Who Made "Sledgehammer"? An In-Depth Look at This Smashing 80s Hit

As an 80s kid turned tech and data geek, few music videos bring me as much nostalgia as Peter Gabriel‘s "Sledgehammer." Let‘s dig into this quirky pop classic and the sledgehammer‘s impact across entertainment and industry.

Peter Gabriel Masterfully Crafted This Chart-Topping Single

Released in 1986, "Sledgehammer" was the first single off British rocker Peter Gabriel‘s landmark album So. As a fellow musician, I‘m in awe of the intricate production Gabriel wove together. He harnessed the Fairlight CMI digital sampler to layer up infectious rhythms from unlabeled vinyl records and exotic percussion instruments like the cuíca. These punchy beats interlock with the vibrant melody of the Memphis Horns – one of the tightest horn sections around.

Gabriel‘s deft ear for arrangements is on full display here. As he told Sound on Sound magazine: "I worked with a lot of different people on the record and co-wrote some of the songs, but I tried to make it hang together both lyrically and musically to have a feeling of a family rather than a bunch of different science projects."

Lyrically, his cheeky verses brim with sexual innuendo and clever turns of phrase. When the lyrics shift to "You could have a steam train, if you‘d just lay down your tracks" it‘s a delightfully playful metaphor for sex. This saucy song went all the way to #1 – Gabriel‘s first and only single to top the Billboard Hot 100.

The Pioneering Stop-Motion Video Won a Staggering 9 VMAs

But the most mind-blowing aspect of "Sledgehammer" was its music video. Directed by Stephen R. Johnson, it pushed stop-motion techniques further than ever before. Gabriel and cast had their images photographed frame-by-frame as they interacted with larger-than-life, magnetized sets. The team spent up to 16 hours just to film 5 seconds!

This painstaking process birthed one of the zaniest, most imaginative videos of all time. At the 1987 VMAs, it nabbed a record 9 awards including Video of the Year. In the years since, everyone from Weezer to the Lonely Island have crafted their own loving homages.

Beyond the acclaim, "Sledgehammer" pioneered many animation methods adopted widely today, from using rods to move objects incrementally, to digitally morphing Gabriel‘s head into a singing ball. It reminds us that true innovation requires fearless creativity.

The TV Show Sledge Hammer! Spoofed Violent 80s Cop Stereotypes

Besides the song blowing up in 1986, satirical police sitcom Sledge Hammer! debuted the same year. As a data guy, I analyzed how the main character parodied popular tough cop stereotypes:

• Inspector Sledge Hammer is an ultra-violent, destructive maverick clearly modeled on Clint Eastwood‘s Dirty Harry and similar characters.

• Actor David Rasche heightens this to a ridiculous degree – we laugh because the violence is so over-the-top and absurd.

• His massive 44 caliber gun is like an extension of his identity; he even sleeps with it! No restraint here.

• Sledge‘s chaotic methods constantly frustrate his straight-laced partner Doreau (played brilliantly by Anne-Marie Martin)

• Though depicting exaggerated fiction, Sledge Hammer! fittingly satirized some real questionable police practices of the 80s.

By naming his lusty funk tune "Sledgehammer," Peter Gabriel invoked the metaphorical meanings of forcefulness and passion embodied by characters like Sledge.

Sledgehammer Games: The Call of Duty Developer Behind Modern Warfare

The gaming world has its own Sledgehammer making waves as well. Sledgehammer Games developed several titles in Activision‘s blockbuster first-person shooter franchise, Call of Duty:

• Founded in 2009 by industry veterans Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey

• Quickly acquired by Activision thereafter, integrating into the CoD developer team

• Known for 2011‘s Modern Warfare 3 (over $1 billion in sales)

• Advanced Warfare in 2014 featuring Kevin Spacey introduced boost jumps and futuristic setting

• Most recent release was popular 2017 title WWII taking the series back to its roots

While video game sledgehammers destroy pixel enemies, the visceral feeling of weapons impact in CoD has clear parallels to the kinetic force of real sledgehammers. This talented studio chose its energetic name wisely.

A Sledgehammer‘s Devastating Force Comes From Its Design

When it comes to demolition work, the sledgehammer reigns supreme. Let‘s see how this tool turns swinging into smashing:

• The metal head is dense forged steel or iron alloy, weighing anywhere from 7 to 20 pounds. More mass equals more inertia smashed down on impact.

• The long wooden handle provides extended leverage for greater swing velocity.

• Weight distribution concentrates heft at the head for maximizing energy transfer.

• Proper swinging technique utilizes full upper body rotation driving the head into the target surface.

Safety must come first! Wear protective eye wear and gloves. Check that the wooden handle has no cracks. Never use near other people. One misplaced blow from a 20-pound steel sledgehammer head can easily break bones. Trust me, the data on sledgehammer injuries is pretty gnarly!

Still Smashing Hearts and Walls Alike

Peter Gabriel struck pop gold with his funky innuendo-packed smash. The iconic music video broke new ground in animation. Sledge Hammer hilariously parodied the excessive cop stereotypes of the ‘80s. And real sledgehammers keep swinging away thanks to smart physics fundamentals. Whether it‘s sex, satire, or straight-up sledge-based destruction, the mighty sledgehammer leaves a lasting impact every time.

So what do you think? Are you a fan of "Sledgehammer" or prefer your hammers more literally? I‘d love to hear your thoughts!