Nobody Realizes This Catchy 1986 #1 Hit IS All ABOUT SEX! | Professor Of Rock
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- Coming up, it’s a #1 smash with the distinction of having one of the most innovative and unforgettable music videos ever made. Peter Gabriel’s super catchy #1 hit Sledgehammer. Made up of over 100 hours of filming…the song was written by the master artist who lived on the fringes of pop culture stardom for decades. But after releasing this song, it’s awesome video, and his extraordinary album So, Peter Gabriel was on everyone’s radar. And in the process, he even one-upped his former bandmates, Phil Collins and Genesis stealing the #1 spot from one of their biggest hits, Invisible Touch, replacing them at the top of the charts. Most people don’t realize, this innocent fun loving hit is all about SEX! Coming up, get the story of how this slice of ear candy came out of nowhere to become an all-time 80s favorite and actually When He REPLACED his Former Band Genesis at #1, Phil Collins Wanted to Send a Note that said: Congratulations Bastard! The story is NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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#1980s #rock #vinylstory
So I’m excited today to get into the story behind a #1 hit from one of the greatest albums of the 80s, from one of the most innovative and imaginative artists out there. A man who left his former band and had been getting out charted and outsold by them with their new singer until He stole #1 from them in 1986 with Sledgehammer’ ya I’m talking bout Mr. Peter Gabriel and his landmark album ‘So.’
So let’s rewind a little… In 1975 Peter Gabriel announced to the world that after 8 years he was leaving Genesis to strike it out on his own. And even though it was one of the most shocking pop culture events of the year, Gabriel wasn’t leaving on bad terms. He respected his bandmates. But he also wanted greater artistic independence. Something he would find in the solo albums that followed.
And while Genesis was pushing ever closer to the mainstream, Peter was happily living on its fringes… Even refusing to add titles his first four solo albums, though technically his fourth was called Security in the US. Said Gabriel about it, “I originally thought I would avoid titles and make my records like magazines. When you look at home at a pile of magazines, you remember them usually by the picture on the cover; I wanted it to look like a body of work.”
Or in other words, they were not meant to be separate statements, but parts of a unified whole…But even if he was living on the edge of mainstream awareness, Gabriel still managed a moderate amount of chart success, in the US. And quite a bit more in the UK. His solo debut, Solsbury Hill went to #68 Stateside and #13 at home.
1980’s Games Without Frontiers reached #48 in the US and #4 in the UK. And Shock the Monkey, that actually did better in the US than the UK, going to #29 as opposed to #58. And I guess maybe its this arms-length approach to success that makes what happened with his fifth studio album ‘So’, so intriguing. Peter Gabriel was practically the definition of a cult artist before breaking out with So in 1986. And now he was naming his albums and storming the US Top 40? What gives? ‘So’ was Peter Gabriel’s mainstream coming out party. And a big party at that.
Writing and recording ‘So’ was a massive undertaking. The process began in May 1985 and actually took Gabriel a year to complete, almost to the day. Although, if you can believe it, this was the fasted record that Peter had ever made.
POLL: What is your pick for the greatest hit album of the 80s overall? Where ever song was a potential single?
Aaah an easy one for me :) The album came out in 80 and changed my 12 yr. old view of what an album could be. AC-DC's BACK in BLACK !!!
MJ - Thriller
George Michael - Faith
Journey - Escape
....WHY does Prof. keep forgetting about *"Purple Rain"* !?? ...Every Song WAS a single!! .. well, aside from "Darling Nikki"....ha-HAA!! "🤪"
@@cjpew ....obviously! ...ha-HAA!! ...add "Purple Rain" instead of "Escape", and you have the 80's TRIFECTA, Man.....
Raintown Deacon Blue
Howard Jones Humans Lib (except the title track oddly)
Peter Gabriel's influence was WAY bigger than his chart appearances might suggest. The way he structured his songs was so amazing. Every music fan should spend some time on Peter Gabriel.
I agree! Even the ones who prefer Phil Collins.
I prefer Peter. His music shows up in movies.
My ex who could play most instruments, loved Cat Food. The song.
Peter had some massive talent helping him out too. Tony Levin on bass comes to mind.
Also WOMAD.
My oldest son was about 2 years old when the Sledge Hammer video came out. He was absolutely mesmerized by it. He would drop whatever he was doing and run up to the TV to watch it.
Fast forward about 35 years, I recently showed that video to my 2 year old Granddaughter, a much different reaction, she started screaming and crying.
yeah, kids can be so different with ever changing temperaments. What Grandpa thinks was cool when he was 25 should probably stay in the 80's.
Damn,, that's unfortunate that she would have such a reaction,, I think the tune is meant to be upbeat but it's just so driving that it might upset some that aren't ready for it I guess...
My daughter loved the video, too!
Being a teen in the 80's was so amazing for reasons like this. I loved it Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Mike + the Mechanics, Genesis and even GTR were in the charts, burning up the radio, and killing it on MTV. Very few bands have had members with such prolific solo careers.
GTR! I have vintage LPs from them, may have to play it today!
