I was really little when this came out, and my very Catholic mom in my very Catholic family wouldn't let me listen to this. She said "You don't understand it. It's too mature for you." And I said "It's about sex, so is every other song." LOL. Then when he toured for his next album, his was the first concert I ever went to. He often writes about love relationships, difficulty of communication within them, and yes, sex. My favorite solo artist by far. Very creative.

This is very iconic video and one of the 80s best songs . Peter Gabriel is awesome. Back in the day when MTV actually played vids , this was very popular.

Growing up in the early days of music videos, when MTV only played music videos, this was cutting edge. The horns and bass carry this song

It's important to remember the context of these videos. This was the middle of the 1980s, a period where MTV had exploded and was at its peak of powers. Pop, rock and later rap bands and artists were scrambling to make best use of this new medium, trying to figure out where and how this could enhance the value of their music. It was a highly experimental era where computers and computer-aided animation were in their infancy and just taking off. This video was revolutionary for its era, ushering in all kinds of new ideas about what was possible. The song is a well-crafted homage to 1960s soul and funk but the video is what made its legacy. Try "Take on Me" by A-ha and "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits if you haven't seen them already as well.

I remember very well when this was released. It was considered "beyond cutting edge" for its time.

The animation was made by Aardman Animations, they are a British company and most famous for Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run. And yes, sledgehammer is basically his D lol

Great reaction. Sledgehammer and fruit cage are metaphors for male and female genitals but you already worked that out. The video was revolutionary then as it was made in stock animation, so the clouds moving over his face were painstakingly filmed, frame by frame: film them, stop camera, move them a tiny bit, film them, stop etc, repeat). Gabriel is a genius and this song and don’t give up are taken from the amazing album called So. From that album, it is worth checking out the amazing mercy street (about the poet Anne Sexton and her depression) and the most uplifting love song ever, In your eyes which features a great African singer. If you want weird early Gabriel, check out no self control. Gabriel pioneered the label for world music called real world and has innovated a mixture of western pop and rock with sounds from around the world. His soundtrack called passion showcases this nicely but it isn’t catchy like the above, it’s beautiful.

That is one of the greatest videos ever. At least part of it was made by Nick Park, who is now famous for making Wallace and Gromit.

A Peter Gabriel must is "In Your Eyes" ... a great love song

This was done in the MTV era....golden age of music videos.

You have to remember that Peter Gabriel is BRITISH, and their metaphors for sex are....different from ours, lol

That is one labor intensive video, nothing else like that in 1986, creative and funny. And an awesome song, sweet bassline, good driving music, begs to be sung along with. I remember the first time I heard this, would've been 9, Saturday morning, mom was making me and my sister clean the side porch, radio on, I think I was sweeping leaves and dirt into a dustpan, and suddenly this song came on. My sister and I were impressed 😁 Good childhood memory 😊

Sledgehammer and Big Time videos were a lot of fun to watch and definitely creative. And yeah, pretty funky.

Love Peter Gabriel great singer and incredibly creative❤️❤️❤️

"Shock the Monkey" is an amazing song. "Talk to Me" is really beautiful, too.

This video was #1 on BET, on a show called Video Soul. That's how FIRE this song was back in the day.

Peter was reacting to all the "He's so-o--o-o-o-o serious", he was just having fun almost just to prove he still knew how to have fun.

That was an iconic music video back in the day. MTV!!!!°

Peter Gabriel ..from Genesis..had a string of Hits After he left the Band ..after the LAMB Lies Down Album ..Super Talent..His best ever has to be Supper's Ready" what a SONG!

Peter Gabriel is amazing, his visuals and theatrics have always been eccentric though, lol. Check out some vintage live videos of him with Genesis in the early 70's. He's always been crazy, lol.

Iconic video and a very unique song, Love Peter Gabriel

This music video was huge back in the day. Music videos were still new and people were coming up with all kinds of crazy things to get their videos put on MTV. In my opinion this song was more popular because of the video and it won a lot of awards that year. Another good video of that time was Take On Me by Aha

At last! Someone doing a reaction to this unique video and song..a very big hit from the middle 80s..iconic video... a great one...fun to see a reaction to it!

I think this video won the most awards on MTV, probably still holds the record because everything was stop animation. I just know that when i saw the dancing chickens, it cracked me up, and still does!

This has always been one of my favorite music videos. So innovative for its time. Thanks for sharing!

Peter Gabriel has always been a bit nutty. Good, but nutty. Check out one of his earlier songs, "Games Without Frontiers", and you'll see what I mean. Or, if you want to watch one of the most bizarre videos ever made, check out his video for "Digging in the Dirt".

