℗ 1986 Geffen Records GHS 24088
℗ 1986 Charisma Records PGCD 5
℗ 1988 Мелодия А60 00407 007 / © Virgin Records: Питер Габриэл
Peter Gabriel introduced his fifth studio album So with "Sledgehammer," an Otis Redding-inspired soul-pop raver that was easily his catchiest, happiest single to date. Needless to say, it was also his most accessible, and, in that sense it was a good introduction to So, the catchiest, happiest record he ever cut. "Sledgehammer" propelled the record toward blockbuster status, and Gabriel had enough songs with single potential to keep it there. There was "Big Time," another colorful dance number; "Don't Give Up," a moving duet with Kate Bush; "Red Rain," a stately anthem popular on album rock radio; and "In Your Eyes," Gabriel's greatest love song which achieved genuine classic status after being featured in Cameron Crowe's classic, Say Anything. These all illustrated the strengths of the album: Gabriel's increased melodicism and ability to blend African music, jangly pop, and soul into his moody art rock. Apart from these singles, plus the urgent "That Voice Again," the rest of the record is as quiet as the album tracks of Security. The difference is, the singles on that record were part of the overall fabric; here, the singles are the fabric, which can make the album seem top-heavy (a fault of many blockbuster albums, particularly those of the mid-'80s). Even so, those songs are so strong, finding Gabriel in a newfound confidence and accessibility, that it's hard not to be won over by them, even if So doesn't develop the unity of its two predecessors. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine. |
(Peter Gabriel)
Hey, how have you been? Tell me what the news is 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 wanna be your sledgehammer Why don't you call my name? Ha oh, let me be your sledgehammer This will be my testimony, yeah (yeah) Show me 'round your fruit cakes 'Cause I will be your honey bee Open up your fruit cakes Where the fruit is as sweet as can be I wanna be your sledgehammer Why don't you call my name? Yeah, you'd better call the sledgehammer Put your mind at rest I'm gonna be the sledgehammer This can be my testimony Yeah, I'm your sledgehammer Let there be no doubt about it Sledge, sledge Sledgehammer I get in right I've 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 go dancing in) Oh, won't you show for me? (show for me) I will show for you (show for you) Me, show for me (show for me) Huh, I will show for you Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I do mean you (show for me) Only you You've been comin' through (show for you) I'm gonna build that power Build, build up that power (show for me) Oh, I've been feedin' the rhythm, huh I've been feedin' the rhythm (show for you) Gonna feel that power build in you (show for me) Come on, come on, help me through Come on, come on, help me through (show for you) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you (show for me) I've been feedin' the rhythm I've been feedin' the rhythm (show for you) It's what we're doin', doin' All day and night (show for me) Come on, come on, help me through Come on, come on, help me through (show for you) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you