She never thought about the future, she just did what she would
Oh, but she really cared
About her music, it all seemed so important then
And she dreamed that everytime that she performed
Everyone would cry for more
That all she had to do was step into the light
And everyone would start to roar
And on the road
Where all but a few fall by the wayside, on the grassier verge
She battled through
Against the others in her world, and the sleep, and the odds
But now everytime that she performed
Everybody cried for more
Soon all she had to do was step into the light
For everyone to start to roar
And all the people cried: "You're the one we've waited for!"
But time went by
It wasn't so easy now, all uphill and not feeling so strong
Yes, times were hard
Too much thinking about the future and what the people might want
And then there was the time that she performed
When NOBODY called for more
And soon everytime she stepped into the light
They really let her know the score
But she dreamed of the times when she sang her songs
And everybody cried for more
When all she had to do was step into the light
For everyone to start to roar
And all the people cried: "You're the one we've waited for!"
Genesis were an English rock band formed at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey, in 1967. The band's longest-existing and most commercially successful line-up consisted of keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford and drummer/singer Phil Collins. In the 1970s, during which the band also included singer Peter Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett, Genesis were among the pioneers of progressive rock.
The group were formed by five Charterhouse pupils, including Banks, Rutherford, Gabriel and guitarist Anthony Phillips, and named by former Charterhouse pupil and pop impresario Jonathan King, who arranged for them to record several singles and their debut album From Genesis to Revelation in 1969. After splitting from King, the band began touring, signed with Charisma Records and became a progressive rock band on Trespass (1970). Phillips departed after the album's recording, with Banks, Rutherford and Gabriel recruiting Collins and Hackett before recording Nursery Cryme (1971). Their live shows began to feature Gabriel's theatrical costumes and performances. Foxtrot (1972) was their first charting album in the UK and Selling England by the Pound (1973) reached number three there, featuring their first UK hit "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)". The concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974) was promoted with a transatlantic tour and an elaborate stage show, before Gabriel left the group.
Collins took over as lead singer, and as a four-piece the group released A Trick of the Tail and Wind & Wuthering (both 1976) with continued success. Hackett left Genesis in 1977, reducing the band to a three-piece of Banks, Rutherford and Collins. Their ninth studio album, ...And Then There Were Three... (1978), contained the band's first major hit "Follow You Follow Me". Their next five studio albums – Duke (1980), Abacab (1981), Genesis (1983), Invisible Touch (1986) and We Can't Dance (1991) – were also successful. Collins left Genesis in 1996, and Banks and Rutherford replaced him with singer Ray Wilson, who appeared on their final studio album Calling All Stations (1997). The critical and commercial failure of the album led the group to disband. Banks, Rutherford and Collins reunited for the Turn It On Again Tour in 2007 and again in 2021 for The Last Domino? Tour.
With between 100 million and 150 million albums sold worldwide, Genesis are one of the world's best-selling music artists. Their discography includes 15 studio and 6 live albums. They have won numerous awards (including a Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video with "Land of Confusion") and have inspired a number of tribute bands recreating Genesis shows from various stages of the band's career. In 2010, Genesis were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
But this is in no way early Genesis. In fact, I stopped paying attention not long after Peter Gabriel left. I think they lost their unique qualities well before the album. Early includes Foxtrot, Nursery Cryme, etc.
Couldn't disagree more. Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks, and Phil Collins made a potent song writing team for years after Gabriel left (including this album and the two before it going back to 1976). It was just a different thing from the Gabriel years, much like Fleetwood Mac before and after Nicks/Buckingham.
Indeed. I was just spinning 'Selling England By The Pound' two days ago during my commute. Maybe Bill could play 'The Cinema Show' to get this place moving.
This was the only Genesis album I bought after Gabriel left to pursue his solo career. Without Gabriel's creative genius, I felt that the band, like Phil Collins, produced music that became too repetitious. That Peter Gabriel has stayed relevant much longer than his bandmate, Collins, has only reinforced my belief.
By ignoring A Trick of the Tail and Wind & Wuthering - I believe you are missing out on some quality output. Steve Hackett is still in and contributing his edge.
PG was the Gabriel years thru LLDOB. Great
TB were the Tony Banks years...ATTW3 through Duke. Very, very good
PC was the Collins...pop-star years. Not much worth re-listening to.
While I somewhat agree with the 3 phases breakdown ... your naming is not really fair to PC.
First, you missed two (very good) albums (Wind and Wuthering and Trick of the Tail) between LLDOB and ATTW3. Second, PC did the lion's share of the songwriting for all four of those albums that you call the "TB years". And those "pop-star years" continued even after PC left in 1996, and TB (with MR) continued without him, with TB doing the bulk of song-writing, and Ray Wilson doing vocals on Calling All Stations.
So TB (and MR) were at least equally responsible for whatever new directions they took ("pop-star" or not) after the departure of Gabriel.
Remember that old saying that religion and politics were off limits at dinner?
Maybe that should be religion, politics and Genesis.
I think Genesis falls under the "religion" category, along with Exodus, Leviticus...
This was 5 years, and 4 albums, after Peter Gabriel left.
I love this album!
Just re-bought this album on vinyl (VG+...so happy for the find!) and its as spectacular as it was 40some years ago. Approachable and yet, still challenging...definitely worth loving!
Seconds Out is a masterpiece in my opinion. Things start going downhill after And then there were 3.
*Floats off with the fairies for a bit*
Abacab is pretty killer and their eponymous '83 release has it's moments, particularly Home By The Sea (parts 1 and 2).
PG was the Gabriel years thru LLDOB. Great
TB were the Tony Banks years...ATTW3 through Duke. Very, very good
PC was the Collins...pop-star years. Not much worth re-listening to.
While I somewhat agree with the 3 phases breakdown ... your naming is not really fair to PC.
First, you missed two (very good) albums (Wind and Wuthering and Trick of the Tail) between LLDOB and ATTW3. Second, PC did the lion's share of the songwriting for all four of those albums that you call the "TB years". And those "pop-star years" continued even after PC left in 1996, and TB (with MR) continued without him, with TB doing the bulk of song-writing, and Ray Wilson doing vocals on Calling All Stations.
So TB (and MR) were at least equally responsible for whatever new directions they took ("pop-star" or not) after the departure of Gabriel.
Who's on first?