GENESIS


We Can't Dance

(1991)



1. No Son Of Mine 6'39
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Phil Collins
2. Jesus He Knows Me 4'17
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Phil Collins
3. Driving The Last Spike 10'08
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Phil Collins
4. I Can't Dance 4'01
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Phil Collins
5. Never A Time 3'51
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Mike Rutherford
6. Dreaming While You Sleep 7'17
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Mike Ruterford
7. Tell Me Why 4'59
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Phil Collins
8. Living Forever 5'41
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Tony Banks
9. Hold On My Heart 4'38
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Phil Collins
10. Way Of The World 5'39
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Mike Rutherford
11. Since I Lost You 4'10
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Phil Collins
12. Fading Lights 10'17
(Tony Banks / Phil Collins / Mike Rutherford)
Main Lyricist: Tony Banks

Total Time: 71:37


  • Phil Collins - Drums, Vocals, Producer
  • Tony Banks - Keyboards, Producer
  • Mike Rutherford - Bass, Guitar, Producer

    Produced by GENESIS and Nick Davis
    Engineered by Nick Davis
    Assisted by Mark Robinson
    Technical Assistance: Geoff Callingham and Mike Bowen
    Illustrations by FELICITY ROMA BOWERS
    Design and Art Direction by ICON
    Photography by David Scheinmann

    All Tracks Written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford

    ©1991 ANTHONY BANKS Ltd. / HIT AND RUN MUSIC (Publishomg) PHILIP COLLINS Ltd. / MICHAEL RUTHERFORD Ltd.

    Many Thanks To:

    Steve Jones, Dale Newman Howie, and Angela of couse for feedding us

    Also Thanks To:

    Tony Smith Carole Willis, Vicky Andrews and all at HIT AND RUN MUSIC were we would be ... ?

    Recorded at The FARM, Surrey, England, March - September





    1. No Son Of Mine

      Well the key to my survival
      was never in much doubt
      the question was how I could keep sane
      trying to find a way out

      Things were never easy for me
      peace of mind was hard to fin
      and I needed a place where I could hide
      somewhere I could call mine

      I didn't think much about it
      til it started happening all the time
      soon I was living with the fear everyday
      of what might happen that night

      I couldn't stand to hear the
      crying of my mother
      and I remember when
      i swore that, that would be the
      Last they'd see of me
      And I never went home again

      they say that time is a healer
      and now my wounds are not the same
      I rang the bell with my heart in my mouth
      I had to hear what he'd say

      He sat me down to talk to me
      he looked me straight in the eyes

      he said:

      You're no son, you're no son of mine
      You're no son, you're no son of mine
      You walked out, you left us behind
      and you're no son, no son of mine

      oh, his words how they hurt me, I'll never forget it
      and as the time, it went by, I lived to regret it

      You're no son, you're no son of mine
      but where should I go,
      and what should I do
      you're no son, you're no son of mine
      but I came here for help, oh I came here for you

      Well the years they passed so slowly
      I thought about him everyday
      what would I do, if we passed on the street
      would I keep running away

      in and out of hiding places
      soon I'd have to face the facts
      we'd have to sit down and talk it over
      and that would mean going back

      they say that time is a healer
      and now my wounds are not the same
      I rang that bell with my heart in my mouth
      I had to hear what he'd say

      He sat me down to talk to me
      he looked me straight in the eyes

      he said:

      You're no son, you're no son of mine
      You're no son, you're no son of mine
      When you walked out, you left us behind
      and you're no son, you're no son of mine

      oh, his words how they hurt me, I'll never forget it
      and as the time, it went by, I lived to regret it

      You're no son, you're no son of mine
      But where should I go and what should I do
      You're no son, you're no son of mine
      But I came here for help, oh I was looking for you
      You're no son, you're no son of mine - oh
      You're no son - ha yeah, ha yeah, ha yeah, ha yeah
      You're no son, you're no son of mine - oh, oh ...

    2. Jesus He Knows Me

      You see the face on the TV screen
      coming at you every Sunday
      see that face on the billboard
      that man is me

      On the cover of the magazine
      there's no question why I'm smiling
      you buy a piece of paradise
      you buy a piece of me

      I'll get you everything you wanted
      I'll get you everything you need
      don't need to believe in hereafter
      just believe in me

      Cos Jesus he knows me
      and he knows I'm right
      I've been talking to Jesus all my life
      oh yes he knows me
      and he knows I'm right
      and he's been telling me
      everything is alright

      I believe in the family
      with my ever loving wife beside me
      but she don't know about my girlfriend
      or the man I met last night