I know, right? I can confidently say that every member of Genesis was a legend.
I was born in 1981 lots of great music then
GTR name was Guitar without the vowels. I remember a local critic said. "They should have named themselves SHT" 🤣😂
A fantastic choices there are my favourite songs
I was 16 and guarantee you that the first time I heard that song I knew what it was about. As a 16 year old male, the Sears catalog seemed erotic… so it was cleverly done double entendre, but still obvious. A great, great song for a great, great decade!
I giggle in shame and agreement🤗
Awesome I too was 16 in 86 and agree 100% I love how our age goes with the decades, 20 in 90, 30 in 2000
@H B Better late than never...? ;)
I love this entire album. When I was a kid I had it on cassette tape. When I was a teenager I had it on CD. Young adult I downloaded it digitally. & now that I'm older... I finally have it on vinyl. It's brilliant.
So you have come full circle eh? My first serious girlfriend got this album for me on CD. One of my first 5 or so as I began switching from cassette to compact disc's. I miss those days...not a care in the world and the joy of discovering so much music.
I remember when Shock the Monkey came out on video on MTV. Wow, that video was amazing in it's day!
Yes it was!
Shock The Monkey is still in my top 5 Peter Gabriel songs. Love the video.
It’s a cool song and video.
Red Rain is such a beautiful song! You’re bringing back more good memories with this video. Thank you 💛
It's a clever, smart, feast-for-the-eyes video, but a lot of people only remember dancing chickens.
It still stands as an amazing song and video. But yes, I do love those dancing chickens.
Ha ha. Pretty memorable.
Same!
And all the fruits! I remember getting up to grab some grapes from the fridge while the video was playing on our TV. 😂
This music video was amazing with the new MTV channel on cable playing it a lot. My dad, who was not a popular music fan after the big band era but was an artist, was fascinated by many of these innovative videos and enjoyed watching them with the sound off.
Red rain is one of my all time favorite songs yet underrated.
So many songs of his that I’m shocked to see didn’t chart all that high ( such as Solsbury Hill) were and still are some of my favorites.
I’ve never understood why “Don’t Give Up” didn’t chart any higher than it did. I must have played that track hundreds of times. So good.
Quite amazing. I saw Peter Gabriel in the early 00's during the "Up" tour and he was singing that duet with his lovely daughter. They also did "Games Without Frontiers" while riding Segways.
@@kevinfisher5492 That concert must have been quite a memorable experience! Envy envy.
That was my wedding song ❤
If you look up the official video on YT and scroll down to the comment section, it is clear that song has saved hundreds of lives.
I loved your SledgeHammer video. It brought back great memories of 1982. When I was a roadie for Talk Talk. My first gig with Talk Talk was opening up for Genesis and Peter Gabriel at Milton Keynes Bowl in pouring rain in front of 65,000 fans. Keep up the great work.
Wow, I just turned 60, This is one of the first few albums I bought on cd. Until now I never thought about what Sledgehammer was about.
Same age. Had it on vinyl then bought it as my first CD.
Did you buy the CD before you bought the CD player???
I love both Genesis and Peter Gabriel but there's something nice and sweet about one knocking the other off the top spot. This is one of the times where you guys got it right by making it #1. The video is absolutely stunning, intricate and a masterpiece from Aardman Animatons. I was already a fan of theirs from their Morph days.
For me, 'So' is one of those close to perfect albums, Gabriel's perfectionism paid off.
Elwaves Couldn't agree more! We were all fortunate to have all of that great music.
Oh yeah, almost forgot - Happy New Year to you Adam and your family. 🙂
I remember being obsessed with the video while in quarantine. I even showed it to my sister who loved watching Blue’s Clues and Sesame Street.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 It's a very hypnotic video, even today.
Have a Happy New Year.
@@Elwaves2925 Same to you! Cheers for a great 2023! 🎆
MAJOR props to the Professor for his strong endorsement of Red Rain...one of the most underrated rock songs ever.
So true. The first time I heard I felt like I was flying.
Such a powerful, masterful song.
In Your Eyes...
I agree!
Loved that one...my bf gave me the album for my birthday (early may). Just about the time Chernobyl had happened..
I was SURE at the time that RR was about Chernobyl. Well not really ABOUT Chernobyl, but I was sure that it was a prediction.
Jus
What better way to close out 2022 than to celebrate the creative genius of Peter Gabriel? Great segment, Adam! Thanks for all that you do for us on a daily basis and we look forward to even more exciting material from you in 2023! Happy New Year to you and your family and to all the cool folks who regularly leave their comments on this channel. What a great community to be part of!
Happy new year! Robster thank you for your support. Means so much!
Happy New Year to you Robster! 🎆
I won "So" off the radio. I was only interested in "Sledgehammer" of course but the rest of the album surprised me! Even as a kid the words in "Big Time" gave me chills: "Our heaven will be a Big Heaven, and I will walk through the front door." I doubt Gabriel is a religious fellow, but the dangers of hubris are universal and he nails it.
