Songs that Changed Music: Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 พ.ย. 2020
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Certainly, the next decade became a time of discovery for Gabriel - personal and musical. On the musical side, he began releasing a series of four self-titled albums , which his fans have since provided with their own nicknames (“Car” (1977), “Scratch” (1977), “Melt” (1979) and “Security” (1982)). While several of the solo albums include charting singles, it was Gabriel’s fifth album, So (1986), that gave him his first and only number one hit - “Sledgehammer.” With an irresistible groove, a horn part straight from Stax, and brilliant production, “Sledgehammer” transformed Gabriel from an edgy seventies rocker into a eighties pop superstar.
Although “Sledgehammer” would turn out to be a massive success, appealing to a large and diverse audience, Gabriel did not have such grand intentions with the track when he began.. Gabriel reflected on the song’s success in 2012 explaining:
“With “Sledgehammer,” everyone thinks, “Oh, he must have created that to get a hit.” And it wasn’t done that way. In fact, Tony Levin reminded me that he was packing his bags to go home, and I called him back into the studio, saying “I’ve got this one idea that maybe we can fool around with for the next record - but I like the feel.” That was “Sledgehammer.” It was late in the day and we just fell into the groove, landed a beautiful drum track on it, a great bass line and it all came together.”
The song certainly does come together, bringing innovative sounds and diverse influences into one incredible track. It opens with a synthesized Japanese shakuhachi flute sample, played on Gabriel’s Fairlight CMI. Pulling from his progressive rock roots, the free flowing flute sound draws the listener quietly in before the horn section dramatically announces the onset of the song’s magnetic groove. Drummer Manu Katche captures a funk influence with an eighties pop of the gated reverb snare. Tony Levin’s bass line is exciting and catchy, while also sounding impossibly smooth. The classic fretless tone is paired with the attack of a pic, giving it that bright and rhythmic edge. He runs this through an octave pedal, giving it that modern sound. The guitars provide the funky yet stable core that allow the active bassline to take center stage.
Undeniably critical to this entire mix is the soul influence and energy of the horn section. Expressing his excitement about having Wayne Jackson - who had played in the house band at Stax records and toured with Otis Redding - play trumpet for the track, Gabriel told WMMR Radio in 1986:
“as a teenager, soul music was one of the things that made me want to be a musician. It was really passionate and exciting… Wayne Jackson, who plays on that track, was also with Otis Redding and was touring with him when I saw them in London. So that was a thrill for me, just to get a whole lot of fan stories. But I think the song was more influenced by many of those Stax and Atlantic tracks rather than Otis particularly.”
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What songs would you like us to cover in this series?
My Sharona- the Knack
Jimi Hendrix.... Song--Bold as love!!!!
TTD-Holding on to You. A rare diamond and, seemingly a different recording method to rest of the album. Maybe it was recorded separately in another studio? However, it's a stand out track (in production terms ) on a great, great album. I would love to hear your take on it . Keep up the good work!
From a big fan in Leicester England.
If you haven't done a Beatles tune yet, might I suggest Sgt. Peppers? 4 tracks of wonderfulness!
Enjoy The Silence by Depeche Mode
When I was a little kid, pre-school, I was obsessed with Sledgehammer. First song I ever LOVED. Flash-forward to age 12-13, I wanted a bass. I hadn’t listened to Gabriel in years (listening to 90s grunge) but the first thing that came out of me with that bass, that I had to figure out, was this song. It was a part of my DNA. I’ve been playing bass for a living since :)
Thanks ever so much for sharing! Amazing story! Tony Levin is truly inspirational
Tony Levin playing a fretless with a pick like an absolute S A V A G E.
Yes! Incredible
I became obsessed with trying to emulate the tight percussive ghost notes sitting in amongst the main riff. Phenomenal bass playing and production from an incredible album.
@@Producelikeapro When was that.?
It’s not a bass- it’s a stick
@@thechristianbernal Oh really? For whatever reason I thought he only played the stick live. That's cool to know!
This song didn't change music. Peter Gabriel and his genius changed music. And he's still doing it.
"Don't give up" makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up every time, the whole album is a masterpiece building on his previous work
Agreed 100%!!
As much as I love the studio version, and Kate Bush in general (owning several of her cds), the live version with Paula Cole is one of most amazing things I've ever heard. She was a star of that tour.
I can't hear it without crying like a girlyman. I wish Kate and Peter got married and had hundreds of song-children together.
