I was very keen to try and focus our Englishness because American music at the time was the critics' darling and I thought it would be nice to respond with something of our own. -Peter Gabriel
On October 12, 1973 Genesis released their fifth studio album Selling England By The Pound, their most commercially successful, and arguably their most creative effort to date. The album rose to #3 in the UK while the single "I Know What I Like ( In Your Wardrobe)", released in the Spring of '74, peaked at #21 in their native country.
The song is sung from the point of view of a young groundskeeper pictured on the album cover.
"Wardrobe" may have been the doorway for new fans. But once they entered the surreal world of Selling England, they were treated to some epic Genesis suites, two of which ran over 11 minutes in length. Fan favorite "Firth of Firth" may be the album's highlight, a brilliant nine and a half minute suite combing three ideas Tony Banks had come up with. The album also features "More Fool Me" , a bittersweet love tune sung by Phil Collins. Talk about foreshadowing!
The band probably could have used some editing. Selling England ran over 53 minutes in length, so the vinyl pressings could be less dynamic than the songs deserved. So here's at least one hurrah for the CD age.
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