Genesis Songs Ranked
Genesis is an English rock band formed at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey, in 1967. The most commercially successful and longest-lasting line-up consisted of keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford and drummer/singer Phil Collins. Other former members were original lead singer Peter Gabriel, and guitarists Anthony Phillips and Steve Hackett. The band moved from folk music to progressive rock in the 1970s, before moving towards pop at the end of the decade. They have sold 21.5 million copies of their albums in the United States, with worldwide sales of between 100 million and 150 million. Formed by five Charterhouse pupils including Banks, Rutherford, Gabriel, and Phillips, Genesis was named by former pupil Jonathan King, who arranged for them to record several unsuccessful singles and their debut album From Genesis to Revelation in 1968. After splitting with King, the group began to tour professionally, signed with Charisma Records, and recorded Trespass (1970) in the progressive rock style. Following the departure of Phillips, Genesis recruited Collins and Hackett and recorded Nursery Cryme (1971). Their live shows also began to be centered on Gabriel’s theatrical costumes and performances. They were first successful in mainland Europe, before entering the UK charts with Foxtrot (1972). In 1973, they released Selling England by the Pound (1973), which featured their first UK top 30 single “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)”. The concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway followed in 1974 and was promoted with a transatlantic tour featuring an elaborate stage show. Following the Lamb tour, Gabriel left Genesis in August 1975 to begin a solo career. Their discography includes fifteen studio and six live albums, six of which topped the UK chart. They have won numerous awards and nominations, including a Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video with “Land of Confusion”, and inspired a number of tribute bands recreating Genesis shows from various stages of the band’s career. In 2010, Genesis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here are all Genesis songs ranked
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20. Mad Man Moon (A Trick of the Tail, 1976)
“Magical beautiful track. Reminds me of being at school in the 70’s. Love playing this track watching the moon in the winter sky, surrounded by the clouds. Still listen to this album every October / November on my way to work and back home.. Just loose yourself with the lyrics & instrumental.. Pure genius even without Peter Gabriel..”
19. Dance on a Volcano (A Trick of the Tail, 1976)
“Not just one of Genesis’ greatest achievements, but one of the greatest moments in all of prog, A Trick of the Tail’s “Dance On a Volcano” is, without a doubt, the best single song the band cut with Collins at the mic. Beyond its breathlessly exciting, whiplash inducing 7/8 rhythmic structure and brilliant ensemble playing, this song features what are probably the best lyrics in any Genesis song. Sample verse: “The music’s playing, the notes are right/Put your left foot first and move into the light/The edge of this hill is the edge of the world/And if you’re gonna cross/You better start doing it right. ” Sure, the instrumental coda’s riff seems to cop from King Crimson’s “Fracture, ” but probably unintentionally. I simply cannot think of a more exciting six minutes within the genre, and it still works gets me worked up after literally hundreds of listens. Absolutely brilliant.”
18. Home by the Sea (Genesis, 1983)
“This is one of the best examples of Genesis being able to take a creepy, interesting idea and really do an incredible job of communicating and delivering it to the listener. It’s impossible to listen to this song and not be affected by it or imagine yourself in the place of the main characters. The second mostly instrumental part also helps it to stand out from the rest of the Genesis catalog. The ending leaves you with such a feeling of helplessness and despair”
17. Abacab (Abacab, 1981)
“It’s the best Genesis song. The most complete. It has a vocal part, excellent lyrics: Phil Collins does the main vocals and chorus. And an instrumental part with good battery, guitar and organ.”
See more: Genesis Albums Ranked
16. Ripples (A Trick of the Tail, 1976)
“Beautifully sung. Very poignant. Lyrics are so true. The piano representing the ripples. Everything about this song is perfect”
15. That’s All (Genesis, 1983)
“Probably Genesis’ best straight-forward pop song. A bit Beatlesque, and yet at the same time it’s unmistakably Genesis.”
14. Turn It On Again (Duke, 1980)
“Fizzes with energy, a clever and unconventional song – the chorus is so catchy, yet it doesn’t come in until the end of the third minute – and yet the song is so convincingly played, they carry it off brilliantly.”
13. The Return of the Giant Hogweed (Nursery Cryme, 1971)
“Hogweed probably doesn’t get consideration because the idea is a little silly… but all 5 band members are fantastic on this track… particularly Steve and Phil. This song always gets me moving and grooving! “
12. Watcher of the Skies (Foxtrot, 1972)
“This song showcases the band’s skill, how they can play above and beyond most bands. (listen to the genesis live version) Amazing and scary intro to the song. Ends in a fashion that you wish every song did, epic!”
