Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel

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

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

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 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.

Catch Peter Gabriel live with these great concert DVD's.

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.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE VIDEOS BY PETER GABRIEL ON YOU TUBE

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