The 80s Sexual Metaphor that Launched Peter Gabriel to the Top of the Charts in 1986 - The Unforgettable Hit!

Get ready to travel back in time to the 80s with this explosive story! The "sexual metaphor" that elevated Peter Gabriel to new heights with the hit "Sledgehammer" in 1986 is one of pop music's greatest milestones. Despite his art-rock legacy, Gabriel couldn't resist an irresistible pop song about humanity's eternal obsession. After the success of his third solo album which topped the UK charts in 1980, Gabriel decided to innovate. He assembled an elite team at his Ashcombe House studio in Bath, using pioneering synthesizers such as the Fairlight CMI, E-mu Emulator II and Prophet-5. With guitars from David Rhodes and Daniel Lanois, and the legendary trumpet of Wayne Jackson (who played with Otis Redding), the result was magical. The lyrics full of surreal images - such as "fruit cage" and "honey bee", "big dipper going up and down" - are a clear sensual reference inspired by the blues. "Isn't it obvious?" laughed Gabriel in an interview with Uncut. Daniel Lanois added: "It's the kind of sexual metaphor you find in blues songs. 'Squeeze my lemon 'til the juice runs down my leg.' That's Sledgehammer!" The iconic stop-motion music video dominated MTV and fueled its success even further. "Sledgehammer" was Gabriel's only single to reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing even the hit "Invisible Touch" by Genesis, his former band. Phil Collins joked: "If we had known, we would have sent a telegram: 'Congratulations - bastard!'". This track not only marked Gabriel's solo career but also changed art-rock forever, mixing soul, pop and innovation. A classic that still touches hearts and bodies to this day! (Original images and credits retained: Credit: Far Out / Theo Blonk)