Genesis (album)
Encyclopedia
Genesis is the 12th studio album by Genesis
. It was recorded and released in 1983. It is sometimes referred to as the "Mama" album. In some cases, it has been referred to as the "Shapes" or "Gold Shapes" album because of the front cover. The shapes are from the Tupperware
"Shape O Toy Ball." The toy consists of a blue and red hollow ball with different shaped holes cut into the surface, into which the shaped pieces can be inserted.
Genesis (so named for the fact that all three band members composed every song on it together) marked the beginning of Hugh Padgham
's formal production assistance after engineering Abacab.
"Mama
", a song about a man's obsession with a prostitute, became Genesis' biggest UK hit, reaching No.20 upon release (and ultimately peaking at No.4), although the song did not do well in the US singles chart. Further successes "That's All
" (which became the band's first US Top 10 hit), "Illegal Alien" and "Taking It All Too Hard" ensured that Genesis was well received, and it reached No.1 in the UK, remaining in the charts for 51 weeks. It also reached No.9 in the US, eventually selling over four million copies there alone.
A SACD
/ DVD double disc set (including new 5.1 and Stereo mixes) was released in October 2007 in Europe and as a CD and DVD double disc set in the US and Canada a month later.
", "That's All
", and "Illegal Alien
" were written by Phil Collins. The lyrics to "Home by the Sea
", and "Silver Rainbow" were written by Tony Banks. The lyrics to "Taking It All Too Hard
" and "Just a Job to Do
" were written by Mike Rutherford.
, Phil Collins
, and Mike Rutherford
.
Encore:
The Carpet Crawlers and Who Dunnit?* were played early on in the tour, but were dropped a short while in.
with
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...
. It was recorded and released in 1983. It is sometimes referred to as the "Mama" album. In some cases, it has been referred to as the "Shapes" or "Gold Shapes" album because of the front cover. The shapes are from the Tupperware
Tupperware
Tupperware is the name of a home products line that includes preparation, storage, containment, and serving products for the kitchen and home, which were first introduced to the public in 1946....
"Shape O Toy Ball." The toy consists of a blue and red hollow ball with different shaped holes cut into the surface, into which the shaped pieces can be inserted.
Genesis (so named for the fact that all three band members composed every song on it together) marked the beginning of Hugh Padgham
Hugh Padgham
Hugh Padgham is a British record producer. He has won many awards, including four Grammys, with Producer of the Year and Engineer of the Year. A 1992 poll in Mix magazine voted him one of the world's Top Ten Most Influential Producers....
's formal production assistance after engineering Abacab.
"Mama
Mama (Genesis song)
"Mama" was the first single from Genesis' 1983 self-titled album. It is recognizable for its harsh drum machine introduction composed by Mike Rutherford, which leads into minimalist synthesizer lines in minor keys and finally Phil Collins' reverb-laden voice. It remains the band's biggest...
", a song about a man's obsession with a prostitute, became Genesis' biggest UK hit, reaching No.20 upon release (and ultimately peaking at No.4), although the song did not do well in the US singles chart. Further successes "That's All
That's All (Genesis song)
"That's All" is a song by Genesis. The song, a group composition with lyrics written by lead singer/drummer Phil Collins, appears as the second track on their 1983 album Genesis, and was its second single after "Mama"....
" (which became the band's first US Top 10 hit), "Illegal Alien" and "Taking It All Too Hard" ensured that Genesis was well received, and it reached No.1 in the UK, remaining in the charts for 51 weeks. It also reached No.9 in the US, eventually selling over four million copies there alone.
A SACD
Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
/ DVD double disc set (including new 5.1 and Stereo mixes) was released in October 2007 in Europe and as a CD and DVD double disc set in the US and Canada a month later.
Background
Though the songs were group-composed, the lyrics were written by individual band members. The lyrics to "MamaMama (Genesis song)
"Mama" was the first single from Genesis' 1983 self-titled album. It is recognizable for its harsh drum machine introduction composed by Mike Rutherford, which leads into minimalist synthesizer lines in minor keys and finally Phil Collins' reverb-laden voice. It remains the band's biggest...
", "That's All
That's All (Genesis song)
"That's All" is a song by Genesis. The song, a group composition with lyrics written by lead singer/drummer Phil Collins, appears as the second track on their 1983 album Genesis, and was its second single after "Mama"....
", and "Illegal Alien
Illegal Alien (song)
"Illegal Alien" is the fifth track in the 1983 album Genesis by Genesis.The song's lyrics are a lighter, humorous depiction of the frustrations an illegal immigrant faces, leading up to the chorus: "It's no fun/Being an illegal alien". The song is rarely played on United States radio stations...
" were written by Phil Collins. The lyrics to "Home by the Sea
Home by the Sea
"Home by the Sea" is a suite of two songs by English progressive rock band Genesis. It first appeared on their eponymous album in 1983. Lyrically, the song is about a burglar who breaks into a house only to find it is a haunted prison...
