An article from American Songwriter examines three 1980s rock tracks celebrated for their distinctly visual and multisensory impact on listeners. The piece argues that these songs transcend typical audio experiences by stimulating imagination and creating vivid mental imagery alongside their melodies, functioning similarly to how visual art can inspire new perspectives and engage multiple senses simultaneously.

The three featured songs employ different narrative and lyrical strategies to achieve their immersive effects. Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" uses double-layered, suggestive imagery that rewards multiple interpretations; David Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes" vividly portrays altered consciousness and psychological confusion; and Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" constructs atmospheric tension through poetic language without spelling out explicit meaning. Each demonstrates how strategic lyrical choices and composition can create an encompassing imaginative experience.