"Red Rain" would be a great follow up. You'll love it to bits. And anything he did during his Genesis era … "Firth Of Fifth" by Genesis

This song is from 1986, and the video clip was shot with the "Stop motion" technique. This video is Brilliant .. Never before has a video ever been made that way, in fact the video has won nine "MTV Video Music Awards" and a "Brit Awards". Peter Gabriel has always been a genius, even when he fought with the "Genesis". An absolute genius...

"What is that?" ......Ha ha ha.....I'll tell you when you're older India!

One of the first ever videos to receive an MTV video music award because of its its originality and innovation

Please do, Peter Gabriel - "Shock The Monkey". (Released in 1982 It was his first top 40 hit in the US.)

This is the jam❤️

This video came out in the MTV era when artist creative originality was in abundance. Peter Gabriel [Gay-brill] had a new following when he did this video. It's genuis.

This video and song took every music award known to mankind in the late 80s, deservedly.

This innovative video won nine MVA awards, including MTV's video of the year in 1987. I also recommend "In Your Eyes" from Peter Gabriel's 1986 album "So" ... either the original video from 1986-87 ... or the video from the 1989 movie soundtrack to "Say Anything" with scenes featuring actors John Cusack and Ione Skye ... or the "Secret World Love" concert film version from 1993.

I'm old enough to remember when this video came out, and yeah - it was a thing. But the song itself, without the video element, is so unironically funky fresh, it's best just to listen to the music, dance, and have fun. Which has been a true fact about Peter Gabriel since 1971.

I remember tripping on mushrooms watching this on MTV 😂😃

Yeah metaphor for sex. “Fruit cage” wasn’t it, not fruit cake. Try Solsbury Hill, one of his earliest tracks, very good song

Heard this n the radio. Then I saw my.nephew watching it onMTV. Loved it.

Lol, this was definitely the best VIDEO of the 80s, not song but definitely video. I must have seen this hundreds of times. Its always entertaining for first time viewers. when we were kids it was hypnotizing.

We have all of his music. My husband was a big fan of Peter Gabriel when I met him and I became a huge fan .

When you say it's a metaphor.... but your little subtle smiles during the video...you worked it out within 5 secs😂😂😂😂 very cute

This is the most popular video in MTV history. Peter said this groove was created as a tribute to MoTown. Sledgehammer and fruit cage are metaphors for male and female genitalia. This is one of my favorite songs of all time.

Don't forget about the music, that funky bass and guitar line combined with the horns is sublime. Always thought he was so original, more please.

"That" would be a sperm lol This video is like a bad acid trip...with good music

Back when MTV ruled music and videos, this one blew up like nothing else. Like India today!👍

Great song and great video...I remember when I saw it for the first time on MTV when they still cared about good music.

Peter Gabriel one of my favorite singers. His video's from back in the day was crazy and I loved them.

India...I am glad you are catching up with the great songs of the past...brings back alot of memories

You just watched one of my Gods. Peter is one of the artists who actually inspired me to become a songwriter. His work with Genesis, his solo career, his environmental and political activities... He represents what I find to be a perfect "creator". Sorry, I didn't mean to get too sappy. Peter is the shit.

Peter Gabriel's 'Book of Love' was my friend's wedding song and it's so pretty- it suited her perfectly, as it talks about someone who sort of scoffs at the idea of romance, except when it comes to their spouse (at least that is how we interpreted it!). Would love to see your reaction to it :).

one of the earlier videos on mtv when it first started. so creative when they didnt used green screens so he did this by still frame. just made you smile.

Best song ever.....Peter Gabriel👍

Ah, back when videos were interesting if not weird.

This song is just pure fun. It still makes me laugh 😆 😄 😂 🤣 😅

I LOVE Peter Gabriel's videos... The best on MTv at the time.

He was the original lead singer for Genesis. He was always very theatrical. It got to the point where fans became more interested to see what he was going to wear or do. Phil Collins took over singing after Gaberial went solo.

The sledgehammer was released in 1986 in Britain and it’s my favorite song too *snapping fingers*

One of my favorite music videos ever. 80s had great music videos

“In your eyes” is a must. Beautiful song. Nice suggestion Hans. 👍👍

Yay, Sledgehammer! Been waiting for someone to react to this, love this song!

Only Peter Gabriel could make a stop-action conceptual art music video and pull it off 🤯

Check out the "Big Time" video. It's from the same album. That video is fun too.

An all-time song and music video! Thank you.

The very first time I heard this song on the radio in 1986, I knew it was a classic. It immediately felt like it had always been there and it would always be there.

