Few bands have undergone a transformation as dramatic — or as divisive — as Genesis. In their early 1970s prime, fronted by the theatrical and enigmatic Peter Gabriel, they were the quintessential progressive rock band: cerebral, strange, and musically daring. Albums like Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway weren’t just records — they were vast narrative and sonic landscapes that pushed rock music into thrilling new dimensions.
When Gabriel left in 1975, followed by guitarist Steve Hackett in 1977, many fans feared the magic had gone. But Genesis didn’t collapse — they evolved. With Phil Collins stepping up as vocalist, the band moved into sleeker, more radio-friendly territory, especially through the 1980s. Yet listen closely, and you’ll still hear that same sense of ambition and layered complexity lurking behind the pop polish.
This list of Genesis’s 16 best songs spans both eras, with a strong tilt toward their prog peak — but not without recognising the melodic craft and boldness that persisted, even in unexpected places. From 23-minute epics to eerie synth-driven hits, these are the tracks that define one of rock’s most fascinating and enduring journeys.
16. 'Los Endos' (1976)
'Los Endos' is a triumphant, largely instrumental finale that distills the essence of Genesis’s progressive era. Culminating the A Trick of the Tail album, it weaves together themes from earlier tracks, showcasing the band’s virtuosity and compositional finesse. With its driving rhythms, soaring guitar lines, and haunting reprises, it’s a powerful statement—both a farewell to the Gabriel era and proof that Genesis could still dazzle without him.
15. 'Home by the Sea / Second Home by the Sea' (1983)
This 1983 single is a masterstroke among the band's 1980s output, blending pop accessibility with prog ambition. The two-part suite tells a ghostly tale with cinematic flair, featuring eerie lyrics, atmospheric synths, and complex instrumental passages. It’s a rare post-Gabriel track that recalls the band’s earlier grandeur—balancing storytelling, musicianship, and mood in one of their most enduring later-era epics.
14. 'The Knife' (1970)
The standout track from their 1970 second album Trespass, 'The Knife' is Genesis’s first real burst of raw energy and political anger. With stabbing organ riffs, aggressive guitar, and Peter Gabriel’s fierce vocals, it broke away from the band’s earlier pastoral sound. It’s thrilling, unpredictable, and charged with youthful idealism gone awry—setting the stage for the theatrical, intense prog epics that would define their golden era. A bold, essential early statement of intent.
13. 'Dance on a Volcano' (1976)
The explosive opener to A Trick of the Tail marks Genesis’s triumphant rebirth after Peter Gabriel’s departure. Showcasing Phil Collins’s dynamic drumming and vocals, it blends complex time signatures with soaring melodies and shifting moods. The track captures the band’s prog brilliance—technical yet emotional, urgent yet atmospheric. It’s a statement of resilience and reinvention, proving Genesis could thrive beyond their Gabriel-fronted years.
12. 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' (1974)
'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' is a dazzling opener to Genesis’s ambitious concept album, blending theatrical storytelling with intricate progressive rock. Its driving rhythm, vibrant keyboards, and surreal lyrics immediately immerse listeners in Rael’s urban odyssey. The song captures the band’s creative peak, combining narrative depth with complex arrangements. It remains one of their best for its bold fusion of drama, energy, and musical innovation, defining Genesis’s distinctive prog identity.
11. 'Entangled' (1976)
'Entangled' is one of Genesis’s most hauntingly beautiful tracks, showcasing the band’s softer, more introspective side. Its delicate 12-string guitar work, ethereal Mellotron textures, and gentle harmonies create a dreamlike atmosphere that gradually builds into a mesmerizing climax. Lyrically surreal and musically rich, it highlights Genesis’s mastery of dynamics and mood. A standout from A Trick of the Tail, it remains a fan favorite for its emotional depth and sonic elegance.
10. 'One for the Vine' (1977)
“One for the Vine” is a towering achievement in Genesis’s prog era, largely driven by Tony Banks’s masterful songwriting and keyboard work. Spanning complex time signatures, shifting moods, and evocative storytelling, the track blends ambition with emotional resonance. Banks’s majestic piano and synth passages guide the journey, weaving together pastoral beauty and dramatic intensity. It’s a quintessential Genesis epic—intelligent, cinematic, and deeply atmospheric—showcasing the band’s musical and conceptual sophistication at its peak.
9. 'Domino' (1986)
'Domino' stands as one of Genesis’s finest post-Gabriel epics, capturing the band’s ability to blend accessible hooks with progressive ambition. Split into two parts, the track builds dramatic tension through shifting dynamics, moody atmospheres, and a compelling vocal performance from Phil Collins. Tony Banks’s keyboards drive the song’s dark urgency, reflecting Cold War anxieties. It’s a standout from Invisible Touch, proving that Genesis’s prog instincts still pulsed beneath their polished ’80s sheen.
8. 'In the Cage' (1974)
A masterclass in dramatic storytelling and musical intensity from 1974's prog peak The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Peter Gabriel (pictured) delivers a gripping vocal performance, embodying the trapped protagonist with urgency and emotion. Tony Banks’s swirling keyboards and the band’s complex rhythms create a claustrophobic, escalating tension. It’s one of their most powerful pieces, showcasing the band’s theatrical flair and progressive brilliance at the height of their creative powers.
