A Trick of the Tail

Genesis

About A Trick of the Tail

"A Trick of the Tail" is a song by the progressive rock band Genesis taken from the 1976 album of the same name. It was written by the band's keyboard player Tony Banks.


Year:
2007
4:35
359 
#1

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Bored of the life on the city of gold 
He'd left and let nobody know. 
Gone were the towers he had known from a child, 
Alone with the dream of a life 
He traveled the wide open road, 
The blinkered arcade, 
In search of another to share in his life. 
Nowhere. 
Everyone looked so strange to him. 

They've got no horns and they've got no tail 
They don't even know of our existence. 
Am I wrong to believe in a city of gold 
That lies in the deep distance, he cried 

And wept as they led him away to a cage 
Beast that can talk, read the sign. 
The creatures they pushed and they prodded his frame 
And questioned his story again. 
But soon they grew bored of their prey 
Beast that can talk? 
More like a freak or publicity stunt. 
Oh 
No. 

They've got no horns and they've got no tail 
They don't even know of our existence. 
Am I wrong to believe in a city of gold 
That lies in the deep distance, he cried 

And broke down the door of the cage and marched on out. 
He grabbed a creature by the scruff of his neck, pointing out: 
There, beyond the bounds of you weak imagination 
Lie the noble towers of my city, bright and gold. 
Let me take you there, show you a living story 
Let me show you others such as me 
Why did I ever leave? 

They've got no horns and they've got no tail 
They don't even know of our existence 
Am I wrong to believe in a city of gold 
That lies in the deep distance, he cried 
And wept. 

And so we set out with the best and his horns 
And his crazy description of home. 
After many days journey we came to a peak 
Where the beast gazed abroad and cried out. 
We followed his gaze and we thought that maybe we saw 
A spire of gold - no, a trick of the eye that's all, 
But the beast was gone and a voice was heard: 

They've got no horns and they've got no tail 
They don't even know of our existence 
Am I wrong to believe in a city of gold 
That lies in the deep distance 

Hello friend, welcome home.

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Genesis

Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently consists of its three longest-tenured members - Tony Banks (keyboards) and Mike Rutherford (bass, guitar), who were founder members; and Phil Collins (vocals, drums), who first joined in 1970. Past members Peter Gabriel (vocals, flute), Steve Hackett (guitar) and Anthony Phillips (guitar), also played major roles in the band in its early years. Genesis are among the top 30 highest-selling recording artists of all time, with approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide. more »

5 fans

Written by: ANTHONY GEORGE BANKS

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album
"A Trick of the Tail" is the seventh studio album of the British rock band, Genesis. It was released in February 1976.
Transition Period
It was the first Genesis album to feature drummer Phil Collins as lead vocalist following the departure of original lead vocalist Peter Gabriel.
Title Track
"A Trick of the Tail" is also the title of one of the eight songs featured on the album.
Musical Style
The song and album notably carried on the progressive rock sound of the band, despite Gabriel's departure, with extensive use of Tony Banks' keyboard work.
Commercial Success
The album was a commercial success for the band, reaching #3 on the UK Albums Chart and #31 on the Billboard 200 in the US, boosting Genesis' popularity worldwide.
Artwork
The album cover features characters from the songs on the album, including the creature from "A Trick of the Tail". The artwork was done by Colin Elgie.
Critics Review
The album, and the title track, have been widely praised by critics, with Rolling Stone calling it "an excellent album" with "dazzling sound".
Lyrics
The lyrics of "A Trick of the Tail" are based on a mythical beast who is drawn into the human world and struggles to find a way back to his own world.
Live Performances
"A Trick of the Tail" was performed by Genesis during their 1976 and 1977 world tours but largely ignored after that.
Album Sales
As of 2010, A Trick of the Tail has sold over 500,000 copies in the U.S, earning a Gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.

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