As you may know, it was on April 29th of last year (2011) that my best friend, John Michael Crivaro died. At the time of his death, he was working on a list of 50 of his favorite Genesis songs so I thought I'd make a new list as a tribute. The songs included in the photo above have been retained.
50. The Silent Sun
And so we begin with a song released as the band's first single from 1968, later rerecorded for their first album, 'From Genesis to Revelation' (1969). Their record label at the time, Decca pushed for a lush, commercial pop sound with strings and horns which the band would soon outgrow. The album was produced by Jonathan King, who also named the band.
49. I Can't Dance
Genesis had their share of silly songs, both during and after the Peter Gabriel years. However, they could make them catchy enough that you liked it. This is the title track to the band's final album with Phil Collins, 'We Can't Dance' (1991).
48. Illegal Alien
Who writes songs about controversial political issues? These guys. And I doubt any musician could get away with a music video with fake mustaches and Mexican accents.
47. Jesus He Knows Me
Genesis' dig at televangelists. Like Frank Zappa, they pointed out their outlandish lifestyles and how they conflicted with what was being preached. But of course, there are a lot Christians who are not like this at all.
46. Harold the Barrel
A song about a depressed restaurant owner with a fussy mother. Probably the closest Genesis ever got to sounding like the Beatles, quirkiness aside.
45. The Conqueror
A tale of a royal a-hole (or who is at least perceived to be one). Nice fuzz guitar from Anthony Phillips. The song begins with a variation on the chorus to In The Wilderness.
44. Happy the Man
This 1972 single features lyrics such as "like a nun with a gun" and reminds me a lot of Cat Stevens (Yusuf).
43. Mama
This is the first track off their 1983 self-titled album, it's about a young man's fixation with an older female prostitute and features a chilling laugh from Phil, "Ha-HA! Ha-HA!". The band had fantastic light sequencing in their later days and this song certainly benefited from it.
42. Just a Job to Do
This song showcases the rockier side of Genesis. The riff almost reminds me of 'Another One Bites the Dust' by Queen or 'Who's Making Love' by Johnny Taylor. Another stellar track from Genesis' self-titled album.
41. Abacab
This song has a pulsating bass pedal (repeating the same note) like Turn It On Again. The title comes from the form of the song: A B A C A B.
40. Invisible Touch
'Invisible Touch' (1986) is the album with the hit song of the same name and the album that got my sister and I into Genesis as a kid. One day, around the age of 8, my mother and sister went for a walk but I decided to stay home and make a copy of the album to cassette. Around the same time I was listening to 'So' (1986) by Peter Gabriel. So imagine my surprise when my parents told me that Peter Gabriel used to be in Genesis!
39. A Trick of the Tail
The title track from their first of two albums released in 1976 and their first without Peter Gabriel, pop to be proud of. The promo film (see below) features a shrunken Phil Collins and the rest of the band superimposed onto Tony Banks' piano. They've got no horns and they've got no tails...
38. Follow You Follow Me
A nice pop hit from the band's first album as a trio, '...And Then There Were Three...' (1978) with Mike playing bass and lead guitar. Tony rocks the ARP 2600.
37. Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers.../...In That Quiet Earth
The first song, Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers is an instrumental that segues into a soaring lead guitar line by Steve Hackett for the second song, ...In That Quiet Earth; from the last studio album with Steve Hackett, 'Wind & Wuthering' (1977).
36. Lilywhite Lilith
This pseudo-ballad features good unison from Peter and Phil and includes a reprise of The Broadway Melody of 1974 with different lyrics.
35. Behind the Lines
The opening track from 'Duke' (1980). If this doesn't pump you up, 'Man of Our Times' should. It's written in the book.
34. Man of Our Times
Phil sure likes singing the word "tonight" a lot.
P. S.: No one does drum fills like Phil.
33. It
The finale to 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' (1974), their final album with Peter Gabriel. If you haven't heard the album all the way through then you may want to save listening to it until you do; trust me, it's worth it. It's only knock and knowall, but I like it.
32. Land of Confusion
Another political song, later covered by Disturbed. The music video features puppets made for UK TV show, 'Spitting Image' and takes a blatant swipe at US president Ronald Reagan.
31. Domino: In the Glow of the Night/The Last Domino
Two songs partially inspired by the 1982 Israel-Lebanon War. Not a subject I'd otherwise mention.
The riff in In the Glow of the Night reminds me of Mama.
30. Throwing It All Away
Yeah, it's a ballad but a memorable one at that.
29. Entangled
This song is a tapestry of sound that will be entangled in your eardrums. Proof Genesis could still progressively rock without PG.
28. Turn It On Again
A hit from the hybrid pop-progressive album, 'Duke' (1980). I like it a heck of a lot better than 'Misunderstanding', a rip-off of 'Hot Fun in the Summertime' by Sly & the Family Stone.
