THE VIDEO AND LYRICS ON THIS ARE WILD! First Time Hearing Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer Reaction!

Hey music enthusiasts! Welcome back to our channel! Today, we're delving into the creative world of Peter Gabriel with his iconic song "Sledgehammer." Known for its innovative music video and catchy lyrics, we're excited to experience this track for the first time. Get ready to join us on this wild ride through one of the most memorable songs of the 80s!
⭐️ WHAT WE COVER IN THIS VIDEO:
Our initial thoughts on Peter Gabriel as an artist.
First-time listening and reaction to "Sledgehammer."
Discussing the unique blend of visuals and lyrics in the music video.
Our overall impressions of the song and its place in music history.
🎶 ABOUT PETER GABRIEL & "SLEDGEHAMMER":
Peter Gabriel, former lead singer of Genesis, is known for his innovative approach to music. "Sledgehammer" is renowned not just for its funky rhythm and catchy lyrics, but also for its groundbreaking music video, which became a staple of 80s pop culture.
👫 WHO WE ARE:
We're a couple passionate about exploring different music genres and eras. From iconic classics to modern hits, we're here to share our journey and genuine reactions with you.
💬 COMMENT BELOW:
What's your favorite aspect of "Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel?
Any other classic music videos or songs you'd like us to discover?
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You can find Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer on KZbin at the link below:
• Peter Gabriel - Sledge...
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You can find Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer on Spotify and Apple Music at the links below:
music.apple.com/album/sledgeh...
open.spotify.com/track/61Um5K...
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#Petergabrielreaction #petergabriel #sledgehammer

[@bobschenkel7921]

This video is one of the most creative, visually stimulating, enigmatic and thought provoking of the MTV era. It must have take at least a month to do all the "claymation" and animation work, not to mention the live stop-action work. Peter Gabriel can sing and write and produce with the best of them, and this is, by far, his most famous and popular work.

[@stevemurrell6167]

I agree with everything in your excellent comment but as an Australian who saw music videos start on our own 'Countdown' music show in the early 70's, one thing irks me...."the MTV era". This is a US-centric misrepresentation of music video history....MTV did not pioneer the music video clip, Countdown did....but who would expect a sheltered American to know this? Assuming you are American that is.😉 Canadian or English maybe?🙂

[@bobschenkel7921]

American as can be Steve. Always wanted to go to Australia, but it is only on the other side of the planet, so... . I'm just a chicken-shit American, who hates to fly, so I'll probably never get there. "The MTV Era" thing is truly an American trope, but for us Statesiders, it is a point of reference. Eventually MTV STOPPED showing videos, and started running "reality" programming, which I personally hated. So congratulations for having the "Countdown" show, I hope it still exists, and is still entertaining.

[@Tijuanabill]

Probably a lot more time than a month, actually. That's a lot of animations.

[@airluc]

@@stevemurrell6167 indeed the first video-clip was from an argentinian singer Carlos Gardel in 1934 I think the clip was "Rubias de New York",

[@SpaceCattttt]

It's not his best work, though. Not even his best solo work. Not by far.

[@billsmith9361]

Peter Gabriel has always been in his prime.

[@KiltedHammer]

Preach!

[@ronaldlee7566]

Hallelujah

[@rogerdaly6326]

Phil & Sam this video won 9 awards at the 1987 Video Music Awards show. Peter Gabriel spent up to 16hrs a day lying under a sheet of glass on a shoot that lasted 6 days. Took 18 months to complete production of this video.

[@SG-js2qn]

Peter Gabriel was a college / alternative music star with a tendency to produce socially conscious music. "Shock the Monkey," "Red Rain," "Games Without Frontiers," "Solsbury Hill," "Biko," and crowd pleasers like "Big Time," "In Your Eyes," "Don't Give Up," "Steam," and "Sledgehammer."

[@jonibz1456]

All of the above

[@1183newman]

Gotta add Digging InThe Dirt to that list.