Big Time is one helluva song for sure.
Don’t zGive Up with Kate Bush was the best
Special shout out to guitarist David Rhodes, who is criminally underrated. It's easy to get overlooked when you're in a band with Peter, Tony, and Manu. Fun fact: David also played the iconic guitar riff on Talk Talk's "Life's What You Make It". David was instrumental in the songwriting process on Peter's albums going back to the early 80's.
The 1987 lineup (the same lineup for the 2014 tour) was one of the best bands out there at that time. It wasn't just Peter and a bunch of guys. It was a world class band that could hold their own with any band, including Genesis. They're gonna do it again in 2023, and I hope to see them live!
Good post!
Life’s What You Make It! What a gem of a song.
friend us mate uk i have the single didnt know dr on the song had lp but sold of course 12 inch single just writer producer credits has radio edit and lp versions dj ftiend played edit in clubs he also gave me its my life lp edit and one bside i have shaking the tree cd comp. hes on pretty much every song one of the best collab.of 70s 80s life single also has full.length version he would play edits in clubs guess each song lp versiom is like 7 minutes long
Excellent news! I haven't seen a concert for quite awhile but I'll definitely keep an eye out for this. Hopefully it lands in western Canada.
Well said. Stole the words...
Peter's "D.I.Y", "Biko" and "I Don't Remember" were also excellent pre-Slegehammer singles. They thankfully received airplay on college radio 😊
That's right. Monumental songs.
Biko, Games without frontiers and Salisbury Hill were all very good examples of his early solo work.
Biko is a cool one.
Totally agree!
Intruder is also a great and creepy tune. 😊👍
Biko made me cry.
This song came out in the closing months of my high school experience. I didn’t love it at first, but the crazy video went into heavy rotation on MTV. Back in its early days, MTV ruled what charted on radio during my four years in high school. Due to its heavy rotation on both, I grew weary of it. Hard to argue in retrospect how iconic of an 80s tune this is. CLASSIC!
As a kid in the 80s, I hadn't a clue what this song was about but I loved it! I'm grateful we had cable TV & got to watch the most iconic music video ever created.
Enjoyed today's video & love the shirt!
I haven’t gotten to the song but I bet it is Peter Gabriel Sledgehammer knocking out Genesis
That was a crazy video! I remember when it came out.
You got it!
Yes it is.
When I was younger I had no idea Peter G. used to be with Genesis or heard any of that music. Then to find out Phil was the drummer and becoming the new lead singer blew my mind. Plus they both had competing #1 hits.
Thanks for watching Brent.
It’s amazing! It made me think Genesis was a supergroup.
I didn't either, and I was also born in 1974.
Every single person in that band had amazing talent. It's cup overflowed
Peter Gabriel was at the peak of his powers with his 1986 blockbuster so and with all of his previous releases he was pushing the boundaries of musical innovation and this was an amazing collection of songs and videos
No question. He really is a genius.
@@ProfessorofRock also he's finally releasing a new album in 2023 and a new tour is coming as well as for my favorite Peter Gabriel album has to be security it's just phenomenal stuff
What a trailblazer. Absolute legend.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 as of late I've been digging his work with genesis Foxtrot and the lamb lies down on Broadway are just excellent showcases for Peter's amazing vocal range and with genesis and his early solo work he had this amazing gift to use his vocals as a storyteller and convey his various characters he would include in his songs
I always preferred Big Time over Sledgehammer. And I love Solsbury Hill
Moment of complete honesty: I never equated this song with sex. 🙈 It always seemed so fun. You hear the funk influence, the gospel influence. It's very funky. It is in my top 100 of all time.
And all the singing about aeroplanes, bumper cars, and fruit cakes!
I was in elementary school when this song came out and got played a lot on MTV, so I never saw it in that way. But I’m not sure it is as obvious as it is being made out to be here.
I’m with you Sweetums. I never caught the innuendos back in the 80s. I still don’t think it’s that overt. But I never cared much for Gabriel’s music so I didn’t pay much attention to it.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I'm looking for someone to open up her fruit cakes
Same here, I never caught on to the sex references...must be a British thing 🤣🤣
“So “ just might be one of the best albums of the 80s. Heck ..of all time!
Ya I have to agree. In my top 10 of the 80s for sure.
PERFECT album.
Love this album! One of my all time favorite albums.
Mainly because Kate bush was on the album.
Peter's Sledgehammer video still holds up today. It was incredibly well done, and it's still fun to watch! Hey, where else can you watch sliding pieces of fruit singing to you? 😃🍒🎶
Games Without Frontiers is one of the greatest singles ever & was the first I had heard of Kate Bush. " Jane plays with Willy & Willy is happy 😊 again "
Love Games without Frontiers...
Three dwarves in a bath. Doc felt Happy. Happy got out so Doc felt Grumpy.
That line from Games Without Frontiers always reminds me of that joke. 😁
And Rico plays with it! What was it?
@@michaelrochester48 War and politics.
Also a quick FYI but it's Enrico, not And Rico. I used to get it wrong myself. 🙂
He introduced me to Kate Bush too.
