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Peter Gabriel
About Sledgehammer
"Sledgehammer" is a song by English rock musician Peter Gabriel. It was released as the lead single from his fifth studio album, So (1986), on 25 April 1986. It was produced by Gabriel and Daniel Lanois. It hit No. 1 in Canada on 21 July 1986, where it spent four weeks; No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States on 26 July 1986; and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, thanks in part to its music video. It was his biggest hit in North America and ties with "Games Without Frontiers" as his biggest hit in the United Kingdom. The song's music video won a record nine MTV Video Music Award at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards and Best British Video at the 1987 Brit Awards. The song also saw Gabriel nominated for three Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. In a 2005 poll conducted by Channel 4 the music video was ranked second on their list of the 100 Greatest Pop Videos.more »
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Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
You could have a steam trainIf you'd just lay down your tracksYou could have an aeroplane flyingIf you bring your blue sky backAll you do is call meI'll be anything you needYou could have a big dipperGoing up and down, all around the bendsYou could have a bumper car, bumpingThis amusement never endsI want to be your sledgehammerWhy don't you call my nameOh let me be your sledgehammerThis will be my testimonyShow me round your fruit cakes'Cause I will be your honey beeOpen up your fruit cakesWhere the fruit is as sweet as can beI want to be your sledgehammerWhy don't you call my nameYou'd better call the sledgehammerPut your mind at restI'm going to be-the sledgehammerThis can be my testimonyI'm your sledgehammerLet there be no doubt about itSledge sledge sledgehammerI kicked the habit (I kicked the habit)Shed my skin (Shed my skin)This is the new stuff (This is the new stuff)I go dancing in, (We could go dancing in)Oh won't you show for me (Show for me)I will show for you (Show for you)Show for me (Show for me), I will show for youYea, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I do mean youOnly you, you've been coming throughGoing to build that powerBuild, build up that power, heyI've been feeding the rhythmI've been feeding the rhythmGoing to feel that power, build in youCome on, come on, help me doYeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, youI've been feeding the rhythmI've been feeding the rhythmIt's what we're doing, doingAll day and night, come on and help me do, come on and help me do
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
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Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career. His 1986 album, So, is his most commercially successful, and the album's biggest hit, "Sledgehammer", won a record nine MTV Awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, and the song is the most played music video in the history of the station. more »
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Sheet Music PDF Playlist
Written by: PETER GABRIEL
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Release Date"Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel was released on April 21, 1986. |
Chart PerformanceThe song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, making it Gabriel's only number one single in the country. |
AllegoryThe song is said to symbolize Gabriel's feelings on sexual desire, with heavy allegory used throughout. |
Musical Style"Sledgehammer" is widely recognized for its blue-eyed soul influences. The song is acknowledged for its horn section, inspired by the soul music of Memphis, Tennessee. |
AwardsThe song won nine MTV Video Music Awards in 1987, a record only broken by Lady Gaga in 2010. |
Innovative Music VideoThe innovative claymation, pixelation, and strata-cut animation techniques used in its music video were produced by Aardman Animations and the Brothers Quay. |
Long-Lasting ImpactThe "Sledgehammer" video has been ranked as one of the best music videos of all time by various publications and viewers' polls. |
Multicultural InfluencesThe song prominently incorporates the use of a shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute, reflecting his interest in world music. |
Other PerformancesGabriel performed "Sledgehammer" during his sets at the Secret Policeman's Third Ball charity concert in 1987. |
Cover VersionsA cover of "Sledgehammer" was recorded by American rock band Pearl Jam in 2016. |
Commercial UseThe song has frequently been used in TV series, commercials, films, and trailers, such as "Miami Vice," "Big Daddy," "Frankie and Johnny," and "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs." |
Wider InfluenceGabriel's "Sledgehammer" has had a greater influence on the approach of other musicians toward the production and composition of popular music, particularly in regard to its influential music video. |
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