[@ScottDeBerg]

The live performance of “In Your Eyes”, with a lot of acclaimed world music artists, is a highlight of Peter Gabriel’s video library, and is heartily recommended 😊

[@davidcall5430]

Ahhh, the 80s. When videos were artistic and music was bangin'

[@dustinjones8887]

This video was HUGE on MTV in the summer of 1986. I was 14. Even my Dad, who only claims to love Elvis, loved this song and video. he laughed at a lot of the special effects.

[@42Mrgreenman]

I love how basically every line is a sex pun/metaphor...my favorite that often goes over people's heads is, "Chauffer me, I will, chauffer you." Meaning he will take you where you want to go...but also, "Show for me, I will, show for you." being an adaptation of, "Show me yours and I'll show you mine."

[@jorgegonzalez-ll7qq]

The best thing about Peter Gabriel was leading the band Genesis. He turned the band into one of the best live shows. Then he was absent for a few years as a reflective stage and then concentrated on social matters with great commitment.

[@GrahamG76]

As you said claymation techniques was used for the music video. It swept the MTV video music awards in 1987. The concert I think was WOMAD

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

I'd suggest 'Solsbury Hill' (1977) next which is from just after he left Genesis. Cheers.

[@FredtheFrisian]

It was his first hit single.

[@audiofile8833]

Solsbury Hill is definitely my favorite song from Gabriel. It's just a beautiful song.

[@happyapple4269]

​@@audiofile8833love solsbury Hill.

[@nancymjohnson]

❤️❤️❤️ PETER GABRIEL! Saw him live several times, including in October 2023. He just gets better and better! Sat 3rd row, and it was like being in a dream! This video took a long time to make. Just the stop motion of his face close up took 3 days.

[@AlexPoff]

After Gabriel left Genesis in 1975, I actually got into his solo career AND I liked Genesis even more with Phil Collins taking over the lead vocals, a win-win for me!

[@dragonmac1234]

Aardman Animations (the creators of Wallace and Gromit) had a hand in creating the stop motion effects in this video. I was 22 when So was released, I'd just started my first job and one of my friends bought the album and we sat down one evening to listen to it. This and Big Time are my favourite songs on that album.

[@dwightphelps5096]

Another great Gabriel song. Personally I think Peter was at his peak during the One World tour with Paula Cole. The live concert release might actually be his best work...on the live concert his voice has added maturity, he has a ton of energy, lots of African beat and percussion which has been his musical passion for many years. The addition of Paula Cole on vocals adds a whole new dimension to his hits . All his hits are in the concert which was beautifully produced. In my mind its one of the best rock live concert ever.

[@metalmark1214]

One of the craziest videos made, especially for it's day. Played quite a bit on MTV when they actually played music videos.

[@jeffmaltby6185]

Cannot believe this video is 38 years old. I remember when this first played on MTV non stop at the bar TV in a Bar and Grill I was a short order cook at , the young ripe age of 17 , LOL !!! Good times at that place let me tell Ya.

[@andrewclelland9713]

Great track from a great album. So I think it is Peters biggest selling album. Try Don't give up. It is from the same album and has the wonderful Kate Bush singing on it, too.

[@cadleo]

Love this track! This is definitely Peter in his prime.

[@DrMcKay66]

I remember well when this came out and blew up the whole MTV. This one was truley a landmark in its day 😊

[@ikshields]

It still is! It ain’t ancient history.

[@DrMcKay66]

@@ikshields Yes indeed 😁

[@Timmayytoo]

This was definitely Gabriel in his peak as a popular artist but some might debate if it was his prime as a musical artist - regardless of your opinion that whole album is great. This came out in 1986 and Gabriel's last show as lead singer of Genesis was in May, 1975 - he had already "left" during the recording of The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway because they recorded a good chunk of it without him in the studio.

[@kbrewski1]

He still performed the entire Lamb tour in 74-75. He left Genesis after the Lamb tour in mid 1975. He couldn't finish the lyrics as he had insisted so the other Genesis guys stepped in. That was in 74.

