No Self Control by Peter Gabriel

Album: Peter Gabriel (third, melt) (1980)

Charted: 33

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This was inspired by Steve Reich's album Music For 18 Musicians. A composer who studied at Juilliard, Reich experimented with electronic textures that Gabriel wanted to try in a rock format.
In an attempt to create different sounds, Gabriel did not allow cymbals on all of this album. The fast rhythm is generated by marimbas, a wooden African instrument which Gabriel used a lot in the future. Gabriel also used a programmable rhythm machine called a Paia to help create the beats. Gabriel later said that musically, this was one of his breakthrough tracks.
Phil Collins, who was taking a break from Genesis while his first marriage fell apart, played drums on this.
This was released as a single to coincide with Gabriel's third album, but it didn't chart.

Comments: 5

Lopsided_addendum_99 from Columbus Oh (by Way Of Ny)For me, this perfectly describes a severe manic episode/ Bipolar Disorder.
Batekush from Minneapolis, Minnesotai knew those phil collins drum phills from the moment i heard em
Mike from New Haven, CtCocaine addiction? Methamphetamine? You take your pick! This track illustrates well, the paranoid psychotic mental state of an Uppers Addict. Actually, the dark and intense chorus "No self control" pretty much sounds the way a Meth high can feel. I did that drug once and absolutely hated it. It makes you completely obsessive and inhumane, somehow almost robotic. Meth addicts become very paranoid and delusional, spooked by shadows, thinking they are being observed by the government, you name it! This song pretty much covers those bases. I've also read that Gabriel had his battles with addiction...and I seriously doubt it was Heroin.
Jim from Dayton, OhKate Bush can be heard singing backup on this song.
Robbie from Honolulu, HiI think Alice Cooper was recording an album next door and came in to hear this cut, and they (the group) were blown away by it. Alice and the Gabriels had a mutual admiration society.

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