Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
Ranked #1,636 in Music, #47,204 overall
Peter Gabriel and Sledgehammer
Sledgehammer is one of Peter Gabriel's best known hits, and was released at a time when music videos were beginning to become popular on new music oriented television channels like MTV. The music video for Sledgehammer had a lot of innovative special effects, which was probably highly influential in it's being so popular.
Peter Gabriel is an English musician who first achieved fame as the lead singer of the super-group Genesis. Peter went on to collaborate with many other musicians, and he has been the driving force behind WOMAD, which has helped to promote World Music.
He was born Peter Brian Gabriel on 13 February 1950, in Chobham, Surrey, England.
With his unusual hairstyles and stage costumes, including a full length dress with a fox's head for the classic 1972 Genesis track Supper's Ready from their album Foxtrot, both Peter and Genesis soon gained recognition for their unique musical style and content.
Having recorded The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, a highly successful album which followed the first Genesis American tour, Peter left to pursue his own solo career.
His first solo success was the single Solsbury Hill. That was followed with several years with no more hits, until 1980, when both Games Without Frontiers and Biko charted, both from his 3rd album.
Peter's next chart topper was in 1982 with Shock The Monkey, followed by Sledgehammer in 1986.
Sledgehammer was undoubtedly a success because of the accompanying music video, which was the music video of the year, a great achievment at a time when music videos were in their infancy.
For more information, see Wikipedia

Song Lyrics - Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
Written by: Peter Gabriel from the Album: "So" - 1986
You could have a steam train
if you'd just lay down your tracks
you could have an aeroplane flying
if you bring your blue sky back
All you do is call me
I'll be anything you need
You could have a big dipper
going up and down, all around the bends
you could have a bumper car, bumping
this amusement never ends
I want to be your sledgehammer
why don't you call my name
Oh let me be your sledgehammer
this will be my testimony
Show me 'round your fruitcage
'cause I will be your honey bee
open up your fruitcage
where the fruit is as sweet as can be
I want to be your sledgehammer
why don't you call my name
you'd better call the sledgehammer
put your mind at rest
I'm going to be-the sledgehammer
this can be my testimony
I'm your sledgehammer
let there be no doubt about it
Sledge sledge sledgehammer
I've kicked the habit
shed my skin
this is the new stuff
I go dancing in, we go dancing in
oh won't you show for me
and I will show for you
show for me, I will show for you
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I do mean you
only you
you've been coming through
going to build that power
build, build up that power, hey
I've been feeding the rhythm
I've been feeding the rhythm
going to feel that power, build in you
come on, come on, help me do
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you
I've been feeding the rhythm
I've been feeding the rhythm
it's what we're doing, doing
all day and night
Sledgehammer Items on CafePress
Original Peter Gabriel CD's from Amazon
Peter Gabriel released some great CD's, and it's not only his Greatest Hits that are great songs. Why not start or add to your collection of music by Peter Gabriel today by buying his original albums.
Peter Gabriel Soundtrack CD's from Amazon
Peter Gabriel has contributed to the soundtracks of a number of major motion pictures. If you enjoyed the music when you watched the movie, why not acquire it today.
Peter Gabriel DVD's from Amazon
Catch Peter Gabriel live with these great concert DVD's.
Peter Gabriel World Concerts on Amazon
Peter Gabriel has been involved in a number of major concerts featuring world leaders like Nelson Mandela, or promoting World Music. Pick the DVD's of these great events today.
Peter Gabriel Merchandise on eBay
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spikey64
Jan 6, 2012 @ 5:46 am | delete
- Whenever I hear sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel the first thing that comes to mind is the train circling his head in his video.
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CelticWays
Nov 11, 2011 @ 8:22 pm | delete
- Being a huge Peter Gabriel fan this is a joy to see here, and in great detail too.
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Ladymermaid
Sep 2, 2011 @ 7:55 am | delete
- I loved the song sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel. Some of the older tunes have lyrics that are simply timeless.
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seanjennin
Jul 15, 2011 @ 5:09 am | delete
- Cool, thanks...
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Props-n-Frocks-Fancy-Dress
Jun 11, 2011 @ 4:19 am | delete
- Saw Peter Gabriel in concert a couple of years ago and he was fabulous. I will certainly go and see him again...
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JaguarJulie
Jul 26, 2009 @ 9:16 am | delete
- I'm wondering -- what is Peter Gabriel up to these days -- OH! I see I asked that in November 2008 -- isn't that strange that you get an idea or question in your head and to find that it is still there? I just find that curious that I'm repeating myself. Ha! Time for my reality check I think. ;)
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Holland-Store
Mar 26, 2009 @ 4:44 pm | delete
- Excellent Lens!
Sledgehammer, Still a great song and still a great clip, even today!
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AndyPo
Jan 12, 2009 @ 7:23 am | delete
- Excellent. I remember using this record as a HiFi test track, when I was auditioning HiFi components; excellent recording. My little laptop speakers don't do it justice.
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funwithtrains Jan 8, 2009 @ 11:16 pm | delete
- Nice lens! Now you need to do one on "Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel -- my favorite song of his :-)
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JaguarJulie
Nov 23, 2008 @ 6:41 am | delete
- Ah, so what is my dear Peter Gabriel up to these days? I always appreciated his unique STYLE and talent! And, when I saw sledgehammer -- it made me think of WHAT I seriously want to take to our bathroom shower. Great job my dear!
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a_willow
Aug 15, 2008 @ 1:32 pm | delete
- Wow man! I completely forgot this one! :)
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