Stuff like this really makes me happy and thankful that we made the 80s the greatest decade. It was such a magical decade that will never happen again. I love the 80s. I miss the 80s. And I want my MTV.
Don't know about that 80s being the greatest music, the 70s completely dominate thru today and back in 81 when I graduated, this new wave stuff was not that well received. Like disco.
I'd pay $100/month to have 1 channel, an old MTV 80s channel just replying the same recording from the 80s.
@@matthewmcclain9852
Gabriel was far from new wave. That was one genre from the 80s, just like the 70s had some ridiculous music ie Curtis Blow.
Absolutely 100%!!! At 53, I think back and get butterflies of how awesome that decade was… dream of going back with my kids and grandkids so they can thrive in a different world !!
Yes, this song had 60's R&B written all over it. It was even played & danced to on Soul Train. Both lead singers of Genisis got respect in the Black community. Phil is well thought of as well.This was easily one of the best albums of the 80's.
Easily!
I read online that he was trying to copy Otis Redding, and while he doesn’t get there, I still love his efforts.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Hard to get there, but I do love this album and his Real World music label afterwards. Real World (label) is a fantastic world music rabbit hole.
@@littlecatfeet9064 Right. Otis was one of a kind and nobody will ever reach his caliber. But that doesn’t hinder me from loving this song, er, cultural phenomenon. Real World has a lot of African and Caribbean artists on there, which is cool.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 😂. I know what you mean. Funnily enough this is my least favourite of his songs. I think the brilliant video made it a hit. Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, The Marvelettes and The Temptations are just a few of the 60s soul artists that make me want to travel back in time. There’s always hundreds more I can never remember. Great talent and decade!
Sledgehammer was definitely one of the greatest musical productions of a song for its time. I don't think it sounded anything like Genesis, and the use of brass was never uncommon. The video was certainly deserving of any award that it received. Some artists were going over the top with music videos back then like The Cars "You Might Think" and many others. Great upload, happy 2023!
I will fully admit that it first I didn’t “get” Peter Gabriel, but I was intrigued by him. The more I listened, the more I understood. His songs and arrangements were were intricate and complex. I learned to listen to the music backing the vocals and then to listen to his lyrics and found them to often be very deep and meaningful. He is one of those artists I had to learn to love, but the fact I didn’t at first was my failing, not his.
This video was HUGE on MuchMusic in Canada.. No surprise it went to #1 here. And Don't Give Up.. I can't say it saved my life, but it helped 🤟🏻🇨🇦
You could have included some details of how big Sledgehammer has become a part of Peter Gabriel’s amazing live shows. The band really have fun with it and it’s a huge crowd pleaser. Also, while Phil Collins was a hit machine, I think Gabriel was always the better musician. Collins is a staggeringly brilliant drummer, I don’t mean Gabriel was better at playing, just the music he created was deeper, more thoughtful and touched layers that Collins pop songs didn’t.
Nothing beats his performance of Biko at the Amnesty International End Apartheid concert... hands down it engendered the most significantly rendered social change the world has ever seen from any song performance ever.
Do one on THAT!
I’ll have to check that out
@@birdlover7776 many believe it spawned the necessary change in South Africa to end apartheid... and usher in a period of truth and reconciliation of the likes the U.S. has never seen.
I challenge anyone to name a song that turned the tides of history to such a large degree for humanity.
ruclips.net/video/iLg-8Jxi5aE/видео.html
@@kpw84u2 thank you for your comment and the link -:)
One of my favorite songs. So moving and powerful. I'll have to check out that performance ♥️
Biko. Opened my eyes and broke my heart wide open.
If you’re ever feeling really down, depressed, listen, or even better watch the video for “Don’t Give Up” the duet with Kate Bush.
Great song.
I second this! ❤
Personally my favourite song of his is Biko, Red Rain is a close second though and Solsbury Hill came in as third. Before So came out, I was perplexed as to why he was not well known. When So came, it was good to see that he was getting the credit he was due.
His early 80s tracks are wonderful.
My personal fav is Mercy Street
I college decades ago I fell asleep many nights after getting stoned and listening to Biko. The movie is good too.
Peter Gabriel was and is an innovator in so many ways and deserves every bit of credit he receives. His solo albums are sonic adventures. His music has developed and matured and he has worked with great producers so his albums still have a modern sound. He also used the legendary Peter Saville for album/single sleeve design. Add in that iconic video and this song could probably rank as the pinnacle of '80s greatness. Happy New Year Adam and everyone behind the scenes at PoR. Here's hoping for a healthy prosperous 2023 to you and everyone else watching these little snippets of musical history.
Thanks my friend. I appreciate your support. Happy New Year!
Peter Saville also worked with OMD.
I totally agree! We all know that Phil Collins is a genius but Peter Gabriel is even more amazing. Happy New Year to you Baby Gerald! 🎆
I agree. Such a unique talent.
