In the Cage (song)
Encyclopedia
"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 protagonist, Rael, waking up in a cave as stalactite
s and stalagmite
s are gradually forming a cage around his body. At one point he sees his brother John outside the cage and cries out for help, but John ignores him and turns away. The cage dissolves and Rael's body is left spinning like a top.
Another point of view of the song can be seen from the video backscreen in the 2007 TIOA tour. The protagonist, Rael, is shown running around a cage - trapped inside - and then breaking loose from it by shattering into several tiny pieces and floating through the bars of the cage.
Musically, the song is notable for its prominent synthesiser solo, performed by keyboardist Tony Banks on an ARP Pro Soloist
.
Two popular songs are referenced in the lyrics: The line "My little runaway" is taken from the Del Shannon song "Runaway
." The line "Raindrops keep falling on my head..." is taken from the song of the same name
, written by Burt Bacharach
and Hal David
.
When played live, the song is nearly always followed by a medley of Tony Banks's keyboard solos from other early Genesis songs, including "The Cinema Show
", "The Colony of Slippermen
", "Apocalypse in 9/8
", and others.
It was featured on the set list of the Turn It On Again Tour
in 2007.
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...
on their 1974 double-album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
The Lamb Lies down on Broadway
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a double concept album recorded and released in 1974 by the British rock band Genesis. It was their sixth studio album and the last album by the group to feature the involvement of lead singer Peter Gabriel.-Premise:...
. Along with the title track
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (song)
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is the first song from Genesis's 1974 album of the same name. The song was released as a single in the US but failed to chart. However, FM rock stations in the US would play this frequently....
and "The Carpet Crawlers
The Carpet Crawlers
"The Carpet Crawlers", also sometimes listed as "Carpet Crawl", "The Carpet Crawl" or "Carpet Crawlers", is a song originally from the 1974 Genesis concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway...
," 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 protagonist, Rael, waking up in a cave as stalactite
Stalactite
A stalactite , "to drip", and meaning "that which drips") is a type of speleothem that hangs from the ceiling of limestone caves. It is a type of dripstone...
s and stalagmite
Stalagmite
A stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. This stalagmite formation occurs only under certain pH conditions within the underground cavern. The corresponding formation on...
s are gradually forming a cage around his body. At one point he sees his brother John outside the cage and cries out for help, but John ignores him and turns away. The cage dissolves and Rael's body is left spinning like a top.
Another point of view of the song can be seen from the video backscreen in the 2007 TIOA tour. The protagonist, Rael, is shown running around a cage - trapped inside - and then breaking loose from it by shattering into several tiny pieces and floating through the bars of the cage.
Musically, the song is notable for its prominent synthesiser solo, performed by keyboardist Tony Banks on an ARP Pro Soloist
ARP Pro Soloist
The ARP Pro Soloist was one of the first commercially successful preset electronic music synthesizers. Introduced by ARP Instruments, Inc. in 1972, it replaced the similar ARP Soloist in the company's lineup of portable performance instruments.-History:...
.
Two popular songs are referenced in the lyrics: The line "My little runaway" is taken from the Del Shannon song "Runaway
Runaway (Del Shannon song)
"Runaway" was a number-one Billboard Hot 100 song made famous by Del Shannon in 1961. It was written by Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook, and became a major international hit...
." The line "Raindrops keep falling on my head..." is taken from the song of the same name
Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head
"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" is B. J. Thomas's #1 song, written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach for the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. David and Bacharach also won Best Original Score. It was recorded in seven takes, after...
, written by Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
and Hal David
Hal David
Harold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
.
When played live, the song is nearly always followed by a medley of Tony Banks's keyboard solos from other early Genesis songs, including "The Cinema Show
The 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...
", "The Colony of Slippermen
The Colony of Slippermen (Arrival - A Visit to the Doktor - Raven)
The Colony of Slippermen is a song by the progressive rock band Genesis. The lyrics were written by Peter Gabriel. It appears on the album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, and is composed of three parts:* a. "The Arrival"* b. "A Visit to the Doktor"* c...
", "Apocalypse in 9/8
Supper's Ready
"Supper's Ready" is a song by the band Genesis. A recorded version appeared on their 1972 album Foxtrot, and the band performed the song regularly on stage for several years following this...
", and others.
It was featured on the set list of the Turn It On Again Tour
Turn It on Again: The Tour
Turn It On Again: The Tour was a 2007 concert tour of Europe and North America by progressive rock band Genesis. The tour was notable for the return of drummer and vocalist Phil Collins, who left the group in 1996.-History:...
in 2007.
Personnel
- Peter Gabriel: vocals
- Steve Hackett: guitar
- Mike Rutherford: bass and bass pedals
- Tony Banks: ARP Pro Soloist, Hammond organ, RMI Electra Piano, Elka Rhapsody string synth and Mellotron M400
- Phil Collins: drums and percussion