", and "Silver Rainbow" were written by Tony Banks. The lyrics to "Taking It All Too Hard
Taking It All Too Hard
"Taking It All Too Hard" is the sixth track from the 1983 album Genesis by Genesis. It is known for Tony Banks' work on his Yamaha CP-70 electric piano....
" and "Just a Job to Do
Just A Job To Do
"Just a Job to Do" is a song by Genesis. It was released on their 1983 self-titled album Genesis. The lyrics, written by guitarist–bassist Mike Rutherford, tell the story of a private investigator chasing down his subject...
" were written by Mike Rutherford.
Track listing
All songs written by Tony BanksTony Banks (musician)
This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
, 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....
, and Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford
Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
.
Side one
- "MamaMama (Genesis song)"Mama" was the first single from Genesis' 1983 self-titled album. It is recognizable for its harsh drum machine introduction composed by Mike Rutherford, which leads into minimalist synthesizer lines in minor keys and finally Phil Collins' reverb-laden voice. It remains the band's biggest...
" – 6:46 - "That's AllThat's All (Genesis song)"That's All" is a song by Genesis. The song, a group composition with lyrics written by lead singer/drummer Phil Collins, appears as the second track on their 1983 album Genesis, and was its second single after "Mama"....
" – 4:22 - "Home by the SeaHome by the Sea"Home by the Sea" is a suite of two songs by English progressive rock band Genesis. It first appeared on their eponymous album in 1983. Lyrically, the song is about a burglar who breaks into a house only to find it is a haunted prison...
" – 4:46 - "Second Home by the Sea" – 6:22
Side two
- "Illegal AlienIllegal Alien (song)"Illegal Alien" is the fifth track in the 1983 album Genesis by Genesis.The song's lyrics are a lighter, humorous depiction of the frustrations an illegal immigrant faces, leading up to the chorus: "It's no fun/Being an illegal alien". The song is rarely played on United States radio stations...
" – 5:12 - "Taking It All Too HardTaking It All Too Hard"Taking It All Too Hard" is the sixth track from the 1983 album Genesis by Genesis. It is known for Tony Banks' work on his Yamaha CP-70 electric piano....
" – 3:54 - "Just a Job to DoJust A Job To Do"Just a Job to Do" is a song by Genesis. It was released on their 1983 self-titled album Genesis. The lyrics, written by guitarist–bassist Mike Rutherford, tell the story of a private investigator chasing down his subject...
" – 4:44 - "Silver Rainbow" – 4:27
- "It's Gonna Get Better" – 5:00
Cut Song
A "bit" (fragment of music too short to be used as a complete piece) written during Genesis sessions was later developed into the song "A Call to Arms" on Mike + The Mechanics (1985). Collins and Banks were unenthusiastic about the "bit" and had voted against developing it.Singles
- "MamaMama (Genesis song)"Mama" was the first single from Genesis' 1983 self-titled album. It is recognizable for its harsh drum machine introduction composed by Mike Rutherford, which leads into minimalist synthesizer lines in minor keys and finally Phil Collins' reverb-laden voice. It remains the band's biggest...
" - "That's AllThat's All (Genesis song)"That's All" is a song by Genesis. The song, a group composition with lyrics written by lead singer/drummer Phil Collins, appears as the second track on their 1983 album Genesis, and was its second single after "Mama"....
" - "Home by the SeaHome by the Sea"Home by the Sea" is a suite of two songs by English progressive rock band Genesis. It first appeared on their eponymous album in 1983. Lyrically, the song is about a burglar who breaks into a house only to find it is a haunted prison...
" - "Illegal AlienIllegal Alien (song)"Illegal Alien" is the fifth track in the 1983 album Genesis by Genesis.The song's lyrics are a lighter, humorous depiction of the frustrations an illegal immigrant faces, leading up to the chorus: "It's no fun/Being an illegal alien". The song is rarely played on United States radio stations...
" - "Taking It All Too HardTaking It All Too Hard"Taking It All Too Hard" is the sixth track from the 1983 album Genesis by Genesis. It is known for Tony Banks' work on his Yamaha CP-70 electric piano....
"
Personnel
- Phil Collins – vocals, drums, percussion
- Tony Banks – keyboards, background vocals
- Mike Rutherford – guitars, bass guitar, background vocals
Tour
Genesis toured in support of the self-titled album nicknaming the tour The Mama Tour between November 1983 and March 1984.Setlist
- Dodo/Lurker*
- AbacabAbacab (song)"Abacab" is a song by the British rock band Genesis, released on August 14, 1981. It was produced by Genesis and distributed in the United States by Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group. The song, written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford, was featured on Genesis' album of the...