      Do you believe in God
      cos that's what I'm selling
      and if you wanna get to heaven
      I'll see you right

      You won't even have to leave your house
      or get outta your chair
      you don't even have to touch that dial
      cos I'm everywhere

      And Jesus he knows me
      and he knows I'm right
      I've been talking to Jesus all my life
      oh yes he knows me
      and he knows I'm right
      well he's been telling me
      everything's gonna be alright

      Won't find me practising what I'm preaching
      won't find me making no sacrifice
      but I can get you a pocketful of miracles
      if you promise to be good, try to be nice
      God will take good care of you
      just do as I say, don't do as I do

      I'm counting my blessings,
      I've found true happiness
      cos I'm getting richer, day by day
      you can find me in the phone book,
      just call my toll free number
      you can do it anyway you want
      just do it right away

      There'll be no doubt in your mind
      you'll believe everything I'm saying
      if you wanna get closer to him
      get on your knees and start paying

      Cos Jesus he knows me
      and he knows I'm right
      I've been talking to Jesus all my life
      oh yes he knows me
      and he knows I'm right
      well he's been telling me
      everything's gonna be alright, alright

      Jesus he knows me
      Jesus he knows me, you know ...

    3. Driving The Last Spike

    In the early 1800's, large groups of mainly unskilled labourers built England's Railways. The cost in
    human terms alone was very high ...

      Leaving my family behind me
      not knowing what lay ahead
      waving goodbye, as I left them in tears
      remembering all we'd said

      I looked to the sky, I offered my prayers
      I asked Him for guidance and strength
      but the simple beliefs of a simple man
      lay in His hands, and on my head

      I gave everything that they wanted
      but still they wanted more
      we sweat and we toiled
      good men lost their lives
      I don't think they knew what for

      I sold them my heart
      I sold them my soul
      I gave everything I had
      ah but they couldn't break my spirit
      my dignity fought back,
      fightback
      can you hear me
      can you see
      Don't you hear me
      don't you see

      We worked in gangs for all we were worth
      the young boys pulling the wagons
      we were digging the tunnel, shifting the earth
      it was then that it happened.

      No-one knew how the cracks appeared
      but as it fell they all disappeared
      stone fell like rain

      Can you hear me,
      Can you see
      Don't you hear me
      Can you breathe

      The smoke cleared, the dust it settled
      No one knew how many had died
      all around there were broken men
      they'd said it was safe, they'd lied
      you could hear the cries, you could smell the fear
      but good fortune that day was mine
      and it occurred to me the heart of a good man
      it seems is hard to find.

      Can you hear me,
      can you see
      Don't you hear me
      don't you see

      We worked, how we worked like
      the devil for our pay
      through the wind, through the snow,
      and through the rain

      Blasting and cutting through Gods country like a knife
      sweat stinging my eyes, there has to be a better life

      Ah but I can hear my childrens' cry
      I can see the tears in their eyes
      memories of those I've left behind
      still ringing in my ears
      Will I ever go back again
      Will I ever see her face again
      I'll never forget that night
      As they waved goodbye to their fathers

      We came from the North,
      and we came from the South
      with picks and with spades
      and a new kind of order
      showing no fear of what lies up ahead
      They'll never see the likes of us again

      Driving the last spike,
      lifting and laying the track
      with blistering hands,
      the sun burning your back

      Oh but I can hear my childrens' cry
      I can see the tears in their eyes
      memories of those I've left behind
      still ringing in my ears
      Well I'll always remember that night,
      As they waved goodbye to their fathers

      We followed the rail, we slept under the stars
      digging in darkness, and living with danger
      showing no fear of what lies up ahead
      they'll never see the likes of us again

      can you hear me
      can you see
      Don't you hear me
      don't you see

    4. I Can't Dance

      Hot sun beating down
      burning my feet just walking around.

      Hot sun making me sweat
      'Gators getting close, hasn't got me yet

      I can't dance, I can't talk.
      Only thing about me is the way I walk.
      I can't dance, I can't sing
      I'm just standing here selling everything.

      Blue jeans sitting on the beach,
      her dog's talking to me, but she's out of reach.

      She's got a body under that shirt,
      but all she wants to do is rub my face in the dirt.

      Cos, I can't dance, I can't talk.
      Only thing about me is the way I walk.
      I can't dance, I can't sing
      I'm just standing here selling.

      Oh and checking everything is in place,
      you never know who's looking on.

      Young punk spilling beer on my shoes,
      fat guy's talking to me trying to steal my blues.

      Thick smoke, see her smiling through.
      I never thought so much could happen just shooting pool.