I'm a huge huge huge fav of both... Genesis & Gabriel. Peter always pushed boundaries while Phil became more main stream. When So came out.. OMG along with the video. Blew everything else away. It's really a David Bowie moment
This song was the first use of "Funk Fingers" by Tony Levin - which gives the bass part of Sledgehammer a very percussive sound.
Thanks for sharing Eric...
I love that bassline.
I remember thinking that video was so fascinating and annoying at the the same time! So artsy!
I remember Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" very well. It went to #1 in 1986 and the music video was very memorable and shown a lot on MTV. When people think of the members of Genesis that went solo and were very successful, they immediately mention Phil Collins. However, Peter Gabriel also had an excellent solo career and recorded many great songs. Very creative and talented music artist.Happy New Year. Looking forward to more great music content in 2023.
Happy New Year Stephen! I always enjoy your comments and your perspectives on certain music are very valid. 🎊
Give me Peter's music any day!
I have to add here the unbelievable scene setup for live concerts by Peter and the band. I was on concert in Lodz, Poland and the sounds, light and movement was beyond belief. Tower that sucks the people will stay in my memory forever.
I had a chance to watch it very close, as I twisted my ankle just before concert on the sidewalk and I was walking with classic wooden cane. After some time I got tired, and the staff allowed me to sit on one of speaker system elements just in front of the band, 10? Meters away from Stickman (Tony). Will never forget this. My only sadness is this musicianship (generation) is going away, and my son won't experience these things live. Thanks for great video!
Really enjoyed THIS particular song but enjoyed the ENTIRE album as a whole.. The video was AMAZING! Especially for the time!!
Happy New Year, Professor!!
Up until the Secret World (1994) album, I had never bought myself an album of any kind. Peter Gabriel's music and the story he weaves became the music to my life in the late 90s. In your eyes, Red Rain & don't give up are my three go-to songs. I am in my third CD set because I keep wearing them out (scratches). I have an older car which has a CD player and no Bluetooth. I get in my car switch from radio to CD and just bask in the music. Thanks again for bringing interesting information about my favorite artist!
I was in my EARLY teens when the single Sledgehammer, and then the video came out. So the sexuality of the song flew over my head. I thought the song was about a man who loved and was protective of his wife/gf, and the song was letting her know he'd ALWAYS have her back, and protect her from harm. As well as his joy of being with her. All without using sappy sentiment. Lol.
I didn't know until recent years that he was with Genesis, I just enjoyed his music and very original videos.
One of my favorites is In Your Eyes, and it's use in Say Anything was Perfect and now Iconic.
Adam, I wish you and your family a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!?💖😘👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉
Oh! Btw, check out Scott Bradlee's version of Sledgehammer on his Post Modern Jukebox channel.
It's pretty damn good.
I hated 98% of all covers but I don't consider PMJ's renditions as covers. Scott Bradlee makes the songs into different genres and eras.
His version of Creep by Radiohead is brilliant and the song that introduced me to his work.
Saw Gabriel live at the WOMAD Festival in 1993, and was completely mesmerized by his amazing stage presence.
Peter Gabriel is such a HUGE influence in the background of the 80's!
I'm loving this channel. It catches me up (somewhat) on so much that I missed out on growing up through the 70's and 80's. I was in the FLDS and was able to get a little bit of exposure from my older brother and sister sneaking their "wicked" music in but it was limited. Now my children and Professor of Rock are introducing me to so much of what I missed. Thank you for the stories behind the music.
Keep it up Professor
Glad you enjoy it!
You are never too old to rock!
This reminded me of something I hadn't thought of in years. My friends used to refer to Gabriel's untitled albums as rainy windshield, melty face etc. I was such a fan I attended a concert to support the So album even though I was 8 months pregnant at the time!
Haha, a lot of people called his 1980 album Melt!
Blue car, scratch, and melt are sort of the common names they picked up in Peter Gabriel fan boards on the early internet. There were so many different names people had for them, which was part of the fun.
Also…Gabriel’s soundtrack for The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) is a stunner, simply gorgeous.
I adored the stop motion animation in the iconic music video, it looks impressive for 1986!🎶💞
Still does! Thanks Trina!
@@ProfessorofRock It was done by the same people who made the Wallace and Grommit films (Nick Park/Aardman)
Even my sister was excited when she saw it!
My friends and I are huge Genesis fans. Peter Gabriel was a very good fit for them. Shame more people don't appreciate his other solo works..... they only know Shock the Monkey.
Also love the filming of this video. It was different at that time. But my favorite song from So is Red Rain. That is a song worth a future episode.
Thanks for this, Professor. 👍
Happy New Year!
Red Rain is also my favorite.
I love Peter and Phil's solo work, along with Phil's era of Genesis but I can never get into the earlier Genesis stuff. The two era's are very different though.
Red Rain is my favourite song of his, not just off this album but all his works. 'So' is an album I consider to be close to perfect.
That haunting hi-hat intro by Stewart Copeland into the synth power hit is absolutely incredible, and one of the greatest album intros of all time.
Red Rain is mine, also. In Your Eyes is great, also.
