Step into Devo's vibrant, unsettling world with a video that perfectly encapsulates their unique blend of satire and synth-pop.
The Song
"Peek A Boo" is a track from Devo's fifth studio album, Oh, No! It's Devo, released in 1982. The song exemplifies Devo's signature sound, featuring prominent synthesizers, a driving rhythmic bassline, and the distinctive, somewhat deadpan vocals of Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale. Lyrically, "Peek A Boo" delves into themes of surveillance and hidden dangers, fitting perfectly with the band's concept of de-evolution and societal critique.
The track showcases Devo's continued experimentation with electronic instrumentation, moving further into the synth-pop landscape while retaining their art-punk edge. Its crisp production and catchy, yet angular, melody made it a standout on an album that further solidified Devo's place in the new wave movement. The album was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, known for his work with Queen and The Cars.
The Artist
Devo, formed in Akron, Ohio, in 1973, were pioneers of new wave music, known for their innovative sound, quirky stage presence, and satirical takes on American culture. Composed primarily of two sets of brothers, Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, and Gerald and Bob Casale, along with Alan Myers on drums, the band developed the philosophical concept of "de-evolution"—the idea that humanity is regressing rather than progressing. Their music often combined punk energy with electronic experimentation, creating a unique, often jarring, sonic landscape.
Their visual aesthetic was just as impactful as their music, characterized by matching yellow jumpsuits, red Energy Domes, and highly stylized, often surreal, music videos. Devo's artistic output consistently challenged norms, blending ironic humor with serious social commentary, which resonated deeply within the burgeoning MTV era. They were instrumental in shaping the visual language of music in the early 1980s, turning music videos into an essential part of an artist's identity and message.
Chart Performance
While "Peek A Boo" did not achieve significant mainstream chart success as a single in the United States, its parent album, Oh, No! It's Devo, performed moderately well. The album peaked at number 27 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the US. Devo had already established a strong cult following and a presence on college radio, ensuring that their albums, including this one, reached their dedicated fanbase.
Internationally, the album also saw some attention, charting in territories like Canada and the UK, reflecting Devo's global appeal beyond individual single performance. Their impact was often more about critical acclaim and cultural influence than high chart positions for every release.
Cultural Impact
The video for "Peek A Boo" is a quintessential Devo production, embodying their distinctive blend of satire, futurism, and unsettling imagery. Directed by the band themselves, with Gerald Casale often taking a leading role in their video concepts, it features the band members in their signature yellow jumpsuits, navigating a surreal, often disjointed visual landscape. The video's use of early computer graphics, abstract sets, and quick cuts contributed to its avant-garde aesthetic, pushing the boundaries of what was expected in music videos at the time.
Its aesthetic was a direct reflection of Devo's de-evolutionary philosophy, presenting a world that is both technologically advanced and disturbingly sterile. The video's visual style, combining stark colors with a sense of unease, further cemented Devo's reputation as innovators in the music video medium. It showcased how artists could use the burgeoning platform of MTV not just to promote songs, but to deliver a cohesive artistic statement.
Fun Facts
- The album Oh, No! It's Devo marked a deeper dive into electronic textures for the band, relying heavily on synthesizers and drum machines, a stylistic choice that was divisive among some early fans but influential for others.
- The music video for "Peek A Boo" features Mark Mothersbaugh playing a customized keyboard that resembles an accordion or concertina, emphasizing the band's playful manipulation of traditional instruments.
- Like many Devo videos from this era, "Peek A Boo" was heavily played on MTV, helping to define the channel's early, more experimental programming.
- The band often created their own music videos, giving them complete creative control over their visual output and allowing for a seamless integration of their music and philosophical concepts.
- The lyrics "Peek a boo, where are you? / I can't find you, can you find me too?" reinforce the song's theme of hidden threats and a society where surveillance is omnipresent.Devo's "Peek A Boo" video is a mesmerizing dive into the band's uniquely dystopian and satirical synth-pop vision.
The Song
"Peek A Boo" is a standout track from Devo's fifth studio album, Oh, No! It's Devo, released on October 27, 1982. Written by Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale, the song perfectly encapsulates Devo's signature new wave sound, featuring driving electronic rhythms, prominent synthesizers, and the band's characteristic deadpan vocals. Lyrically, "Peek A Boo" delves into themes of hidden dangers and the darker aspects of human nature, aligning with Devo's core philosophy of de-evolution.
The production, helmed by Roy Thomas Baker (known for his work with Queen), contributes to the album's crisp, electronic sound, which marked a further embrace of synth-pop elements compared to their earlier, more guitar-driven work. Gerald Casale explained that the song was inspired by his college philosophy professor's teachings on Carl Jung's theories regarding the duality of human nature, exploring the side of people that is often hidden.
The Artist
Devo, formed in Akron, Ohio, in 1973, were pioneers of the new wave movement, celebrated for their innovative music, satirical commentary on societal regression (de-evolution), and distinctive visual style. The classic lineup featured two sets of brothers: Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, and Gerald and Bob Casale, alongside drummer Alan Myers. Their unique blend of art-punk energy with electronic music, combined with their iconic yellow jumpsuits and red Energy Domes, made them a powerful force in the early MTV era.
The band consistently used their platform to critique consumerism, conformity, and perceived societal decline, often employing irony and surreal humor. Devo's profound influence extended beyond music into the visual arts, with their music videos becoming crucial vehicles for their multifaceted artistic statements.
Chart Performance
While "Peek A Boo" did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, it did reach number 13 on the Billboard Dance charts. The album it hails from, Oh, No! It's Devo, saw moderate success, peaking at number 47 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States. The single also achieved some recognition on alternative radio countdowns, reaching number 20 on KROQ's Top 106.7 Songs of 1982.
The album also charted internationally, reaching number 10 in New Zealand and number 57 in Australia, reflecting Devo's enduring global appeal among their dedicated fanbase. Despite not producing another major pop hit like "Whip It," the band maintained a strong cult following and critical recognition for their continued artistic output.
Cultural Impact
The music video for "Peek A Boo" is a prime example of Devo's experimental and visually arresting style, which significantly impacted the nascent music video landscape of the early 1980s. Directed by the band, it deviates from a traditional narrative, instead presenting a performance against a bluescreen backdrop that displays abstract and thematic visuals. This innovative use of early computer graphics and rapid-fire imagery was intended to replicate the immersive experience of their live tour for those who couldn't attend.
The video's unsettling and often grotesque imagery, including animated devil faces derived from Tijuana velvet paintings, perfectly complemented the song's exploration of the "dark side of human nature" and Devo's "circus-like look." It further solidified Devo's reputation as a band that pushed artistic boundaries, using the music video medium not just for promotion, but as an extension of their satirical and de-evolutionary philosophy.
Fun Facts
- The lyrics for "Peek-a-Boo!" were co-written by Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale.
- The video for "Peek A Boo" utilized sophisticated early computer animation created by Digital Productions on a Cray supercomputer, one of the most powerful computers of its time.
- Gerald Casale stated that the song is about two things: Devo's "circus-like image" and "the darker streak in people, the part everyone hides and denies."
- The B-side to the "Peek A Boo" single was the non-album track "Find Out," which later appeared as a bonus track on CD reissues of Oh, No! It's Devo.
- Dancer Craig Allen Rothwell, known as the "Spazz Attack" character from Devo's "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" video, also makes an appearance in the "Peek A Boo" video.