"Sledgehammer"
Shot of Fifth Harmony dressed in white. The single's name and the artists are written in red and platinum color, respectively.
Single by Fifth Harmony
from the album Reflection
A-side"Boss"
ReleasedOctober 28, 2014 (2014-10-28)
Recorded2014
StudioWindmark Recording Studios
(Santa Monica)
Genre
Length3:52
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Fifth Harmony singles chronology
"Boss"
(2014)		 "Sledgehammer"
(2014)		 "Worth It"
(2015)

"Sledgehammer" is a song recorded by American girl group Fifth Harmony for their first studio album, Reflection (2015). The song was released on October 28, 2014 by Epic Records and Syco Music as the record's second single. It was written by Jonas Jeberg, Meghan Trainor and Sean Douglas, and produced by Jeberg and Harvey Mason Jr. Musically, "Sledgehammer" is a synthpop song with influences of electronic dance music, new wave and 1980s pop music. Its lyrics utilize a sledgehammer metaphor to describe the effects of being infatuated.

Music critics generally gave positive reviews of the song, praising its production. Commercially, "Sledgehammer" peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Fifth Harmony's first top 40 entry in the United States. It was eventually certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over one million copies. The song also reached the top 40 in, New Zealand, The Czech Republic and Slovakia.

An accompanying music video for the track was choreographed and directed by Fatima Robinson. It features silhouette visuals and the members swinging on a scaffold, among other scenes. Critics noted the video's simple aesthetics as a growth in the group's visuals. Fifth Harmony performed the song live at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards, Good Morning America, The Talk, Today Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Background and composition

During a live stream on October 23, 2014, Fifth Harmony announced that "Sledgehammer" would be serviced as the second single from their debut studio album, Reflection (2015).[1] They described it as a transition from their precedent single "Boss" (2014).[2] The track was written by Jonas Jeberg, Meghan Trainor, and Sean Douglas, while production was handled by Jeberg and Harvey Mason Jr.[3] The group's vocals were produced and recorded by Heberg, Mason Jr. and Andrew Hey at Windmark Recording Studios in Santa Monica, California.[3] In an interview with Official Charts Company, Trainor revealed that "Sledgehammer" was one of the songs she wrote for her solo debut album – later called Title (2015) – however, Epic Records decided to release "All About That Bass" as a lead single, so Trainor offered the song to Fifth Harmony.[4]

"Sledgehammer" is a heavy synthpop production backed by an electronic dance music (EDM) beat, taking influence from new wave and 1980s music.[1][3][5][6] Lyrically, the song expresses the physical sensations of being infatuated, comparing it to a sledgehammer motif: "If you take my pulse right now, it would feel just like a sledgehammer."[7] Jessica Hyndman of MTV suggested that the song is about a kind of love that just "can't be contained".[1] According to music sheet published at Musicnotes.com by BMG Rights Management, "Sledgehammer" is written in the key of G major and is set in a 4
4 common time at 100 bpm with an upbeat pop melody. The quintet's vocals span from G3 to F5 and follow a chord progression of C–G–D–C–Em–D.[8]

Reception

Critical

"Sledgehammer" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard praised the song's "EDM-meets-new-wave beat" and its "immediate hook", believing that "Sledgehammer" is "the best pop track about the physical effects of lovesickness since Demi Lovato's "Heart Attack" (2013)". It was tied as the best ranked song of the week, sharing the honor with "Don't It" (2014) by country singer Billy Currington.[6] Mike Wass of Idolator called it "a sugary sweet synth-pop anthem with serious radio appeal".[3] Jessica Hyndman from MTV noted that "'Sledgehammer' takes on a fun pop vibe" that lacked in the group's previous single, "Boss".[1] A reviewer from Teen Vogue deemed the track as "catchy",[9] while Carolyn Menyes from Music Times gave "Sledgehammer" a mixed review. She praised the group's performance, commending that their distinctive voices sound "perfectly", but expressed that the single fell "completely into average territory."[5]

In a 2017 article published on Idolator, Mike Neid covered the song in the website's "Should Have Been Bigger" feature, stating that the track was one of the group's most "underrated" songs. Neid further commented on how their visuals were not as "sexy" as the music video for their 2016 single "Work from Home", but served as a "joyful and chic" reminder of their "youthful beginnings."[10] Billboard ranked the song at number 57 on their 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time list.[11] Lipshutz stated that though one of the lines is "more than a bit confusing", the group manage to "sell their tale of unsaid infatuation with dedicated melismas and gooey production".[11]

In 2017, Billboard ranked "Sledgehammer" at number 57 on its list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks.[12]

Commercial performance

Upon its release, "Sledgehammer" debuted on Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 chart at number 28. It peaked at number 21 in December 2014, becoming their highest position–surpassing their debut single "Miss Movin' On" (2013) at the time.[13] The song went on to spend three non-consecutive weeks at its peak position.[14] For the week dated December 4, 2014, "Sledgehammer" debuted at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100.[15] It eventually rose to a peak of 40 in its fifth week on the chart, with sales of 85,000–aided by a price reduction on digital download services, which reported a 277 percent spike in sales. This marked Fifth Harmony's best week sales, as well as their highest-charting single and first top 40 hit;[16] It has since been surpassed by "Worth It" (2015) and "Work from Home" (2016).[17] On June 26, 2015, "Sledgehammer" was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States for sales of one million units.[18] It also received a Gold certification in both Canada.[19]

