Genesis

Released: February 1, 1976

Songwriter: Steve Hackett Mike Rutherford Phil Collins Tony Banks

Producer: Genesis David Hentschel

Holy mother of God
You've got to go faster than that
To get to the top
Dirty old mountain
All covered in smoke
She can turn you to stone
So you better start doing it right
Better start doing it right

You're halfway up
And you're halfway down
And the pack on your back
Is turning you around
Throw it away
You won't need it up there
And remember you don't look back
Whatever you do, better start doing it right

On your left and on your right
Crosses are green and crosses are blue
Your friends didn't make it through
Out of the night and out of the dark
Into the fire and into the fight
Well that's the way the heroes go, ho, ho, ho

Through a crack in mother earth
Blazing hot, the molten rock
Spills out over the land
And the lava's the lover
Who licks your boots away, hey, hey, hey

If you don't want to boil as well
B-b-better start the dance
D-d-do you want to dance with me?
You better start doing it right

The music's playing
The notes are right
Put your left foot first
And move into the light
The edge of this hill
Is the edge of the world
And if you're going to cross
You better start doing it right
Better start doing it right
You better start doing it right

Let the dance begin

Genesis are an English rock band formed at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey in 1967. The most commercially successful line-up includes keyboardist Tony Banks, guitarist Mike Rutherford and drummer/singer Phil Collins. Other important members were singer Peter Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett. The band underwent several significant changes in musical style over its career, from folk music to progressive rock in the 1970s, before moving towards pop at the end of the decade.

Formed by five Charterhouse pupils including Banks, Rutherford, Gabriel and Anthony Phillips, Genesis was named by former pupil Jonathan King who arranged them to record several unsuccessful singles and an album. After splitting with King, the group began touring professionally, signing with Charisma Records. Following the departure of Phillips, Genesis recruited Collins and Hackett and recorded several progressive rock style albums, with live shows centred around Gabriel’s theatrical costumes and performances.

Their discography includes fifteen studio and six live albums, six of which topped the UK chart. They have won numerous awards and nominations, including a Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video with “Land of Confusion” and 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. Their biggest hit to date is Invisible Touch which spent 3 consecutive weeks at #1.

more tracks from the album

A Trick of the Tail

From the album

A Trick of the Tail (1976)

Genesis popular songs

Dance on a VolcanoGenesis

Genesis

A Trick of the Tail