Considering that Sledgehammer is already an R&B song, just of the quirky 80s variety rather than a 50s song, it converts pretty straightforwardly to what they’re doing. They essentially “flattened out” the song, removing all things Peter Gabriel from it. The uniqueness, too, I fear.
But even just removing it from the context of the Gabriel video casts it in a new light for me. That part I can appreciate. I’m glad to hear this song without seeing spinning chickens.