Music video

An accompanying music video for "Sledgehammer" was uploaded onto Fifth Harmony's official Vevo account on November 25, 2014. It was directed and choreographed by Fatima Robinson, who also directed the music video for "Boss". Scenes in the visual include a swing set, a unicorn sculpture, and a silhouetted man swinging a sledgehammer while the group is dressed in colorful dresses and silky hair.[20] MTV released an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of "Sledgehammer" on November 21, 2014.[21]

In the music video, the members of Fifth Harmony portray themselves as silhouettes dancing in a background of blue and white shades.

The video begins with the members of Fifth Harmony standing in a background of white and blue shades, where Camila Cabello takes her pulse, the band starts dancing and the screen goes dark. The group is subsequently standing in a pyramid stair, with Cabello moving her hands in rhythm of the song before switching back to the prior scene. Following this, the screen goes dark several times, switching from a shot of a shirtless man moving a sledgehammer and the members in the white and blue shade background.[22] The next scene turns into color, revealing the faces of the group for the first time, with each pounding their heart with their hands as the lyric "If you could take my pulse right now, it would feel like a sledgehammer" is sung. Choreographed dance moves such as the members throwing their fists in the air and the shot between the shirtless man moving the sledgehammer are alternated. Another seen has the girls on a swing set/scaffolding area barefoot and wearing different dresses. Normani is in a light green dress, Ally Brooke is in a red dress, Camila is in an orange dress, Dinah Jane is in a purple dress, and Lauren Jauregui is in a blue dress.

The screen then shows blue and orange colors, in a special effect mimicking lights moving around them. Final scenes shows the members individually singing, all wearing a different dress from the first shot. The video continues with repeating several scenes with the negative special effects becoming more present. In a different shot, the silhouette one of the group is seen with a fan blowing air towards her, waving her hair and dress simultaneously. The video rewinds the moment the shirtless man breaks pieces of brick apart to make it seem as if though the pieces are reforming, similar to when one is going through heartbreak. Writing for Billboard, Lipshutz said the video's monochromatic setting allows the group to "demonstrate their maturity". He also states that the video is "more of a relax fest" and called the "giddiness radiation" of the girls "pretty infectious".[20] As of July 2020, the video has surpassed over 170 million views.

Live performances

On November 9, 2014, Fifth Harmony performed "Sledgehammer" for the first time at the pre-show of the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards.[23] The following week, the group performed the song on Good Morning America[24] and performed an acoustic version on Access Hollywood Live.[25] Nearly a month later, the group performed a stripped down jazz version on VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live[26] and closed the year by performing the song on "Pitbull's New Year's Revolution" that aired on Fox.[27] Upon the release of Reflection, the group performed the song on The Today Show on February 3, 2015[28] and on The Talk.[29] Several weeks later, the group presented the song on Sunrise while promoting the album in Australia[30] and on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[31] Sledgehammer also appeared on the set list for Fifth Harmony's performances at the 2015 New York, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; and Sunrise, Florida Jingle Ball concerts.[32] It was also included on the setlist for the group's headlined international tours, the Reflection Tour and the 7/27 Tour.[33][34]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Reflection's liner notes.[35]

Recording and management
  • Recorded at Windmark Recording Studios (Santa Monica)
  • Mixed at Larrabee Sound Studios (North Hollywood)
  • Mastered at Big Noize Studios (Los Angeles, California)
  • Published by BMG Platinum Songs BMI – All rights administered by BMG Rights Management (US) / LLC Year Of The Dog Music (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) and Eastman Point Publishing (BMI).
Personnel

Charts

Chart (2014–16) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[36] 88
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[37] 49
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[38] 21
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[39] 63
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[40] 34
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[41] 27
Ireland (IRMA)[42] 83
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[43] 36
Scotland (OCC)[44] 77
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[45] 30
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[46] 75
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[47] 112
US Billboard Hot 100[48] 40
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[49] 36
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[50] 21

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[19] Gold 40,000*
Sweden (GLF)[51] Gold 20,000‡
United States (RIAA)[52] Platinum 1,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States[53] October 28, 2014 Digital download
United Kingdom[54] December 7, 2014
  • Syco

