# Gigantic Gigantic A Big Big Love **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 9, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023 "2014-05-09T03:21:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/1 "2014-05-09T03:21:50Z")
Currently, everyone in the CalMeacham/Pepper Mill household is actively hating the Apple commercial featuring this song, to the point where people rush to grab the TV remote and hit the “Mute” button. I admit to being so tragically unhip that I had never, to my knowledge, heard the Pixies 1988 song before, and had to look it up so that I knew what it was I was hating. In fact, it wasn’t until the commercial showed up while closed-captioning was on that I even knew what the lyrics were. Looking up the full set of lyrics wasn’t very helpful, but Wikipedia’s entry was invaluable. > **[Gigantic (song)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigantic_(song))** > > "Gigantic" is a song by the American alternative rock band Pixies, co-written by bassist Kim Deal and lead vocalist/guitarist Black Francis. The song appeared on the band's first full-length studio album, Surfer Rosa, released in 1988. One of the longest songs on the album, "Gigantic" was released as the band's first single later that year. > Featuring Deal on lead vocals, the song is one of Pixies' biggest hits and a crowd favorite at concerts, often played as the encore. The melody line comes fr... Just two statements about this song: 1.) to quote from Wikipedia: > [@](#): > > According to Deal, the main inspiration for the song was the film Crimes of the Heart, in which a married woman falls in love with a black teenager[2] and the song “Gigantic” is credited to Mrs John Murphy (Kim Deal’s pseudonym at the time of Come On Pilgrim and Surfer Rosa as an ironic feminist joke). > > The song’s voyeuristic lyrics mostly revolve around a woman’s observation of an attractive black man making love to another woman, culminating in the oddly light-hearted but sexual chorus: “Gigantic, gigantic, gigantic / A big, big love”. I wonder how many people watching the commercial know about this interesting backstory. 2.) It’s probably the cultural mix I was raised in, with Mad magazine rewriting pop tune lyrics, and pre-_anime_-era Jap[anise cartoons on the TV, but in my mind, the lyrics transmogrify into: > [@](#): > > Gigantor…Gigantor…Gigantor…A Big, big 'bot > **[Amazon.com: Gigantor: The Collection, Vol. 1 : Ray Owens, Billie Lou Watt, Peter...](https://www.amazon.com/Gigantor-Collection-Vol-Ray-Owens/dp/B001SGVDPQ)** > > “Gigantor the Space Age Robot is at your command!” The First 26 Episodes of the Classic Series Digitally Transferred from the Original 16mm Film Premiering in the ‘60s, “Gigantor” blazed a new trail in America for Japanese animation. The influential... ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/2 "2014-05-09T03:50:51Z")
I think the backstory was pretty common knowledge among Pixies fans at the time - they must have mentioned it in interviews or something (Or else I found out about it later than I remember at this late date). I love the Pixies’ version; the TV commercial version is lame. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/3 "2014-05-09T03:53:26Z")
It’s an Apple commercial? Seriously, the song is so annoying I don’t notice anything else. Part of me thought it might be a Godzilla commercial… ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/4 "2014-05-09T06:00:08Z")
“Gigantic” is one of my favorite Pixies songs. Exchange I used to have with a friend of mine when this song would come on… Me: “Hey Bo, what’s this song about?” Bo: “It’s about a big black cock!” ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/5 "2014-05-09T06:02:24Z")
It’s not that it’s a particularly dreadful commercial; it’s the near constant repetition. Both the whole commercial and especially that lady just saying “gigantic” over and over. And over. And over. Dear Zeus, make it stop! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/6 "2014-05-09T13:38:40Z")
Carnival Cruises (I think) used Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life”, a song about heroin addiction. Not sure how many folks got the connection there. Heck, a wireless phone company uses a parody of “Fuck You” by Cee Lo Green. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/7 "2014-05-09T14:58:01Z")
Well. I only found out recently also that this is a real song, and it was shortly thereafter that it occurred to me that it sounded oddly like the singer was remarking on her lover’s equipment. I mentioned that theory to my wife last night and she suggested that if I left my mind in the gutter over night, I’d probably be really poorly-rested come morning. I shall have to share this thread with her. ETA: We are actually one step beyond “grab the remote and hit mute.” Because we normally keep the captions turned on, my wife also blocks her view of the screen, such is her ire at this commercial. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/8 "2014-05-09T14:59:20Z")
I’m not a big Pixies fan, but I think it’s their best song. Strange choice for a commercial, though. And my personal version is “Titanic… Titanic… a big big boat!” ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/9 "2014-05-09T15:24:58Z")
You guys are nuts. I think it’s a great spot and I love the song. I like the Pixies, though. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/10 "2014-05-09T15:58:47Z")
My wife loves the Pixies so she loves this commercial. I do like the gal singing in it and I guess they show how all these musicians can use this product to make their music but yeah, it’s a sexually charged song and I’m not sure why it was chosen to be used. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/11 "2014-05-09T16:02:21Z")
That is one of the best Pixies songs, and I can’t fault its use in this ad. Especially because the woman singing (the blonde one in the band) looks like she’s really into it. Cool! ---
**Author:** ![sco3tt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@sco3tt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sco3tt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/12 "2014-05-09T19:18:46Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > And my personal version is “Titanic… Titanic… a big big boat!” Yours and [Matt Mahaffey’s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROb1sphlCEk). ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/13 "2014-05-09T20:47:28Z")
> [@Barking\_Dog](#): > > It’s not that it’s a particularly dreadful commercial; it’s the near constant repetition. Both the whole commercial and especially that lady just saying “gigantic” over and over. And over. And over. Dear Zeus, make it stop! She says the chorus a whole _three_ times. Wow, you must really hate _Ain’t know Sunshine When She’s Gone._! ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/14 "2014-05-09T21:07:38Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’m not a big Pixies fan, but I think it’s their best song. If that’s their best song then the Pixies must suck a big bag of rocks. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/15 "2014-05-09T21:10:26Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > If that’s their best song then the Pixies must suck a big bag of rocks. They’re not for everyone, but they are great. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/16 "2014-05-09T21:15:26Z")
Big Pixies fan here. I get the OP. A 20 second interval of any Pixies song makes no sense. Imagine just 20 seconds of Bone Machine or Velouria. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/17 "2014-05-09T21:20:55Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > They’re not for everyone, but they are great. OK. I’m NEVER gonna like that particular song but can you recommend one you really like so I can give them a second chance? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/18 "2014-05-09T21:31:45Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > If that’s their best song then the Pixies must suck a big bag of rocks. [Their version plays in the background during the commercial, and it’s better. It kind of plays in the background during the commercial.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTQmClWe5N4) It’s one of their fun songs and not one of their angsty ones, and I think that’s why I like it: to me their music doesn’t have nearly as much substance as, say, Nirvana, so I like the fact that this one is just fun. If you want to hear something else, here’s [Where Is My Mind?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iC0YXspJRM&feature=kp) and here’s [Gouge Away](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMHykYTomdo). ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/19 "2014-05-09T21:36:57Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > She says the chorus a whole _three_ times. > > Wow, you must really hate _Ain’t know Sunshine When She’s Gone._! I know I knowI know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know that I’ve mentioned my dislike of that song on this Board more than once. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023/20 "2014-05-09T21:37:29Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > OK. I’m NEVER gonna like that particular song but can you recommend one you really like so I can give them a second chance? You kinda need to be in high school and have a hip friend give you a cassette tape with Doolittle to really get it. Don’t worry, you don’t have to like everything. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gigantic-gigantic-a-big-big-love/688023.md?page=2)