Salisbury hill? Your eyes?...... He had a couple of famous ones. I dare say those two are more popular than shock the monkey. 🤔
The magic ingredient of Peter Gabriel is the bass playing of Tony Levin, who also coincidentally played with King crimson and also played on John Lennon’s last album double fantasy. I met him several times, great guy
Out of this world.
Agree. I love Peter, but we have to recognize his amazing backing band too.
Levin is a legend.
Peter’s “in your eyes “ is about Rosanna arquette. As well as Toto’s “Rosanna”. Fun fact.
Yeah…it was the bass player. The only people who notice the bass players are other bass players
I loved that Peter Gabriel then formed a music label (I think it was Real World) to bring musicians from all parts of the globe to the West. It shows a generosity of spirit, and before an unfortunate house move I had all that label’s compilations until about 2004. It introduced me to so much new music. In Your Eyes is my favourite song from him.
When Paul Simon's Graceland won the Album of the Year Grammy instead of Peter Gabriel's So, and when Steve Winwood's song Higher Love beat Sledgehammer for Best Record, and a cover version of That's What Friends Are For took home Best Song, it was my first realization of how out of step the Recording Academy was with the public, but also how little production was being considered at this point. So has stood the test of time.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has passed away in Rome this morning - RIP
I dedicate the song One Of Us by Joan Osborne , especially that signature lyric
“Nobody callin on the phone
Except for the Pope maybe in Rome”
Awesome video Professor- Sledgehammer is one of the iconic MVs ever !
Love Genesis too !
Hope they’ll re unite
Thanks Duane.
@@ProfessorofRock you’re welcome Professor! Happy new year !
Is singer Joan Osborne a Catholic? I hope you can do a video on her song and interview her in 2023
..meh...I preferred Genesis with Phil Collins..Peter was a little too weird for me, and Phil has a better, more distinctive voice, IMHO...and I'm pretty sure Phil has been far more successful overall as a solo artist than Peter..not hating on Peter, just think Phil was better, both with or without Genesis..and no, I'm not really into the early Genesis, as that was before my time..Phil was already the singer by the time I entered my "music listening" years...same with AC/DC and the Bon Scott/Brian Johnson thing...Brian was already the singer when I started listening to them, so I didn't really care much for Bon Scott...I suppose it has a lot to do with how old you are, and if you first got into a band in their "early years"...
Gabriel needed to be a solo artist to get “big” and he gave us some great music. Shock the Monkey remains my favorite Gabriel song.
As for Sledgehammer I totally knew what it was about… then again I was already in college.
Edit: I agree that Red Rain should have charted. Great song.
“Take you from all sides”….. speaking of innuendos Beavis 😂
This video was fun to watch EVERY time it came on MTV. You always saw something new b/c there was SO MUCH to it. And this was one of the first CDs I ever bought (being that CDs were "here to stay" around 1985, as a copy of Stereo Review exclaimed on the cover that year). The clarity of CDs vs. vinyl was night & day, and this whole CD sounded sublime through my Sony stacked stereo system. What a time to be alive for music!
This was the third CD I bought. CDd and their players were expensive in 1986, but the clarity on So was completely worth it.
Not only this hit song of Peter Gabriel was amazing even it's music video are amazing and it's out of the world! Before CGI was existed, Sledgehammer got it first. 😁
In the 1970s and 80s, Peter Gabriel was God to me. I felt that when he left Genesis, he continued to thrive, while Genesis slid into the world of pop. Gabriel always outshone Phil Collins, in my mind (though I did have a great respect for Collins). Even today, when a Peter Gabriel song comes up on my playlist, I crank up the volume. Thanks for sharing this tribute to a true music legend!
I just plain like Peter's voice better than Phil Collins. Those comments about Peter trying to steal the Phil Collins sound is unfounded. I don't hear it at all. Yes, there is horns, but the song structure is very different
As an 80s kid, I had no idea who Peter Gabriel was. I thought he was a new artist of the sea. Had no clue until 2018, that Peter Gabriel used to be the front man for Genesis.
The more you know! Right?
Oh, that’s alright. I knew he was the former Genesis front man, but never have really taken the time to explore that era of the band. It’s on my list. Also an 80’s child here.
Him AND Phil Collins.
I ordered So from Columbia House when I was 11. At the time, I was mostly interested in the “hits”. Well, happens that I fell in love with the entire album. Probably the first album that I remember blowing me away.
Happy New Year, Professor! This is a huge song with an iconic video vividly burned into my mind! My mom was always super creeped out by it! I also remember when Pop Up Video featured this song and how they mentioned Peter had a horrible reaction to the blue paint they used on his face for that scene where he was part of the sky.
And my little innocent ears didn't know it was about sex! I definitely thought it was just about Peter being some girl's boy Friday, lol. Here's to many more great videos in 2023! 🥳🎉
Thanks Allison! I agree. I thought it was about an actual Sledgehammer.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Happy New Year! 🎉🥳🥂
How would anyone not know Sledgehammer was about sex? Unless you are five years old everyone should understand this song
I loved this song when it came out! Being well past my grade school years, I got all those double meanings. I wondered out loud how this song ever got airplay!
