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I’d Rather Be YouGenesis

Released: January 18, 1987

Songwriter: Phil Collins Mike Rutherford Tony Banks

Producer: Hugh Padgham Genesis

Ooh yeah
You know I never wanted to be closer
And I'll still be here until it's over
No, no I never wanted to be closer
But you'll be back, I could've told you

Well I always knew
Yes I could see it coming
Your ambitious streak
You always want things beyond your reach
Well now you've got what you wanted
And you're free to be the things
You always said you'd be
You're up there looking down
Tell me what do you see - oh

Cos you know
You know I never wanted to be closer
And I'll still be here until it's over
No, no I never wanted to be closer
Yeah, but you'll be back, I could've told you

Well it seems to me
That you've got to fight for yourself
In this world we live in
It's dog-eat-dog and never give in
Why worry when you're holding the aces
Don't throw it away cos you know
I'd rather be you than me
Up there looking down
Tell me what do you see - oh

Hey hey yeah

Ooh yeah
You know I never wanted to be closer (never wanted)
And I'll still be here 'til it's over
No, no I never wanted to be closer (never wanted)
Ooh but you'll be back, I could've told you

It's been a long time coming
But at last we seem to be moving on, straight ahead
We're finally getting something done
Time flies and 'fore you know it
You'll be getting closer to where
You always knew you'd be
Up there looking down
Tell me what do you see - oh

Cos you know
No, no I never wanted to be closer (never wanted)
I'll still be here until it's over
No, you know I never wanted to be closer (never wanted)
Yeah but you'll be back, I could've told you

Hey hey yeah...

Genesis

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.

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