      But I can't dance, I can't talk.
      The only thing about me is the way that I walk.
      I can't dance, I can't sing
      I'm just standing here selling

      Oh and checking everything is in place
      You never know who's looking on
      A perfect body with a perfect face - uh-huh.

      No, I can't dance, I can't talk.
      The only thing about me is the way I walk.
      No, I can't dance, I can't sing
      I'm just standing here selling everything.

      But I can walk.
      No I can't dance.
      No no no I can't dance
      No I said I can't sing.
      But I can walk.

    5. Never A Time

      There is never a time to say
      cos it seems to me we've lost our way
      so we carry on, down the road
      and we live our lives haunted by
      all the things we say and do
      keep on missing, when I'm alone with you

      No there's never a time to change
      you don't get a chance to re-arrange
      it's a long long long way to go
      just to find out something, we both know
      can't you see what's going on
      it's so sad, that a love so strong, has gone

      All I know is what is true
      All I ask is for you
      To just look around and see

      You live your life locked in a dream
      Where nothing is real, and not what it seems
      We can't go on another day
      Just being afraid to say

      It's a long long way to fall
      When we both thought we had it all
      Well you know it's the time to say
      cos we're all played out, we've lost our way
      Oh, I hoped that you would be
      oh so understanding
      and by now you'd see, but oh no
      so sad, oh so sad, that's the way that it goes
      I know, I'm gonna tell you right now

    6. Dreaming While You Sleep

      In and out of darkness, in and out of sleep
      trying to keep my hands upon the wheel.
      Never saw the corner in the driving rain.
      I never saw her step into the street.

      Dreaming while you sleep
      dreaming while you sleep
      memories to keep
      dreaming while you sleep

      I can never understand what went thru my mind
      I didn't stop to see what I had done.
      Had to keep on driving deep into the night
      the miles between would somehow put it right

      Dreaming while you sleep
      dreaming while you sleep
      memories to keep
      dreaming while you sleep

      All my life you lie silently there
      All my life in a world so unfair
      All my life and only I'll know why
      and it will live inside of me,
      I will never be free all my life,
      trapped in her memory all my life
      Till the day that you open your eyes,
      please open your eyes

      Dreaming while you sleep
      dreaming while you sleep

      Heard it on the radio, saw it on TV,
      but could I take my secret to the grave.
      If I had another chance, would I do the same.
      Would I still deny that it was me.

      Dreaming while you sleep
      dreaming while you sleep
      Dreaming while you sleep,
      Are you dreaming while you sleep?

      All my life I'll be haunted by
      all my life just one moment in time
      all my life until the day I die
      and it will live inside of me
      Oh I will never be free all my life
      trapped in her memory all my life
      Till the day that you open your eyes

      All of my life - you lie silently there
      All my life - in a world so unfair
      All my life - and only I know why
      And it will live inside of me
      I will never be free all my life
      Trapped in her memory - all my life
      Till the day that you open your eyes.

      All of my life.
      Just one moment of time, all my life.

    7. Tell Me Why

      Mothers crying in the street
      Children dying at their feet, tell me why, ooh tell me why
      People starving everywhere
      There's too much food but there's none to spare,
      Tell me why, oh tell me why

      Can you see that shaft of sunlight
      can you see it in my eyes
      I can feel the fire that's burning
      anger and hope so deep
      so deep within my heart but before my eyes
      for some it's too late
      cos it seems there's no-one listening

      People sleeping in the streets
      no roof above, no food to eat, tell me why, oh tell me why
      see the questions in their eyes
      listen to their children's cries,
      Tell me why, please tell me why

      If there's a God, is he watching
      can he give a ray of hope
      so much pain and so much sorrow
      tell me what does he see
      when he looks at you
      when he looks at me
      what would he say
      cos it seems there's no-one listening

      Who would think it still could happen
      even in this time and place
      politicians, they may save themselves
      ah but they won't save their face
      so hope against hope it's not too late

      You say there's nothing you can do
      is there one rule for them and one for you,
      tell me why, just tell my why

      Listen can you see that shaft of sunlight
      can you see it in my eyes
      I can feel the fire that's burning
      anger and hope so deep
      so deep within my heart but before my eyes
      for some it's too late
      and it seems there's no-one listening

      Hurry for me, hurry for me
      Hurry for me, hurry for me, they cry, they cry ...