[@penfold7455]

Another thing that affected his work on " The Lamb..." was actually two things: 1) he spent some time away from the band to work on ideas for the film director William Friedkin (who directed "The Exorcist" ), and 2) his then-wife went through a traumatic delivery of their first child, which has Gabriel commuting back and forth between London and their rehearsal/recording venue in Wales.

[@swfcocs1]

"Games without Frontiers " is another great track by Gabriel, well worth a reaction

[@mhlevy]

Another fantastic song and video is the song "Don't Give Up," featuring Kate Bush. It's an amazing song with a very heartfelt video. While Kate Bush performed this song on the album, Peter's first choice for co-vocalist on the song was Dolly Parton, who really wasn't interested. Kate Bush, already a legendary singer-songwriter in Europe, jumped at the chance, since she and Peter had worked together live a number of times. A really amazing song to check out from Kate is either "Man With the Child in His Eyes," or "This Woman's Work." Her "biggest hit" is the song "Wuthering Heights," and while it's a great song, it seems to alienate a lot of first time listeners.

[@davidgermano5480]

Shock the Monkey, Moribund the Burgermeister, Intruder, Biko there is just so much more. Peter Gabriel.

[@debjorgo]

Shock the Monkey, Solsbury Hill, Games Without Frontiers..., these were all great landmark videos, before MTV came out. And great songs!

[@kbrewski1]

There was nothing really "landmark" about the Solsbury Hill video. It was just a good song about why he left Genesis. Shock the Monkey was all over MTV. You might have Alzheimers.

[@debjorgo]

@@kbrewski1 I think I grouped Shock the Monkey in with the other two videos. It was released when MTV was just a month old. I don't think the video was produced with MTV in mind. Solsbury Hill was a very unique video, and certainly landmark in its use of cabbages. I don't think any video had been as off the wall creative, prior to this before. So what? You take any opportunity to insult people, or did I just get lucky?

[@kbrewski1]

@debjorgo MTV launched Aug 1, 1981. Shock the Monkey was released in September 1982. It helps to get your facts straight if you are going to act like a big Swingin Sledgehammer. Turns out you only have a teensy lil nubber.

[@debjorgo]

@@kbrewski1 Emm, a year off. Oh well. You can quit peeking in my window now.

[@kbrewski1]

@debjorgo Don't worry, I couldn't see anything. Without a high powered telescope.

[@fgrillo29]

This was a groundbreaking video at the time. The 80's really launched the creative boom of the music video. This was like nothing we had ever seen. Stunning visuals and a catchy song. If you asked me to give you a video that encapsulates the 1980's, this would have to be in the Top 3, if not Number 1. The ending of the song always gets me with the background vocals. I love it. Brings me back to being 12 years old in 1986. I watched MTV nonstop back then. What a time to be alive!

[@Puttdaddy78]

Video was definitely ahead of its time considering it was made almost 40 years ago.

[@T-bone1950]

You just reminded me of how old I am. I really thought it would take longer.

[@timwhitnell7145]

The SO album is almost all fire. His early solo hits like Solsbury Hill, Shock the Monkey and Games Without Frontiers/Jeux Sans Frontieres are must reactions. A very interesting artist with different sounds and often some introspective or socially conscious lyrics. You can't pigeonhole Gabriel's sound so he is very much like David Bowie in that respect IMO.

[@courtneywallace871]

Such a great album, song and video. Another powerful video from this album is Don’t Give Up with Peter and Kate Bush.

[@rk41gator]

Gabriel was and IS a creative genius and unafraid to go THERE. LOL His visuals were (and are) so evocative. Last year's concert tour was interesting and even at 70+ yrs old was fearless and his voice still so good. Of course, he did this tune and came up with more great visuals.....think mushrooms. He was so organic.

[@sarablack2547]

I was at secondary school (11-16)when this came out and saw it cause my art teacher was raving about it.

[@bobclarke1815]

16 hours a day under glass, took 18 months to produce this video. Pure genious and dedication.

