Sledgehammer
Bachman–Turner Overdrive Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

For days I have tried to forget you
And not care where you are
No matter where you are

But fables are not made from memories
I got to try to find
A way to ease my mind
You're like a sledgehammer
Clickin', clickin', on my mind
You're like a sledgehammer baby
You been beating on my mind

You're like a sledgehammer
You been sneakin' all the time, wow
You're like a sledgehammer baby
You been beating on my mind

For nights I have gone without sleeping
I wonder where you are
I wonder where you are

But I must build my castle with daydreams
And watch 'em fade away
Watch 'em fade away

You're like a sledgehammer
You been beating on my mind
You're like a sledgehammer baby
Always hitting from behind

You're like a sledgehammer baby
You been sneakin' all the time, wow
You're like a sledgehammer baby
Always hitting on my mind

You're like a sledgehammer baby
Always hitting on my mind




You're like a sledgehammer baby
Always hitting from behind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Sledgehammer" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive convey the pain and frustration of being unable to forget someone who is constantly on the mind. Despite trying to move on from this person and not care where they are, their memory still lingers and affects the singer's ability to sleep and dream about the future. The use of the metaphor of a sledgehammer pounding on the mind emphasizes the severity of this emotional pain and how difficult it is to escape from unwanted memories.


The second verse suggests that the singer must find a way to cope with these feelings and make their own happiness through daydreams, even if they eventually fade away. However, the chorus repeats the analogy of the sledgehammer, emphasizing the persistent nature of these unwanted thoughts and how they continue to affect the singer's ability to move on.


Overall, "Sledgehammer" captures the common experience of trying to forget someone who has left a lasting impact on one's heart and mind.


Line by Line Meaning

For days I have tried to forget you
I have been attempting to forget about you for several days


And not care where you are
I don't want to care about where you are


No matter where you are
It does not matter where you are


But fables are not made from memories
Stories are not created from past recollections


I got to try to find
I must attempt to discover


A way to ease my mind
A method to calm my thoughts


You're like a sledgehammer
You are comparable to a heavy tool used to demolish


Clickin', clickin', on my mind
Constantly pressing on my thoughts


You been beating on my mind
You have been tormenting my thoughts


You been sneakin' all the time, wow
You have been secretly present all the time


You been beating on my mind
You have been tormenting my thoughts


For nights I have gone without sleeping
I have been unable to sleep for several nights


I wonder where you are
I am curious about where you might be


But I must build my castle with daydreams
I need to construct my happiness through unrealistic fantasies


And watch 'em fade away
And witness them dissolve


You been beating on my mind
You have been tormenting my thoughts


Always hitting from behind
Persistently attacking me unexpectedly


You been sneakin' all the time, wow
You have been secretly present all the time


You're like a sledgehammer baby
You are comparable to a heavy tool used to demolish


Always hitting on my mind
Constantly attacking my thoughts


Always hitting from behind
Persistently attacking me unexpectedly




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BACHMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Paul Snyder

Hey man,we didn't just listen to it,it was part of our lives,it shaped us,it determined who we became good or bad
Long live real rock and roll!

JohnBuck41

This was THE album my senior year in high school '74-'75. Still rocks.

DV DODDS

Fred Turner is so underrated.....Canada's resident screamer...and the guy can still wail and play a mean Bass Guitar to this day as he approaches his mid 70's

John Adams

Heard him sing couple years ago and his voice is better and still amazing at his age...unbelievable!

Jimmy Running Dog

Those long winters hardened him up.

miked

Finally got to see these guys at some festival. It was incredible. I love this band still.God I love how CF screams in this one..

Rob Arnold

This album, but more specifically this track, changed everything for me. I found my musical identity at the age of 13 when this album came out. The track on the album that was released as a single was “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”. It led me to purchase “Not Fragile” and my taste in Rock music was forever defined when I heard the opening notes of this heavy hitter. “Sledgehammer”! That’s when it all started.

Currren sthlm-khon kaen

great dude 😍

mike yancik

you got that right,,, as skynyrd would say

Samuel W

That opening riff is just enough to send chills up my spine and if that is not enough, Fred Turner's vocals just split my head in 2!!!! 

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