Used to be a show called "jeux sans frontieres" international tournament between cities or towns from different countries they would compete in silly games usually on ridiculous sets and in funny costumes but all took it very seriously! In the UK the game was called "it's a knockout".So you have the line" games without frontiers,war without tears",the repeated refrain in the background is"je sans frontieres" and he finally says "it's a knockout" ,to a 57 year old Brit it's obvious but I get how in the US or even younger Brits get confused.
I also think of this show every time I listen to this song because of the name. Here in Germany it was called "Spiele ohne Grenzen" which means exactly games without frontiers. But I admit that I had no clue if he meant this show or not.
The experience of Peter Gabriel isn’t complete without listening to “Biko”, about the black human rights activist murdered while in police custody during apartheid in South Africa. If you listen to the official song you’ll hear a crowd singing at the beginning and end. This is the actual crowd recorded during Biko’s funeral. Peter’s song helped to bring worldwide attention to what was happening there. Beyond that anything from the Secret World Live tour is fantastic. Also “Father, Son”, “Here Comes The Flood”, “Signal to Noise”, “Kiss of Life”, the list goes on and on.
Soon after its release, a copy of "Biko" was seized by South African customs and submitted to the Directorate of Publications, which banned the song and the album on which it featured for being critical of apartheid, calling it "harmful to the security of the State. Miami Vice played the song in one of their episodes in 1985 not knowing the song was in the program it was shown in South Africa which caused uproar across the country
Great song Mel. Thanks for sharing! Maybe you will get round to reacting to some Eurythmics too? Am sure you will love them. Annie Lennox is one of the best British female voices ever!
Totally agree! Kate’s my favourite female vocalist ever, Peter one of my favourite male vocalists... they’ve made some amazing music together. Love their collaborations!
That and the one here are my faves. The original video of Games is available (though butchered in the version shown here), but the one for Solsbury only survives in a few excerpts.
This is the first time that Kate Bush sang on a Peter Gabriel song. She sings the part that sounds like "She is so popular", but in reality, she is singing in French "jeux sans frontières", that is "games without frontiers".
"Jeux Sans Frontières..." or "Games Without Borders" was a European based franchise of game shows. The roots of the show came from France with the first version of it called "Intervilles..." or "The Beautiful Games." It was created to be a friendly, but serious competition between different towns within the region. Since it was town vs town, every town that competed wanted their town to be recognized as the best. This meant that the competitors would play their hearts out to win. The fact that this show had the ability to bring out the best in anyone who took part in it would be the driving force behind it's popularity spreading all over Europe. Peter Gabriel was obviously infatuated with how amazing of an idea it was...but then again...who wouldn't be? When you pit towns against each other in competition with the reason in mind of bringing them closer together...that is GENIUS in EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD!!! We need a modern version of this today, and it should be a worldwide thing rather than being limited to only one continent.
This period of Peter's music from late 70's to early-mid 80's takes me back to my high school days when his music was played constantly on our rock station. That was before Bon Jovi was considered "Classic Rock"...!
Peter Gabriel has remained one of the most gifted and innovative music artists of the past 50 years. His early music was way ahead of its time, and his more recent music is as relevant as any he’s ever made. Check out his songs “Mercy Street,” “I Have the Touch,” and “Digging in the Dirt.”
Peter is the Best!!! Even now he's in ...I think Uganda helping Black folks down there as he has done for many years.....so he always has some deep meaning in his songs about Western Societies!!!!
I agree with some of the previous posters..."Biko" is not only haunting and beautiful, it shined such a light on the situation on South Africa that, imho, Peter Gabriel did more to end apartheid than any other artist. By calling attention to this one individual, government inquiries were launched and massive demonstrations were built. This is a most amazing man, and a truly great artist. Thanks for sharing!
@@janetcw9808 Solsbury Hill is in England. Peter sat on the hill after leaving Genesis wondering if he was wrong to leave the band. This song was the result of an epiphany he had... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solsbury_Hill_(song)
"killing foes for peace, bang, bang, bang; bang, bang, bang" Genesis and Peter were anti-war and pro-peace, but with justice. It is in all their music.....including Phil Collins.
This song was written during the height of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. It's about how nuclear missiles can reach the other side of the world and obliterate entire nations, cultures, regions. That's what "without frontiers" means -- national boundaries don't define who can attack who in wars anymore. Russia could launch a wave of nuclear missiles at whatever nation it wants across the world. That's also what "war without tears" means, because no one in the aftermath of the attack will be left in the target areas to weep for their lost loved ones.
Also a play on words. At that time there was a game show in the UK called 'It‘s a Knockout' the French version of the show was called 'Jeux sans Frontiers‘ transl. 'Games Without Frontiers‘
Partly right, the song is against totalitarian governments of either flavour that's why the lines about Adolph(Hitler) and Enrico(Mussolini) are also included.
