"Driving the Last Spike" is the third track on the Genesis

Genesis (band)

Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...

 album We Can't Dance

We Can't Dance

Rolling Stone chiefly commented on the album's lyrics. They criticized "Tell Me Why" and "Way of the World" for being soulless and impersonal social commentaries, but regarded most of songs as outstanding, and summarized "Although We Can't Dance doesn't quite achieve the vulnerable grace of Duke or...

, released in 1991.

The song's lyrics were written by Phil Collins

Phil Collins

Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....

. They are about the railroad workers of the 19th century, many of whom died constructing Britain

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....

's railways. The song narrates the thoughts and feelings of an unnamed railroad worker in the form of a soliloquy

Soliloquy

A soliloquy is a device often used in drama whereby a character relates his or her thoughts and feelings to him/herself and to the audience without addressing any of the other characters, and is delivered often when they are alone or think they are alone. Soliloquy is distinct from monologue and...

 or internal monologue

Monologue

In theatre, a monologue is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience. Monologues are common across the range of dramatic media...

. The title is a phrase meaning the completion of a major railway project—placing the 'last spike

Last Spike

The Last Spike is the final rail spike driven in the construction of a railway. It is often a momentous occasion, and special ceremonial spikes of gold or silver may be used.Last Spike may refer to:*Last Spike , driven in 1885...

' is often a momentous occasion.

The original idea came from a book that actor Dennis Waterman

Dennis Waterman

Dennis Waterman is a British actor and singer, best known for his tough-guy roles in television series including The Sweeney, Minder and New Tricks.-Early life:...

 gave to Collins.

Live performances

"Driving the Last Spike" was performed live only on the band's 1992 The Way We Walk

We Can't Dance

Rolling Stone chiefly commented on the album's lyrics. They criticized "Tell Me Why" and "Way of the World" for being soulless and impersonal social commentaries, but regarded most of songs as outstanding, and summarized "Although We Can't Dance doesn't quite achieve the vulnerable grace of Duke or...

Tour. The second half of the song (starting at 5:41)
was transposed to a lower key starting sometime after the Texas shows early in the tour. This was done to accommodate Collins' deepening voice without straining. (A recording of an early performance of "Driving The Last Spike" was released as an Atlantic Records promo CD featuring the entire song in the album key.)

"Driving the Last Spike" was featured on the live album The Way We Walk, Volume Two: The Longs, and the live DVD The Way We Walk - Live in Concert

The Way We Walk - Live in Concert

Genesis – The Way We Walk – Live in Concert is a 2001 double DVD9 featuring live performances from the We Can't Dance tour by Genesis. The footage was filmed on 8 November 1992 at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London, and first released on VHS in March 1993 as Genesis Live – The Way We Walk – In...

.