The Top 10 Heaviest Songs From Genesis

Genesis got lucky to have been blessed with two pioneering frontmen in their career. The first part of Genesis was largely creative and experimental, with Peter Gabriel bringing something out-of-the-box. And then came Peter Collins, who drove Genesis to perform ballads that not only showed a different side of the band but also led them to immense amounts of fame. But one thing remained constant between the two; they always have a thing to heaviness. Below, we introduce these 10 songs of Genesis that’ll guarantee its championship in the world of heavy rock.

The Waiting Room” (1974) – The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

“We just sat there and tried to frighten ourselves!” Tony Banks once told this in an interview, upon explaining how the band come up with “The Waiting Room.” Its heaviness emulsifies with its creepiness, something that Genesis has a knack for.

“Back in N.Y.C.” (1974) – The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

In “Back in N.Y.C.,” Genesis adopts a more hostile tone than in their previous songs on the album. Lyric-wise, Gabriel sings profanity in the line “I’m not full of shit,” which is pretty much what you’d expect from the song’s heaviness.

“… In That Quiet Earth” (1976) – Wind & Wuthering

A total opposite to its title, “… In That Quiet Earth” is fuming with blasting cymbals of Collins, a soaring guitar work by Steve Hackett, and Mike Rutherford’s genius bass lines. We’re telling you, that the song has its own story and is more than willing to state its parts.

“Musical Box” (1971) – Nursery Cryme

Genesis impressed their critics with Nursery Cryme, an album so ludicrous it reeks of insanity from its cover album down to the content of its songs. One, in particular, is “Musical Box,” which says the story of a young girl named Cynthia who beheads her friend Henry in a game of croquet. Henry’s soul then gets trapped inside the musical box, re-emerges as an angry, old ghost, and attacks Cynthia. Wild.

“The Return of the Giant Hogweed” (1971) – Nursery Cryme

Gabriel has been known by many to be the author of some of Genesis’ craziest lines ever. For this song, we have: Mighty Hogweed is avenged! / Human bodies soon will know our anger / Kill them with your Hogweed hairs! / Heracleum Mantegazziani.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTuJQL8GBqY

“Fly on a Windshield” (1974) – The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

The song is developed into two parts: one that’s loud and one that’s quiet. Its shift from soft and mellow to pure heaviness is what Tony Banks labeled as “the single best moment in Genesis.”

“Supper’s Ready” (1972) – Foxtrot

The song is the starting point of the development of progressive rock, with the lengthy number finishing neatly at 23 minutes. However, “Supper’s Ready” was not heavy at all times, some of its hefty parts can be heard in the “Apocalypse in 9/8” section.

“Down and Out” (1978) – …And Then There Were Three…

After the departure of guitarist Steve Hackett to pursue a solo career, the remaining members felt that they could carry on the legacy as a trio.  “…And Then There Were Three… relived the old remnants of prog-rock, with songs that relied on heaviness, such as “Down and Out.”

“Squonk” (1976) – A Trick of the Tail

“Squonk” is based on the North American legend of the Squonk, who dissolves in a pool of tears when caught. The song was meant to sound like Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir,” with the main theme written by Rutherford and a middle portion written by Banks.

“The Knife” (1973) – Live version

“The Knife” was built as a folk-rock tune, with nothing to be excited for. But in 1973, when the band performed this live, critics decided to label the song as the “edgiest” Genesis track ever. Why wouldn’t they? You can listen to it below and see it for yourself.