Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (Limited Edition 12" Dance Mix) from the album 'So' (1986)

"Sledgehammer" is a song by the English rock musician Peter Gabriel. It was released in April 1986 as the lead single from his fifth studio album, So (1986). It was produced by Gabriel and Daniel Lanois. It reached No. 1 in Canada on 21 July 1986, and remained there for four weeks; No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States on 26 July 1986; and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, thanks in part to its music video, which was directed by Stephen R. Johnson. It was his biggest hit in North America and ties with "Games Without Frontiers" as his biggest hit in the United Kingdom. The song's video won a record nine MTV Video Music Awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards and Best British Video at the 1987 Brit Awards. The song also saw Gabriel nominated for three Grammy Awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. In a 2005 poll conducted by Channel 4, the music video was ranked second on their list of the 100 Greatest Pop Videos. Background "Sledgehammer" was initially written during the Birdy sessions in 1984. A version was recorded featuring bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Chester Thompson, but Gabriel was not satisfied with it. Thus, in Spring 1985, he revisited the song and recorded another version with his full backing band, including David Rhodes, Tony Levin and drummer Manu Katché. Gabriel presented the song just as they were packing up their equipment after initial sessions, citing his original intention to include the song on his next album after So. Manu Katché was preparing to board a taxi and return home to Paris when Gabriel coaxed him into recording "Sledgehammer".  The song was recorded live in two or three takes with the full band playing and Gabriel on keyboards and vocals. Tony Levin opted to record his part on a fretless bass with a pick and through an octave pedal. Release Gabriel pushed for "Sledgehammer" to be the first single from So because he considered it to be different from the rest of the album. When discussing the decision to release "Sledgehammer" as the album's first single, Gabriel said that "I think it was a surprise for people who have a fixed image of what I am and what I do." All editions of the single included the track "Don't Break This Rhythm", whereas the twelve-inch single was appended with an "'85 Remix" of 1982's "I Have the Touch" as its B-side. US versions of the single also contained an extended dance remix of "Sledgehammer". "Sledgehammer" is Gabriel's only No. 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. It replaced "Invisible Touch" by his former band Genesis; coincidentally, that group's only US No. 1. Genesis lead singer Phil Collins later jested about the occurrence in a 2014 interview, stating, "I read recently that Peter Gabriel knocked us off the No. 1 spot with 'Sledgehammer'. We weren't aware of that at the time. If we had been, we'd probably have sent him a telegram saying: 'Congratulations – bastard.'" "Sledgehammer" also achieved success on other Billboard charts in 1986, spanning the Album Rock Tracks (two weeks at the summit in May and June) and Hot Dance Club Play (one week atop this chart in July). In the UK, the single peaked at number four, tying it with 1980's "Games Without Frontiers"⁠ as his highest-charting song in that country. "Sledgehammer" has been described as dance-rock, funk rock, soul, and new wave, Ryan Reed of Paste called the song a danceable "blue-eyed soul-strut". Billboard said that the song possessed a "straightforward R&B sound, almost as direct as its Stax/Volt ancestors." Cashbox called it a "riveting, hard-hitting track" that evoked the work of Steve Winwood. They also called the song a continuation of Gabriel's "innovative work" that manifested in "imaginative [and] creative results". Music & Media said that the song showcased Gabriel "in his most soulful mood ever." Please like & subscribe to my channel. It helps with the YouTube algorithms so that more people can find my channel to help it grow. Thank You. Disclaimer! I make absolutely no monetary gain from any music that I post on my channel. They are uploaded here for entertainment (listening) purposes only & for discussion in the comments section. Please enjoy! All credit goes out to the rightful owners. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use.”