The Rhythm of the Heat

In 1985, the song was used during the opening scene of "Evan" in season one of Miami Vice and also appeared in the Oliver Stone film Natural Born Killers in 1994.

Another sample from the Fairlight, the "Pizztwang", was created by slowing down dulcimers and other stringed instruments; this sound enters following a brief wordless vocal passage from Gabriel.

[1] Gabriel sought to evoke a Ghanaian war dance during the ending of "The Rhythm of the Heat" and supplemented the section with loud bass accents.

[6] The Ghanaian drums during the song's ending were played by the Ekome Dance Company, an Afro-Caribbean performance group based in Bristol.

[3] The song served as the set opener for Gabriel's Security Tour, where members of his band walked through the audience playing marching drums before reaching the stage.

[9] Adam Sweeting of Melody Maker said that the song's ending "builds up intensity and massive atmosphere", further adding that it would serve as a fitting soundtrack for a Peter Weir film.