Top 10 Best Genesis Songs

The best songs ever written by the British rock group Genesis.

The Top Ten

Supper's Ready

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 progressive rock song, but also the best song ever recorded. I've 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 and love 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've never heard it before. You have to focus and pay attention. It requires a certain level of intelligence.
Firth of Fifth

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 with its beautifully intricate piano opening, Gabriel's awesome singing and flute solo, Banks' powerful mellotron and organ exchange, and closing with one of the greatest and most powerful melodic guitar solos (violin-sounding) by Steve Hackett. Collins' drumming is beyond superb, and Rutherford's powerful bass lines and bass pedals are great as well. The lyrics, written by Tony Banks, are interesting too.
One of the greatest progressive rock songs ever, this song stands 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.
The Musical Box

This is the perfect example of a song played instrumentally at its best. Great guitar work, great drums, and great keyboard playing.
I'm just glad to see Invisible Touch in 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.
The Cinema Show

Genesis is MY FAVORITE BAND of all time! I am still hoping Phil is able to come back for one more tour with them. I 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. You're just at peace listening to their music.

An incredibly atmospheric piece. The range of emotions conveyed by this single song is remarkable. This song, along with the brief Aisle of Plenty, offers a fantastic conclusion to a fantastic album.
Dancing with the Moonlit Knight

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," the whole band kicks in and kicks ass.

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

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. Growing up listening to songs like "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" and "Misunderstanding," I knew 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 outside my top 10 favorite Genesis songs, but I included it 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.
Carpet Crawlers

And I think it's even better on the Live Across Europe album. I saw it live in Manchester where it ended the show. It was the best song of the entire night. Awesome. Still second to Supper's Ready, though, my all-time favorite 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. It's proof that not everything Genesis did had to be groundbreaking to be great or make you feel something.
Mama

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 Supper's 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 to 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. It's one of the very few tracks that both sides can agree on, and it's for that reason that it should be included.
Now if only the rest of that album was this good.
Invisible Touch

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

"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)
Watcher of the Skies

I would put it at number three, after Supper's Ready and Firth of Fifth. The rhythm is so powerful, and it charges you more than any other song. The intro is just a masterpiece. Every time I listen to it, I keep replaying it.

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

This song showcases the band's skill, demonstrating how they can play above and beyond most bands. (Listen to the Genesis live version.)

The Newcomers

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Visions of Angels

What the hell? This song is the best from the album.
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Small Talk

Calling All Stations would be at the bottom of my Genesis ranking if not for this little number.

The Contenders

The Knife

Come on, The Knife at 21?! This is the real Genesis. This song is so good. I love it so much. Invisible Touch is good, but it's not the real Genesis. The real one is with Peter Gabriel.
Anyway, Phil Collins's drums on this song are awesome! Phil Collins was an excellent drummer. The guitar work on this song is also excellent, along with Peter Gabriel's vocals.

My vote goes to The Knife. While I like songs like Supper's Ready and The Musical Box a little better, this song was the sound that was to be 'Gabriel-Era Genesis.' It captured the prog sound of Genesis.
In The Cage

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. It bridges Gabriel and Collins-era Genesis. Brilliant.

This song should be number two: 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 Vine, Ripples, The Knife, and 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 over the years, for tempo, range, and such. Every time I've heard this live, it's been a highlight.
That's All

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 its way into your ears.
Other standouts include "Home By the Sea" (the drum machines and synths on the second part are 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, and The Duke are extremely good and underrated albums.
Turn It On Again

This song fizzes with energy. It's clever and unconventional. The chorus is so catchy, yet it doesn't come in until the end of the third minute. The song is so convincingly played that 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 and should be at least number 2. We've got to make quality better.
The Return of the Giant Hogweed

Hogweed probably doesn't get consideration because the idea is a little silly, but all five 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.
Ripples

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. I still get tingles after all these years.

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

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

It's the best Genesis song, the most complete. It has a vocal part with excellent lyrics: Phil Collins does the main vocals and chorus. There's also an instrumental part with good drums, guitar, and organ.

Phil Collins's 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 favorites. Excellent keyboards, excellent vocals, etc. Wonderful stuff. Is it Rutherford on the keyboards? I thought it was Banks! Laugh out loud.
Home by the Sea

This is one of the best examples of Genesis being able to take a creepy, interesting idea and 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 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 has been.
This is the song that brings the crowd alive at live concerts, along with The Cage.
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)

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

Why is this song so low on the list? This is one of the best songs by Genesis, by far! The chorus is epic!

The song is fantastic, and the chorus is a real highlight for me. I can't stop listening to it. Genesis is never enough.
The Battle of Epping Forest

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.
Los Endos

This is a phenomenal instrumental that is so powerful and moving. It is a great road song. When Genesis tied this with the drum duet and Dance on a Volcano, it became the perfect song. I can listen to it all day and night long. It makes you want more!

A very atmospheric and uplifting instrumental. Great way to close out a great album. I also love the nod to Supper's Ready: "There's an angel standing in the sun."
Blood on the Rooftops

Very hard to choose. Firth of Fifth has such a great guitar solo, Supper's Ready is so great, the end of Entangled is so beautiful, and the second part of The Cinema Show is so amazing. So why choose Blood on the Rooftops? Just because listening to this song in October, when the autumn is there, is a spiritual step in the moment, a perfect one for me.

One of my favourite Genesis songs on my favourite album, sadly never played live by the band. A moving masterpiece. Thanks, Mr. Hackett!
Entangled

Listen for the glockenspiel on this gem. Fantastic.

I want this song to be played at my funeral.
Duke's Travels

If you were to take out two or three of the more commercial songs and ballads, like Misunderstanding and Alone Tonight, from Duke, it would be a classic prog rock album. Duke's Travels and Duke's End are a brilliant climax, perhaps even on a par with the end of Supper's Ready. Underrated.

Duke's Travels: Society's King (or should I say DUKE AAA-) of underration. This is one of the gem instrumentals of Genesis. It was epic, it pulled it all together for the album, epic, open to interpretation, epic, and they didn't need the studio to say they needed to wrap it up until the next song. It was a perfect climax to a great album.
Did I mention it was epic?
Dance on a Volcano

Not just one of Genesis' greatest achievements, but one of the greatest moments in all of progressive rock, "A Trick of the Tail's" "Dance on a Volcano" is, without a doubt, the best single song the band produced with Collins at the microphone.
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 going to cross/You better start doing it right."
Sure, the instrumental coda's riff seems to borrow from King Crimson's "Fracture," but probably unintentionally. I simply cannot think of a more exciting six minutes within the genre, and it still gets me worked up after literally hundreds of listens. Absolutely brilliant.