@@nancymclaughlin6790 There’s a TV movie called Threads from 1984 based on what it would be like if the bomb was dropped on my hometown, Sheffield. US and USSR were parking A-Bombs in Europe back then and as a kid, dying this way was a true fear
@@nancymclaughlin6790 ...Every nation was terrified, the crazy USA and equally crazy CCCP were on the brink of world destruction more than once. A Russian submarine Captain who refused to launch missiles saved the world. One of many close calls. I grew up in Australia being told we could be nuked anyday..stupid duck and cover lessons in school, the movie The Day After shown twice a year in school...So yes, others had it the same.
The song also refers to a UK TV programme at the time "it's a Knockout". People competing in silly games to represent their town. You had to be there!!!
Not just UK TV, a lot of countries had versions, the winners going on to compete in Jeaux sans Frontiers, the internationals. In which we nearly invariably lost, to the sound of Stuart Hall laughing.
Always loved this song by Gabriel. You got a good vibe from this. Interestingly, so many listeners thought that the refrain was "She's so popular" when it first aired on the radio. There were different visuals used earlier on and that might have contributed to that interpretation. Sledge Hammer was also great (as you reference). In Your eyes is also a great tune; Big Time, Down to Earth (from the movie Wall-e; picks up a gospel vibe), and Rhythm of the Heat for a wild percussion ride.
In the UK when this came out, everyone knew what Jeux sans frontiers meant because it was the Euro edition of a physical game show called It's a Knockout.
Many may not know that the song's title refers to "Jeux Sans Frontières" (That's what the female voice [Kate Bush] sings), a long-running TV show broadcast in several European countries. From Wikipedia: Teams representing a town or city in one of the participating countries would compete in games of skill, often while dressed in bizarre costumes. While some games were simple races, others allowed one team to obstruct another. The British version was titled It's a Knockout-words that Gabriel mentions in the lyrics.
Another great song from this album, is"Biko", a eulogy to the African anti-apartheid activists imprisonment. Also, for a Sledgehammer type of vibe, try Steam.
This got me on the Peter Gabriel train before he hit it Big Time in the 80s, didn't even know he was the 1st singer in Genesis at the time. He just made unique music & videos at the time.
Going down the rabbit hole with Peter Gabriel because his songs were unique and well-crafted. Here's two more PG songs to listen: Hear that voice again and I don't remember.
One of his you should check out is "I Grieve". He wrote it thinking about 9-11, and worried, since his daughter at the time was in New York at the time. It's about going through the grieving process, but realizing that it also circles back to learning to live your life anew in the aftermath.
This is an interesting song and album from a production and drums perspective. Gabriel and drummer Jerry Marotta decided not to use any cymbals (including hi-hats) on the record. The rhythmic feel is so different than anything else from its time, especially anything that entered the pop realm. It’s a very musical exploration.
@@JasonSmith-jr7jh Fripp didn;t produce this album (Gabriel's 3rd - he did the previous one) though he does play guitar on some tracks. Steve Lillywhite produced this album with Hugh Padgham (first time Padgham and Phil worked together). Everything I've read says that Gabriel himself laid down the "no cymbals" rule.
@@russellmaddox2437 Thanks for setting me straight. I just deleted my reply. Too much false information out there, and I'm just adding to it! Most of what I remembered wrong (Fripp produced Melt?) has been stuck in my brain for 40 years. It took me hours to find my old Jerry M modern drummer cover issue. The Peter Gabriel edict: "I don't want any 'metal' on the album" seemed very 'Frippian'. Robert DOES hate ride cymbals, though! Fripp Interview from Bruford and the Beat (VHS)1981.
Jamel, I found you during the pandemic. You really helped get me (and I imagine a lot of us) through that stressful time. But you are awesome in good times, too! You are hands down my favorite reactor. You helped me realize why I like watching people react to the songs I grew up with and have heard hundreds of times - it's like watching someone fall in love with a song for the first time and I get to experience that all over again. It brings me joy. Thank you for reacting to Peter Gabriel. This is one of my favorites by him and PG can do no wrong in my book.
When I 1st saw that watching others "react" to songs and videos was a thing...I was like "more dumb social media degenerate $#!+"....boy was I wrong. It's like introducing & recommending the music you love to a friend...you love sharing the feeling you get from great art with others....even in cyberspace
i saw Peter Gabriel Live, in 1980 at the Empire Theatre, in Liverpool uk.. Fans applauded, as did i, when he walked out on stage. Dressed in a black suit, white t shirt, wearing no shoes or socks. Holding an Acoustic guitar, singing solsbury hill. Wow..! what a show we got given that night. i must admit i do feel privledged on having seen this incredible artist live. Still remember it now. i was 19 then. 60 now.
The tv show on which it was based has its genesis in post WW2 Europe and just like the Eurovision Song Contest was an attempt to bridge cultural divides in Europe and bringing the continent, which had suffered from two major conflict within the first half of the 20th century. But where as the ESC has thrived over the years Games Without Frontiers has been relegated to the past now despite efforts to revive it.
For another, even more powerful (imo) Cold War-themed classic, I urge you to check out Laurie Anderson's "O Superman", ideally with video. Stopped me dead in my tracks the first time I encountered it.