* - That's AllThat's All (Genesis song)"That's All" is a song by Genesis. The song, a group composition with lyrics written by lead singer/drummer Phil Collins, appears as the second track on their 1983 album Genesis, and was its second single after "Mama"....
* - MamaMama (Genesis song)"Mama" was the first single from Genesis' 1983 self-titled album. It is recognizable for its harsh drum machine introduction composed by Mike Rutherford, which leads into minimalist synthesizer lines in minor keys and finally Phil Collins' reverb-laden voice. It remains the band's biggest...
* - Old Medley
- Man On The Corner*
- Illegal AlienIllegal Alien (song)"Illegal Alien" is the fifth track in the 1983 album Genesis by Genesis.The song's lyrics are a lighter, humorous depiction of the frustrations an illegal immigrant faces, leading up to the chorus: "It's no fun/Being an illegal alien". The song is rarely played on United States radio stations...
- Home by the SeaHome by the Sea"Home by the Sea" is a suite of two songs by English progressive rock band Genesis. It first appeared on their eponymous album in 1983. Lyrically, the song is about a burglar who breaks into a house only to find it is a haunted prison...
/Second Home By the Sea* - Keep It DarkKeep It Dark"Keep It Dark" is a song by British band, Genesis, released on October 23, 1981 as a single in Europe only. The track wasn't released as a single in the U.S.-Song information:...
- It's Gonna Get Better
- Follow You Follow Me*
- In the CageIn the Cage (song)"In the Cage" is a song by progressive rock band Genesis on their 1974 double-album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Along with the title track and "The Carpet Crawlers," it is one of the few songs from the album to remain in Genesis's live repertoire after the Lamb tour.The lyrics describe the...
- The Cinema ShowThe Cinema Show"The Cinema Show" is an epic rock song by British progressive rock band Genesis from their 1973 album, Selling England by the Pound.Musically, the song is divided into two main sections: The first section is a gentle 12-string guitar-based piece, featuring vocal harmonies between Peter Gabriel and...
(closing section)/Riding the Scree (teaser)/The Cinema Show/...In That Quiet Earth/The Colony of Slippermen (c) The Raven - AfterglowAfterglowAn afterglow is a broad high arch of whitish or rosy light appearing in the sky due to very fine particles of dust suspended in the high regions of the atmosphere. An afterglow may appear above the highest clouds in the hour of deepening twilight, or reflected from the high snowfields in mountain...
- Drum Duet
- Los EndosLos Endos"Los Endos" is an instrumental piece by English progressive rock band Genesis from their 1976 album A Trick of the Tail. It is one of the band's few forays into the world of jazz fusion and reflects drummer Phil Collins's involvement in the instrumental band Brand X...
Encore:
- MisunderstandingMisunderstanding (Genesis song)"Misunderstanding" is a song by British band Genesis, released on their 1980 album Duke. It reached number 14 in the US and number 42 in the UK.-History:...
- Turn It On AgainTurn It On Again"Turn It On Again" is a single from the British progressive rock band Genesis, from their 1980 album Duke.The lyrics deal with a man who does nothing more than watch his television, so much that he becomes obsessed with the people he watches on it, believing them to be his friends.The song is also...
(In the Midnight HourIn the Midnight Hour"In the Midnight Hour" is a song originally performed by Wilson Pickett in 1965 and released on the 1966 album The Exciting Wilson Pickett. It was composed by Pickett and Steve Cropper at the historic Lorraine Motel in Memphis where Martin Luther King, Jr. would later be murdered in April 1968...
, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" Satisfaction" is a song by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in 1965. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and produced by Andrew Loog Oldham. Richards's throwaway three-note guitar riff — intended to be replaced by horns — opens and drives the song...
, Pinball WizardPinball Wizard"Pinball Wizard" is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the English rock band The Who, and featured on their 1969 rock opera album Tommy. The original recording was released as a single in 1969 and reached No. 4 in the UK charts and No. 19 on the U.S...
)
The Carpet Crawlers and Who Dunnit?* were played early on in the tour, but were dropped a short while in.
Personnel
- Phil CollinsPhil CollinsPhilip 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....
– Lead Vocals, Drums, Electric and Acoustic Percussion - Tony BanksTony Banks (musician)This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
– Keyboards, Vocals - Mike RutherfordMike RutherfordMichael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
– Guitars, Bass guitar, Bass Pedals, Vocals
with
- Daryl StuermerDaryl StuermerDaryl Mark Stuermer is an American musician who plays guitar and bass for Genesis during live shows, and lead guitar for Phil Collins during most of his solo tours and albums.-Biography:...
– Guitars, Bass guitar*, backing vocals on "Illegal Alien" - Chester ThompsonChester ThompsonChester Cortez Thompson is an American drummer and session musician.-Biography:Thompson made his name as a session drummer, going on to play in Frank Zappa's touring band and with Weather Report...
– Drums, percussion - The group's road crew - backing vocals on "Illegal Alien"