What does Peter Gabriel say at the beginning of Sledgehammer?

[effowe]

Couldn't believe it beat out Land of Confusion for video that year.. song or video were not even close.

That video used to scare the shit out of me as a little kid, freaky puppets man.

 

[who?]

I wonder who he was trying to pick up.

 

[Craig234]

Reportedly most played video in MTV history.

 

[Anonemous]

damn thought this was the David Rasche Sledge Hammer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvEHFTjp3JA

 

[JulesMaximus]

I think his album 'So' was one of the best of the 80s. I have it on vinyl. Great great album IMO.

'Mercy Street' is one of my favorite songs of the 80s. 'Red Rain' is also very good. 'In Your Eyes' 'Don't Give Up' There isn't a bad song on that entire album.

Mercy Street

 

[JFairweather]

This response is years out of date. I'm listening with a Motown ear. The first four syllables do sound like "Cocaine, use it." Coke isn't part of my culture, but it seems clear enough to me - it fits in perfectly with the slurry singing style of some of the old pre-motown artists, including dropping the t at the end of the word. The second phrase is totally distinct to me: "Everybody do's it". The second phrase is 100% from the late seventies funk scene. Check out the song "Dusic" by late seventies funk-pop band Brick. This is one of the two songs that they played on their appearance on Saturday Night Live (second season, show 18). I have no doubt that this was an influence in Sledgehammer). This is definitely what he sings in the second line.

As for the song, I think it is one of the absolute best of that era. It is one of the best groove numbers ever. The Nick Parks (Wallace and Grommet) claymation video was definitely an acquired taste, but it was totally in sync with the times (check out Talking Heads' video for And She Was).

Also note the lyrics after the instrumental. I can't help thinking about Huey Lewis' "I Want A New Drug" – the new drug being love.

I've kicked the habit,
Shed my skin.
This is the new stuff,
I go dancing in.

 

[Rifter]

4 year necro, not bad.

Also, love the song! lol

 

[Krazy4Real]

This response is years out of date. I'm listening with a Motown ear. The first four syllables do sound like "Cocaine, use it." Coke isn't part of my culture, but it seems clear enough to me - it fits in perfectly with the slurry singing style of some of the old pre-motown artists, including dropping the t at the end of the word. The second phrase is totally distinct to me: "Everybody do's it". The second phrase is 100% from the late seventies funk scene. Check out the song "Dusic" by late seventies funk-pop band Brick. This is one of the two songs that they played on their appearance on Saturday Night Live (second season, show 18). I have no doubt that this was an influence in Sledgehammer). This is definitely what he sings in the second line.

As for the song, I think it is one of the absolute best of that era. It is one of the best groove numbers ever. The Nick Parks (Wallace and Grommet) claymation video was definitely an acquired taste, but it was totally in sync with the times (check out Talking Heads' video for And She Was).

Also note the lyrics after the instrumental. I can't help thinking about Huey Lewis' "I Want A New Drug" – the new drug being love.

I've kicked the habit,
Shed my skin.
This is the new stuff,
I go dancing in.

You're going to fit in nicely.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Hey, my old thread. FWIW I once thought the beginning was something that made sense only when played backwards. I tried it out eventually and heard something very close to an "oh yeah" at the end, but the first part was gibberish so I guess I was wrong.