Genesis

Released: February 1, 1976

Songwriter: Phil Collins Tony Banks

Producer: Genesis David Hentschel

The streets were deserted though the police were alerted
They considered the phone call a hoax
Furtively glancing then jauntily prancing
The youth caught the guards unaware

Slipping between them, he ought to have seen them
The eyes and their owner so near
With torch shining bright he strode on in the night
Till he came to the room with the safe

"Hello son, I hope you're having fun!"
"You've got it wrong, sir, I'm only the cleaner"
With that he fired, the other saying as he died
"You've done me wrong", it's the same old song forever, forever

Robbery, assault and battery
The felon and his felony
Robbery, assault and battery
The felon and his felony

He picked up the diamonds and bundles of fivers
He pushed them well down in his sack
But the alarm had been sounded, he was completely surrounded
But he had some more tricks up his sleeve

"Come outside with your hands held high!"
"You'll not get me alive, sir, I promise you that, sir"
With that he fired, the other saying as he died
"You've done me wrong", it's the same old song forever, forever

Robbery, assault and battery
The felon and his felony
Robbery, assault and battery
The felon and his felony

"He's leaving via the roof, the bastard's got away!
God always fights on the side of the bad man
Bad man, bad man, bad man"

I've got clean away but I'll be back some day
Just the combination will have changed
Some day they'll catch me, to a chain they'll attach me
Until that day I'll ride the old crime wave

If they try to hold me for trial
I'll stay out of jail by paying my bail
And after I'll go to the court of appeal saying
"You've done me wrong", it's the same old song forever, forever

Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song

Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song

Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song

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

Robbery, Assault & BatteryGenesis

Genesis

A Trick of the Tail