Driving alone on a dark night with a good sound system that song is an 'experience'. It feels like it's putting me in a trance and communicating directly to me.
Fascinated to see an American react to this! It's basically about the complexity of European politics and a crazy old TV show called 'It's a knockout' in the UK and 'Jeux sans frontiers' or Games without Frontiers in other countries. Towns would compete in all sorts of silly challenges to demonstrate how friendly everyone was, but the competition sometimes got a bit tense. Great music of course!
@@Lwize I feel you...when i went to a record store i asked do you have that song she's so popular and they knew what i was talking about, they must of heard that question a million times lol
Man, the Golden Age of MTV...I was about 7 years old when this came out, and this video freaked me out, back then. The song itself is still in my playlist today... Peter Gabriel's "Shock the Monkey" would be a great one to follow up with; same time, same vibe...
Absolutely correct but as a hard core Gabriel fan going back to Genesis, it also had a deeper message, he's also referring to the childish behaviours of world leaders
Remember the original version of this video had the formally dressed children feasting and frolicking at the long table...for some reason those frames are edited out...
The song was a dark satirical comment on geo politics and how politicians play games with peoples lives. The cost of war is never a President or Prime Minister in a body bag, it’s the people. There are so many references in the song, but the brilliance is in the eerie atmosphere that pulls you along. It really does transfix you. You’re right, it is such a good song that you can forget to take on board the message it’s sending. He’s a musical genius, and a thoroughly good bloke by all accounts. He knew his voice could count if he used it properly towards the right ends, and that’s who he is to this day.
The international version of the game ‘Jeux Sans Frontieres’ was devised by French President Charles de Galle in the 1960’s to improve relations between European countries.
@@chuckvelten5337 Guess I never heard of "Il Duce" referred to as "Ricco." Nor does a search (albeit a quick one) show anything like that. When was he referred as "Ricco" to in this fashion?
@@RocketToTheMoose Guess Peter Gabriel wrote the song the way he wanted to. It's amazing the gotcha bullshit you tool bags here on social media. Think that your somehow getting away or embarrassing people with. I gladly stand by my comments numb nuts. Never heard lyrics where someone incorporates real life or historical facts. With either their interpretations or views on things, have you ? Because if you haven't you know even less about music then you do about world history El- douchesaurus ! Get lost !
@@RocketToTheMoose P.S. I can also tell by your last name. You're one the typical Gods chosen people, you know. The obnoxious and arrogant know it all type. Probably hovering over that keyboard right now. Chomping at the bit to respond back to me. Again, take a hike !
As many have stated is song was about political relations between nations and Cold War.What I love about how every child’s name represents a country.Makes you think of them all on a playground which represents the world.Peter probably think that these nations act like children and that’s how he’ll represent them.Genius man!Also, the song was used for the games theme at one time.
PG is the first to say that people make of their songs what they need to. This one has always spoken to me about the endless ideological and factional violence on this planet, the war "games" that we so often carry out in the shadows, both brutal and deniable. I can't recommend enough the live version from Athens 1987 - it blows the beat to the very next level. Love this channel!
Another favorite PG song. The lyrics are a metaphor comparing the war games kids play when they're young to real war waged by adults and faceless governments. The chorus makes the metaphor clear - "whistling tunes, we hide in the dunes by the seaside; whistling tunes, we piss on the goons in the jungle" (which I've always interpreted as a reference to the Vietnam war). This was also the first time PG worked with Kate Bush, I believe. She's the one doing the backing vocals - "jeux sans frontieres." Her voice sounds almost computerized and faceless on this track, without the character usually present in her voice. But I think that's the way PG wanted it, to complement the faceless nature of the song's war subject. PG was also getting into synthesizers himself, making more discoveries and creating more music with them, so it's not completely surprising that he'd want Kate to sound a little 'computerized' on this track. Kate herself got heavily into using synths to augment and create her own music, becoming vitally important to some of her biggest albums. On her third album, Never Forever, her first to use synths, she thanked PG in the album liner notes for "bringing in the Fairlight" (synth). So he was responsible for changing the trajectory of her career as well as his own.
Never seen the video before, and this song has been a feature in my life since I was a child...trippy @_@ I love this reaction so much! Very feel good.
Jamal, i'm enthralled by your intro cuz he forwarded himself to be an, imo, exceptional solo artist. He had the groove early-on, imo. it was on my radio back then, & I never got over it. It's a knockout ;)✌️
omg you brought me back to when I was 15! I was groom at a racetrack in NJ in the Summertime and this would play on WNEW FM on the transistor radio hanging from my horse's stall. Wow, I was right back There! Steel Rock, I miss you so much. She was a lovely mare.
A drummer at heart ("At age 10, he purchased a floor tom-tom." - wikipedia). The rhythms are always so interesting in his solo work. * his choice of collaborating musicians is also stellar!