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jessica Hyndman (October 23, 2014). "Fifth Harmony Hit Us Like A 'Sledgehammer' With New Single Announcement". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  2. ↑ Gaby Wilson (November 21, 2014). "Go Behind The Scenes Of Fifth Harmony's 'Sledgehammer' Music Video Before It Even Drops". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Mike Wass (October 29, 2014). "Fifth Harmony Unveil Their Flawless 'Sledgehammer' Single Cover And Share The Songwriting & Production Credits". Idolator. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  4. ↑ Copsey, Rob (April 19, 2016). "Meghan Trainor talks new album Thank You, Grammys backlash and working with her mum - Interview". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  5. 1 2 Menyes, Carolyn (October 29, 2014). "Fifth Harmony "Sledgehammer" Review: Girl Group Goes '80s on New 'Reflection' Single". Music Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  6. 1 2 Jason Lipshutz (November 7, 2014). "The Best and Worst Singles of the Week - From Fifth Harmony to Spandau Ballet". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  7. ↑ Brennan Carley (February 3, 2015). "Review: Fifth Harmony Harness Pop's Gooey, Feel-Good Core on 'Reflection'". Spin. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  8. ↑ BMG Rights Management (October 28, 2014). "Sledgehammer by Fifth Harmony - Music Sheet". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  9. ↑ Tehrene Firman (October 30, 2014). "Oh Hi, Fun New Fifth Harmony Song! "Sledgehammer" Might Just Be Their Best and Buzziest Track Yet". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  10. ↑ Neid, Mike (June 20, 2017). "Should Have Been Bigger: Fifth Harmony's "Sledgehammer"". Idolator. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  11. 1 2 Jason Lipshutz (July 1, 2017). "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  12. ↑ "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks". Billboard. July 10, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Fifth Harmony - Chart history: Pop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Pop Music: Top Pop Songs Chart". Billboard. February 7, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Top 100 Songs-Billboard Hot 100 Charts". Billboard. December 13, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  16. ↑ Trust, Gary (January 2, 2015). "Hot 100 Chart Moves: Fifth Harmony Notches First Top 40 Hit With 'Sledgehammer'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Fifth Harmony Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  18. ↑ "American certifications – Fifth Harmony – Sledgehammer". Recording Industry Association of America.
  19. 1 2 "Canadian single certifications – Fifth Harmony – Sledgehammer". Music Canada. March 29, 2016.
  20. 1 2 Lipshutz, Jason (November 25, 2014). "Watch Fifth Harmony Hit Like a 'Sledgehammer' In New Video". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  21. ↑ Wilson, Gaby (November 21, 2014). "Go Behind The Scenes Of Fifth Harmony's 'Sledgehammer' Music Video Before It Even Drops". MTV. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  22. ↑ Devoe, Noelle (November 25, 2014). "Watch Fifth Harmony's Badass New Music Video For "Sledgehammer"". Seventeen. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  23. ↑ Lindner, Emilee (November 9, 2014). "Fifth Harmony Electrify The 2014 MTV EMA Before It Even Starts". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  24. ↑ Eishler, Juliann (November 12, 2014). "Fifth Harmony Wows With First TV Performance Of 'Sledgehammer'". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  25. ↑ Brie Hiramine (November 15, 2014). "Watch: Fifth Harmony Performs "Sledgehammer" Acoustic". J-14. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Fifth Harmony Strips Down "Sledgehammer" on 'Big Morning Buzz Live'". VH1. February 16, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  27. ↑ Bodo, Dina (December 31, 2014). "Fifth Harmony Rocks With 'Sledgehammer' Performance On NYE". Hollywood Life. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Which pop star wrote Fifth Harmony's hit 'Sledgehammer'?". The Today Show. July 9, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Fifth Harmony - Sledgehammer (The Talk 2015)". Youtube Music. June 30, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Fifth Harmony LIVE - Video". Yahoo!7 TV. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  31. ↑ Bianca Gracie (February 26, 2015). "Fifth Harmony Perform "Sledgehammer" On 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show': Watch". Idolator. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  32. ↑ Brennan Carley (December 12, 2015). "New York's Jingle Ball 2015: A Power Ranking". Spin. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  33. ↑ Mikael Wood (March 2, 2017). "Review Fifth Harmony keeps striving at Club Nokia". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  34. ↑ Susan Mc (August 6, 2016). "Concert Review: Fifth Harmony true to its name". The Providence Journal. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  35. ↑ Reflection (booklet). Fifth Harmony. Epic Records / Syco Music. 2015. p. 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  36. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (February 28, 2015). "ARIA Singles: Ellie Goulding 50 Shades Of Grey Song Spends Second Week On Top". Noise11. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Fifth Harmony – Sledgehammer" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  38. ↑ "Fifth Harmony – Sledgehammer" (in French). Ultratip.
  39. ↑ "Fifth Harmony Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Fifth Harmony Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  41. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 20154 into search. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 5, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Fifth Harmony – Sledgehammer". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  45. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 20154 into search. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Fifth Harmony – Sledgehammer". Singles Top 100.
  47. ↑ "UK CLUK Update 20.12.2014". zobbel. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Fifth Harmony Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Fifth Harmony Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Fifth Harmony Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  51. ↑ "Sverigetopplistan – Fifth Harmony" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  52. ↑ "American single certifications – Fifth Harmony – Sledgehammer". Recording Industry Association of America. June 26, 2015.
  53. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Bo$$ - Single by Fifth Harmony". iTunes Store (US). Apple. July 7, 2014.
  54. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Bo$$ - Single by Fifth Harmony". iTunes Store (UK). Apple. December 7, 2014.
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