Such a great song even Willie Nelson covered it.!!!!
Yes, love that song too! I sang it earlier today; albeit in my car with the windows rolled down in an empty part of a shopping center parking lot. :^D
Saw Peter Gabriel in Rio de Janeiro, 1993. Tony Levin on bass, David Rhodes on guitar, Manu Katché on drums and David Sancious on keyboards. Just picture that. What a band! What a show!
Saw that same show at The LA Coliseum. Shankar on Violin and Paula Cole singing 🔥
Wow man' fair play!! Ya lucky sod haha😊 so cool is right man.. All my best mate from Gary Liverpool UK...
Thanks to Rick Beato and the TH-cam algorithm for making me aware of this channel. Subscribed!
Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it
me too
@@allenmontrasio8962 thanks ever so much
The professor of Rock following brought me here. Brilliant channel
Warren is next level compared to Rick Beato. Legit stuff which can come only from years in the industry (not that Rick doesn't have that, but I find Rick less profound).
I had the incredible honour of meeting the man himself at Real World Studios in 1992 when we were mixing some of our album there, he was an absolute gentleman !
I also got to play all his keyboards !
Wow! Amazing! Thanks ever so much!
What all did you see there? Care to share manufacture & model #'s you remember seeing there? Any notable modules spotted in the racks?
@@keykrazy yes, enquiring minds want to know! Haha
Cool, he's one of my musical heroes. Must have been a real buzz to meet him.
I worked with an Iranian refugee who told me he was his biggest fan, he showed me a picture of him and Peter together. I asked him how he got the picture, he told me he kept asking people where he lived until someone gave him his address, went and knocked on his door. Peter came out and was happy to be photographed with his no 1 fan. Pretty cool and humble.
Peter Gabriel not only has my all time favorite video with "Sledgehammer" but my all time favorite romantic song in "in your eyes."
Don’t forget Games Without Frontiers, that did quite well too, 1980 - a magical time to be growing up music wise.
It’s not forgotten my friend! Masterpiece
Just one of many videos to come! Thanks ever so much for watching
79 to 81 was THE golden age
and "Family Snapshot" . . . no song gets the hairs on my neck sparking like "and I let the bullet flyyyyyyyyyyy......"
Woah! 40% of the entire video's length dedicated to the fretless bass!
I *approve!!* 👍😁
Hahahaha Thanks ever so much!
Makes sense, though: It's the song's most important ingredient, next to Peter's vocals, and also its foundation. And yeah, being also a bassist I loved that, too :-))
"Fretless Bass +Otave pedal =Marriage made in heaven ..the Fretless Bass never got the respect it truly deserved despite being common among 80s British pop music..
So.......One of the best albums ever produced.
Agreed 100% Russell!
So it is...
When the horns come rising in on verse two, this song becomes something special. Probably the best pop song ever.
Amazing! Thanks ever so much!
This is not meant as a slight, but having watched Rick Beato "What makes this song so great" videos for years and always feeling him fall short of what I wanted in a video essay, is is such a pleasure to have discovered your "Songs that Changed music" series. This focus on production, arrangement and influences as well as context is so much more illuminating than simply breaking down chord progression. What an absolute delight! Thank you and keep up the good work.
You’re very kind, I like to feature songs that were really important and do the best I can to cover all aspects of the writing, recording and production! Rick does great work and I’m honoured to be included in a discussion with him.
Thanks George, I've been wanting to write a similar comment but thought that I was alone in noting Rick falling short in numerous ways. So, as you, I'm absolutely delighted to have discovered this series!
I am in complete agreement.
Please note that Rick Beato is teaching about music as a writer and composition more than as a cultural influence. I love both shows for different reasons
@@williamthomas2278 That's a fair point and I see what you mean, but the problem with Rick is that he's teaching _through_ a very American cultural prism, which often leads to toe-curling inaccuracies as regards music outside of the US. Those of us that have a broader horizon are weary of his US-centric misrepresentations and have stopped watching his videos.
I always knew Peter Gabriel was special as a child Solbury Hill always moved me in a way I cant explain but I never realised how much detail went into sledgehammer amazing.
Agreed! Gabriel is one of the greats! Only a couple left!
This song was a huge hit here in Brazil in the late 80s, because it was the theme song of the TV series Sledge Hammer, which was broadcasted by Rede Globo, the largest Brazilian TV network.