[@robertaistrope9602]

the video uses a technique called stop motion first invented by Norman McLaren in 1952. since then it has become a widely used technique in commercials, cartoons, and videos. I have to admit that this video is the best use of it! FYI at one time Peter Gabriel was a member of the group Genesis! i personally like all his music and videos.

[@lisamareepritchard6375]

This video was revolutionary for its time as you said, it’s was the 1980s & MTV was so popular. It was our only way to watch music videos…

[@jackmag4056]

What I love about this video is that every scene is different and unique ,

[@RichardinNC1]

Back in the day, when MTV was Music TV, Sledgehammer was played almost hourly! A huge hit. Stop motion movies have been around since the beginning of film. Probably a renaissance in the 1960s with some cartoons in the form of clay-mation , and then again in the 80s with this and a few other music videos. Yes, shoot a single frame, move something slightly, shoot again and repeat for 24-30 times per second of video. 7,200 shots in a 4 minute video.

[@johntiggleman4686]

@RichardinMC1 I think the "shorts" of Gumby were claymation. I think there are other videos on YT showing Mr. Aardman's claymation talent.

[@RichardinNC1]

@@johntiggleman4686 wow, 1953 for Gumby clay-mation! Well, I was a 60s kid.

[@michelm306]

What a masterpiece...I cannot get tired of this video/song since being a kid in the 80's

[@audiofile8833]

Enormously fun video of Gabriel's. And it was hugely popular back in the day on MTV. His videos were always different and always entertaining. "Shock the Monkey" is another song of his that has a pretty cool video that's way different than your usual videos, and "Steam", which is in the same vein as this song. Solsbury Hill is probably my favorite song by Gabriel.

[@lonnyjohnson2061]

This video was voted #2 all time on MTV back when they played music. Michael Jackson's Thriller was #1.

[@rhphotocdn]

Peter Gabriel, very talented, launched his solo career in 1977 (following song). But by far his most popular song, the song which started his career was "Solsbury Hill" (watch the live version, amazing energy)

[@jameswilson7790]

Hello. Jim Wilson here from the northeast corner of New York State near Lake Champlain. This music video won 9 moonmen at the MTV Video Music Awards show in 1986. The 9 moonmen is still a single event record. This album, entitled SO, also marked the first time that Peter Gabriel allowed the world and his mother to see his face clearly on an album cover. His mother had resented him for going into the music business, and he resented her controlling nature. He finally found solace enough to make peace with her.

[@The_Book_Of_M]

Every time I hear this song, I *need* to add a fretless bass to my arsenal. Tony Levin’s bass line is delicious.

[@davidbentley145]

This process is called "Roto scope" guys...bin around for a long time...great reaction...Ty guys!

[@darylcrank3760]

Took 3 weeks to make. No computers involved in 1984. One of the most awarded videos ever

[@hokiedoo]

I remember seeing this video on MTV when it first came out 🤣

[@andrewheck6922]

Yes Peter was definitely different ❤😂

[@thedocofrock1890]

claymation was definitely the popular effect in the earlier days of mv's. this was waaaaay beyond cool then and this video was at the forefront of what was possible. never tire of sledgehammer. saw it brand new then and it's still fresh now

[@realFlanch]

This song changed music...Peter Gabriel is a pure musical genius. If this song doesn't make you move...you have no soul.

[@betsyduane3461]

This is 10 years after Genesis

[@RetroHondo67]

A good video is Biko, cut with edits from the Film Cry Freedom which features a young Denzel Washington. The song is from 1980 but they recut the video for the release of the film in 87. He ended most of his concerts in that decade with Biko which live is absolutely life changing with the whole audience singing together. Saw him five times through early 80’s to Secret World in 93. Best solo artist I ever saw.

[@robertobrien5709]

Probably the most suggestively lyriced song of all times every lyric is a euphemism, still surprising how many people don't realise.

[@kevinhennessy1615]

Love This Song It's a Classic I Believe Peter Gabriel Wrote This as a Parting Shot After He Left Genesis and Proving He Could Make It as a Solo Artist.

