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From: peterr@utcsrgv.UUCP (Peter Rowley)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: Re: The Return of Yes  (Genesis lyrics)
Message-ID: <3289@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-Feb-84 14:18:04 EST
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.3289
Posted: Wed Feb 15 14:18:04 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 15-Feb-84 15:31:55 EST
Organization: CSRG, University of Toronto
Lines: 29

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.  R. Henthorn
uses strong words to state that early Genesis lyrics had no relevance
to our world.  Absolute rubbish.  "Get 'Em Out By Friday" was a comment
on evil real estate developers.  Virtually all of "Selling England by the
Pound" dealt with workaday life in present-day England.  "The Knife" from
"Trespass" is a condemnation of false revolutionary movements.  "The Lamb
Lies Down on Broadway" has a good deal to say about urban US, as well as a
good deal of mythical imagery. Many other examples exist.

Genesis didn't always have literal lyrics, but literal lyrics are
boring-- they don't allow listeners to provide their own interpretations.
I feel they had a very good balance; lyrics specific enough to make the
situation depicted unmistakable, but vague enough to add mystery and richness
and to allow listeners to work out some ideas on their own.

I haven't looked at Yes' lyrics closely enough to comment on them, but
Mr. Henthorn is just plain wrong about Genesis.

Early Genesis discography:
 Genesis to Revelation (69), Trespass (70), Nursery Cryme (71), Foxtrot (72),
 Genesis Live (72), Selling England By the Pound (73), The Lamb Lies Down
 On Broadway (74)
After TLLDOB, Peter Gabriel left and the band started its conversion from
progressive music to pretty ordinary, though well-done, pop which is what
it's making these days.  Peter Gabriel, on the other hand, continues to make
thought-provoking albums, all entitled "Peter Gabriel" and released in 77,
78, 80, and 82 (The last was also called "Security").

p. rowley, U. Toronto