The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Genesis
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And the lamb lies down on Broadway. Early morning Manhattan, Ocean winds blow on the land. The 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 takes down the chains. Metal motion comes in bursts, But 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 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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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
11 facts about this song
Song Release Info"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is a song by the English progressive rock band Genesis. It was initially released as the opening track of their sixth studio album of the same name in November 1974.
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Lead Singer's InfluencePeter Gabriel, the lead vocalist, wrote most of the lyrics which were based on a surreal story about Rael, a Puerto Rican youth from New York City.
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Influence on Progressive RockThe album is widely considered as one of the definitive progressive rock albums of the era and was embraced by fans for its complex song structures and Gabriel's theatrical style.
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Song's ThemeThe song "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" tells the first part of the story in which Rael wakes up in Times Square and observes a lamb lying down on Broadway.
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Début in Live Show"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" was first played live on 20 November 1974 in Chicago, Illinois.
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InstrumentationThe song is particularly noted for its complex and atmospheric keyboards parts played by Tony Banks.
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Departure of Peter GabrielAfter the release of the album, Peter Gabriel left Genesis due to personal problems, leading to Phil Collins taking over as lead vocalist.
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Cover by Paul GilbertAmerican musician and guitarist Paul Gilbert covered "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" on his 2006 solo album, "Get Out of My Yard." Gilbert is known for being a member of bands like "Mr. Big" and "Racer X."
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Gilbert’s TakePaul Gilbert's cover is quite faithful to the original, and his capacity as a virtuoso guitarist bring additional layers to the song.
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Lasting ImpactThe legacy of "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is such that the song, and indeed the entire album, is still performed by Genesis tribute bands around the world.
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Commercial SuccessDespite its complexity, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" and the album of the same title eventually reached Platinum status, selling over one million copies in America alone.
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Citation
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"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31205275/Genesis/The+Lamb+Lies+Down+on+Broadway>.
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