I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I got sunshine in my stomach
Like I just rocked my baby to sleep
I got sunshine in my stomach
But I can't keep me from creeping sleep
Sleep, deep in the deep
Rockface moves to press my skin
White liquid turn sour within
Turn fast, turn sour
Turn sweat, turn sour
Must tell myself that I'm not here
I'm drowning in a liquid fear
Bottled in a strong compression
My distortion shows obsession
In the cave
Get me out of this cave
If I keep my self-control
I'll be safe in my soul
And the childhood belief
Brings a moment's relief
But my cynic soon returns
And the lifeboat burns
My spirit just never learns
Stalactites, stalagmites
Shut me in, lock me tight
Lips are dry, throat is dry
Feel like burning, stomach churning
I'm dressed up in a white costume
Padding out leftover room
Body stretching, feel the wrenching
In the cage
Get me out of the cage
In the glare of a light
I see a strange kind of sight
Of cages joined to form a star
Each person can't go very far
All tied to their things
They're netted by their strings
Free to flutter in memories of their wasted wings
Outside the cage I see my Brother John
He turns his head so slowly round
I cry out "Help!"
Before he can be gone
And he looks at me without a sound
And I shout out "John please help me!"
But he does not even want to try to speak
I'm helpless in my violent rage
And a silent tear of blood dribbles down his cheek
And I watch him turn away and leave the cage
My little runaway
(Raindrops keep failing on my head, they keep falling on my)
(Raindrops keep failing on my head, they keep falling on my)
(Raindrops keep failing on my head, they keep falling on my)
In a trap, feel a strap
Holding still
Pinned for kill
Chances narrow that I'll make it
In the cushioned straight-jacket
Just like 22nd Street
They got me by my neck and feet
Pressures building, can't take more
My headaches charge, ear aches roar
In this pain
Get me out of this pain
If I could change to liquid
I could fill the cracks up in the rocks
I know that I am solid
And I am my own bad luck
Outside John disappears, and my cage dissolves
Without any reason my body revolves
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Turning around
Just spinning around
(Round, round, round, round)
Like I just rocked my baby to sleep
I got sunshine in my stomach
But I can't keep me from creeping sleep
Sleep, deep in the deep
Rockface moves to press my skin
White liquid turn sour within
Turn fast, turn sour
Turn sweat, turn sour
Must tell myself that I'm not here
I'm drowning in a liquid fear
Bottled in a strong compression
My distortion shows obsession
In the cave
Get me out of this cave
If I keep my self-control
I'll be safe in my soul
And the childhood belief
Brings a moment's relief
But my cynic soon returns
And the lifeboat burns
My spirit just never learns
Stalactites, stalagmites
Shut me in, lock me tight
Lips are dry, throat is dry
Feel like burning, stomach churning
I'm dressed up in a white costume
Padding out leftover room
Body stretching, feel the wrenching
In the cage
Get me out of the cage
In the glare of a light
I see a strange kind of sight
Of cages joined to form a star
Each person can't go very far
All tied to their things
They're netted by their strings
Free to flutter in memories of their wasted wings
Outside the cage I see my Brother John
He turns his head so slowly round
I cry out "Help!"
Before he can be gone
And he looks at me without a sound
And I shout out "John please help me!"
But he does not even want to try to speak
I'm helpless in my violent rage
And a silent tear of blood dribbles down his cheek
And I watch him turn away and leave the cage
My little runaway
(Raindrops keep failing on my head, they keep falling on my)
(Raindrops keep failing on my head, they keep falling on my)
(Raindrops keep failing on my head, they keep falling on my)
In a trap, feel a strap
Holding still
Pinned for kill
Chances narrow that I'll make it
In the cushioned straight-jacket
Just like 22nd Street
They got me by my neck and feet
Pressures building, can't take more
My headaches charge, ear aches roar
In this pain
Get me out of this pain
If I could change to liquid
I could fill the cracks up in the rocks
I know that I am solid
And I am my own bad luck
Outside John disappears, and my cage dissolves
Without any reason my body revolves
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Turning around
Just spinning around
(Round, round, round, round)
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
In the Cage [New Stereo Mix] Lyrics as written by Michael Rutherford Anthony Banks
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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this is a really great song. i love genesis. my mum intorduced the band to me and i always listen to it for my 16th birthday i will be getting most of the albums.