• Writer: Peter Gabriel
• Producers: Daniel Lanois and Peter Gabriel
• Recorded: 1985 at Real World Studios in Bath, England
• Released: May 1986
• Players:
  Peter Gabriel — vocals, keyboards
  David Rhodes — guitar
  Simon Clark — bass, organ
  Tony Levin — drumstick bass
  Jerry Marotta — drumstick bass
  Daniel Lanois — guitar
  Stewart Copeland — drums
  Jimmy Bralower — Linn drum
  Wayne Jackson — trumpet
  Mark Rivera — saxophone
  Don Mikkelsen — trombone
  P.P. Arnold, Coral Gordon, Dee Lewis — backing vocals
• Album: So (Geffen, 1986)
• Also On:
  Shaking The Tree: Sixteen Golden Greats (Geffen, 1990)
  Hit (Geffen, 2003)
• “Big Time” was the third single from Peter Gabriel‘s multi-platinum So album, following “Sledgehammer” and “In Your Eyes.”
• The song features some notable guest musicians, including former Police drummer Stewart Copeland, former King Crimson bassist Tony Levin, Stax trumpet player Wayne Jackson, and saxophonist Mark Rivera, whose credits include Billy Joel, Hall & Oates, and Ringo Starr‘s All-Starr Bands.
• “Big Time” was promoted by an innovative, stop-action video similar to that for So‘s first single, “Sledgehammer.”
• The song’s lyric — “Big time/I’m on my way, I’m making it!” — was prophetic. So was a commercial monster, selling more than four million copies and earning Gabriel a pile of BRIT and MTV Video Music awards.
• So hit Number Two on the Billboard 200 and Number One in the U.K.

FAST FORWARD:

• Gabriel has become active in human rights benefits, championing world music, and recording soundtracks, alongside his own solo career.
• At great cost, Gabriel began financing the World Of Music, Arts, and Dance (WOMAD) Festival in 1982. The concert became an annual event, bringing global music to the western world.
• In 1986, Gabriel began touring in support of Amnesty International, which has drawn in other socially conscious artists such as Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, U2, Lou Reed, and Bryan Adams.
• Although he appears to be very serious, Gabriel is known as a practical joker. According to bandmates, he scarcely lets a day pass without playing a practical joke on someone.
• Gabriel’s most recent studio release was Up, which came out in 2002.
• Gabriel has opted not to take part in the current Genesis reunion tour, though he’s on friendly terms with his former bandmates.
• Gabriel reportedly has a new album coming out soon, after which he will tour.