Genesis

Released: September 15, 1997

Songwriter: Ray Wilson Mike Rutherford Tony Banks

Producer: Genesis Nick Davis

Gimme a song I know, something I can relate to
People never criticize the way I play
Show me the way to go, I need to make a breakthrough
I don't think that I can wait another day

It's putting years on me, I'm a young man going grey
I don't believe that I can wait another day

This simple melody is all I have
I make my living that way
I make good friends that way
Ooh, I really can make no sense of it, as hard as I try
Is it something I do wrong please won't you tell me why
People all seem to like it and no one knows about it more than I

I met a man today who walked in my direction
Stopped took off his hat and lit a cigarette
He listened carefully to what I had been playing
He threw a coin into my hat and walked away

Always play just what they want me to
Everybody wants the same song
If only I could do it in my own way
I feel such emotion, emotion, ooh, emotion, emotion, ooh

Say gimme a song I know, something I can relate to
And no one wants to criticize the way I play
I should just say no and play them what I want to
Cos I don't think that I can wait another day

It's putting years on me, I'm a young man going grey
I don't believe that I can wait another day

This simple melody is all I have
I make my living that way
I make good friends that way
They feel my emotion, emotion, ooh, ooh
Emotion, emotion, ooh

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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