Selling England By The Pound
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Album Summary
Selling England by the Pound was laid down at Island Studios in London and released in October 1973 on Charisma Records in the UK, a moment that felt like the whole British progressive rock scene was holding its breath. Produced by the band themselves alongside John Burns, this record captured the classic five-piece lineup of Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, and Steve Hackett firing on all cylinders — a congregation of musical souls who had found their voice together in a way that was simply undeniable. From the very first needle drop, it was clear that Genesis had arrived at something rare and profound, weaving English folklore, theatrical grandeur, and jaw-dropping musicianship into a tapestry that felt both ancient and utterly alive.
Reception
- Reached number 3 on the UK Albums Chart, standing tall as one of Genesis's most commercially triumphant records on home soil and announcing the band to a whole new wave of listeners.
- Received widespread critical acclaim for its sophisticated arrangements and thematic depth, cementing Genesis as undisputed giants of the 1970s progressive rock movement.
- Generated significant momentum around the single 'I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)', which brought the band their first real taste of chart recognition as a singles act.
Significance
- Represents a transcendent moment in progressive rock history where sweeping conceptual ambition and genuine pop sensibility walk hand in hand without either one flinching — a balance that precious few artists have ever managed to strike.
- Stands as a testament to Genesis's deep roots in English theatrical and literary tradition, channeling everything from pastoral folk imagery to dramatic narrative storytelling through arrangements of breathtaking intricacy.
- Helped define the creative and commercial blueprint for the band's entire 1970s era, demonstrating that progressive rock could speak to the soul of a broad audience without ever dumbing down its artistry.
Samples
- Firth Of Fifth — one of the most recognizable melodies in progressive rock, with its piano introduction widely sampled and interpolated across multiple genres over the decades.
Tracklist
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A1 Dancing With The Moonlit Knight 82
8:02
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A2 I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) 85
4:03
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A3 Firth Of Fifth 85
9:36
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A4 More Fool Me 147
3:10
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B1 The Battle Of Epping Forest 135
11:43
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B2 After The Ordeal 127
4:07
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B3.a The Cinema Show 134
12:40
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B3.b Aisle Of Plenty 121
Artist Details
Genesis, the legendary progressive rock outfit that took shape in Godalming, England back in 1967, built their sound on a foundation of sweeping orchestral complexity, theatrical storytelling, and a kind of musical ambition that just didn't quit — with Peter Gabriel's early theatrical presence and Tony Banks' lush keyboard wizardry leading the way into some of the most sophisticated rock compositions the world had ever heard. They became architects of the prog rock movement alongside Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and later reinvented themselves as a pop powerhouse when Phil Collins stepped to the mic, proving they could move dance floors just as easily as concert halls. Their journey from art-school mysticism to stadium-filling pop dominance made them one of the most versatile and enduring acts in rock history, leaving a fingerprint on everything from new wave to arena rock that serious music lovers still feel to this day.
