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Genesis — Supper's Ready
Album: Foxtrot
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 386









Released: 1972
Length: 22:51
Plays (last 30 days): 0
'''i. Lover's Leap'''

Walking across
The sitting-room
I turn the television off
Sitting beside you
I look into your eyes

As the sound
Of motor cars
Fades in the night time
I swear I saw your face change
It didn't seem quite right

And it's...
Hello babe
With your guardian eyes so blue
Hey, my baby
Don't you know our love is true?

Coming closer with our eyes
A distance falls around our bodies
Out in the garden
The moon seems very bright
Six saintly shrouded men
Move across the lawn slowly
The seventh walks in front
With a cross held high in hand

And it's...
Hey babe
Your supper's waiting for you
Hey, my baby
Don't you know
Our love is true

I've been so far from here
Far from your warm arms
It's good to feel you again
It's been a long long time
Hasn't it?

'''ii. The Guaranteed Eternal Sanctuary Man'''

I know a farmer
Who looks after the farm
With water clear
He cares for all his harvest

I know a fireman
Who looks after the fire

You
Can't you see
He's fooled you all?

Yes, he's here again
Can't you see he's fooled you all?

Share his peace
Sign the lease
He's a supersonic scientist
He's the guaranteed eternal
Sanctuary man

Look
Look into my mouth he cries
And all the children
Lost down many paths,
I bet my life
You'll walk inside

Hand in hand
Gland in gland
With a spoonful of miracle
He's the guaranteed eternal
Sanctuary

We will rock you
Rock you, little snake
We will keep you snug and warm

'''iii. Ikhnaton and Itsacon and Their Band of Merry Men'''

Wearing feelings on our faces
While our faces took a rest,
We walked across the fields to see
The children of the West

But we saw a host of dark skinned warriors
Standing still below the ground
Waiting for battle!

The fight's begun
They've been released
Killing foe for peace
Bang, bang, bang
Bang, bang, bang

And they're
Giving me a wonderful potion
'Cause I cannot contain my emotion

And even though
I'm feeling good
Something tells me
I'd better
Activate my prayer capsule

Today's a day to celebrate
The foe have met their fate.
The order
For rejoicing
And dancing
Has come from our warlord

'''iv. How Dare I Be So Beautiful?'''

Wandering in the chaos
The battle has left
We climb up the mountain
Of human flesh
To a plateau
Of green grass
And green trees
Full of life

A young figure
Sits still by a pool
He's been stamped
"Human Bacon"
By some butchery tool
(He is you)

Social Security
Took care of this lad
We watch in reverence
As Narcissus is turned
To a flower
A flower?

'''v. Willow Farm'''

If you go down to Willow Farm
To look for butterflies
Flutterbyes
Gutterflies

Open your eyes
It's full of surprise
Everyone lies
Like the fox on the rocks
And the musical box

Oh
There's Mum & Dad
And good and bad
And everyone's happy to be here

There's Winston Churchill
Dressed in drag
He used to be
A British flag
Plastic bag
What a drag

The frog was a prince
The prince was a brick
The brick was an egg
The egg was a bird

(Fly away, you sweet little thing
They're hard on your tail)
Hadn't you heard?
(They're going to change you into a human being!)

Yes
We're happy as fish
And gorgeous as geese
And wonderfully clean in the morning

We've got everything
We're growing everything
We've got some in
We've got some out
We've got some
Wild things floating about!

Everyone
We're changing everyone
You name them all
We've had them here
And the real stars
Are still to appear!

''ALL CHANGE!''

Feel your body melt
Mum to mud
To mad to dad
Dad diddley office
Dad diddley office
You're all full of ball

Dad to dam
To dum to mum
Mum diddley washing
Mum diddley washing
You're all full of ball

Let me hear your lies
We're living this up to the eyes
Ooee-ooee-ooee-oowaa
Momma, I want you now!

And as you listen
To my voice
To look for hidden doors
Tidy floors
More applause

You've been here all the time
Like it or not
Like what you got
You're under the soil
(The soil, the soil)
Yes, deep in the soil
(The soil, the soil, the soil, the soil!)