Hi Silvio!! Thanks ever so much!
Interesting irony: when ABC promoted the show here in the states, all the adverts featured Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer". But when the show actually premiered, we get this iconic Danny Elfman, over-the-top, 007/Untouchables sounding theme with a horn section and a operatic bridge!
@@TogonzoMedia Yeah, it confused me a lot as a kid ... I was a big fan of the series and thought the song was about it. They came out in the same year also.
I saw the clip at 'Fantástico', is one of the strongest memories I have from childhood, so good it was
The amazing horns is what really does this song for me. But then I'm a saxophone player.
Love the horns! Thanks ever so much!
Sax is one of the coolest instruments, and I'd bet it's one of those that so many people say they would "love to learn" but never even think about it! Off to check out your channel dude to see if there's any cool sax there!!
Ha! it's about coding! Didn't expect that! Cool too!
That bass sound is so iconic. So intensely deep and liquid.
Yes! Agreed 100%!
Tony Levin!
Peter must have had the overall sounds in his mind and worked on creating them in reality. What musical genius.
I agree, true genius!
Another vote for Owner Of A Lonely Heart by Yes. The whole dynamic with producer Trevor Horn - whose stint in the band just a few years earlier led him to switch to production - is fascinating. The story I heard is that he literally got on his knees to beg the band to finish it, that's how big he (correctly) thought it would be.
Marvellous idea Dirk!!
@@Producelikeapro Not to mention that bizarre music video, and the presence of most of the Art Of Noise on there.
@@stereoroid yes, wonderful!
Yeah, I remember “Owner of a Lonely Heart” sounded so distinctive when it came out. It just jumped out of the speakers. Cool, melodic songwriting combined with Trevor Horn's crisp, modern production.
Hell Yes to Yes
Myself and my father love Sledgehammer. It is Peter Gabriel's best song ever.
I've seen Peter Gabriel twice. He was AMAZING. What an artist.
Agreed 100%! Thanks ever so much!
I only saw Peter on the US tour. Great show though! Darn sure wish I had been old enough to see him with Genesis!
Same, saw him twice in the early to mid eighties - incredible showman and music quality that still impress me today. Some of the best concerts in my life.
The album was beautifully engineered, with a wonderful clean, crisp sound. The opening high hats on "Red Rain" set the tone for the rest of the album.
Agree 100%!
Seinfeld bass + fresh prince drums + peter gabriel = sledghammer
As a non-producer and non-musician, I have just subscribed...LOL..the musicality of these musicians is just mind-blowing.. Greetings from South Africa.
Thanks ever so much Lynette!!
This entire album, So, is a MASTERPIECE. Peter Gabriel is a musical genius. 🔥
Yes and yes! Agreed 200%!
I'm blown away by the technical details presented, and how clearly you speak. Too bad I don't understand a single word of it. I just watched because I love this song. I'm tempted to watch another one now. Thanks!
Thanks ever so much Tim!
I LOVE me some PG. He has one of the best voices ever.
Agreed 100%!!
I’m not that musical. I never “heard” the baseline of this song before until this video. Thanks for opening my eyes...er...ears.
You’re very welcome
When you got Levin&Katché, you can be pretty sure that the rhythm section is nothing less than brilliant.
Agreed 100%!!
I had the opportunity to do some sessions with Tony Levin about 15 years ago, and it was so fun to spend time with him and learn how he works.
That’s absolutely amazing!!
I never realized how much the Seinfeld bass theme was inspired by this tune.
That "bass" theme is played on a synth so maybe even more than you think
Peter Gabriel's Genesis era vocals can be entrancing at times.
I was 8 when this came out. But i'll never forget it. It's one of the songs that got me into drums. Such a great song.
Amazing! Thanks ever so much
This is a crazy song but I lovvvvvvveeeee the production. I thought the bass was a synth bass at first!!!! I love the horns and the drums my goooddddnnneeessssssss!!!!!
Me too! Amazing Production!! Thanks ever so much!
I graduated HS in '86. What an amazing experience growing up listening to such great musicians. We were spoiled.
Yes, we certainly were!
So cool to see Tony Franklin on this, hes one of my very favorite rock bassists!
Yes! Amazing to be able to work with Tony!
I remember when this song came out. OH CRAP I must be old now
Haha me too! I hear you!
@@Producelikeapro Yeah... but some of us were in our LONG pants by then>> :P
@degrande707 haha indeed!
@@toonertik haha very true!