[@Spiderific]

That song would be Solsbury Hill. Sledgehammer is all sexual innuendos.

[@kevinhennessy1615]

@@Spiderific I Stand Corrected 👍

[@theblackboxpodcastshow1791]

There was a TV show called Sledgehammer and I think they used this song as the opener for their program

[@EclecticInstinct]

Classic.

[@Chalky29]

Video can take away from the song itself which is an absolute banger

[@Nobody-xe9fc]

It's insane that this song is Peter's only Billboard number 1

[@chrisolivo6591]

Peter Gabriel was originally in Genesis as the lead singer as they were a more progressive rock band in the 70’s. He went solo and had a zillion hits while Genesis elevated drummer Phil Collins to singer and had a zillion hits. Genesis ‘Invisible Touch’ and Peter Gabriel ‘So’ albums were battling for #1 in the summer of ‘86.

[@kbrewski1]

Gabriel didn't have close to "a zillion" hits.

[@user-cw4lw5jw6k]

Long time since I've heard Peter Gabriel. Thank you so much for the memories ❤

[@BrianPayne-ef6kn]

Man I saw the world premier of this video when I was a kid and was blown away. Cool song, great video, and fantastic artist.

[@3DJapan]

Reading the credits. I had never realized this was by Aardman Animation, who did the Wallace and Grommit movies among others.

[@peterianfinnigan636]

Pete Gabriel made this video 37 years ago he walked out on the music scene at the top of his game it is a great song but there's so many more.

[@tomasgonzalezmarin6118]

Hi!! I was just a kid in Chile (South America) as this astonishing video came out in the 80's. For me there was no sexual references as I didn't even understand what he was saying or the context. It was just the most amazing video I've ever seen. Extraordinary for its time. Regards from Chile! 🙂

[@seandobson6221]

Peter Gabriel is such an amazing and odd artist! Got his start with Genesis but he was in his prime weirdness with this one. You need to do In Your Eyes, Solsbury Hill, and Big Time

[@rongurr9941]

Saw him 82 or 83 montreal small club in the winter , great

[@alexmarin4245]

One of the best 80's songs and albums! I LOVE IT AND I LIKE YOUR REACTIONS! Grettings from Spain, guys!

[@beckiramsey9561]

Totally crazy video, when that came out on MTV! I was glued to the screen, so amazed by it!❤❤ I graduated HS in 1986!😂 Thank you for your fun reactions!!❤❤

[@catherineday951]

Love Peter Gabriel!

[@kbrewski1]

This wasn't early in his solo career. He left Genesis in 1975. This video and album came 11-12 years later.

[@JemMusic.]

Awards, awards, and more awards.

[@DM-kc5du]

Two other great songs to check out: In Your Eyes and Solsbury Hill.

[@Shortstring5]

I gave a thumbs up for originality in song and video!

[@AlexAmez]

I still remember all the lyrics of this song. Was my favourite song when i was around 8-10 years old... weirldsy my parents didn't really react when i started singing this song... :D

[@billofalltrades2633]

Pete has some great songs ! 😂 I love this video!

[@ticnatz]

This is a great song, but it was the video that really put it over the top. So much innovation for the time....'Solsbury Hilll'....

[@coldwhite4240]

This is my most favourite video of all time. PG is one of my favourite artists too and for me, his peak was his solo career from the period mid-80s to mid-90s, including, of course, this classic. I love how the video symbolically depicts the start and end of life (fertilisation and embryo growth, then later PG sitting down in the chair to 'sleep' and then 'rising up' into the stars and waving goodbye), and continues the motif of reproduction and innuendo/imagery throughout, but also has hilarious visuals like the chicken dance, the vegetable face, and so on! Also, it was a clever choice to use stop motion and claymation rather than the CGI of the time (as used, for example, in Dire Straits' "Money For Nothing" which was only a year before this song, but looks so dated in comparison). As a result, the only bit that looks dated is the section where PG and the dancing girls/crowd are, with clothes and hairstyles clearly of the 80s.

