Nursery Cryme Songs Ranked
Nursery Cryme is the third studio album by the English rock band Genesis, released in November 1971 on Charisma Records. It was their first to feature drummer/vocalist Phil Collins and guitarist Steve Hackett. The album received a mixed response from critics and was not initially a commercial success; it did not enter the UK chart until 1974, when it reached its peak at No. 39. However, the album was successful in Continental Europe, particularly Italy. At approximately 39 minutes long, it is the shortest studio album by the band to date. The band toured the UK and Europe for one year to promote the album, which raised their profile in both territories. The tour included a successful Italian leg in April 1972, where the group played to enthusiastic crowds. Nursery Cryme was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry in 2013. Here are all of Nursery Cryme songs ranked.
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7. Harold the Barrel
“Harold the Barrel is a hilarious tune. The lyrics are really easy to understand. It’s about a man trying to commit suicide, while the townspeople try to get him off a ledge. Phil and Peter sing together, and play a myriad of characters. Kind of pop-y in a way, bouncy piano and bass.”
6. Harlequin
“Harlequin is a beautiful track. It once came on in my car as the sun was setting. Perfect. Mainly Mike’s tune, he even sings on it with Phil and Peter. This, and a couple of the previous tracks, may be the last time anyone other than Collins and Gabriel sang on a studio piece. Beautiful picking of the 12-strings, nice background organ and guitar in the chorus.”
See more: Genesis Albums Ranked
5. For Absent Friends
“Blood on the Rooftops may have been the only song actually credited to Collins/Hackett, but this song was written by the two new boys of the band. This features Phil’s first lead vocal performance, and while it serves the song, it gives little indication of his future role. Hackett says when he and Phil wrote the lyrics, he imagined two Eleanor Rigbies, lamenting the loss of their husbands.”
4. Seven Stones
“After listening to Trespass, I can hear where this song comes from a little more. A bit darker than the first three songs, to me it sounds like it wouldn’t have been out of place following White Mountain on Trespass. I think it’s the vocal work. Banks’ keyboard work is rather tasteful throughout this song, as is Hackett’s guitar work. This song has a lot of interesting chord progressions, and I love the haunting Mellotron lines at the end of the song.”
3. The Fountain of Salmacis
“This song features Phil’s best drumming on the album, just check out his snare work on the pre-choruses, and his deft stick work on the middle of the song. Tony’s Mellotron features prominently on this song, and it really sets the tone and atmosphere of this song. Again, some strong lead playing by Hackett. I’m starting to think that this album might be one of his better performances with the band.”
See more: Genesis Songs Ranked
2. The Return of the Giant Hogweed
“I love the contrast of the serious music with the somewhat comical nature of the lyrics. I love the leads between Steve Hackett’s guitar, Gabriel’s flute, and Tony’s Hammond at the 4:00 minute mark, and I really like how it transitions into the piano section. Hackett’s lead work on this song is strong, and it really feels to me that Banks was actually giving him a lot of space to do his thing, which Banks really didn’t do so much later on.”
1. The Musical Box
“The Musical Box will always stand out as one of their classics, especially because of the theatrics of the live performances. It’s about a girl and some boy, and for some reason, she kills him with a croquet mallet. She then somehow revives him with a musical box, and he starts to age, feeling a lifetime’s worth of sexual urges.”