‘KEEP GREAT MUSIC ALIVE’ Shirts and More, Enter Promo Code ‘Jamel’ jamel-aka-jamal-youtube-store.creator-spring.com
Please check out “Lamento boliviano” and “Luz de día” by an amazing Argentine rock band called Enanitos Verdes
I remember a completely different official video.
@@johncampbell756 I dont remember the video at all but so far this looks like modern fan vid.
Do yourself a favor and listen to the remake of this song by Massive Attack
Really enjoy Peter Gabriel, with Genesis and Solo.
Used to be a show called "jeux sans frontieres" international tournament between cities or towns from different countries they would compete in silly games usually on ridiculous sets and in funny costumes but all took it very seriously! In the UK the game was called "it's a knockout".So you have the line" games without frontiers,war without tears",the repeated refrain in the background is"je sans frontieres" and he finally says "it's a knockout" ,to a 57 year old Brit it's obvious but I get how in the US or even younger Brits get confused.
Thank you, I've always liked this song, but never knew what it was about
@@alisonstevens2712 there might be a subtext ,but that gets into the subjective,but glad I helped.
Lol, @Keith Evans, after all this time you are the first to mention this... that is totally pertinent information..
Thx…Known this song for 40 years, never had any idea of that background.
I also think of this show every time I listen to this song because of the name. Here in Germany it was called "Spiele ohne Grenzen" which means exactly games without frontiers.
But I admit that I had no clue if he meant this show or not.
The experience of Peter Gabriel isn’t complete without listening to “Biko”, about the black human rights activist murdered while in police custody during apartheid in South Africa. If you listen to the official song you’ll hear a crowd singing at the beginning and end. This is the actual crowd recorded during Biko’s funeral. Peter’s song helped to bring worldwide attention to what was happening there.
Beyond that anything from the Secret World Live tour is fantastic. Also “Father, Son”, “Here Comes The Flood”, “Signal to Noise”, “Kiss of Life”, the list goes on and on.
Soon after its release, a copy of "Biko" was seized by South African customs and submitted to the Directorate of Publications, which banned the song and the album on which it featured for being critical of apartheid, calling it "harmful to the security of the State.
Miami Vice played the song in one of their episodes in 1985 not knowing the song was in the program it was shown in South Africa which caused uproar across the country
I 1st heard Biko being played during an episode of Miami Vice
Or "We do what were told- "
Pass
I slept on Biko for a while and one day it hit me hard. Powerful song.
I love the haunting sound of the song it’s definitely got a Cold War vibe about it, “Shock the Monkey” is definitely worth a listen
I get that...from Robert Plant's - Little by Little also.
Great song Mel. Thanks for sharing!
Maybe you will get round to reacting to some Eurythmics too? Am sure you will love them. Annie Lennox is one of the best British female voices ever!
@@timothygunter1712 I must check that out 👍
For those of us who grew up during the "Cold War" we knew what this Song was about. Still gives me chills.
yes to all Iain.
And that's Kate Bush singing those high background vocal.
Never knew. Thanks.
It really sounds like Peter.....
@@annettesupira9085 It's Kate. She also sings on "No Self Control".
Love Kate Bush singing the chorus in French (Jeux Sans Frontières) - two geniuses working together.
You can see why ' don't give up ' was so good.
Then later doing a whole song together, " don't give up" in 86
Totally agree!
Kate’s my favourite female vocalist ever, Peter one of my favourite male vocalists... they’ve made some amazing music together. Love their collaborations!
Didn't know Kate sang on this. Thanks for the information!
@@brucedillinger9448 sounds like She's so popular but it is in French by Kate
Another great song by Peter Gabriel is " Digging In The Dirt", it's about things in your childhood that effect you in your adult life....
I love that song...
Such an amazing song.
No its not its about the childishly before of war
Solsbury Hill is my fave Peter Gabriel Tune. :)
Yes!
That and the one here are my faves. The original video of Games is available (though butchered in the version shown here), but the one for Solsbury only survives in a few excerpts.
Mine too...❤
This is the first time that Kate Bush sang on a Peter Gabriel song. She sings the part that sounds like "She is so popular", but in reality, she is singing in French "jeux sans frontières", that is "games without frontiers".
Until I read the lyrics a few years ago, I always thought it was "she so fu#ked me up"
@@gotham61 me too, kinda. I thought she was saying "she's so funky, yeah"
At the very beginning it sounds like he's emulating a French accent too :)
Haha I was on the she’s so popular train
I think that she also provides the backing vocals for " No Self Control"
Had to tune in because it's been a hot minute since I heard this song and it's soo good! Shock the Monkey should be next.
Shock the Monkey is great
@@denistuohy2535
Average.
Awesome. My favorite Peter Gabriel song followed closely by “Shock the Monkey!”