So we'll end with a whistle
And end with a bang
And all of us fit in our places

'''vi. Apocalypse in 9/8 (Co-starring the delicious talents of Gabble Ratchet)'''

With the guards of Magog
Swarming around
The Pied Piper
Takes his children underground

Dragons
Coming
Out of the sea
Shimmering silver head of wisdom
Looking at me

He brings down the fire
From the skies
You can tell he's doing well
By the look in human eyes
Better not compromise
It won't be easy

666 is no longer alone
He's getting out
The marrow in your back bone

And the seven trumpets blowing
Sweet rock and roll
Gonna blow right down
Inside your soul

Pythagoras with the looking glass
Reflects the full moon,
In blood, he's
Writing the lyrics
Of a brand new tune

And it's
Hey, babe
With your guardian eyes so blue
Hey, my baby
Don't you know
Our love is true?

I've been so far from here
Far from your loving arms
Now I'm back again
And babe it's gonna work out fine

'''vii. As Sure as Eggs Is Eggs (Aching Men's Feet)'''

Can't you feel our souls ignite
Shedding ever changing colours
In the darkness of the fading night

Like the river
Joins the ocean
As the germ in a seed grows
We've finally been freed
To get back home

There's an angel standing
In the sun
And he's crying
With a loud voice
"This is the supper
Of the mighty one"

Lord of Lords
King of Kings
Has returned
To lead his children home
To take them to the new
Jerusalem.
Comments (178)add comment
 hschlossberg wrote:
 

I'm always puzzled when I see the word "pretentious" attached to many of the songs by Genesis, Yes, and other prog rock bands,  What does that mean?  What is pretentious about it?!?  The musicians in these bands are some of the best ever in rock music and they're not afraid to demonstrate it...much to the delight of their fans.  How is that pretentious?  Because they're not writing pop songs that appeal to the lowest common denominator?  If they are just pretending at being great musicians, then they are also the best damned actors ever!

Very well stated!
 blades wrote:

Drivel then now and always





Your comment is TOTAL DRIVEL!
 jagdriver wrote:

No wonder I never got into this group back in the day!

Sheesh....... 



I always feel sorry for those that have very short attention spans.  This is brilliant, BTW. The remixed and remastered CD sounds awesome, far better than the original LP.
 blades wrote:

Drivel then now and always




So why post it?
EXCELLENT!!  Thanx RP!  ...If you don't like it, hit the "skip button!
It's just great music, I still love it, no need for drugs. Can't imagine I would be listening to much if any modern "music" in 30 or 40 years, limited to minutes I'd say.
Nor does anyone have the time for such self-indulgent, pretentious, drug induced mind-sputter *looking down laughingly* 


 

I'm always puzzled when I see the word "pretentious" attached to many of the songs by Genesis, Yes, and other prog rock bands,  What does that mean?  What is pretentious about it?!?  The musicians in these bands are some of the best ever in rock music and they're not afraid to demonstrate it...much to the delight of their fans.  How is that pretentious?  Because they're not writing pop songs that appeal to the lowest common denominator?  If they are just pretending at being great musicians, then they are also the best damned actors ever!
A flower?
 ciolca wrote:
I'm sorry for the Genesis devotees but, like Yes, this band belong to a period when people used to be too stoned to know better. And, like Yes, Genesis didn't aged well at all. Sorry for Yes fans also :)

 
Funny. And I sort of agree, or at least I see the point. Emerson Lake Palmer. King Crimson. Others. In one sense, such music is timely and visionary and evolutionary. In another, it's coherent but pretentious noise. 
 dkrstic wrote:
please, stop :(

 
GIF of Stimpy from Ren and Stimpy drooling and pushing button

(psst...the PSD thingy...)
Thank God it stopped {#Cheers}

{#Boohoo}{#Bananajam}

Woooowww, Genesis at his best. Bought the record new when it came out, love it still. Quit buying Genesis after Gabriel and Hackett left.

Pink Floyd without Waters ok, but Genesis without Gabriel is a whole different story.

This is music, Radio Paradise suitable.

Thanks Bill.

 A 10 for sure.......!!!