Probably the most suggestive song ever released....every line is a metaphore for... well you know

Haha that made me laugh “is this song about (s.e.x)” 🤫 haha yeah he was having a big of fun with this one. This brings me as much joy as Don’t Give up moves me to tears. Love Peter Gabriel ♥️

Must listens.... Your Eyes, Red Red Rain, Solsbury Hill, Biko, Shock The Monkey and the entire album "SO".

When I was a youngster I couldn't wait for this video to come on.

Interestingly, this song was knocked off the #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 by the song Invisible Touch, from Gabriel's former band Genesis.

The obvious reference would be the sledgehammer at an amusement park - attempts to ring the bell at the top with a big swing; but still seems to be a sexual metaphor. Love the danceable groove of this song!!

I loved this video when it came out. It was definitely the video I watched the most in the 80s

Peter Gabriel was the primary song writer and front man for Genesis until he left for his solo career. He produced some of the most visually stimulating videos of the '80's. Never thought you'd be groovin' to dancing chickens did you? Check out Big Church

Peter Gabriel - great music, strange videos. Absolutely awesome in concert.

Gabriel was deeply moved by Motown in this :)

“Digging in the dirt” is another good song by Peter Gabriel.

I heard that at the end of the video when he is wearing the star suit he actually got shocked by it as he went though the door and they kept it in the final cut.

In the UK there was a very successful TV series called A Life in Rock with Brian Pern. The character of Pern is an affectionate parody of Peter Gabriel. He did not take offence and even made a couple of cameo appearances.

I think it set the record for MTV VMA wins by a video, might still hold the record. Yup, just checked, still holds the record at 9 awards by a single video.

This was the first time we got to see the silly side to Peter Gabriel. He was always shown as a very serious,almost shall we say scary

Keep up the oldies!!!

I have always loved this song

I'm an MTV generations baby, so when this video came out, I was glued to the tv, because the creative art direction is incredible and genius. Great reaction. Oh. One thing, though. His last name is pronounced like the archangel Gabriel....[Gay-brill].

I miss those days of great music videos. They don’t make music videos like this anymore. This song definitely keeps the party going 👍🏼👌🏼🥃🎉🍻🎶

Another one BIG TIME 💜💜✌🏾✌🏾😷

I remember this video when it came out in the 80ies.. the one thing I think about from time to time is the person that made the video flunked out of school.. .. and then made this awesome vid! The best FU to the school!

Oh my, Oh my.......how sweet ur....love from the UK x

early days of music videos saw a multitude of interpretations of the medium. Gabriel was such the artist.

My gosh I had forgotten how great this song is

It is on same album "So" as Don't Give Up.

You should find a live arena performance. He was at the forefront of the World music movement at the time and his stage shows were powerhouses. The Kate Bush number is pretty outside his usual stuff.

You should see him do this in Secret World Live. Also check out his biggest hit, Solsbury Hill.

I remember when this came out. The effects seem a bit cheesy today but back then it was cutting edge. We were blown away. Still a fun song though. 👍👍

This is new technology used to make this video. Peter was also making a comeback after seriously addictive life style

Although they started out together as pupils at Charterhouse public School England, forming Genesis and achieving success in the early 70's, having Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks in the same band it was never going to last especially with Banks and Gabriel often at odds musically. As Rutherford stated "Gabriel had become too big for the band" Following Gabriel's departure, he and Genesis moved on, both experiencing great success.

Saw him in concert in Columbus Ohio. Great concert.

It's about SEX! "I wana be your sledgehammer" I mean come on! Lol

Lord help me, if I ever hear this in public I'm all out there, doing the chicken dance and everything that comes after it

This video was my first encounter with Peter Gabriel back in the 80s when I was a child. I thought it was a funny video so I assumed at first that he was a comedy artist like Weird Al, but soon learned his music is full of wonderful wordplay and narrative as well as deep personal introspection. “Sledgehammer” is a piece of irony in that it was a last-minute add-on to the “So” record and ended up being one of his most popular hits. It’s a pretty blatant homage to Otis Redding / Stax / American Soul music. Peter Gabriel has said time and time again that Otis Redding has always been a major influence and I suppose by 1986 he was successful enough to get Mr. Redding’s original horn section to record with him (Memphis Horns). And yes, I do believe most of the lyrics are about gettin’ it on. But hey, there are lots of great songs about that.

I love the way song writers find different ways to say things. The song, " Cumbersome," is a great example of that, in my opinion. "I'd like to believe we could reconcile the past. Resurrect those bridges with an ancient glance. But my old stone face can't seem to bring her down. She remembers bridges, burns them to the ground." The band is called, "Seven Mary Three." I have become cumbersome to this world I have become cumbersome to my girl