    8. Living Forever

      I'm feeling so confused today
      they've gone and changed the rules again
      cos in my life I'm trying hard
      to do it all so I can remain
      healthy and sane

      I'll live forever, always one more tomorrow
      living forever, always one more tomorrow

      I heard it on the radio
      too much of what they said wasn't so
      and now we've got to do those things
      that they thought before were so wrong
      to be healthy and strong

      and live forever, always one more tomorrow
      living forever, always one more tomorrow

      I know we don't need you
      I know we don't believe you
      you don't really have the answers
      you think you know better
      you think it really matters
      you just want to rule over everybody's lives

      I think I'll change my life today
      gone are the times of taking care
      and I really don't need a reason why
      all I need is all in a day
      survive in a way

      or just till tomorrow, there's always one more tomorrow
      living forever, do you really want to live forever

    9. Hold On My Heart

      Hold on my heart
      just hold on to that feeling
      we both know we've been here before
      we both know what can happen

      Hold on my heart
      cos I'm looking over your shoulder
      ooh please don't rush in this time
      don't show her how you feel

      Hold on my heart
      throw me a lifeline
      I'll keep a place for you
      somewhere deep inside

      So hold on my heart
      please tell her to be patient
      cos there has never been a time
      that I wanted something more

      If I can recall this feeling
      and I know there's a chance
      oh I will be there
      yes I will be there
      be there for you
      whenever you want me to
      whenever you call oh I will be there
      Yes I will be there

      Hold on my heart
      don't let her see you crying
      no matter where I go
      she'll always be with me

      So hold on my heart
      just hold on to that feeling
      we both know we've been here before
      we both know what can happen
      So hold on my heart ...

    10. Way Of The World

      If you take the tears from crying eyes
      will the hurt just disappear
      put a weapon in the hands of a frightened man
      will he show no fear
      so we stand and we watch as the city lights go out one by one
      Mother Nature sits on the other side with a loaded gun

      Why is there blue sky
      why is there red sky,
      now's the time to ask the reason,
      should the blue sky, meet the red sky
      should the rules have to change at all
      we all know whatever they say, time is on our side
      Ooh this world has been here before just going round and round

      We all agree as far as we can see
      It's just the way of the world,
      that's how it's meant to be
      There's right and there's wrong
      There's weak - oh and there's strong
      It's just the way of the world
      and that's how it's meant to be

      Take the motion from a spinning wheel and watch it stop
      Take the danger out of a naked flame and what have you got
      If you take the anger out of a broken heart, you feel no pain
      Could you swear if you had that second chance you wouldn't do it again.

      Why is there blue sky
      why is there red sky,
      now's the time to ask the reason,
      should the blue sky, meet the red sky
      should the rules have to change at all
      we all know whatever they say, time is on our side
      This world has been here before just going round and round

      We all agree as far as we can see
      It's just the way of the world,
      and that's how it's meant to be
      There's right and there's wrong
      There's weak - oh and there's strong
      It's just the way of the world
      and that's how it's meant to be

      We all agree as far as we can see
      It's just the way of the world,
      and that's how it's meant to be
      There's right and there's wrong
      There's weak - oh and there's strong
      Cos it's just the way of the world
      and that's how it's meant to be ...

    11. Since I Lost You

      It seems in a moment, your whole world can shatter
      like morning dreams they just disappear
      like dust in your hand falling to the floor
      how can life ever be the same

      cos my heart is broken in pieces
      yes my heart is broken in pieces
      since you've been gone

      It's all too easy to take so much for granted
      oh but it's so hard to find the words to say
      like a castle in the sand the water takes away
      but how can life ever be the same

      cos my heart is broken in pieces
      yes my heart is broken in pieces
      since I've lost you

      oh now you'll never see
      oh you'll never know
      all the things I planned for you
      things for you and me

      Held your hand so tightly
      that I couldn't let it go
      Now how can life ever be the same

      cos my heart is broken in pieces
      yes my heart is broken in pieces
      since you've been gone

      cos my heart is broken in pieces
      yes my heart is broken in pieces
      since I've lost you

      cos my heart is broken in pieces
      yes my heart is broken in pieces
      since you've been gone

    12. Fading Lights

      Another time it might have been so different
      oh if only we could do it all again
      but now it's just another fading memory
      out of focus, though the outline still remains

      Far away, away, fading distant lights
      leaving us all behind, lost in a changing world
      and you know that these are the days of our lives
      remember

      Like the story that we wish was never ending
      We know sometime we must reach the final page
      still we carry on just pretending
      that there'll always be one more day to go

      Far away, away, fading distant lights
      leaving us all behind, lost in a changing world
      and you know that these are the days of our lives
      so remember...

      Another chance hello, another goodbye
      and so many things we'll never see again
      days of life that seemed so unimportant
      they seem to matter but to count much later on

      Far away, away, fading distant lights
      leaving us all behind, lost in a changing world
      and you know that these are the days of our lives
      remember