Not as old as the artist himself, though ;-) I was 16 then, turning 51 next month. Still have great memories of '86 :-)
One of my favorites. Still have the record I bought back in the day. I always feel 20% happier after I listen to it. Actually, it's more like 23%.
Haha Couldn't agree more! Love this song!!
No two ways about it. Sledgehammer is a foot stomping classic.
Agreed 100%!!
SO I broke my Walkman Pro listening to that song!!......had it in sitting on my lap while I air drum'd along, and the walkman sliped, hit the floor, the end!.....bollocks Gabrial !! :-(
Definitely one of my favorites of the era. Just out of high school, every party cover band was playing it. The perfect blend of shiny eighties'ness and funky soul groove. The video was a huge step forward, and raised the creative bar for every other band ;:-)
Peter and Paula Cole on Secret World Live. You’ll never hear a better vocal duet, the gold standard.
Thanks ever so much!! Indeed!
Surely the 'icing on the cake' is Peter's incredible vocal...
Peter's Vocal is absolutely incredible!!
I still recall the very first time I heard this song on the radio, back in 1986. It immediately sounded as if it had always been there and it would always be there. An instant classic!
Agreed! Me too! Thanks ever so much
Nice that you mention Colin Broad. One of the unsung heroes of the engineering industry. And a super nice guy too.
One of the best basslines ever.
Nah. Great, but far from best. Both Tony and others have played better.
Best bassline imho is Normans Watts Roy’s Hit me with your rhytm stick.
@@janbures5203 - There's really no such thing as "best". There will always be others who have done it better. Besides, this is largely subjective anyway.
@@DavidLazarus I know its very subjective, thats why I said IMHO ;)
Yes "So" was a great album, however my favorite song on it is "Big Time." The play on words is what really grabbed me. "I've been stretching my mouth to let those big words come right out".
Hi Randall! Thanks ever so much
One of my favorites too . The lyrics and the Big sound. Just remarkable!
Great song! Especially as a gateway to more Peter Gabriel.
I’m a simple man... I see someone praising this classic banger, I ring the bell
Hi Nicks! Thanks ever so much
Gabriel has said that his gorgeous Real World studios was paid for from the success of this song and album.
0:59 Haha, Genesis Exodus
Haha Thanks ever so much Adam!
'Adam'.
I've got your Number(s).....
I love that video this is how I found your channel I still listen to sledgehammer and watch the video in 2022...one of my best memories being a baby in the 80's
Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it
Fantastic vid, my fave bass line ever! Shame I had to suffer through 12 sodding adverts during these 18 minutes though.
Yes, Warren's and also Darrell Braun's channel are always chocker with ads for me, too.
I don’t work for YT, but I will tell you honestly YT premium is the best deal. Zero ads, plus a full featured music app, on par w/ Spotify etc.
The Album 'So' is Fantastic, when i got Married our first Dance song was 'In Your Eyes' Stunning Song in all ways.
Thanks ever so much Trevor!
I remember reading an interview with Osbourne's Ozzy in the mid 90's in which he was talking about his then brandnew album 'Ozzmosis': He said he was blown away when hearing Peter Gabriel's 'So', that it was an absolute masterpiece, and that it also was his inspiration to create his own masterpiece with his latest album; And he reckoned he'd gotten pretty close, too :-) I then bought that album out of sheer curiosity, and I actually did like it a lot! :-))
I remember buying the record and playing it until it was virtually scratched to death. Then I bought the CD... And I was just a teenager with no money to fool around.
And, please, let me repeat my comment above: "Word Up!" Perhaps including the cover versions.
Thanks ever so much Jürgen!
Cameo's 'Word Up!' had popped into my mind also, when watching one of the previous episodes! I still 'see' the red undies over skin-tight black pants on the singer, in the original video clip x-)) From '86 too, like 'Sledgehammer' :-)
One of the greatest MTV videos of all time.
I just listen to it one hour ago. And then I found Your video. Nice. Tomorrow I will listen again in my living room with much bigger loudspeakers. I missed the power of the bass. Now it is to late to listen loud enough.
Thanks ever so much Dzezik!
Having just bought a Boss Octaver I was playing this bass line all day... One of my all time favourite, I’m going to watch the video and I hope to hear more about the bass sound! Love the series Warren!
Thanks ever so much Lorenzo! Yes, it was combination of the Boss Octaver and chorusing!