11. In The Cage (Selling England by the Pound, 1973)
“This is probably the least mentioned song when people consider Genesis greatest songs. However, it’s the one song that sends a live crowd over the top when they play it. A song that bridges Gabriel and Collins era Genesis. Brilliant.”
10. Carpet Crawlers (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, 1974)
“A perfect example of what Genesis can accomplish when they decide to take it slow and easy. Proof that everything Genesis did didn’t have to be groundbreaking to be great or make you feel something”
9. The Knife (Trespass, 1970)
“This is the real Genesis. This song is so good. I love it so much. Invisible Touch is good, but it’s not the real Genesis. The real one is with Peter Gabriel. Anyway, Phil Collin’s drums on this song are awesome! Phil Collins was an excellent drumer. The guitar work on this song is also excellent, along with Peter Gabriel’s vocals.”
8. Invisible Touch (Invisible Touch, 1986)
“I think Invisible Touch was the group’s undisputed masterpiece. It’s an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. ”
7. Mama (Genesis, 1983)
“Something I love about Genesis is their diverse sound. Listening to a Genesis mix will take you on a trip of drastically different sounding songs and drastically different genres and I think Mama is the best example. Anytime this comes on randomly after Suppers Ready or Carpet Crawlers it’s hard to believe I’m listening to the same band. It’s just so dark, heavy and overflowing with atmosphere. Not to mention the drumbeat halfway through inspired me get my first job at 13 so I could save up for an electric drum set. It’s that good!”
See more: Poison Albums Ranked
6. The Cinema Show (Selling England by the Pound, 1973)
“Incredibly atmospheric piece. The range of emotions conveyed by this single song is remarkable. This song, along with the brief Aisle of Plenty, offer a fantastic conclusion to a fantastic album.”
5. Land of Confusion (Ten Thousand Fists, 2005)
“Genesis making a metal song… mind blown! Honestly, this is probably JUST on the outside of my top 10 favorite Genesis songs but I put it on here because it’s so important. Look at all the bands that have covered this. This song was an inspiration to entire future genres of music”
4. Dancing with the Moonlit Knight (Selling England by the Pound, 1973)
“This is the definition of a perfect song; it’s perfect. Despite being 8 minutes long (short for an epic), it’s epic. The music is amazing and Peter Gabriel’s voice wonderfully drives you through the music. I love the part where it goes “The captain leads his dance right on through the night” and then when he says “dancing on with the moonlit knight, knights of the green shield stamp and shout” and the whole band kicks in and kicks ass.”
3. The Musical Box (Nursery Cryme, 1971)
“This is the perfect example of a song played, instrumentally, at it’s best. Great guitar work, great drums, and great keyboard playing. I’m just glad to see ‘Invisible Touch’ on the number one spot. Don’t get me wrong, I like Phil Collins. He was a great drummer and even had great songs like ‘Mama. ‘ But they went from an excellent progressive rock band, in which you could hear their talent, to a bubblegum music band. Again, I have nothing against Phil Collins, but I feel like they betrayed the musical structure of the band once the brilliant Peter Gabriel left. The people who vote ‘Invisible Touch’ as their best song don’t know the real Genesis.”
2. Firth of Fifth (Selling England by the Pound, 1973)
“Firth of Fifth is the best Genesis song in my opinion just ahead of Supper’s Ready which is also fantastic. The song is a true masterpiece in its beautifully intricate piano opening, Gabriel’s awesome singing and flute solo, Bank’s powerful mellotron & organ exchange and then closing with one of the greatest and powerful melodic guitar (violin sounding) solo by Steve Hackett. Collins drumming is beyond superb and Ruthrford’s powerful bass lines and bass petals are great as well. The lyrics are interesting as well and were by Tony Banks. One of the greatest Prog Rock songs ever.”
1. Supper’s Ready (Foxtrot, 1972)
“If someone says something like “this song is too long for nothing” or “this song should only be the willow farm part” then they didn’t understand the song. Every part is important and this is why this song is just amazing. It’s not only my favorite genesis song or my favorite rock progressive song, but also the best song ever recorded. I listened to it at least 200 times and I’m only 19 years old. I have a few friends who understand true music, but the rest are just ignorant who loves new music. They can’t understand the complexity of songs like this and it makes me sad. You can’t just chill and listen to it if you never heard it. You have to be focus pay attention. It requires a certain level of intelligence.”