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The LamiaGenesis

Released: November 18, 1974

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

Producer: Genesis John Burns

[Verse 1]
The scent grows richer
He knows he must be near
He finds a long passageway
Lit by chandelier
Each step he takes, the perfumes change
From familiar fragrance to flavors strange
A magnificent chamber meets his eye

[Verse 2]
Inside, a long rose-water pool
Is shrouded by fine mist
Stepping in the moist silence
With a warm breeze, he's gently kissed
Thinking he is quite alone
He enters the room as if it were his own
But ripples on the sweet pink water
Reveal some company unthought of

[Bridge 1]
Rael stands astonished, doubting his sight
Struck by beauty, gripped in fright
Three vermilion snakes of female face
The smallest motion, filled with grace

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Muted melodies
Fill the echoing hall
But there is no sign of warning
In the siren's call

[Chorus 1]
"Rael, welcome
We are the Lamia of the pool
We have been waiting for our waters
To bring you cool”

[Piano Interlude]

[Verse 3]
Putting fear beside him
He trusts in beauty blind
He slips into the nectar
Leaving his shredded clothes behind
With their tongues, they test, taste, and judge
All that is mine
They move in a series of caresses
That glide up and down my spine

[Verse 4]
As they nibble the fruit of my flesh
I feel no pain
Only a magic
That a name would stain
With the first drop of my blood in their veins
Their faces are convulsed in mortal pains
The fairest cries, “We all have loved you, Rael"

[Bridge 2]
Each empty snake-like body floats
Silent sorrow in empty boats
A sickly sourness fills the room
The bitter harvest of a dying bloom

[Pre-Chorus 2]
Looking for motion
I know I will not find
I stroke the curls, now turning pale
In which I'd lain entwined

[Chorus 2]
Oh lamia, your flesh that remains
I will take as my food
It is the scent of garlic that lingers
On my chocolate fingers

[Piano and Synthesizer Interlude]

[Outro]
Looking behind me
The water turns icy-blue
The lights are dimmed, and once again
The stage is set for you

[Guitar Solo]

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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