@@Producelikeapro
./hh"it
Anyone else get shown this song by their parents because the "weird music video" made such an impression they had to show their kids?
Haha no, however that’s cool to hear! It’s wonderful to see just how successful it is (it’s Peter Gabriel’s second biggest song) however only those old enough even remember the video! Just goes to show how amazing the song is!
I got to meet Ian Cooper at metropoly long time ago ,,incredible experience,, the nicest and so much knoledge.
Yep, it was the video that made this song so memorable. The tune was catchy but without all that extraordinary award-winning animation by Aardman and the Quay Brothers the song would never have become such a massive hit.
I really love this series. The fact that its coming from a producer/musician's perspective really adds to it. It bounces along with your links and isolated tracks. It's clear you LOVE what you're doing. Music history at its finest! These are good enough to be seen by a wider audience BBC etc ...
I LOVE these, good onya mate!
Gated reverb, I froze my butt off in an unheated garage driving my self crazy trying to get that snare sound in the early 80's.
Thanks ever so much!
Reverb and a compressor dude.
@@Reprodestruxion gating on the console
One of my all-time favourite artists, I was fortunate to see him live at Newcastle City Hall UK on the Melt tour. I will never for get his entrance in total darkness to the drum beat of Intruder, he appeared through a side door in the upper gallery with a massive search light and made his way through the audience, down the stairs and up to the front of the stage, amazing memories and an amazing musician!
Wow! Thanks ever so much for sharing
One of my alltime favorite songs EVER!
Man, between you, Rick Beato and David Bennett my head is exploding with all this music theory and studio know how and I'm all the richer for it. So thank you, it's so very much appreciated!
You’re very kind! Thanks ever so much! Humbled to be included with such greats!
The Up album by Peter Gabriel is so under rated... the production on it is insane. Of his earlier work, I love the song intruder from "melt".
I love it more than So. That album is a true masterpiece.
The only single vinyl I ever bought :) ... ROCK ON !
Another classic tune. I'd been a fan of Peter Gabriel since he left Genesis. While this broke him into a mainstream audience - and rightly SO, it comes from a superlative album all round - in the intervening years between 'car' and 'security', he released some of the most original and powerful music of any performer, ever. But, my tastes always had an ear for the 'left field' and the arty, and 'Melt' and 'Security' really took risks and broke boundaries. When this came out - especially with that wonderful Aardman video to accompany it, it was a wonderful validation of a great artist, at his peak. So many wonderful tracks on one LP; Don't Give Up, Red Rain, In Your Eyes, Mercy Street, Big Time and, of course this. You wanted to be Gabriel at this point, because he hadn't put a foot wrong, and had a legacy of great art, to boot
1986 the year I was born 🤣👍 Still Peter became such a big influence on me later on. There is just something about that voice and his songwriting/arrangements that almost always grab your attention right away. And don't get me started about all the amazing theatrical stuff he does live, it's so overwhelming ❤🤩 Maybe growing up or skyblue next?
Another "slam dunk" Warren! A song on the City Of Angels soundtrack that gets under the radar "I Grieve" is one that really sticks in my brain.
Thanks ever so much Abe!
I grieve is amazing. The Up tour was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, and he ended with that if I remember correctly.I didn’t realize that was on the city of angels soundtrack.
@@mrufino1 fantastic! Thanks for sharing
Best reference mix EVER! Great did Warren 🎼🎹🎸🎤👍🏻
Wow, thanks! Thanks ever so much Ryan!
this is a fantastic film document - every Peter Gabriel should watch this, million thanks - very interesting.
Yes! Now you’re talking!!
Thanks Michael!
@Cashew Gesundheit yes! Amazing
@Cashew Gesundheit Its a fantastic vocal. Across all his work I love how PG also has more than one type of voice but all disinctly PG.
@@hopetea7670 agreed 100%!
I politely just don’t get how this guy has a career. I hate everything of his. To me it all sucks. To each their own.
Thanks so much for this video, Warren! You break songs down so beautifully and this one is no exception. Peter Gabriel along with great players such as Tony Levin, Manu Katche, David Rhodes, Wayne Jackson, and Daniel Lanois' masterful production resulted in a brilliant track. I have never tired of listening to this classic song (or anything off of SO for that matter).