Agreed!❤️
"Jeux Sans Frontières..." or "Games Without Borders" was a European based franchise of game shows. The roots of the show came from France with the first version of it called "Intervilles..." or "The Beautiful Games." It was created to be a friendly, but serious competition between different towns within the region. Since it was town vs town, every town that competed wanted their town to be recognized as the best. This meant that the competitors would play their hearts out to win. The fact that this show had the ability to bring out the best in anyone who took part in it would be the driving force behind it's popularity spreading all over Europe. Peter Gabriel was obviously infatuated with how amazing of an idea it was...but then again...who wouldn't be? When you pit towns against each other in competition with the reason in mind of bringing them closer together...that is GENIUS in EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD!!! We need a modern version of this today, and it should be a worldwide thing rather than being limited to only one continent.
The lyric you don't understand is Jeux Sans Frontières, It's French for Games Without Frontiers, the title of the song.
And ably performed by Kate Bush!
Finally...singing it wrong for 40 years!!!...lol
@@sandrasanders706 me too 🤠
Oui c’est exactement ça ! I come from Belgium 😉
@@sandrasanders706 Hah, for the longest time, I thought it was "She's...so PUNC-tual..."
This period of Peter's music from late 70's to early-mid 80's takes me back to my high school days when his music was played constantly on our rock station. That was before Bon Jovi was considered "Classic Rock"...!
Peter Gabriel has remained one of the most gifted and innovative music artists of the past 50 years. His early music was way ahead of its time, and his more recent music is as relevant as any he’s ever made. Check out his songs “Mercy Street,” “I Have the Touch,” and “Digging in the Dirt.”
SALISBURY HILL From 1977 Is my fav Song Of Peter Gabriel , Long live the 70s
Peter is the Best!!! Even now he's in ...I think Uganda helping Black folks down there as he has done for many years.....so he always has some deep meaning in his songs about Western Societies!!!!
Peter is phenomenal & exactly he is so deep
We want more Peter Gabriel! Big time, white shadow, no self control, red rain, I don’t remember. We’ve been asking for forever.
I agree with some of the previous posters..."Biko" is not only haunting and beautiful, it shined such a light on the situation on South Africa that, imho, Peter Gabriel did more to end apartheid than any other artist. By calling attention to this one individual, government inquiries were launched and massive demonstrations were built. This is a most amazing man, and a truly great artist. Thanks for sharing!
This is my absolute favorite songs of Peter Gabriel's. His vocals send chills down my spine.
"Shock The Monkey" is fantastic, but one of the greatest songs ever, all time, any artist, from a die-hard RUSH fan, is Peter's "Solsbury Hill".
I've had it it in my head as Salisbury Hill 🤦🏼♀️, is it about Glastonbury? 🤔.
@@janetcw9808 Solsbury Hill is in England. Peter sat on the hill after leaving Genesis wondering if he was wrong to leave the band. This song was the result of an epiphany he had...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solsbury_Hill_(song)
@Peggy the cursed doll Harry Palms.
Solsbury Hill is CERTAINLY worthy!
Agree w solitary hill. Brilliant.
Peter Gabriel is one of my all time favorites.. so talented
I'm an older black guy and I love Peter Gabriel's music. I went to see his "So" tour in the 80s. He's one of the best!
The ultimate Peter Gabriel is surely Supper's Ready with Genesis. Stunning!
"killing foes for peace, bang, bang, bang; bang, bang, bang" Genesis and Peter were anti-war and pro-peace, but with justice. It is in all their music.....including Phil Collins.
How does that song not rock that-beats, vocals, electronica, that's a tapestry of smart music beats!
One of my favourite tracks ❤️
Also featuring Kate Bush vocals
Jamel this brother wrote the lyrics to Suppers Ready..Your 2nd favorite song ever. This was his brand new tune.
This song was written during the height of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. It's about how nuclear missiles can reach the other side of the world and obliterate entire nations, cultures, regions. That's what "without frontiers" means -- national boundaries don't define who can attack who in wars anymore. Russia could launch a wave of nuclear missiles at whatever nation it wants across the world. That's also what "war without tears" means, because no one in the aftermath of the attack will be left in the target areas to weep for their lost loved ones.
Also a play on words. At that time there was a game show in the UK called 'It‘s a Knockout' the French version of the show was called 'Jeux sans Frontiers‘ transl. 'Games Without Frontiers‘
Partly right, the song is against totalitarian governments of either flavour that's why the lines about Adolph(Hitler) and Enrico(Mussolini) are also included.
@@andrewgibson395 Mussolini's name was "Benito" and I believe PG says "And Rico" rather than "Enrico". Not that it makes much difference, ultimately.
@@nancymclaughlin6790 There’s a TV movie called Threads from 1984 based on what it would be like if the bomb was dropped on my hometown, Sheffield. US and USSR were parking A-Bombs in Europe back then and as a kid, dying this way was a true fear
@@nancymclaughlin6790 ...Every nation was terrified, the crazy USA and equally crazy CCCP were on the brink of world destruction more than once. A Russian submarine Captain who refused to launch missiles saved the world. One of many close calls. I grew up in Australia being told we could be nuked anyday..stupid duck and cover lessons in school, the movie The Day After shown twice a year in school...So yes, others had it the same.
