submissions
| Genesis – In The Cage Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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The song is about Rael's fear and insecurities, manifested by a panic attack. The Cage is the intense psychological fear he is experiencing. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, as Gabriel explained, is an allegory - a pilgrim's progress. It is the tale, on the surface anyway, of a young disenfranchised Puerto Rican, who likes arson and violence - but in essence, is trying to find out who he really is. John, his brother in the story, is really Rael's alter ego. Rael is on journey of self discovery. Gabriel's finest lyrics and for me, Genesis's finest album. Peter Gabriel himself said it is the only album which still stands the test of time and also considers it their best work, |
submissions
| Genesis – For Absent Friends Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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Madprophet's interpretation is interesting, but utter tosh at the same time. Talk about over-simplying a self explanatory lyric.It's about two people who are widowed. They are regular church goers, who used to attend church with their now deceased partners. Both are lonely and now find solace in each other's company. They observe life going on around them and look back longingly at their youth as a little girl passes by with her toy pram. The roundabout is a children's play thing with the children's pay park area. They notice it's still turning as the the child/children who were playing on it have left The pair are nostalgic for the days of their youth when life was happier and so much simpler. They then enter the church for that day's service. |
submissions
| Genesis – The Knife Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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The Knife was inspired by the British cult film, IF, about a small group of militant and anarchic public school students led by Mick Travis ( played by Malcolm McDowell ). Gabriel, Rutherford, Anthony Philips and Tony Banks of course, all attended Charterhouse public school. |
submissions
| Genesis – Harold The Barrel Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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A song about our almost ghoulish, voyeuristic obsession with the man or woman who may be about to commit suicide by jumping from a high building - and how the media takes full advantage of that. Harold The Barrel story is Monty Pythonesque in nature - full of absurdities and black humour. His mum is more concerned that his shirt is dirty, given that he'll be on TV and less concerned that he is about to jump to his death. Genesis' ( Gabriel's in particular ) sense of humour set them apart from other prog rock groups. |
submissions
| Genesis – Get 'em Out By Friday Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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The inspiration for this satirical piece, for which Peter Gabriel donned a bowler on stage whilst playing the part of the unscrupulous landlord, who is based on the notorious Peter Rachman, who infamously exploited the tenants in the Notting Hill area of London during the 50s and 60s, coining the term, Rachmanism. |
submissions
| David Bowie – Rock 'n' Roll Suicide Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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As the 60s came to an end and the 70s began, four of rock music's most Iconic stars had died of drug related causes. Brian Jones, Janis Joplin , Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison had lived their short life of super stardom and taken it to excess. Bowie knew more than anyone that the pressure of being a rock n roll star and trying to keep on top of it all could eventually take it's toll. Ziggy ( Bowie ) was mortal too - and this was him reminding us and himself of that fact. |
submissions
| David Bowie – God Knows I'm Good Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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Is Bowie sympathizing with the old lady ? Is she stealiing out of necessity, or is she a kleptomaniac ? Whatever the case, he is inviting the audience to empthaize ( and sympathize ) with her plight ? Society will rush to judgement - to some people she is nothing more than a thief - but to others a poor, unfortunate soul who has stolen a tin of stewing steak in order to eat. She is not a criminal - she is poor, that is all- a victim of circumstance, and God knows that she's good - even if lesser mortals thing differently. |
submissions
| Genesis – The Battle Of Epping Forest Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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Why is Harold Demure " obviously gay " ? Could he not merely be timid and against violence - a hippy, perhaps. Even if Harold was gay ( a term not used in 1973 ) I doubt whether Gabriel would write any lyric that was a tad homophobic, as you put it. Gabriel was more into satire, pathos, and lyrics that had comedic effect - and certainly wasn't into purposely picking on minority types. |
submissions
| David Bowie – Rubber Band Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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There's a rubber band who plays tunes out of tune. All rubber bands play tunes out of tune. Bowie's love of word play clearly evident here. The narrator goes to his local library garden every sunday afternoon with his girlfriend, where they watch and listen to the resident band play a selection of tunes. He tells us that 2010 he was so handsome and so strong ( full of the joys of life ). The 1st world war begins and he joins the navy to fight for king and country. When the war is over, he returns home, only to find that the love of his life has since married the rubber band leader. |
submissions
| David Bowie – Little Bombardier Lyrics
| 11 years ago
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Bowie, who was still in his teens when he wrote this, draws the listener in, and on the surface, allows the us to feel sympathy for Frankie Mear, the Little Bombardier. However, like many of Bowie's lyrics, the meaning behind the song is less straight forward than we might imagine. Therein lies is a distinct ambiguity; is the hero ( anti-hero ? ) of the story really a paedophile, or is Frankie Mear just a lonely ex-soldier who is wrongly targeted and ostracised by the community for simply being friendly towards children - hmmm ? Bowie leaves us to make up our own minds. |
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