Genesis

Released: February 1, 1976

Songwriter: Tony Banks

Producer: Genesis David Hentschel

[Verse 1: Phil Collins]
Was it summer when the river ran dry
Or was it just another dam
When the evil of a snowflake in June
Could still be a source of relief
O how I love you, I once cried long ago
But I was the one who decided to go
To search beyond the final crest
Though I'd heard it said just birds could dwell so high

So I pretended to have wings for my arms
And took off in the air
I flew to places which the clouds never see
Too close to the deserts of sand
Where a thousand mirages, the shepherds of lies
Forced me to land and take a disguise
I would welcome a horses kick to send me back
If I could find a horse not made of sand

[Chorus: Phil Collins]
If this deserts all there'll ever be
Then tell me what becomes of me
A fall of rain
That must have been another of your dreams
A dream of mad man moon

[Instrumental until 4:49]

[Verse 2: Phil Collins]
Hey man
I'm the sand man
And boy have I news for you;
They're gonna throw you in jail
And you know they can't fail
Cos sand is thicker than blood
But a prison in sand
Is a haven in hell
For a jail can give you a goal
[and a] goal can find you a role
On a muddy pitch in Newcastle
Where it rains so much
You can't wait for a touch
Of sun and sand, sun and sand...

[Verse 3: Phil Collins]
Within the valley of shadow-less death
They pray for thunderclouds and rain
But to the multitude who stand in the rain
Heaven is where the sun shines
The grass will be greener till the stems turn to brown
And thoughts will fly higher till the earth brings them down
Forever caught in desert lands
One has to learn to disbelieve the sea

[Chorus: Phil Collins]
If this deserts all there'll ever be
Then tell me what becomes of me
A fall of rain?
That must have been another of your dreams
A dream of mad man moon

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)

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Mad Man MoonGenesis

Genesis

A Trick of the Tail