[@rowenatulley852]

This was such an unusual song with a captivating video . . . you couldn't help but like it!

[@The_Book_Of_M]

You can thank Tony Levin’s bass part for the funky groove you keep mentioning.

[@lesgrice4419]

Innuendo......the whole album So is genius, ......not all commercial but genius none the less....the musicians on this are something else...Manu, the drummer is sensational, he had I think Daniel Lanois Canadian producer maestro too.....

[@reneerocha1796]

This is a great one! 😊😅 ❤ This video is sick! 😂

[@rongurr9941]

Loved this album

[@shawnjohnson9763]

Big Time is my favorite song by Peter Gabriel.

[@LittleArianaHeart]

Nice job on another classic. The video is something else, can you believe Gabriel had to lay under a sheet of glass for a total of 16 hours doing the stop motion stuff, like damn lol. Anyways always glad to see these fun videos with the 2 of you. P.s. Sam with the little swimmers comment killed me lol.

[@Maysoon3121]

how can this man was forgotten

[@donegalrediscovered3309]

His duet with Kate Bush .. Don’t Give up .. is well worth checking out

[@Tat2Dragons]

Yes that’s a good one. Did you know that Kate Bush sang background vocals on his song Games Without Frontiers?

[@leslieturner8276]

​@Tat2Dragons also on "No Self Control" from the same album that featured "Games Without Frontiers".

[@Tat2Dragons]

@@leslieturner8276 Nice!👍

[@coffee-xg6my]

At 8:42 if you look closely those are Peter's daughters that very briefly appear, Melanie and Anna -Marie

[@Sneaky-Sneaky]

Another great one from Peter--->> Shock the Monkey !!

[@zenbyo]

Peter Gabriel had me singing booty call songs as a kid lol. I loved this vid.

[@PaulJoeTX]

I saw the Secret world tour. One of the most magical experiences in my life. ❤❤❤

[@marleybob3157]

I personally love Gabriel as the lead singer of Genesis. The whole album ("So") was great. I prefer the song "Big Time", "In Your Eyes", "Red Rain" and "Don't Give Up" (all from "So").

[@nickjohnson1445]

One of the best love songs ever written.

[@Tarkus_]

This was arguably the most iconic video from the MTV era, which is really saying something. If I looked like Peter Gabriel, and had his talent and charisma, I could probably get away with the "sledgehammer" line in a bar. 🤷‍♂️

[@ctmtuber]

Fellow Canadian, northern guy probably three times your age, glad i stumbled on your channel. Enjoyable.

[@barsandbarbells2022]

Welcome aboard!

[@3DJapan]

Animator here. Yes, there is claymation but it's all stop-motion animation.

[@rsw1227]

Besides the "stop motion" does the "jerky" look of the video have a name? Because it obviously looks deliberate. Unlike older SM, like "Gumby" and "Rudolph" that had a more "fluid" look. I get a little mad when they say, "for the technology they had back then. It looks pretty good." Or, "how far SM has come compared to today." They could have easily made it look like "Rudolph" or even better but chose this look. I think this video still holds up. Ha!

[@stephenpresley5772]

Great song and reaction

[@taylortyler1867]

"Big Time"🕰, "Shock the Monkey"🐒, and "Steam"😤 are 3 more great songs by Peter. The videos for Steam & Big Time are just as interesting as this one. 🤘

[@dizzle7558]

ELITE REACTION 🔥😎🤘

[@waltermitty4052]

Rhythm of the heat and San Jacinto are brilliant

[@jonhenke1504]

This was back when MTV was at its zenith!! There was created video after video after video and it was great to watch MTV on a Friday night!!

[@davidmckenzie420]

Peter was/is a giant in the music industry.

[@FirstSuiGeneris]

I was living in Germany when this song hit the clubs I was going to! It was a hit right from the get-go!

[@BigTimeRushFan2112]

Don't forget....when you're a sledgehammer every thing looks like a nail!

[@kbrewski1]

Your wife said you look like a nail....that's hilarious!😂