Скачать или смотреть Sledgehammer : Peter Gabriel : So Album [1986]

Sledgehammer : Peter Gabriel : So Album [1986] @itspetergabriel @roughlea_music ​80s

Release and Album: "Sledgehammer" was released in April 1986 as the lead single from Peter Gabriel's fifth studio album, So. The album So itself was released on May 19, 1986, and it's considered a pivotal moment in Gabriel's career, showcasing a shift towards more accessible pop sounds while retaining his artistic integrity. So blended various musical styles, including pop, rock, world music, and even hints of soul, making it a diverse and commercially successful album. It achieved multi-platinum status and earned several Grammy nominations.

Significance in Gabriel's Music: "Sledgehammer" marked a significant departure for Gabriel. While known for his art-rock and progressive rock roots, "Sledgehammer" displayed a pop sensibility that broadened his appeal to a wider audience. It showcased his willingness to experiment with sounds and production techniques, leading to a more mainstream breakthrough without sacrificing his artistic vision. The song's success proved that artistic ambition and commercial success weren't mutually exclusive.

Video Production: The music video for "Sledgehammer" is equally legendary. Directed by Stephen R. Johnson, it's a groundbreaking piece of claymation, pixilation, and stop-motion animation. The video's innovative techniques and vibrant visuals helped propel the song to even greater heights. The production was intensive, requiring hundreds of hours of work and unique poses from Gabriel himself, who reportedly had to lay under a sheet of glass for 16 hours during filming.

Unusual Aspects of the Video: The "Sledgehammer" video was unusual for its time due to its groundbreaking animation techniques and its surreal, dreamlike quality. It won a record-breaking nine MTV Video Music Awards in 1987, cementing its place in music video history. The video's unconventional style and narrative, along with its use of innovative technology, made it stand out amongst other videos of the 80s. Its playful and imaginative approach contrasted with the often more serious or straightforward music videos prevalent then.

Bass Line and Bassist: The memorable bass line in "Sledgehammer" was played by Tony Levin. Levin is a highly respected session musician known for his work with a diverse range of artists, including King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, John Lennon, and many others. His distinctive bass playing style, which often incorporates the Chapman Stick, adds a unique texture to "Sledgehammer".

Lyrics:

Hey, hey, you
Tell me how have you been?

You could have a steam train
If you 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?
Oh let me be your sledgehammer
This will be my testimony

Show me 'round your fruit cage
'Cause I will be your honey bee
Open up your fruit cage
Where the fruit is as sweet as can be

I wanna be your sledgehammer
Why don't you call my name?
You'd better call the sledgehammer
Put your mind at rest
I'm gonna be - the sledgehammer
This can be my testimony
I'm your sledgehammer
Let there be no doubt about it

Sledge, sledge
Sledgehammer

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 can 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 you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I do mean you

Show for me
Only you
You 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
I've been feeding the rhythm
Show for you
Gonna feel that power, hey, build in you

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
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
I've been feeding the rhythm

Interesting Facts: The song's unusual sound was achieved through innovative use of synthesisers and sampling technology, which was relatively new at the time. The video's success led to a surge in the popularity of claymation and stop-motion animation in music videos.

"Sledgehammer" remains one of Peter Gabriel's most popular and recognizable songs, frequently featured in films and television.

The song has been covered by numerous artists, showcasing its enduring appeal and influence.