Shock the Monkey

Single infobox
Name = Shock the Monkey


Artist = Peter Gabriel
from Album = Peter Gabriel (IV)
B-side = "Soft Dog (Instrumental)"
Released = September 1982
Format = 7", 12" single
Recorded = 1981-1982
Genre = New wave, art rock
Length = 3:57 (7" single edit)
5:23 (Full-length version)
Label = Geffen
Producer = David Lord, Peter Gabriel
Reviews =
Last single = "Biko"
(1980)
This single = "Shock the Monkey"
(1982)
Next single = "Walk Through the Fire"
(1984)

"Shock the Monkey" is a 1982 song by Peter Gabriel. It was released as a single and peaked at #29 on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot 100 chart and #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It was also included on Gabriel's fourth self-titled album, issued in the U.S. as "Security". As well as its "relentlessly repeated hook" that "sounded nothing like anything else on the radio at the time", [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:7kxsa9ygq2dd All Music Guide song review] . Retrieved on 7 June 2008.] the track is known for its popular and somewhat disturbing music video featuring Gabriel (in white face paint) and a frightened-looking macaque.

Interpretation

Due to its title and the content of the video, the song is frequently assumed to be either an animal rights song or a reference to the famous experiments by Stanley Milgram described in his book "Obedience to Authority". [ [http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2721330?htv=12 iFilm synopsis] . Retrieved on 7 June 2008.] It is neither, although another Gabriel song, "We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)", from his 1986 album "So", does deal directly with Milgram. Gabriel himself has described "Shock the Monkey" as "a love song" that examines how jealousy can release one's baser instincts; the monkey is not a literal monkey, but a metaphor for one's feelings of jealousy. [Chris Welch (1998). "The Secret Life of Peter Gabriel": p.136]

Releases

"Shock the Monkey" was released as a 7" picture disc in addition to the 7" and 12" black vinyl singles. Club DJ remix service Hot Tracks crafted an 8:12 version that intersperses verses and choruses sung by Gabriel in German with the more familiar English lyrics. A concert version of the song appears on Gabriel's album "Plays Live" (1983). It is also included on the compilation albums "Shaking the Tree" (1990) and "Hit" (2003). The music video appears on the DVD compilation "Play" (2004).

Remix contest

An online contest was held in September 2006 by Realworld Remixed in which musicians and engineers were invited to submit a remix of the song. The original tracks were made available for download, offering a rare opportunity to work with the raw material from a hit song. The winner was Multiman's [http://realworldremixed.com/competition.php "Simian Surprise"] .

Cover versions

* The alternative metal band Coal Chamber covered "Shock the Monkey" on their 1999 album "Chamber Music." The cover featured guest vocals by Ozzy Osbourne.
* Hawaiian recording artist Don Ho covered "Shock the Monkey" on the 2002 compilation album "When Pigs Fly: Songs You Never Thought You'd Hear".
* Finnish metal band Suburban Tribe covered "Shock the Monkey" on their 2007 album "Recollection".

Charts

Notes

References

* Martin C. Strong (2004). "The Great Rock Discography (7th Edition)"