I'm sorry for the Genesis devotees but, like Yes, this band belong to a period when people used to be too stoned to know better. And, like Yes, Genesis didn't aged well at all. Sorry for Yes fans also :)
please, stop :(
 rabaak wrote:

amen brother.    btw, my wife still does not like scotch 

 


You have to have a special place in your heart for Genesis, Early Peter Gabriel. After watch the documentary, Sum of the Parts on Showtime I wanted to start playing all the Genesis and Gabriel albums back to back. I had them cued up. 
Then this came on. Thought I started play iTunes. But thanks to RP, I'll listen to Foxtrot later.
Remember this was their first album. Very rough, but Gabriel's voice is magical.
Those out there that don't get Genesis, at least through Lamb Lies Down, should open your mind a bit more.
Admittedly the later Collins pop albums are too pop for our finely tuned ears.
Carpet Crawlers and the whole of Lamb is masterpiece. Duke, Trick of the Tail, and others are amazing as well.
One of my biggest regrets was I never saw Gabriel live. 
I've seen Genesis around 10 times.
 
 mozzer502 wrote:
does it ever end, or is this all we're listening too for the rest of the week?

 
Yes, please!
I need a palette cleanser after that.
Bravo! I heard this a long time ago. Nice to remember those days.
 
Listening at work with headphones at full blast and I'm covered with goosebumps.  Its been way too long.  Pure heaven.  Thank you.
 Skeletor wrote:
A lot of people don't like Scotch either. I know my wife did not like Genesis for a long time. Maybe it is an acquired taste like scotch. But she likes both now.

At the time, this was so radically different from most music available in those years. Remember, this came out a time when Barry Bungalow, Donny/Marie Osmond, Olivia Newton-John, the Captain and Tennile and Helen Reddy where music stars.  This wasn't as catchy as those pop tunes out of the box.  But it had staying power for me. I had never heard anybody do anything to a 9/8 beat before.  Sometimes you have to have some perspective to understand why this is so widely loved by people who lived in the 70's. It doesn't mean you have to like it.  But I don't see why you have tobe so harsh about it either.  Anytime I hear this, it makes me stop whatever I am doing and appreciate Genesis for the great music they brought into my life.

 

Good to hear some Gensis that I do not have. Nice to be surpriseed. It's not Katy Perry.  Completely different.  Challenging music, for sure.  Like classical; always changing, not predictable.  Takes patience to appreciate.  Thanks for playing it.  
Interesting to hear comments regarding the different versions. I also really like the Second's Out version, even saw it live back in the day. Steve Hackett's version in the Genesis Revisited concert is quite good also, although it's a bit of a stretch for the vocalist.
 YourNameHere wrote:
I second that, although I like almost all of Gabriel's solo stuff, I always prefered Collins voice with Genesis. And Seconds Out is as good as it gets for a old time Genesis fan.
 
You got to be kidding. How well do you (for example) know "Selling England By The Pound"? A totally different ballpark compared to the post Gabriel work...
does it ever end, or is this all we're listening too for the rest of the week?
if there was any reason to nurse a glock this song would do it
I am in musical heaven. Thank you, RP, for keeping progressive rock alive.
Make it stop{#Beat}
No wonder I never got into this group back in the day!

Sheesh....... 
Thank you Bill.
I can still remember the lyrics of the whole thing.
I can't do the voices like I used to. 

Drivel then now and always


Way to go Bill! I love that you are playing this gorgeous mess of a song.
 YourNameHere wrote:
I second that, although I like almost all of Gabriel's solo stuff, I always prefered Collins voice with Genesis. And Seconds Out is as good as it gets for a old time Genesis fan.
 
I'll third that (on Seconds Out). Still my favorite live Genesis cd. {#Drummer}
Awesome tune & even more so live.
Thanks Bill.
Every couple of years is about right.
Awful, but at least it's long.  Play Something Different button, why has thou forsaken me?

I am actually wearing a RadioParadise shirt at work, but now I am installing spotify.  Negative rating.
Thanks. Just  wonderful to hear again after lo these many years.
Play Squonk sometime soon - very memorable Genesis... probably haven't heard that in 7 years...
 
Oh wow. What a treat. Brilliant.
 Skeletor wrote:
Hmm, too long, and sounding a bit like Abacab.
 
Are you kidding me?!

Over 7 years since last played. Way too long!
Gregorama wrote:
Okay, Now that long ones are on the table-- let's play Thick as a Brick.
I personally think RP should dial back some of the "long ones" - though Tull and Floyd still fit.
Nice! :goodvibes.gif:
cataloger wrote:
Well, I think that people who like this song are .... oooh, hey....what's that shiny thing?....let's go ride bikes!
Hmm, too long, and sounding a bit like Abacab.
Shades of Jethro Tull. I hear Thick as a Brick all over this piece, but not as coherent.
drifter wrote:
Actually better on Seconds Out
I second that, although I like almost all of Gabriel's solo stuff, I always prefered Collins voice with Genesis. And Seconds Out is as good as it gets for a old time Genesis fan.
I might as well add a comment. I was listening to it while it was playing. Better late than never. Actually better on Seconds Out - Peter Gabriel as interpreted live by Phil Collins (how did those two no-talents get on the radio anyway?)
i heart genesis. i don't care what anyone says. this is awesome.
Something tells me I'd better activate my prayer capsule..... Gawd I love this tune!
Nothing like a bit of prog rock to galvanize opinions, eh?
daveesh wrote:
i find it funny that the people who don't like this song are branded by "those who get it" as having a short attention span.
Well, I think that people who like this song are .... oooh, hey....what's that shiny thing?....let's go ride bikes!
If you play this, you may as well play Rush's 2112 (crosses fingers) ....
bilbeach wrote:
At my advanced age (mid-forties) I find little attachment for this severely dated music which I somehow (thankfully) missed upon its original release. One only hears the over-reaching, psuedo-significant attempts of musicians who surely today must cringe when reminded of these meanderings. To those of you who fancy this selection, I must wish you the best. Have at it, and enjoy! In the meantime, (and in mute mode) I'll be watching for the mini-playlist to advance before I turn RP back up.
Wish us the best? Does that mean something horrible will happen to those whose opinions differ from yours? Lighten up, it's music.
daveesh wrote:
i find it funny that the people who don't like this song are branded by "those who get it" as having a short attention span.
Oh, and a ClearChannel listener. Don't let's forget that.
At my advanced age (mid-forties) I find little attachment for this severely dated music which I somehow (thankfully) missed upon its original release. One only hears the over-reaching, psuedo-significant attempts of musicians who surely today must cringe when reminded of these meanderings. To those of you who fancy this selection, I must wish you the best. Have at it, and enjoy! In the meantime, (and in mute mode) I'll be watching for the mini-playlist to advance before I turn RP back up.
i find it funny that the people who don't like this song are branded by "those who get it" as having a short attention span.
mig7 wrote:
Nor does anyone have the time for such self-indulgent, pretentious, drug induced mind-sputter *looking down laughingly*
Yeah, there's none of *that* anymore
redeyespy wrote:
Perhaps someone should mount a stage production based on this and some of the other operatic pieces Genesis once produced. A curious suite, this is. Still best enjoyed on vinyl, oversized Koss headphones on.....
I wore the grooves off this stuff when it first came out. One of my fav. pieces of all time.
I thought I liked everything by Genisis...I was mistaken.
suck-o-barf-o is even generous here.
Okay, Now that long ones are on the table-- let's play Thick as a Brick.
only Rock Lobster is worse than this one, imho
brighthue wrote:
a young figure sits still by a pool he's been stamped 'human bacon' by some butchery tool he is you...
It is real. It is Rael. Holy smoke, this DOES go on quite a bit. Bill must REALLY have to go to the can...
Boosiewolf wrote:
I'm going to piss off the hard-core early Genesis fans here--but I don't care for this "all over the place" stuff. I like melody, harmony and order. Like the character in The Commitments said, "...it's musical wanking!"
Ding, Ding--We have a winner!
I'm going to piss off the hard-core early Genesis fans here--but I don't care for this "all over the place" stuff. I like melody, harmony and order. Like the character in The Commitments said, "...it's musical wanking!"
beag wrote:
Marvellous piece of music. You couldn't do it now, of course. No-one has an attention span greater than that of a goldfish. *looks down pointedly*
Nor does anyone have the time for such self-indulgent, pretentious, drug induced mind-sputter *looking down laughingly*
This is one of the finest compositions Genesis ever did. Love it or hate it, Radio paradise is the only place you would ever hear this master piece.
Marvellous piece of music. You couldn't do it now, of course. No-one has an attention span greater than that of a goldfish. *looks down pointedly*
brighthue wrote:
a young figure sits still by a pool he's been stamped 'human bacon' by some butchery tool he is you...
Enough said.
a young figure sits still by a pool he's been stamped 'human bacon' by some butchery tool he is you...
KevinM wrote:
The attention span of a typical ClearChannel listener is probably no more than 3 1/2 to 4 minutes.
Funny... considering this song changes everything about itself every 3.5 to 4 minutes.
I am defininately ready for a new song...
Perhaps someone should mount a stage production based on this and some of the other operatic pieces Genesis once produced. A curious suite, this is. Still best enjoyed on vinyl, oversized Koss headphones on.....
Early Genesis = Yawn
wow. never heard this on the radio before. a childhood favorite. i wish bands still made music like this. 3 chord pop songs are ok, but they do get old after awhile. this, this is nectar of the gods.
Yummy! Genesis wouldn't be the first to have had the criticism "too many notes" leveled at its music. More a matter of taste than a failing.
This a very long masterpiece..if you don't like it ...go somewhere else this a true masterpiece of Modern Rock, as many of Genesis recordings
It is growing on me. It might take a while
Shaken_Bake wrote:
I left my desk hours ago to make a copy, send a fax, etc. Got back to my desk and said, "Is THIS song still on?" Not my favorite Genesis rambling song, that's for sure.
I enjoyed your comment, it made me laugh. Thanks, I needed that! ;-)
Clearly, it is a long song, and, if you don't like it, that would make it hard to endure. But comments saying it is too long, without more, do not provide much analysis.
I left my desk hours ago to make a copy, send a fax, etc. Got back to my desk and said, "Is THIS song still on?" Not my favorite Genesis rambling song, that's for sure.
masterhead wrote:
Genesis was a collective creation with the most influencial parts being Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett...and their musical diffrences unfortunately got on the way.. you know..big artist=big egoes... But the legacy is there. You just wish there was a musical group as Genesis
You are correct---However, they and this song were and are TOO MUCH...
johkir wrote:
September 17, 1975, either KFOG or KMEL in S.F.
I think DJ's still play this when they have to take a shit
mig7 wrote:
Yeah...Pete left because their music was supreme....
Genesis was a collective creation with the most influencial parts being Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett...and their musical diffrences unfortunately got on the way.. you know..big artist=big egoes... But the legacy is there. You just wish there was a musical group as Genesis
KevinM wrote:
When have you EVER heard "Supper's Ready" on the radio?
September 17, 1975, either KFOG or KMEL in S.F.
KevinM wrote:
I was so friggin' tired I was considering going home early - not anymore - I gotta hear the whole thing.
Masachist
I was so friggin' tired I was considering going home early - not anymore - I gotta hear the whole thing.
KevinM wrote:
The attention span of a typical ClearChannel listener is probably no more than 3 1/2 to 4 minutes.
Everything past the first 10 seconds of this song is too long....
Breakfast is ready...lunch...and now supper...that's how long this friggin' song is....
steeler wrote:
I had not heard this forever. I find it intricate, and, therefore, interesting. It's also interesting that longer pieces of music, which were sort of in vogue in the late 60s, earlly 70s, are now generally considered ponderous.
The attention span of a typical ClearChannel listener is probably no more than 3 1/2 to 4 minutes.
steeler wrote:
I had not heard this forever. I find it intricate, and, therefore, interesting. It's also interesting that longer pieces of music, which were sort of in vogue in the late 60s, earlly 70s, are now generally considered ponderous. Just an observation, but it also is a fact that commercials used to be uniformly a minute in length, and now no one does one longer than 30 seconds. Hmmmmm . . .
It is an interesting piece, with length, breadth, and depth, somewhat akin to a piece you would hear in a symphony. But, it does require a patient listener.
still makes the hair stand up on the back of my head after all these years.....
Very nice to hear this one. Having come to RP relatively recently, I was wondering if Bill ever played any of the longer tracks that made FM radio stations so different from their AM ancestors when the former were gaining some real traction in the early 70s. Kudos, Sir. No emoticon can properly express my appreciation.
rgrace wrote:
Yes, with the dwarves dancing madly around the 1:100-scale Stonehenge columns on stage.... No, but I really like this. Ancient history for me.
Too Funny!!!
masterhead wrote:
No matter what the narrow minded say..Genesis Music will prevail..FOREVER!
Yeah...Pete left because their music was supreme....
:grouphug.gif: :daisy.gif: :-({|= \:D/ Let's celebrate this musical event...wonderful!!!
I had not heard this forever. I find it intricate, and, therefore, interesting. It's also interesting that longer pieces of music, which were sort of in vogue in the late 60s, earlly 70s, are now generally considered ponderous. Just an observation, but it also is a fact that commercials used to be uniformly a minute in length, and now no one does one longer than 30 seconds. Hmmmmm . . .
A masterpiece of "modern" music. Still like it as much as I did back then.
daveesh wrote:
does this segue into "stonehenge?"
Yes, with the dwarves dancing madly around the 1:100-scale Stonehenge columns on stage.... No, but I really like this. Ancient history for me.
No matter what the narrow minded say..Genesis Music will prevail..FOREVER!
jayladdin wrote:
When was the last time you heard "Supper's Ready" on the radio? Another reason to love RP.
When have you EVER heard "Supper's Ready" on the radio?
I'm not pretentious, but I still luuurrvv this song.
Geneshit
Eul0gy wrote:
So liking this makes you better than people who don't like this... Sir, You have just broken the pretension meter.
Touche! Excellent slam! You, of course, are free to adore or hate anything you choose, and I certainly don't think of myself as inherently superior as a result. I'm just saying that, occasionally, people are prone to depise what they don't understand simply because they don't.
ahhh, yes. the old "you just don't get it" argument. if this song was four minutes or four hours, it would still be a bore.
martykub wrote:
OK, I can understand that 30 minutes of complexly structured, difficult time signatures, hook-less, allegory laden, fascinating music will bore those with four minute attention spans.
So liking this makes you better than people who don't like this... Sir, You have just broken the pretension meter.
Yes, Yes, Yes...More Gab, Phil and Genesis. Bill, Home By the Sea...Please....
Phil Collins, before becoming a POp star was a great musician. While on Genesis he played with Brand X, Peter Hammil, Brian Eno, etc. Steve Hacket kept the musical balance of the band...
OK, I can understand that 30 minutes of complexly structured, difficult time signatures, hook-less, allegory laden, fascinating music will bore those with four minute attention spans; that's OK. Bear in mind that familiarity breeds love as well as contempt, my friends - complex music needs to be heard more than once to be assimilated. I am astounded to hear this piece on the radio, and applaud your courage in playing it. Interesting that many of the criticisms leveled at this piece imply the necessity of drugs to enjoy listening, or even more laughably, to write it. Peter Gabriel was decidedly not one prone to narcotic abuse. Anyway, always nice to see a lively debate. The nice thing about if you don't like music, is that you can always turn it off....
When was the last time you heard "Supper's Ready" on the radio? Another reason to love RP.
does this segue into "stonehenge?"
I am soooooo ready to hear something else...love peter, like genesis...but...this song just doesnt inspire me at all...
Just had to remark again on this wicked part...Apocolypse in 9/8 Wow, that's fricken cool. This song is cathartic...
i got up, brewed some coffee, trip to the lavatory, chat in the hall... good heavens -- this is STILL playing?
thanks bill... i started listening to RP in 2001... somewhere along the line i lost my login -- came back this afternoon and within 10 min of listening heard this great Genesis song! Personally I like Musical Box as the best Genesis song ever -- hard to beat Lamb though!
psyclops wrote:
GOD! No more Phil Collins PLEASE! uck.
Phil Collins was drummer of genesis, and Peter gabriel kindly trained him to sing, knowing that he would leave the band anytime soon. ButThat was not at this album. Collins sang his first song with Genesis on Selling Englnad by the pound...
psyclops wrote:
GOD! No more Phil Collins PLEASE! uck.
um, you mean you can't stand his drumming? That's not him singing....
Wow, one more reason to love this station, playing the entire piece of Supper's Ready... Off of possibly one of the best Genesis albums released (hard to compete with Selling England by the Pound). I wish more peeps in their early 20's like myself knew about this delightful type of radio instead of the normal drivel on the airwaves in this country!
psyclops wrote:
GOD! No more Phil Collins PLEASE! uck.
This is Peter Gabriel