@Ivan Lendl - I also used to watch tennis on the TV a lot back then, with you and your mates Becker, Agassi, McEnroe, Graf, Navratilova... ;-))
Sledgehammer is an amazing piece of music, but it was a game changer in terms of Music Videos more than music itself
half of Peters songs are in a realm of pop but ppl dont realise just how much work and talent goes into them
Agreed! Truly amazing talent
I'll never forget Tony Levin playing this song live at the Roskilde Music Festival in the mid 90's, with Peter and the band. Also quite impressed with his percussive bass playing style using 'drum' type sticks as an extension to the fingers of his right hand. Really different approach to the bass.
Amazing!! Roskilde is such an incredible festival!! That would have been wonderful to see him there!
I am not a great social media commentator but I have to say your youtube channel is epic. Educational for me as a home based songwriter/producer but also fascinating and of general interest when you do episodes like this which cover both bases for me. Brilliant stuff.
Tony Franklin is a LEGEND! Thank you!
I loved Sledgehammer so I went to buy a Peter Gabriel album. There were three and I was in a rush and didn't know which had Sledge on it so I grabbed all 3 and spent my pocket money right there. None of them had it on, and they were a million miles from Sledgehammer- and I loved them. If that song hadn't come along, I would never have discovered this amazing cache of brilliance!
Just heard it yesterday because I felt the need for a perfectly produced song! Headphones on and enjoy! Love it!
Amazing
I am really enjoying this series. So far every song you have chosen is a 10/10 stunner.
This is one of the main melodies in my life. Perfect, powerful, enchanting.
Thanks ever so much
I was 15 when it came out and it was one of my favorite albums (including david bowie)
The Tony Franklin part was awesome...what a guy :)
i remember the dancing chicken...i heard once that those chickens smelled so bad in the end when making the music video
Eww, yeah I can imagine! x-)) One of *my* favourite bits in that video clip was the model train going around his head during the first line "You could have a steam train if you'd just lay down your tracks" :-)
I've always loved this song. And it's not my usual fare. Just now I found out why. Daniel Lanois!!! He is THE man when it comes to record production vision as far as I can tell...everything from Dylan, to Willie and Emmylou. And his own albums are amongst my favourites of all time. Never knew he did Sledgehammer. Cheers Warren. Made my day!
Awesome, thank you, Warren.. I love this song and the music video blew me away when it come out back in 1986 ... when I was 16 years old! Time flies.
Hi Marc! Thanks ever so much! Yes, time flies!!
In Your Eyes is my holy grail song. Its literally written, produced, and mixed to perfection. When I make music that's the song I reach for. So is one of may favorite albums of all time.
Bless Peter Gabriel's health. The world still needs the light from real starts.
These are fascinating videos. It's amazing to hear how disparate influences - motown in this case, chant, reggae, etc, in the Message in a Bottle videos - are all combined to make something that comes to sound absolutely new, and eventually, totally familiar. Hope you keep making these!
I remember when this song was first released and the first time I saw the video on MTV. I remember the animation for the video was cutting edge at the time not to mention a kick-ass song! This had so many awesome elements in it and you said it correctly, it was "Gabrielized"! Great video Warren! I look forward to these videos as it's so nostalgic for me - these were songs from my teenage years! A suggestion for a future video: Deep Purple - "Hush", "Highway Star", "Perfect Strangers" or the ever popular "Smoke on the Water" - we all learned to play that riff on guitar at one time or another!
This song almost transcends music it's that good!
Well said
Peter Gabriel is brilliant
Yes, he is, completely amazing
Another amazing episode, this series gets better and better. Hearing the stems is so cool
Thanks ever so much!
I remember so well hearing Shock the Monkey on the radio in high school and obsessing over So in college. Great analysis. I think the whole album is actually timeless music!
Yes, agreed! Amazing album!
Peter Gabriel, Ian Brown & Paul Weller 3 of my most favourite singers/musicians/artists of all time... I had So when it was out in 86 & still listen & love it now... Absolute timeless classic....
That bass is stuck in my head. Unreal soul, funk and pop all combined into perfection on this track!
Really awesome series! Thank you so much Warren for making this series 😀👍
Hi Alexey! My pleasure!
Fascinating. Great job Warren!
Thanks ever so much
You can tell that Sledgehammer wasn't contrived to be a hit. It's one of them classics that were a hit because they were brilliant. That's the holy grail. It combines all of Gabrielle's experimentation and innovation with spontaneous and powerful melody. It's also produced to hit the speakers big and relentless like a juggernaut, or, dare I say... sledgehammer.