Same! How did people not know this? Lol. I was in college though. It was pretty risque’ for the time.
People didn’t even relate this song to the birds and the bees!
I was upset when Peter left Genesis, but then he started releasing his music which was very different to Genesis, so i had the best of both worlds. Lamb lies down on broadway was the album that split Genesis and Peter, as that was driven by him, and Genesis were in debit when it was released, it was an album to trip to in those days ( for some of us ) His concerts were really good, still watch them on DVD
I was at the show Dave Matthews covered Sledgehammer. The entire crowd was dancing to that one. What a great time!
I've seen the footage! So cool you were there!
Pretty cool, huh? One of the greats.
I heard a cover by Maiysha, it gets the merit of being sexier than the original song.
Now in my sixties…
I remember the 80’s fondly.
Professor Of Rock is one of the inspirations leading me to create my music review channel. I’ll be citing him in a Best Of 2022 list as the Best Music Commentator (at the musicorloseittv Redditt) later today to accompany my end of year vids. Professor’s vids explaining the abstract lyrics of Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots and his empathy towards poverty conveyed in the Tracy Chapman review stood out as the two best moments of his channel this past year.
After a 3-year hiatus to due to medical conditions, I returned to making vids this year and began making music reviews. I love connecting with people who are passionate about being music fans. Professor of Rock is essential viewing. I wish Professor of Rock and the commenters here a great year ahead.
Thank you! Keep going!
@@ProfessorofRock Thank you 🙂
He makes me want to start a TikTok on my music knowledge and passion for pop culture.
How effective has fishing for subs in comment sections been for you? Does it work?
@@joshuagibson2520 You're starting off the new year being the person you want to be. 👍
“ In your eyes” should have been #1
Agreed! Beautiful song.
Love that one!
LOVE Gabriel's incredible musical vision and performances with early Genesis!
Their first albums: Foxtrot, Nursery Cryme, Genesis Live are incredible.
Thank you professor!
Agree. Great stuff.
One teacher at my school told me about these albums and how she grew up loving them.
Long time big fan of Peter Gabriel, especially when he collaborated with other artists I admire, eg. Laurie Anderson. "Sledgehammer" was a great video, second only to "I Don't Remember". At the time "Sledgehammer" came out, my girlfriend and I went to see the innovative dance group, Momix. The show was amazing and was getting to my feet to give a standing ovation at the end. The lights were out and it was pitch black. I heard the opening tentative notes of "Sledgehammer". Then the horns came in, and on the downbeat, there was suddenly a spotlight of a small naked baby on the stage. The mother, one of the dancers, came to pick it up and take it off the stage. The dancers then did their encore to the song. That cute baby in the spotlight looking up is what I remember most about the song, not the video.
Imagine the hubris it took for people in the industry to accuse Peter Gabriel of appropriating another artist's style. Unreal. I wonder how many great artists those same people quashed and we never got to hear. Peter Gabriel has always been his own, unique self. For me, his album US is an absolute masterpiece. Still listen to it beginning to end quite frequently.
Everything about this song is a musical masterpiece! Same can be said about the album honestly.
Such an under rated musician back in the 80s. He was always on the forefront of sound inovation. Never fell into the sterotypical sound. I appreciate his music to the fullest now vs back in the 80s.
Love your article today! Learned a ton!!
I’m downloading that album now. I was never a fan of Peter’s, but I am now! (I guess I just didn’t understand him)…but I do now. Thank you, Sir!
Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ of course, in answer to your query. Sting’s ‘blue turtles’ could potentially be one as well, or ‘fields of gold’. Keep rocking it, Prof!
For those of Us who were So lucky to see Genesis play at their farewell tour at the MSG in NYC, it would have been an even more indelible (and a massive smash with a Sledgehammer on our) memory to watch Peter Gabriel just walk on stage and join Phil, Mike and Tony sing and play Carpet Crawlers (their last number in the show😢). But we could still get the innuendo of the band… that was their final Invisible Touch. Thanks a million Professor of Rock for bringing Us such and So very good memories! Have a great 2023 and keep going on with your wonderful job! Cheers!
Happy New Year! 🎈🎆🎊
I did already have the "Shock the Monkey" album and loved it, so when So came I didn't think twice before I bought it. It still remains on my (albeit pretty crowded) Top 10 Album list.
Best band breakup ever? To have Gabriel go it solo and truly spread out and Genesis take it in a new direction and not forget then getting Phil solo. I mean it's like a 3 for 1! Gabriel solo is my favorite of the 3 but all great.
You really get it!
I'd never thought of it that way but it's actually a 4 for 1. Don't forget Mike And The Mechanics.
@@Elwaves2925 true
@@Elwaves2925 crud I did! I think somebody told me Tony Banks had a side thing but meh. We'll go with 4 for 1
I mean, a rare case where all members of the band go on to have legendary solo careers.