It's basically saying war is as stupid as children's games,Wicked song! 🏴
Love Peter Gabriel. Dude knows how to construct a song. Another good one's "I Have The Touch". Love the vids!
I dont remember.
the time i like is the rush hour, cause i like to rush. hehe
I have the touch is an incredible song..
Love "San Jacinto", so will you all. Peace Jamel!
Outstanding song - Peter Gabriel is the true king of pop and musical influence
God Bless you for being the first to hit up Peter. Watch The Secret Live Tour In You Eyes video. He’s a genius. A true visionary.
The song also refers to a UK TV programme at the time "it's a Knockout". People competing in silly games to represent their town. You had to be there!!!
Yes. He's comparing the European politics that led to the Spanish civil war, WW2 and the cold war to silly games that people play on TV.
Not just UK TV, a lot of countries had versions, the winners going on to compete in Jeaux sans Frontiers, the internationals. In which we nearly invariably lost, to the sound of Stuart Hall laughing.
@@paulqueripel3493 Yes, as I said, he's comparing politics to the TV games.
Always loved this song by Gabriel. You got a good vibe from this. Interestingly, so many listeners thought that the refrain was "She's so popular" when it first aired on the radio. There were different visuals used earlier on and that might have contributed to that interpretation. Sledge Hammer was also great (as you reference). In Your eyes is also a great tune; Big Time, Down to Earth (from the movie Wall-e; picks up a gospel vibe), and Rhythm of the Heat for a wild percussion ride.
One of my favorite Gabriel songs. LOVE the guitar, synth work and Kate Bush in the chorus.
This is my favorite Peter Gabriel song. I love how experimental (touching upon the new wave sound) the track is.
Jamel Have you reacted To Sara Smile By Hal N oats RELEASED IN 1975 Yet ? if not You will like this 70s MEGA hit
Another track with Kate Bush doing backing vocals. Thanx as always. Peace all
In the UK when this came out, everyone knew what Jeux sans frontiers meant because it was the Euro edition of a physical game show called It's a Knockout.
Many may not know that the song's title refers to "Jeux Sans Frontières" (That's what the female voice [Kate Bush] sings), a long-running TV show broadcast in several European countries. From Wikipedia: Teams representing a town or city in one of the participating countries would compete in games of skill, often while dressed in bizarre costumes. While some games were simple races, others allowed one team to obstruct another. The British version was titled It's a Knockout-words that Gabriel mentions in the lyrics.
Another great song from this album, is"Biko", a eulogy to the African anti-apartheid activists imprisonment. Also, for a Sledgehammer type of vibe, try Steam.
Yes.Biko please!
If I remember rightly, he's already reacted to 'Steam', but Biko is definitely a great shout! I really dig the Paul Simon cover of that one too :)
👍🏼❤️
Definitely Biko.... It's one the essential songs one must listen to at least once........
Biko is a powerfull song about Apartheid !!!
"You can blow out a candle, but you can't blow out a fire" are incredible words !!!
I never got a lot of meaning directly from the song. I just trusted that it means something and always dug the groove.
This got me on the Peter Gabriel train before he hit it Big Time in the 80s, didn't even know he was the 1st singer in Genesis at the time. He just made unique music & videos at the time.
Going down the rabbit hole with Peter Gabriel because his songs were unique and well-crafted. Here's two more PG songs to listen: Hear that voice again and I don't remember.
One of his you should check out is "I Grieve". He wrote it thinking about 9-11, and worried, since his daughter at the time was in New York at the time. It's about going through the grieving process, but realizing that it also circles back to learning to live your life anew in the aftermath.
For years - YEARS! - I thought the lyric he was singing was "she's so pop-u-lar" but it's "jeux sans frontiers" (Games without frontiers).
This is an interesting song and album from a production and drums perspective. Gabriel and drummer Jerry Marotta decided not to use any cymbals (including hi-hats) on the record. The rhythmic feel is so different than anything else from its time, especially anything that entered the pop realm. It’s a very musical exploration.
Man o man / I never realized that! Tre’ cool to know that. Whole new perspective. Thank you
@@JasonSmith-jr7jh Fripp didn;t produce this album (Gabriel's 3rd - he did the previous one) though he does play guitar on some tracks. Steve Lillywhite produced this album with Hugh Padgham (first time Padgham and Phil worked together). Everything I've read says that Gabriel himself laid down the "no cymbals" rule.
@@russellmaddox2437 Thanks for setting me straight. I just deleted my reply. Too much false information out there, and I'm just adding to it! Most of what I remembered wrong (Fripp produced Melt?) has been stuck in my brain for 40 years. It took me hours to find my old Jerry M modern drummer cover issue. The Peter Gabriel edict: "I don't want any 'metal' on the album" seemed very 'Frippian'. Robert DOES hate ride cymbals, though! Fripp Interview from Bruford and the Beat (VHS)1981.
wait wait wait,,, so you're saying this whole record has no cymbalism?!
i don't buy it ; )
That whole album is amazing. Peter Gabriel: Melt
Fun fact: There is also a german version by Peter Gabriel!
