Genesis

Released: November 18, 1974

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

Producer: John Burns Genesis

I see faces and traces of home
Back in New York City, you're home

So you think I'm a tough kid, is that what you heard?
Well, I like to see some action and it gets into my blood
They call me the trail blazer, Rael electric razor
I'm the pitcher in the chain gang, we don't believe in pain

'Cos we're only as strong
Yes we're only as strong
As the weakest link in the chain

Let me out of Pontiac when I was just seventeen
I had to get it out of me
If you know what I mean, what I mean

You say, I must be crazy, 'cos I don't care who I hit, who I hit
But I know it's me that's hitting out, and I'm, I'm not full of shit
I don't care who I hurt, I don't care who I do wrong
This is your mess, I'm stuck in, I really don't belong

When I take out my bottle filled up high with gasoline
You can tell by the night fires
Where Rael has been, has been

As I cuddled the porcupine
He said, I had none to blame, but me
Held my heart, deep in hair
Time to shave, shave it off, it off

No time for romantic escape
When your fluffy heart is ready for rape, no
No time for romantic escape
When your fluffy heart is ready for rape, no
No time for romantic escape
When your fluffy heart is ready for rape, no
Off we go, off we go, off we go, off we go

You're sitting in your comfort, you don't believe I'm real
You cannot buy protection from the way that I feel
Your progressive hypocrites hand out their trash
But it was mine in the first place, so I'll burn it to ash

And I've tasted all the strongest meats
And laid them down on colored sheets
Laid them down on colored sheets

Who needs illusion of love and affection
When you're out walking in the streets
With your mainline connection, connection

As I cuddle the porcupine
He said, I had none to blame, but me
Held my heart, deep in hair
Time to shave, shave it off, it off

No time for romantic escape
When your fluffy heart is ready for rape, no
No time for romantic escape
When your fluffy heart is ready for rape, no
No time for romantic escape
When your fluffy heart is ready for rape
No time

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

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

From the album

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974)

Genesis popular songs

Back in N.Y.C.Genesis

Genesis

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway