Best Genesis Songs

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.

Squonk is the only song I'd put above this one. This song is crazy. It feels like they saved up all their artistic talent in container for a few years and then dumped it all in this song. While it feels a little scattered, almost like it's multiple songs tied together by a few familiar elements, I think that's part of the charm. There just aren't other songs that sound like this. You'd sure as hell never hear anything like it today. It's raw and unbridled. It goes from calm to aggressive and from melodic to heavy at the drop of a hat and doesn't apologize. It's a song that doesn't try to smooth out the edges or tidy up so it's easier for the casual listener to appreciate. This song doesn't care if you get it or not, it just kicks your ass regardless... and if you're smart, you'll enjoy it.

I have read all the comments and all I can add is this: I am a 56 year old man who first came to Genesis with Wind and Wuthering. I adored "One For the Vine." Still do. I bought SEBTP and came to love it more than any other Genesis album. I first listened to Supper's Ready about 6 months ago.

I primarily listen to classical music. It has given me more joy and understanding than anything else in my life. I was totally unprepared for Supper's Ready. I listened because I had read online that it was widely considered to be Genesis' magnum opus. I was skeptical but curious.

I listened to that astounding masterpiece 5 times, in the middle of the night, and then I woke the wife!

In my opinion, Supper's Ready is the greatest rock composition of all time. It's impact rivals the impact of the classics. A truly wondrous achievement.

This is one of the most underrated songs of all time. It's so good. It's even better than Bohemian Rhapsody. The only reason people don't have it held in such high regard is because 22 minutes is too much for their short attention span. Another reason is because this song is not for the simple-minded. It requires true music taste. Any idiot can listen to Bohemian Rhapsody. It's a great song, but require nothing special from the listener. This song, however, requires true musical taste and appreciation. Not any idiot can listen to this song.

Beautiful, haunting song which also goes hard in certain parts. It's great to see Peter Gabriel's flute (or is it an oboe?) featured, too.

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. This song is right up there with Epitaph and Starless by King Crimson, Heart of the Sunrise and Awaken by Yes, and Jacob's Ladder and Cygnus x-1 by Rush. An absolutely epic song from an epic album Selling England By The Pound.

I actually think this one is the 2nd best Genesis song, but I voted for it because it was 4th on the list. This song showcases the whole band at their best and everyone's playing complements each other, with Tony Banks' keyboards, Rutherford & Collins' rhythm section, Steve Hackett's fantastic guitar solo and Peter Gabriel's epic lyrics make me feel like I'm listening to something eternal and ancient.

Maybe one of the most masterfull progressive rock songs ever created. Transitions from it's upbeat complex piano intro to it's catchy verse to it's dark flute interlude is just plain genius. The way it expands on it'self so naturally but is able to change it's mood and atmospheric intensions continues to amaze me. Also, Firth of Fith's influence on future progressive rock and even progressive metal is virtually unmatched by any song in it's time period partly due to Hacketts atramentous guitar solo.

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.

I can't believe The Musical Box isn't a top 10 song. Both a band and crowd favorite, played at pretty much every Genesis during the Peter Gabriel era, this is great work of hard-soft fast-slow dynamics. The layered 12-strings overlaid with Gabriel-Collins counterpoint vocal duet that starts around 7:40 on the studio track is the best 60 seconds of music ever recorded by Genesis. This is a great song!

Agree wholeheartedly with this comment. The "She's a lady" segment is one of the most beautiful pieces of music by any band, ever.

The most perfect combination of music and lyrics ever. Nothing can reach the epicness of these 10 minutes. It's so dark and creepy.

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.

Genesis did several master works that are more important and of more depth than Moonlit Knight, but this piece manages to include all of progressive rock best characteristics within the minimum timeframe possible. It goes in all directions at once while maintaining full composure. Excellent!

Excellent song, Peter Gabriel's voice draws you right in and it has wonderful sound. I especially enjoy the part that goes, "there's a fat old lady outside the saloon. " Majestical.

Intimidating, sarcastic, musically amazing and haunting. Great beginning to a great album. There is something magic about this song.

This song is very important to me because when my dad gave me his old case of CDs the Genesis Greatest Hits one stood out the most and growing up listening to songs like "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" and "Misunderstanding", I needed to listen to more of their music. The first couple of tracks were nothing special to me, but Land of Confusion really stuck with me. Not to mention, the lyrics in this song are truly remarkable. I will never forget "The Man of Steel, the men of power, are losing control by the hour."

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

It doesn't get any better than this! Mike Rutherford had the perfect riff and bass line when he composed this amazing Rock anthem! Perfect - just perfect!

This song is a bit boring to me. It is typical 80's stuff. You coul find a good load of songs that sound about the same, which cannot be said of their earlier songs.

Genesis is MY FAVORITE BAND of all time! I am still hoping Phil is able to come back for one more tour with them. Got to see them on the MAMA TOUR and they were fantastic. They had the best light show I have ever seen in concert. This is one of my favorite arrangements (The Cinema Show) along with countless others. Your just at peace listening to their music.

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.

Just loaded with great stuff. The "once a man, like the sea I raged" is just wonderful singing, it's got great Tony Banks keyboard, good 12-string stuff, and a great 7/8 part.

Fantastic melodies, and just brilliant, sympathetic drumming from Collins. A masterpiece, and possibly the best Genesis track of all!

To be honest, Genesis' songs didn't really gain my interest that much so far, I thought Phil Collins wrote better songs during his solo career and Peter Gabriel is OK but not quite as good as Collins in my opinion, and the only Genesis song that I actually like so far is this one.

Okay, to be honest, this is among one of my least favorite songs they've released. I've never been a fan of the pop sound, and to be frank, this is about as pop as the 20th century could get. Awful song. These comments saying it's their best honestly baffle me.

"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. " - Patrick Bateman (American Psycho)

It's super commercial, not all that artistic, the lyrics aren't incredibly interesting or emotionally powerful... but it's just an amazing song. I wouldn't put it in their top five, but it's just so undeniably great that it DOES make their top 10

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!

Cut from the same cloth as Gabriel's work during this time and yet forward looking - perhaps the closest Genesis would ever be to melding the past with the present. This is the song that is ground zero for Gabriel Vs. Collins - its one of the very few tracks that both sides can agree on and it is for that reason that it should be included. Now if only the rest of that album was this good...

Gods. Love this band so much. It really is difficult to vote for one single song, when the have such a diverse portfolio. I chose Mama because it is a song that has always stuck with me; once I hear it, its in my mind for the entire day. Its just simply a masterpiece (not that the others are not).

I had always written Genesis off (I had heard more of the Collins than Gabriel work) until I came across this. The 'Genesis' album starts off really well with this and the next two songs starting the album off perfectly.

Can I just say that once peter Gabriel and steve Hackett left Genesis went down the drain? The truth is, both land of confusion and the invisible touch shouldn't be in the top 10. Where's watcher of the skies? The battle of Epping forest? if you're a true fan you'd prefer those over Phil Collins, the worst songwriter ever but the best drummer ever.

And I think even better on the Live across Europe album. Saw it live in Manchester where it ended the show, best song of the entire night. Awesome. Still second to Supper's Ready though, all time favourite song.

With complete concentration, sing along to this while you read the lyrics. It will be very difficult to find anything better. If you are an old Genesis fan, you will appreciate this.

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

I would put it number 3 after supper's ready and fifth of fifth, the rhythm is so powerful and it charges you more than any other song, the intro is just some masterpiece. Every time I listen to it I just keep replaying.

Just listen and you'll understand exactly why this song should be on this list. It should, in my opinion, be higher, at least near the top ten...

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!

Genesis's eponymous 1983 album does have a ton of standout tracks, like this number that has a catchy piano rhythm, to boot. While it may not be as heavy as the other songs on the album, it's one that will definitely worm your way into your ears. Other standouts include "Home By the Sea" (the drum machines and synths on the second part is just awesome) and "Mama". It's a solid Genesis album, I might say. The worst song on the album? "Illegal Alien", for sure. Phil Collins doing a Hispanic accent is just painful to listen to...

I know a majority of the voters are fans of Peter Gabriel's Genesis, but Phil Collins' version has given us some great songs. Phil Collins is one of my favorite musicians and Genesis is one of my favorite bands. Abacab, Genesis, Invisible Touch, & The Duke are extremely good and underrated albums.

Misunderstanding, That's All, In Too Deep, I Can't Dance, Follow You Follow Me... Seriously I don't trust this list if most of these are not in the top 10.

I like Invisible Touch but I like this more. One of the two Genesis songs I'm most likely to hear in public.

Fizzes with energy, a clever and unconventional song - the chorus is so catchy, yet it doesn't come in until the end of the thrid minute - and yet the song is so convincingly played, they carry it off brilliantly.

Everything I said about Invisible Touch I could say again about this song. Nothing artistically or lyrically brilliant but it's just such a great song that you can't help but love and appreciate it

Why so low down? This is a brilliant song should be at least number 2?

Gotta make quality better...

This list is all wrong this song should be in the top ten and even in the top five or three

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.

Phill Collins drumming is really good here. Rutherford on the keyboards is just outstanding. This song got me into early genesis. This album is a must for anybody!

Fabulous, one of my definite faves. Excellent keyboards, excellent vocals, etc. Wonderful stuff. Is it Rutherford on the keyboards? Thought it was Banks! Laugh out loud

Most awesome song. Shows just how tight they can be. Musically brilliant!

One of the most intense songs I've ever listened to, thanks in great part to Mike Rutherford's bass playing, which is the highlight of the song, for me.

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.

This song should Be on nummer 2. So supper's ready (seconds out version), the cage, cinema show (seconds out version) firth of fifth, musical box, carpet crawlers, moonlit knight, home by the sea I & II, one for the fine, ripples, the knife, mad man moon.

So much going on in this one. The TSL version is my favorite, although it's fun to compare the different live versions through the years, for tempo, range and such. Every time I've heard this live, it's been a highlight.

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! At least top 20 material.

This song got me into Genesis and needs to be higher than 21st.

My personal top three are all ranked lower than 30th on this list. I guess I just have weird taste. I'm voting for this one because it's currently ranked the lowest of the three. I can understand why nobody would vote for it as their favorite -- it's not as epic as Supper's Ready, not as dynamically varied as Firth of Fifth, not as sweeping and breathtaking as some moments on Wind & Wuthering, and (especially) not as catchy as Follow You, Follow Me or anything they did in the '80s. However, I think The Battle of Epping Forest represents the spirit of Gabriel-era Genesis better than any other single song. (If I try to ignore my bias in favor of this song, I have to admit that it's kind of a caricature of Gabriel-era Genesis. )

This song is probably lower on this list because for a Genesis song, it is not as interesting as others on SEBTP, at least for most of it. What makes this song so so worth it, however, are the last 45 seconds to a minute. The conclusion to this song is definitely one of the most mind blowing of all of Genesis's catalogue, in my opinion second only to the ending of supper's ready. It raises goosebumps every time I hear it.

It is the highlight of the legendary "Selling England by the Pound", I have absolutely no idea how only 0.8% would vote for this masterpiece. I must admit that Suppers Ready is propably even better. Nevertheless, this should be number 2 for sure

This shouldn't be this low. This is my favourite Peter Gabriel preformance and the lyrics are hilarious.

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

I agree, this song should have been one of the songs used at the induction, not the rot dished up by PHISH. Not only was his performance GARBAGE, but his song choice (No REPLY, WHAT THE! ) didn't highlight the incredible band Genesis have been. This is the song that brings the crowd alive at live concerts along with The Cage.

This is the song aside from "In the Cage" that drives their concerts. This song got me into Genesis and Progressive Rock. Should have been played at their induction into the Hall of Fame instead of "No Reply".

Fantastic piece that builds and releases. This song goes well live. Great instrumental middle without being boring. How this song isn't higher on the list I'll never know.

Beautiful, beautiful song with thought-provoking lyrics. Love Steve's solo and how the other members, especially Tony, worked around it.

This song is not usually my preferred style but its beauty, intelligence, depth, stylishness and range make it a truly fantastic piece that I never tire of, and still get tingles after all these years.

The most beautifully crafted Genesis song. Collins vocal never better and probably far more suited the song than Gabriel.
The band would have five more great years in them.

This is great song. After listening to it so many times, I began to realise that Ripples may actually be about Helen of Troy. One of the all time greats.

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.

Top ten for me

This is such a great song and should be in any top 10 Geneis songs list. It's a different sort of love song but that's what makes it so special, never get tired of hearing it and I think that's when you know you're listening to a truly wonderful song.

Surprised to see this top ten single in 1978. Only peak at 26.
This single showed how Genesis could mix there music.
I thinks should be Top Ten!

Cone on people number 88? This is one of the most beautiful and sincere love songs ever deserves more recognition

The first of accessible Genesis! And they nailed it!

Number 36?! Have'nt Genesis fans or voters here listened enough to this one?

Right, Supper's Ready, Firth of Fifth, Cinema Show (few more) could "compete" with Mad Man Moon in "quality", and maybe they could be somewhat more complete, but Mad Man Moon contains the essence of what distinguishes Genesis from all the rest, and which is not measurable nor describable: ***INTENSE BEAUTY***.

Specially the choruses in "... Just birds, could dwell so high..."

If I had to choose just one song in all the great music I've listened to (and it's very much, I assure you, including VdGG/PH, King Crimson, Yes, Classical... ) it would be Mad Man Moon.

I thank God to allow me to live in a time and a planet where I've been able to listen to all this great music.

The piano work by Tony Banks alone should push this up much higher than 36. Maybe the problem is that this song fits neither the classic Peter Gabriel era nor the Classic Phil Collins era. Having elements of both eras it doesn't truly fit with the fan base of either. There truly are a lot of very great songs from all eras of Genesis and my personal favorites would span the entire history of the band. Still, Mad Man Moon is my personal favorite because of the piano work.

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..

This is my number 1 favorite song by Genesis. It is a masterpiece!

Genesis first hit after I got my own place to live. Fantastic memories of a fantastic summer aged 19. Love this song! I have no idea what it's about of course but isn't that part of its charm?

Why is this song so down in the list? This is one of the best songs of Genesis By far! The chorus is epic!

Son is fantastic and chorus is a real orgasm for me... I can't stop listening to it. Genesis is never enough

Love this song. Personal

This song is awesome, with elements of older Genesis in a newer Genesis song. I love almost all Genesis songs and love both the Collins and Gabriel eras just about equally, but this song was always particularly amazing to me. Part 2 is better than Part 1 in my opinion, but they both contribute to my overall increased love for this song.

Fantastic, nothing more has to be said. Commercial with a sense of progressive elements. Genesis at their most popular.

Yup, agreed. A classic and probably ties in place with Abacab and Mama for me.