Genesis

Released: October 13, 1973

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

Producer: John Burns Genesis

[Instrumental Intro]

[Verse 1]
The path is clear
Though no eyes can see
The course laid down long before
And so with gods and men
The sheep remain inside their pen
Though many times they've seen the way to leave

[Verse 2]
He rides majestic
Past homes of men
Who care not or gaze with joy
To see reflected there
The trees, the sky, the lily fair
The scene of death is lying just below

[Bridge]
The mountain cuts off the town from view
Like a cancer growth is removed by skill
Let it be revealed

A waterfall, his madrigal
An inland sea, his symphony
Na na na na na
Na na

[Verse 3]
Undinal songs
Urge the sailors on
'Til lured by the sirens' cry

[Instrumental Interlude]

[Verse 4]
Now as the river dissolves in sea
So Neptune has claimed another soul
And so with gods and men
The sheep remain inside their pen
Until the shepherd leads his flock away
The sands of time were eroded by
The river of constant change

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

Selling England by the Pound

From the album

Selling England by the Pound (1973)

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Selling England by the Pound