16 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Sweet. I used to crank this in my dorm room w/my (then) new system and shake the foundation of the place. Very clean, tight sounds and a damn sweet bass line or two.
Posted 16 years ago by sirrus    [ Reply ]
Back when Peter had the juice, the flow. 
Posted 16 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
Wow...talk about ratings all over the board. I personally really like this song, along with some of his other big hits, but I also like his obscure stuff.
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Skid_Mark: Not a *bad* song, but there are many other PG tunes that are so much better!! How 'bout squashing this song with a big *Sledgehammer*?
Anything, anything at all besides Big Tiime and Sledgehammer. Commercial radio made me think I didn't like Peter Gabriel; then I heard his albums and was blown away.
Posted 22 years ago by Omega    [ Reply ]
Hi there!
Posted 22 years ago by Blarg    [ Reply ]
Enough of this song already.
Posted 22 years ago by jpadesign    [ Reply ]
Not a *bad* song, but there are many other PG tunes that are so much better!! How \'bout squashing this song with a big *Sledgehammer*?
Posted 22 years ago by Skid_Mark    [ Reply ]