Musical Box
Genesis
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Play me Old King Cole That I may join with you All your hearts now seem so far from me It hardly seems to matter now And the nurse will tell you lies Of a kingdom beyond the skies But I am lost within this half-world It hardly seems to matter now Play me my song Here it comes again Play me my song Here it comes again Just a little bit Just a little bit more time Time left to live out my life Play me my song Here it comes again Play me my song Here it comes again Old King Cole was a merry old soul And a merry old soul was he So he called for his pipe And he called for his bowl And he called for his fiddlers three But the clock, tick-tock On the mantlepiece And I want, and I feel, and I know, and I touch The walls She's a lady, she's got time Brush back your hair and let me get to know your face She's a lady, she is mine Oh, brush back your hair and let me get to know your flesh I've been waiting here for so long And all this time that passed me by It doesn't seem to matter now You stand there with your fixed expression Casting doubt on all I have to say Why don't you touch me, touch me Why don't you touch me, touch me Touch me now, now, now, now, now Now, now, now, now, now Now, now, now, now, now Now, now, now, now Now, now, now, now
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
5 fans
Written by: Peter Brian Gabriel, Michael Rutherford, Anthony George Banks, Stephen Richard Hackett, Phillip David Charles Collins
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Album"The Musical Box" is a track from the album "Nursery Cryme," which was Genesis's third studio album, released in November 1971.
|
Long-trackThe song lasts for around ten minutes, which is a significant shift from typical pop song durations. It's reflective of the progressive rock genre that Genesis is known for.
|
Band firstThis was the first song that featured the classic Genesis five-man lineup: Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, and Steve Hackett.
|
InspirationThe song is based on a Victorian fairy tale about two children in a country estate. A girl kills her friend, Henry, by beheading him with a croquet mallet. She later discovers Henry's spirit in a musical box.
|
Distinctive openingThe song starts with a distinctive sound achieved by tapping on the guitar body, known as percussive slaps or slap harmonics, which was a technique introduced by the guitarist Steve Hackett.
|
Live performancesDuring live performances of this song, Peter Gabriel was known for wearing a fox's head and a red dress. This get-up became one of the band's trademarks.
|
Complex structureReflecting Genesis's progressive rock style, "The Musical Box" does not follow a typical verse-chorus song structure. Instead, it constantly evolves and shifts its tone, tempo, and style over its runtime.
|
Double entendreThe Musical Box is full of sexual innuendoes that are hidden in its lyrics. Some interpretations suggest the song is about the loss of innocence or the rites of passage into adulthood.
|
ImmortalityThe song is considered a classic of the progressive rock genre and is viewed as an early example of Genesis's distinctive sound.
|
Critically AcclaimedThe song has been well received by critics, and the theatrical performances by Peter Gabriel during live performances have specifically been praised. It is often hailed as one of Genesis's greatest songs ever.
|
First SingleEven though it was a long track, a single version of "The Musical Box" was released in 1972. However, this single was only released in Belgium and was cut down to 3 minutes and 31 seconds.
|
Continual PopularityIt's one of the band's most played live tracks and remained a part of their performance repertoire into the 1990s. Even today, it's an enduring favorite among fans.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Musical Box Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1538345/Genesis/Musical+Box>.
Powered by CITE.ME
Discuss the Musical Box Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In