Genesis

Released: November 12, 1971

Songwriter: Peter Gabriel Steve Hackett Phil Collins Mike Rutherford Tony Banks

Producer: John Anthony

News:
A well-known Bognor restaurant-owner disappeared
Early this morning
Last seen in a mouse-brown overcoat
Suitably camouflaged
They saw him catch a train

Man-in-the-street:
"Father of three its disgusting"
"Such a horrible thing to do"
Harold the Barrel cut off his toes and he served them all for tea
"He can't go far", "He can't go far"
"Hasn't got a leg to stand on"
"He can't go far"

Man-on-the-spot:
I'm standing in a doorway on the main square
Tension is mounting
There's a restless crowd of angry people

Man-on-the-council:
"More than we've ever seen
- had to tighten up security"

Over to the scene at the town hall
The Lord Mayor's ready to speak

LORD MAYOR:
"Man of suspicion, you can't last long, the British Public is on our side"

BRITISH PUBLIC:
"You can't last long", "You can't last long"
"Said you couldn't trust him, his brother was just the same"
"You can't last long"

HAROLD:
If I was many miles from here
I'd be sailing in an open boat on the sea
Instead I'm on this window ledge
With the whole world below

Up at the window
Look at the window

Mr. Plod:
"We can help you"

Plod's Chorus:
"We can help you"

Mr. Plod:
"We're all your friends if you come on down and talk to us son"

HAROLD:
You must be joking
Take a running jump

The crowd was getting stronger and our Harold
Getting weaker;
Forwards, backwards, swaying side to side
Fearing the very worst
They called his mother to the site
Up on the ledge beside him
His mother made a last request

67-yr-old Mrs Barrel:
"Come off the ledge - if your father were alive he'd be very, very, very upset"
"Just can't jump, you just can't jump"
"Your shirt's all dirty and there's a man here from the B.B.C."
"You just can't jump"

Mr. Plod:
"We can help you"

Plod's Chorus:
"We can help you"

Mr. Plod:
"We're all your friends if you come on down and talk to us Harry"

HAROLD:
You must be joking
Take a running jump

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

Nursery Cryme

From the album

Nursery Cryme (1971)

Genesis popular songs

Harold the BarrelGenesis

Genesis

Nursery Cryme