Genesis, the iconic British rock band formed in the late 1960s, has left an indelible mark on the music industry with their innovative sound, complex compositions, and captivating performances. Led by the charismatic Peter Gabriel and later fronted by the talented Phil Collins, Genesis has traversed various genres and musical styles throughout their extensive discography. In this article, we explore the best Genesis songs that have become timeless classics and showcase the band’s remarkable evolution over the years.
Best Genesis Songs
- “Supper’s Ready” – This is often considered Genesis’ magnum opus from the Peter Gabriel era. It’s a 23-minute progressive rock epic divided into seven sections, each with a unique sound and lyrical theme.
- “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” – The title track from their double concept album is another standout from the Gabriel era.
- “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)” – One of their first commercial successes, this song is well-known for its catchy melody and whimsical lyrics.
- “Dancing with the Moonlit Knight” – This is a staple song from the “Selling England by the Pound” album, combining progressive rock with elements of British folk music.
- “Firth of Fifth” – This song is a fan favorite, especially due to its remarkable piano intro and Steve Hackett’s iconic guitar solo.
- “Invisible Touch” – The title track from their most commercially successful album, this song is one of the most well-known from the Phil Collins era.
- “Land of Confusion” – Famous not just for its music, but also for its music video featuring Spitting Image puppets.
- “Follow You Follow Me” – Genesis’s first significant hit single, marking a shift toward a more pop-oriented sound.
- “Mama” – Known for its haunting drum machine rhythm and Collins’s emotive vocals, this track was a significant hit from the Genesis’ self-titled album.
- “Home by the Sea/Second Home by the Sea” – From their self-titled album, this two-part song blends pop with progressive elements, featuring an atmospheric synth and some intricate instrumental passages.
- “Watcher of the Skies” – The opener from their “Foxtrot” album is known for its distinctive Mellotron introduction and is a classic from the Peter Gabriel era.
- “Carpet Crawlers” – This is a fan-favorite track from “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway,” featuring haunting lyrics and beautiful harmonies.
- “Squonk” – From the “A Trick of the Tail” album, this song features powerful rhythms and a catchy chorus.
- “Ripples” – A beautiful ballad from “A Trick of the Tail”, with a strong melody and poignant lyrics.
- “Afterglow” – Known for its sweeping, atmospheric sound, this track from “Wind & Wuthering” showcases Tony Banks’ keyboard work.
- “Abacab” – The title track from their 1981 album, this song marks the band’s move into a more experimental, somewhat stripped-down direction.
- “That’s All” – One of Genesis’ most straightforward and catchy pop songs, featuring a memorable piano hook.
- “Turn It on Again” – This single from the “Duke” album is a fan-favorite, known for its shifting time signatures.
- “No Son of Mine” – Opening track from the “We Can’t Dance” album, this song features powerful lyrics about child abuse.
- “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight” – A hit single from the “Invisible Touch” album, this song features a catchy chorus and innovative use of synth sounds.
- “Musical Box” – A complex and dramatic piece from the “Nursery Cryme” album.
- “Los Endos” – An instrumental piece from “A Trick of the Tail,” this song features an incredible display of musicianship.
- “Entangled” – Another track from “A Trick of the Tail,” this is a hauntingly beautiful song with intricate guitar work.
- “The Cinema Show” – A track from “Selling England by the Pound” that’s notable for its lengthy instrumental section.
- “Dance on a Volcano” – This track from “A Trick of the Tail” kicks off the post-Peter Gabriel era of Genesis with a bang.
- “Harold the Barrel” – A whimsical and darkly humorous song from “Nursery Cryme.”
- “Duchess” – A standout track from the “Duke” album, it’s known for its beautiful melody and poignant lyrics.
- “Driving the Last Spike” – This song from “We Can’t Dance” is based on the true stories of the navvies who built the British railways.
- “The Knife” – A fan-favorite from “Trespass,” Genesis’s second studio album.
- “Man of Our Times” – From the “Duke” album, this song features a heavy guitar riff and electronic drums.
- “Illegal Alien” – One of Genesis’ most controversial songs, from their self-titled album.
- “Throwing It All Away” – This ballad from “Invisible Touch” became a big hit in the U.S.
- “Blood on the Rooftops” – This track from “Wind & Wuthering” is a beautiful song featuring Steve Hackett’s guitar and Phil Collins’ vocals.
- “The Battle of Epping Forest” – A humorous, sprawling epic from “Selling England by the Pound.”
- “I Can’t Dance” – From the “We Can’t Dance” album, it became one of Genesis’s biggest hit singles.
