Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel

Released in 1986, Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" turns a musical performance into a succession of handmade visual transformations. Stop-motion animation and claymation surround Gabriel with shifting objects and surreal imagery, while frame-by-frame manipulation makes his own face and body part of the animation. The elaborate effects respond to the song's playful energy rather than building a conventional plot, giving the video the feel of an animated visual collage. Its significance within art-rock music videos rests on the close connection between performance and animation.

Physical materials remain visible throughout, making the ingenuity of the production part of its appeal. For viewers interested in animation history, music video design or Gabriel's artistic approach, it offers a detailed example of how experimental filmmaking can serve an accessible pop song.