Peter has recorded at least 2 whole albums in German, PG III (Melt) and PG IV (Security). Both are very good and worth a listen if you can find them.
I happen to be the proud owner of both those German albums, what really blows me away is how damn *good* it sounds and flows when sung in German
Peter Gabriel can hit you with some SERIOUS groove when he has a mind to! Who can deny the absolute funk of Big Time?!
You should check out Gabriel’s Digging in the Dirt, one of my favorites.
Omg yes! Deep song. 🔥🔥🔥
Yes
Love that tune. And Red Rain
Yes, great song, and a really creepy video too!
This time you've gone too far
Jamel, I found you during the pandemic. You really helped get me (and I imagine a lot of us) through that stressful time. But you are awesome in good times, too! You are hands down my favorite reactor. You helped me realize why I like watching people react to the songs I grew up with and have heard hundreds of times - it's like watching someone fall in love with a song for the first time and I get to experience that all over again. It brings me joy.
Thank you for reacting to Peter Gabriel. This is one of my favorites by him and PG can do no wrong in my book.
When I 1st saw that watching others "react" to songs and videos was a thing...I was like "more dumb social media degenerate $#!+"....boy was I wrong. It's like introducing & recommending the music you love to a friend...you love sharing the feeling you get from great art with others....even in cyberspace
i saw Peter Gabriel Live, in 1980 at the Empire Theatre, in Liverpool uk.. Fans applauded, as did i, when he walked out on stage. Dressed in a black suit, white t shirt, wearing no shoes or socks. Holding an Acoustic guitar, singing solsbury hill. Wow..! what a show we got given that night. i must admit i do feel privledged on having seen this incredible artist live. Still remember it now. i was 19 then. 60 now.
The tv show on which it was based has its genesis in post WW2 Europe and just like the Eurovision Song Contest was an attempt to bridge cultural divides in Europe and bringing the continent, which had suffered from two major conflict within the first half of the 20th century. But where as the ESC has thrived over the years Games Without Frontiers has been relegated to the past now despite efforts to revive it.
For another, even more powerful (imo) Cold War-themed classic, I urge you to check out Laurie Anderson's "O Superman", ideally with video. Stopped me dead in my tracks the first time I encountered it.
Such a good song
Driving alone on a dark night with a good sound system that song is an 'experience'. It feels like it's putting me in a trance and communicating directly to me.
Fuck me, I'd forgotten about this song for over thirty years. "Here come the planes, they're American planes.Smoking or not smoking?" Thanks ❤️🏴
"If looks could kill they'd probably will" 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Beko. Magnificent song. Saw him at reading festival in the 80s. He was mesmerising. Musique sans frontières!
Brings back me to my 80s/90s childhood. I'm so glad my parents listened to good music And i had to go along with it lol
Great song and the amazing Kate Bush on backing vocals
Love this awesome 80s song !
Fascinated to see an American react to this! It's basically about the complexity of European politics and a crazy old TV show called 'It's a knockout' in the UK and 'Jeux sans frontiers' or Games without Frontiers in other countries. Towns would compete in all sorts of silly challenges to demonstrate how friendly everyone was, but the competition sometimes got a bit tense. Great music of course!
Also you really really want to react to Biko, his magnificent tribute to Steven Biko who fought against apartheid in South Africa.
Thanks Jamel_AKA_Jamal.
That song brings back some good memories.
The perfect amount of cowbell.
I know a lot of folks probably typed in "She's so popular" while searching for this song
Ugh. Now I hear it too.
I always heard She's so #ucking late. 🤦🏻♀
@@Lwize I feel you...when i went to a record store i asked do you have that song she's so popular and they knew what i was talking about, they must of heard that question a million times lol
Check out " BIKO " You won't have trouble understanding this song.
amazing song
My absolute favorite song by him
Man, the Golden Age of MTV...I was about 7 years old when this came out, and this video freaked me out, back then. The song itself is still in my playlist today...
Peter Gabriel's "Shock the Monkey" would be a great one to follow up with; same time, same vibe...
Absolutely correct but as a hard core Gabriel fan going back to Genesis, it also had a deeper message, he's also referring to the childish behaviours of world leaders
Remember the original version of this video had the formally dressed children feasting and frolicking at the long table...for some reason those frames are edited out...
Jane plays with willy, willy is happy again 😆
Peter Gabriel is artistic magic.
One of my favourite songs!
This is one of my favorite Peter Gabriel songs. Really he put out so many very cool songs. Check out Biko someday the live version is the best.
The song was a dark satirical comment on geo politics and how politicians play games with peoples lives. The cost of war is never a President or Prime Minister in a body bag, it’s the people. There are so many references in the song, but the brilliance is in the eerie atmosphere that pulls you along. It really does transfix you. You’re right, it is such a good song that you can forget to take on board the message it’s sending. He’s a musical genius, and a thoroughly good bloke by all accounts. He knew his voice could count if he used it properly towards the right ends, and that’s who he is to this day.