I remember at the time thinking "My gods, he's done a proper pop album, and its good". Sledgehammer is (all puns intended) an absolute banger.
Literally EVERY single song even MENTIONED in this video is an absolute timeless banger
The first time I heard the song was on a school bus heading to Santa Cruz for our Sr class beach trip just before graduation. Someone had it cranked on a boom box and when the chorus came up everyone on the bus screamed SLEDGEHAMMER. It was epic. I will remember that until the day I die.
I love the So album so much. The first time I heard that song I was in a nightclub and I loved it. It was so exciting. I had no idea that Sledgehammer was about sex, haha and I was no kid.
I’ve been watching Professors videos for years and just realized one of his backgrounds is a record player and not a white bikini bottom!
Oh boy...
After MTV there was vh1 ,I always watched I love the 80,s , so many big bands playing all genres of music , the best thing about Peter leaving genesis, they both remained relevant, I was happy for both , I was in my 20,s when I heard sledgehammer so I knew what it was all about, you can't think about the 80,s without mentioning Peter Gabriel and genesis, they were fixtures
Well… You finally got me. Any person who gives Peter Gabriel the credit he truly deserves and demonstrates such love and respect for him beyond the technical aspects of his craft does indeed deserve credit in return, so you’ve got a new subscriber.
Sledgehammer also has two different endings, one ending of the song has it just fading out. The other ending is kind of like a sloshing sound after the instrumentation is over. Never understood why there was two different endings to the song
THat's right!
Me neither. But it does make me admire Peter even more.
If memory serves, I think one version is from the album and leads to the next song and the other is the single version.
"Sledgehammer" never was my Peter Gabriel jam, even though I like it. The song I heard when the music from *So* was new was "Big Time", and the one I latched on to was "Don't Give Up" (honorable mention to "In Your Eyes").
I've led myself to believe that all the accumulated Genesis members hold each other in pretty high regard for what they have done both together and apart. One of my favorite examples thereof is when Phil Collins and Eric Clapton performed "All I Need is a Miracle" by Mike and the Mechanics. That must have been a glory moment of some sort for Michael Rutherford.
Security has always been my fav Peter Gabriel album. It's so complex and diverse, especially for the time. By the time So came out I was a big PG fan. I've always used Security as one of my test albums to see if headphones/loudspeakers are capable of reproducing such amazing sounds. So often great music is let down by crappy recordings and Peter never let that happen. His dedication to his craft is phenomenal, and learning of the video here just cements it for me.
Preach 🎶🥰👍
What an incredible line up of music videos in the running for 'best video' that year! All of those songs were, are, and always will be great! (SO is a perfect album to me. Red Rain and Mercy Street are my two favorites on there, but I love them all.)
1986 was truly THE music video year.
Genesis is interesting to me because I ended up liking both Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins solo careers better than I like Genesis and that has never happened before.
Gabriel In Your Eyes and Salsbury Hill are songs that pierce my soul every time.
Sledgehammer video was my favorite video ever.
I was 20 in 1986 and I knew it was all about sex. I liked his earlier stuff better. His song at the end of WALL-E was cool. Saw him in concert, unfortunately was completely wasted and don't remember that much. Don't do drugs, kids, you'll have fun but you won't remember it.
I once wondered if there were any songs in the history of the billboard charts that hit #1 on both the rock chart and the dance chart, which is such a hard thing to do. I really only found one and it was "Sledgehammer". There were other close calls but only "Sledgehammer" hit #1 on both rock and dance charts (and #1 on the pop chart too, of course).
Sledgehammer Lyrics:
Hey, hey, you there
Tell me how have you been?
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 wanna be your sledgehammer
Why don't you call my name?
Ah oh, let me be your sledgehammer
This will be my testimony
Yeah (yeah)
Show me 'round your fruit cage
'Cause I will be your honey bee
Open up your fruit cage
Where the fruit can be sweet as can be
I wanna be your sledgehammer
Why don't you call my name?
Ah, you'd better call the sledgehammer
Put your mind at rest
I'm gonna be the sledgehammer
This can be my testimony
Ah, I'm your sledgehammer
Let there be no doubt about it
I get it right, I kicked the habit (kicked the habit, kicked the habit)
Shed my skin (shed my skin)
This is the new stuff (this is the new stuff)
I go dancing in (we go dancing in)
Oh, won't you show for me? (Show for me)
I will show for you (show for you)
Please, show for me (show for me)
Huh, I will show for you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I do mean you (show for me)
Only you, you've been coming through (show for you)
I'm gonna build that power, build, build up that power, hey (show for me)
I've been feeding the rhythm, huh
I've been feeding the rhythm (show for you)
Gonna feel that power hey, build in you (show for me)
Ah, come on, come on, help me do
Come on, come on, help me do (show for you)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you (show for me)
I've been feeding the rhythm
I've been feeding the rhythm (show for you)
It's what we're doing, doing
All day and night (show for me)
Come on, come on, help me do
Come on, come on, help me do (show for you)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you (show for me)
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Peter Gabriel
Sledgehammer lyrics © Real World Music Ltd