„Superstition“ by Stevie Wonder and „Sledgehammer“ by Peter Gabriel

I’m starting this thread because I want to know if I’m the only one who thinks that these two songs have some similarities! Especially the drums and the horns are quiet similar in my opinion

 

They’re very similar rhythmically but other than that it never occurred to me. But I hear what you’re saying; for what it’s worth I prefer Superstition by a universe.

 

I can hear it slightly, but this is probably merely coincidental. It is obvious that Gabriel was channeling Stax and Otis Redding here more than early 70's Stevie Wonder.

 

I love both songs, but I also prefer „Superstition“ by Stevie Wonder

 

I always thought that „Superstition“ sounds like Stevie’s and Motown‘s attempt to make a Stax song

 

I hear similarities. I prefer Sledgehammer.

 

Not really similar

Perhaps

Very super stitious

You could have a steam train

 

I don't hear the similarities, to me nothing sounds, or will ever sound like ''Superstition'', never cared that much for ''Sledgehammer''.

 

Only similar in the way that every song within a given broad genre is similar (meaning, to me, not very)

I love both tunes by the way

 

They are both rhythmic and funky. The songs might have a relationship, but there is a huge continuum of soul, funk, and world music between each song’s genesis. Gabriel’s listening range at this point with his Real World label and festivals was much greater than many of his listeners/fans at this point.

 

Both are basically funk-rock songs and both use some of that genre's common beats and horn licks. There are quite a few other funk songs that contain beats, riffs, and licks that sound similar to these 2. Nothing to get sued for, though. Beats, riffs, and licks can't be copyrighted.

 

I never noticed it, but now that you’re saying it, there is some similarity. And I love both tracks enormously, so that’s okay.

 

Honestly, I don’t hear it.

 

I don't hear it one bit. The horns in Superstitious are rhythmic devices like those used in Funk and Ska. And the horns in Sledgehammer are flurries like those used in Soul songs used to fill. The drums aren't the same either. Superstitious is driven by the Toms and Sledgehammer is driven by accents on the Hi-Hat. Wonder was making a Soul song with an emphasis on rhythms. And Gabriel is just giving his take on Soul. One is the real thing looking outward and the other is an outsider looking toward Soul for his inspiration.

 

Roxy Music's Casanova sometimes makes me think of Superstition.

 

If you want to hear a track that's heavily inspired by Superstition then look no further:

 

I don't hear any similarities.

 

Both songs have a nice funky groove and feature prominent use of horns for added dramatic effect. Both also seem to be in similar keys.

 

There are similarities. Amazing that Stevie was 19 when he wrote and recorded Superstition. Sledgehammer owed much of its massive success to the stop go animation video that was quite innovative for the time and was on MTV/VH1 heavy rotation.

 

one difference is that superstation prominently features the clavinet which was a hip instrument in the 1970s.

 

No. Not even close.

 

Yes, you could wrap them both into a mashup mix. But, that doesn't mean you should. Unless you get off on that kind of thing.

 

Zep's "Trampled Underfoot" and Styx "Renegade" sound much more like Superstition than Sledgehammer in my opinion