The international version of the game ‘Jeux Sans Frontieres’ was devised by French President Charles de Galle in the 1960’s to improve relations between European countries.
Always loved the end of this song with the killer drums
They could have done a whole remix with that beat
Adolf builds a bonfire and Ricco plays with it. A reference to Hitler / Mussolini and WW2. Which I think most people miss !
Shouldn't it be Adolf and Benito then? Who's Ricco?
@@RocketToTheMoose Guess you've never heard of nicknames. What other Adolf you think he was talking about Einstein? Have a great day ! ☺️
@@chuckvelten5337 Guess I never heard of "Il Duce" referred to as "Ricco." Nor does a search (albeit a quick one) show anything like that. When was he referred as "Ricco" to in this fashion?
@@RocketToTheMoose Guess Peter Gabriel wrote the song the way he wanted to. It's amazing the gotcha bullshit you tool bags here on social media. Think that your somehow getting away or embarrassing people with. I gladly stand by my comments numb nuts. Never heard lyrics where someone incorporates real life or historical facts. With either their interpretations or views on things, have you ? Because if you haven't you know even less about music then you do about world history
El- douchesaurus ! Get lost !
@@RocketToTheMoose P.S. I can also tell by your last name. You're one the typical Gods chosen people, you know. The obnoxious and arrogant know it all type. Probably hovering over that keyboard right now. Chomping at the bit to respond back to me. Again, take a hike !
As many have stated is song was about political relations between nations and Cold War.What I love about how every child’s name represents a country.Makes you think of them all on a playground which represents the world.Peter probably think that these nations act like children and that’s how he’ll represent them.Genius man!Also, the song was used for the games theme at one time.
PG is the first to say that people make of their songs what they need to. This one has always spoken to me about the endless ideological and factional violence on this planet, the war "games" that we so often carry out in the shadows, both brutal and deniable. I can't recommend enough the live version from Athens 1987 - it blows the beat to the very next level. Love this channel!
A brilliant song by a brilliant artist.
My favorite song by Peter. Glad you reviewed this song.
4:10 "That whistle is eerie, man" - Followed up promptly with creepy doll heads XD
Gotta love Peter Gabriel on all levels!!
"Intruder ' will chill you to the bone
First time I heard this song it was playing in the background on The Americans. Love the song.
Damn now I'm always gonna hear the cowbell.
the other video version of this was the one that showed on MTV in the 80s.. it hit so hard... Peter was a trailblazer
Growing up I never knew what Kate Bush was saying *jeux sans frontieres)...so I thought it was "she will fuck you up"
He's British. And this was during the cold war. It was a big theme for POP music at the time.
Yessss beautiful song
Another favorite PG song. The lyrics are a metaphor comparing the war games kids play when they're young to real war waged by adults and faceless governments. The chorus makes the metaphor clear - "whistling tunes, we hide in the dunes by the seaside; whistling tunes, we piss on the goons in the jungle" (which I've always interpreted as a reference to the Vietnam war).
This was also the first time PG worked with Kate Bush, I believe. She's the one doing the backing vocals - "jeux sans frontieres." Her voice sounds almost computerized and faceless on this track, without the character usually present in her voice. But I think that's the way PG wanted it, to complement the faceless nature of the song's war subject. PG was also getting into synthesizers himself, making more discoveries and creating more music with them, so it's not completely surprising that he'd want Kate to sound a little 'computerized' on this track.
Kate herself got heavily into using synths to augment and create her own music, becoming vitally important to some of her biggest albums. On her third album, Never Forever, her first to use synths, she thanked PG in the album liner notes for "bringing in the Fairlight" (synth). So he was responsible for changing the trajectory of her career as well as his own.
Peter Gabriel is a Musical Genius
I always thought he was singing "She's so popular " 😂
Never seen the video before, and this song has been a feature in my life since I was a child...trippy @_@ I love this reaction so much! Very feel good.
Good to hear a young man's take on this song . I have not heard it in 30 years
Jamal, i'm enthralled by your intro cuz he forwarded himself to be an, imo, exceptional solo artist. He had the groove early-on, imo. it was on my radio back then, & I never got over it. It's a knockout ;)✌️
Kate Bush backing vocals
We appreciate you and your damily my brother.
Blessings and love to all.
omg you brought me back to when I was 15! I was groom at a racetrack in NJ in the Summertime and this would play on WNEW FM on the transistor radio hanging from my horse's stall. Wow, I was right back There! Steel Rock, I miss you so much. She was a lovely mare.
Classic Peter Gabriel. So deep. So eerie. So fkn awesome! Thank you for playin this.
A drummer at heart ("At age 10, he purchased a floor tom-tom." - wikipedia). The rhythms are always so interesting in his solo work. * his choice of collaborating musicians is also stellar!
Love this song. My fave Peter Gabriel song. ~ Mrs H
I bought this Album when it came out and thought what the hell is this( I was about 13 at the time)it soon became on of my all time favorite.
Thanks Jamel for the great reaction. One of my favourite Peter Gabriel songs. He's so talented 👍🎶