The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

Genesis

About The 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
4:52
829 
#3

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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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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


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.
Lead Singer's Influence
Peter 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.
Influence on Progressive Rock
The 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.
Song's Theme
The 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.
Début in Live Show
"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" was first played live on 20 November 1974 in Chicago, Illinois.
Instrumentation
The song is particularly noted for its complex and atmospheric keyboards parts played by Tony Banks.
Departure of Peter Gabriel
After the release of the album, Peter Gabriel left Genesis due to personal problems, leading to Phil Collins taking over as lead vocalist.
Cover by Paul Gilbert
American 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."
Gilbert’s Take
Paul Gilbert's cover is quite faithful to the original, and his capacity as a virtuoso guitarist bring additional layers to the song.
Lasting Impact
The 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.
Commercial Success
Despite 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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