27. For Absent Friends
The first song Phil sang lead vocals on, from 'Nursery Cryme' (1971). A favorite of my mom's.
26. Counting Out Time
Peter and Steve really shine on this one. The book said I could not fail.
25. Duke's Travels/Duke's End
These two songs end the album (you guessed it) 'Duke' (1980) and include fragments of other songs on the album, in the vein of Los Endos.
24. Los Endos
The finale to 'A Trick of the Tail' and a live favorite for years to come. Johnny C. called it, "The greatest instrumental of all time."
23. Seven Stones
If you happen to have a vinyl copy of 'Nursery Cryme' (1971), this song begins the second side. Great dynamics like on The Fountain of Salmacis.
22. Can-Utility and the Coastliners
A standout track from 'Foxtrot' (1972). If you don't have this album and are a Genesis fan, you need to get it.
21. Get 'Em Out by Friday
A song about a greedy landlord whose story morphs into science fiction. Can you say "humanoid"?
20. Stagnation
As mentioned earlier, Genesis used a lot of dynamics in the PG era. 'Trespass' (1970) marks a dramatic improvement from 'From Genesis to Revelation' (1969).
19. Eleventh Earl of Mar
Wow. This bridge in this song makes you want to get up and march. Steve really tears the solo up. The reason to listen to 'Wind & Wuthering' (1977).
18. Robbery, Assault and Battery
An epic tale in the vein of The Battle of Epping Forest albeit with a slight disco feel on the drums. The promo film features the band lip-syncing on a stage and is interspersed with an action sequences starring Phil as the robber, Mike as the cleaner and Phil, Steve and Mike as the policemen.
17. The Battle of Epping Forest
Another epic story that tells of a battle between the gangs of Willy Wright and Little John's Thugs (AKA The Barking Slugs) with an interlude from the Reverend. Just like any picnic.
16. Duchess
Basically a song about a diva, a bisexual drum machine... and Phil in a fedora.
15. Dance on a Volcano
The opening track to 'A Trick of the Tail' (1976). This song used to terrify me with the lights turned off. Let the dance begin...
14. Inside and Out
The final track off the 'Spot the Pigeon' EP (1977), recorded during the 'Wind & Wuthering' (1977) sessions and Steve's swan song with the band.
13. Twilight Alehouse
This song was the B-side to the single version of I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) (1973). The feel on the chorus is a lot like Get 'Em Out By Friday.
P. S.: I added this song at the last minute because I had listed Duke's Travels/Duke's End twice.
12. More Fool Me
I remember watching 'Six Hours Live' with Johnny C. and us singing and playing this song on our acoustic guitars. To be honest, I'm tearing up thinking about it.
11. Squonk
Weird title, great song about a mythical creature that dissolves into a pool of tears.
10. The Carpet Crawlers
There is lamb's wool under my naked feet.
-Rael (the main character in 'The Lamb', not to be confused with the UFO religion...)
9. The Cinema Show
A tale featuring Romeo, Juliet, Father Tiresias and a kick-ass keyboard solo.
P. S.: Maybe it's just me but the phrase "chocolate surprise" sounds like part of a fecal or penis joke.
8. Firth of Fifth
This is a song to listen with headphones. A feast of Pete's flute, Steve's guitar and Tony's keys. The path is clear. Though no eyes can see. The course laid down long before...
7. The Return of the Giant Hogweed
Another early stage favorite, almost psychedelic. Herbicidal battering.
6. In the Cage
The suspense in this song is incredible. Your heartbeat may increase while listening to it.
5. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
A song about a lawn mower and one of the band's first to make the UK single charts.
4. The Knife
The Knife was a staple (or blade) of their early live act.
Genesis Fact: For the album cover of 'Trespass', artist Paul Whitehead actually stuck a knife through the painting. He would later do the album covers for 'Nursery Cryme' (1971) and 'Foxtrot' (1972).
3. Watcher of the Skies
A song Mike Rutherford wrote about extraterrestrial life, the opening track to 'Foxtrot' (1972) and one of PG's most famous costumes: bat wings and blacklight eye makeup. Mike gets funky on the bass. For reals.
2. The Musical Box
So around the time I learned that Peter Gabriel used to be in Genesis, I played a scratchy vinyl copy of my parents' 'Nursery Cryme'/'Foxtrot' double LP set. This is the song that got me into PG Genesis. This song was also a frequent encore in the band's live shows.
1. Supper's Ready:
Lover's Leap/The Guaranteed Eternal Sanctuary Man/Ikhnaton and Itsacon and Their Band of Merry Men/How Dare I Be So Beautiful?/Willow Farm/Apocalypse in 9/8 (Co-Starring the Delicious Talents of Gabble Ratchet/As Sure As Eggs Is Eggs (Aching Men's Feet)
That's right. Seven songs, Twenty-two minutes and fifty-four seconds. Featuring lovers, holy men... Holy crap! This is a trip to listen to and I suggest you listen to it right now.
A flower?