7. 'The Cinema Show' (1973)
A quintessential Genesis epic from perhaps their finest album, blending lyrical beauty with instrumental virtuosity. Beginning with a pastoral duet between Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks, it weaves a tale inspired by T.S. Eliot before launching into an extraordinary extended instrumental section. Banks’s dazzling keyboard work drives the second half, supported by intricate rhythms from Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford. It’s a soaring, sophisticated composition that captures the band’s prog-era brilliance and poetic imagination.
6. 'Mama' (1983)
'Mama' is one of Genesis’s most striking post-Gabriel tracks, showcasing their darker, more experimental 1980s sound. Driven by a menacing drum machine beat and haunting synths, the song builds intensity with Phil Collins’s chilling vocal performance—complete with his unforgettable, maniacal laugh. The track blends atmospheric production with emotional rawness, proving the band could evolve while retaining dramatic power. 'Mama' remains a standout for its bold sound and psychological depth.
Genesis: their top five tracks
5. 'Dancing with the Moonlit Knight' (1973)
A poetic, majestic epic blending British whimsy with prog complexity—Genesis at their imaginative, theatrical best
'Dancing with the Moonlit Knight' is a quintessential Genesis masterpiece, opening their wonderful 1973 album Selling England by the Pound with theatrical flair and haunting beauty. Peter Gabriel’s acapella intro evokes faded British ideals, while the song unfolds into a shifting tapestry of pastoral melodies, aggressive riffs, and intricate instrumental interplay.
Tony Banks’s keyboards and Steve Hackett’s guitar drive the dynamic changes, blending classical and rock influences. Lyrically cryptic and rich in symbolism, it critiques consumerism and national identity. Musically adventurous and emotionally resonant, it captures the band’s prog peak—bridging delicacy and power, narrative and abstraction, in a track that remains a defining moment of progressive rock.
4. 'Watcher of the Skies' (1972)
A cosmic, Mellotron-drenched epic exploring alien perspectives, 'Watcher' showcases Genesis’s early grandeur and philosophical depth
An iconic early Genesis track, 'Watcher of the Skies' opens 1972's Foxtrot with a grand, spacey Mellotron fanfare that immediately sets a dramatic tone. Inspired by science fiction and the idea of an alien observer returning to a deserted Earth, the song blends complex time signatures, philosophical lyrics, and Tony Banks’s towering keyboard work.
Peter Gabriel’s vivid, theatrical vocals heighten the song’s sense of mystery and grandeur. It became a live staple, often opening shows during the Gabriel era, and remains a shining example of the band’s ability to combine prog ambition with emotional depth.
3. 'The Musical Box' (1971)
Dramatic and haunting, inspired by Victorian ghost tales, packed with storytelling, dynamic shifts, rock aggression and theatrical flair
'The Musical Box' tells a dark, theatrical story inspired by Victorian ghost tales. It centres on two children, Henry and Cynthia. After Henry dies in a tragic accident, his spirit is released when Cynthia unknowingly opens an old musical box. Henry’s ghost returns as a vengeful, distorted figure, seeking reunion and revenge.
The song explores themes of innocence lost, death, and the supernatural, with dramatic shifts in music reflecting the eerie, emotional narrative. It’s one of Genesis’s most iconic early prog pieces, combining storytelling with dynamic, intense instrumentation - and featuring one of Peter Gabriel's most heartfelt vocal performances.
2. 'Firth of Fifth' (1973)
Piano brilliance from Tony Banks, and a sublime guitar solo from Steve Hackett. A perfect mix of progressive complexity and wide-eyed beauty
'Firth of Fifth' is one of Genesis’s most celebrated compositions, renowned for its intricate piano introduction by Tony Banks and Steve Hackett’s soaring guitar solo. The song’s complex structure weaves classical influences with progressive rock, creating a rich, dynamic soundscape. Its poetic lyrics explore themes of reflection and loss, adding emotional depth.
A highlight (among several) of 1973's sublime Selling England by the Pound, 'Firth of Fifth' perfectly captures Genesis’s blend of technical skill and storytelling during their peak prog era. The track remains a fan favourite and a highlight of their live performances, exemplifying their artistic ambition.
And the greatest Genesis song is...
1. 'Supper's Ready' (1972)
An epic, multi-part prog masterpiece—complex, emotional, and uniquely theatrical
Genesis’ 'Supper’s Ready' stands as one of progressive rock’s most ambitious and extraordinary achievements. Clocking in at over 22 minutes, this multi-part epic from the 1972 album Foxtrot showcases the band’s remarkable storytelling, musicianship, and creativity at their peak.
The song weaves a complex tapestry of shifting moods, intricate time signatures, and dynamic arrangements, blending mystical, apocalyptic, and spiritual themes. Peter Gabriel’s theatrical vocals bring the surreal narrative to life, while Tony Banks’ keyboards, Steve Hackett’s expressive guitar work, Mike Rutherford’s bass and guitar layers, and Phil Collins’ dynamic drumming create a richly textured soundscape.
'Supper’s Ready' captures the essence of 1970s progressive rock — a blend of drama, emotion, and technical prowess. It remains a fan favourite and a defining moment for Genesis, illustrating their ability to craft deeply moving, intricate music that pushes boundaries and transports listeners on a captivating journey.
It's a complex, sprawling masterpiece - but we found this brilliant animated guide:
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