Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

Genesis

About Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is the first song from Genesis's 1974 album of the same name. The song was released as a single in the U. S.. Although it did not chart, it was frequently played on American FM radio stations. Like other songs on the album, the music and lyrics in "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" are partially derived from 1960s soul songs. The end of the song features the words "They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway. They say there's always magic in the air" from The Drifters' song "On Broadway". The studio recording features a variation on the former lyric ("They say the lights are always bright on Broadway"), but subsequent live recordings feature the original. The bass-playing on the song by Mike Rutherford has been described as having "connotations of aggressive energy" that fits in well with the concept album's angry and defiant character Rael. After Gabriel's departure, the Phil Collins-fronted incarnation of the band performed the song often during their first few tours, usually segueing into the closing section of "The Musical Box". A live version appears on Seconds Out from 1977 as well as part of the "Old Medley" on The Way We Walk, Volume Two: The Longs from 1993. The song was also played in full during the 1998 Calling All Stations tour, with Ray Wilson on vocals. 


Year:
1974
299 
#1

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And the lamb lies down on Broadway.
Early morning Manhattan,
Ocean winds blow on the land.
Movie-Palace is now undone,
The all-night watchmen have had their fun.
Sleeping cheaply on the midnight show,
It's the same old ending - time to go.
Get out!
It seems they cannot leave their dream.
There's something moving in the sidewalk steam,
And the lamb lies down on Broadway.
Nightime's flyers feel their pains.
Drugstore take down the chains.
Metal motion comes in bursts,
The gas station can quench that thirst.
Suspension cracked on unmade road
The trucker's eyes read 'Overload'
And out on the subway,
Rael Imperial Aerosol Kid
Exits into daylight, spraygun hid,
And the lamb lies down on Broadway.
The lamb seems right out of place,
Yet the Broadway street scene finds a focus in its face.
Somehow it's lying there,
Brings a stillness to the air.
Though man-made light, at night is very bright,
There's no whitewash victim,
As the neons dim, to the coat of white.
Rael Imperial Aerosol Kid
Wipes his gun - he's forgotten what he did,
And the lamb lies down on Broadway.
Suzanne tired her work all done,
Thinks money - honey - be on - neon.
Cabman's velvet glove sounds the horn
And the sawdust king spits out his scorn.
Wonder women you can draw your blind!
Don't look at me! I'm not your kind.
I'm Rael!
Something inside me has just begun,
Lord knows what I have done,
And the lamb lies down on Broadway.
On Broadway 
They say the lights are always bright on Broadway.
They say there's always magic in the air.

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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 »

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Written by: Michael Rutherford, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Steven Hackett, Tony Banks

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Genesis Makeup
"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is a track by the English rock band Genesis.
Release Date
This song was released as the title track of their double concept album on 18th November 1974.
Concept Album
The concept album, which was also named "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway," was Genesis's sixth studio album and is a prominent part of the progressive rock movement.
Peter Gabriel's Swan Song
This album was the last one that included Peter Gabriel, the Genesis's original lead singer, as he left the band in 1975 to pursue a solo career.
Narrative Song
"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" stands apart as it is a narrative song that tells a surreal story about a Puerto Rican juvenile named Rael living in New York City.
Unique Theme
The song's lyrics and associated concept album's storyline represent a complex amalgamation of various psychological and spiritual themes.
Cover Art
The cover art for "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" album was designed by Hipgnosis, a renowned British design company known for working on significant album covers.
Original LP's Extras
The 1974 Charisma (UK) LP included two bonus tracks, "British Melody" and "Evil Jam," which didn't appear on the original vinyl release.
Live Performances
Genesis performed the entire album live during their 1974/1975 tour.
Popular Song
Despite its complexity and cryptic nature, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" attained widespread popularity and is considered one of Genesis's most notable tracks.
Broad Influence
The album’s narrative format and its combination of rock and theatrical performance have influenced a wide range of artists and bands.
Critical Acclaim
The song and its album have received critical acclaim over the decades and continue to be regarded as definitive pieces of progressive rock genre.
Technical Challenges
The band faced a host of technical challenges while conceiving and executing the complex musical ideas in "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway," an experience that eventually contributed to Peter Gabriel's decision to leave Genesis.
Not a Single
Surprisingly, despite its popularity, the song was not released as a single.
Gabriel's Influence
Gabriel wrote most of the lyrics for the title track and the album, making this project strongly reflective of his style and creative vision.

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