On this day April 21, 1986, Peter Gabriel released the single Sledgehammer, which would go on to become the biggest hit of his solo career. The song eventually reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on July 26 and held the top spot through August 1. It also hit number 1 in Canada and became a global smash.
Sledgehammer blended funk, soul, and rock with a slick 80s production style. It was powered by a killer horn section, infectious groove, and a legendary music video that used stop motion animation and groundbreaking visual effects. The video became one of the most iconic and heavily played clips in MTV history. The track was featured on Gabriel’s fifth solo album, So, and marked a shift from his earlier experimental sound to something more pop friendly without losing depth or artistry.
Fun fact: The music video for Sledgehammer won a record nine MTV Video Music Awards in 1987, more than any video in history at that time.
Trivia question: What 1986 Peter Gabriel single featured a groundbreaking music video and became his only number 1 hit in the United States?
Sledgehammer blended funk, soul, and rock with a slick 80s production style. It was powered by a killer horn section, infectious groove, and a legendary music video that used stop motion animation and groundbreaking visual effects. The video became one of the most iconic and heavily played clips in MTV history. The track was featured on Gabriel’s fifth solo album, So, and marked a shift from his earlier experimental sound to something more pop friendly without losing depth or artistry.
Fun fact: The music video for Sledgehammer won a record nine MTV Video Music Awards in 1987, more than any video in history at that time.
Trivia question: What 1986 Peter Gabriel single featured a groundbreaking music video and became his only number 1 hit in the United States?
