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Genesis — Counting Out Time
Album: The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 330









Released: 1974
Length: 3:36
Plays (last 30 days): 0
''The palpitating cherry-red organ was returned to its rightful place and began to beat faster as it led our hero, counting out time, through his first romantic encounter.''

I'm counting out time,
Got the whole thing down by numbers
All those numbers!
Give me guidance!
O Lord I need that now

The day of judgement's come,
And you can bet that I've been resting,
for this testing,
Digesting every word the experts say
Erogenous zones I love you
Without you, what would a poor boy do?

Found a girl I wanted to date,
Thought I'd better get it straight
Went to buy a book before it's too late
Don't leave nothing to fate
I studied every line, every page in the book,
Now, I've got the real thing here, I'm gonna take a look, take a look

This is Rael!

I'm counting out time, hoping it goes like I planned it,
'Cos I understand it. Look! I've found the hotspots, Figs 1-9
Still counting out time, got my finger on the button,
"Don't say nuttin - just lie there still
And I'll get you turned on just fine."
Erogenous zones I love you
Without you, what would a poor boy do?

Touch and go with 1-6
Bit of trouble in zone No. 7
Gotta remember all of my tricks
There's heaven ahead in No. 11!
Getting crucial responses, dilation of the pupils
"Honey get hip! It's time to unzip, to unzip, zip, zip-a-zip-a-zip, whipee!"
(Take it away Mr. Guitar)
- Move over Casanova -

I'm counting out time, reaction none to happy,
Please don't slap me,
I'm a red blooded male and the book said I could not fail
I'm counting out time, I got unexpected distress from my mistress,
I'll get my money back from the bookstore right away
Erongenous zones I question you
Without you, what would a poor boy do?
Without you, what would a poor boy do?
Without you, mankind handkinds thru' the blues
Comments (60)add comment
I LIKE IT!!  I don't care what anybody else says!  I haven't heard it in a while.  Thanx RP!   
 Skydog wrote:
2

 
I'm going with 3 because I like to think of myself as kind.
 Skydog wrote:
2

 

A solid "Sucko Barfo". One. Because there ain't a 0.
2
 fredriley wrote:
Aargh! Genesis! The group that launched Phil sodding Collins on an unsuspecting world. Is there such a thing as a Music Crimes Tribunal? If so Collins should be hauled before it toot sweet to answer for his crimes. It was nice to see him make a complete arse of himself on the satirical TV programme Brass Eye, the (in)famous 'pedophile' edition, where he was conned into backing a campaign of "nonce-sense". Even better, when he realised he'd been had, instead of just taking it on the chin and shrugging his shoulders, he went ballistic, completely ape, which only added mightily to the entertainment.


 
I mute the music of  this shiny headed twerp, but scroll through enjoyable comments to lift my spirit, thank you fredriley
Love the rhyme "distress from my mistress".
does not retain its flavour over time
 Steely_D wrote:
When you don't know what Gabriel's singing about here's a hint: his dick.

 

Four judges on America's Got Talent having different reactions

Never would have guessed. Could you draw us a piccie? {#Whipit}
When you don't know what Gabriel's singing about here's a hint: his dick.
You naive youngsters need to listen to this double-album all the way through - one of my all-time faves and a musician's album.  Best on vinyl, imho, but there may be better digital copies out there by now.  Great narrative - hilarious at times.  In the old days, you could read along on the album cover - but not so easy today.

As per others, I gave up on Collins but will follow Gabriel to the end.


i think i'll name my next pet rael.
 ppopp wrote:
Takes balls to play this on the radio. Superb!

 

Cool!
Seriously??Songs with no end 
Takes balls to play this on the radio. Superb!
 floydoftherocks wrote:

Amen. Genesis with PG was simply amazing...
 


On his current tour, Steve Hackett includes Cinema Show/Aisle of Plenty with a wonderful transition right into The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Definitely a show highlight.
Perhaps I don't get out much. 
I've never heard this track in my life.
I can't say I would miss it if I never heard it again.
 
I haven't heard this in so long! Thanks RP!!! My college BF like it a lot, too. And quoted it at times, HAHAHA
 LemonLady wrote:
This is from an epic 2 disk concept album.  The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is not really chock full of hooks or other pop stuff; was a pretty musically serious (if not lyrically serious lol) piece of work (although had a serious overtone).  So this song can be hard to 'get' out of that context.  It is one of the most groundbreaking prog albums, and was something we pretty much listened to all the way through; not to be shuffled.  Anyway, for all you macho guys...back then some androgyny and genderlessness, plus showing a sensitive side was OK, and that is coming back, except now not for just for rock stars.  The engineering was not the greatest on those early Genesis albums, which can be hard to wade through. But the music was still great.  Of course, each to their own.  I left the Genesis world when Collins took the helm and preferred Gabriel and Hackett and the ONLY song I've ever liked of the "Phil Collins" mainstream band is Paper Late.  Then again, Genesis, as it was, would not have survived the punk invasion, as someone made a good point about here.  So I watched in horror as Collins did what he did with that band.  He was ok at the very end of the orig Genesis, but after that...no thanks IMHO.   Listen to Nursery Crime, or the most accessible of early Genesis, Selling England by the Pound.  But, to be sure, THAT Genesis and Phil Collins after are NOT even the same thing/band.   Both Gabriel and Collins, etc,  made it through punk and out the other side, so there's a bit for everyone there.  I notice that they don't play the best of old prog, for the most part here, which is a shame, as some people are hearing it for the first time.  It seems like the weakest album cut or album is played, but even so, it is still good stuff in my book, just not the strongest or what was best about them.

 
Amen. Genesis with PG was simply amazing...

I like Philadelphia Collins way more than Phil Collins, myself. {#Drunk}
This is from an epic 2 disk concept album.  The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is not really chock full of hooks or other pop stuff; was a pretty musically serious (if not lyrically serious lol) piece of work (although had a serious overtone).  So this song can be hard to 'get' out of that context.  It is one of the most groundbreaking prog albums, and was something we pretty much listened to all the way through; not to be shuffled.  Anyway, for all you macho guys...back then some androgyny and genderlessness, plus showing a sensitive side was OK, and that is coming back, except now not for just for rock stars.  The engineering was not the greatest on those early Genesis albums, which can be hard to wade through. But the music was still great.  Of course, each to their own.  I left the Genesis world when Collins took the helm and preferred Gabriel and Hackett and the ONLY song I've ever liked of the "Phil Collins" mainstream band is Paper Late.  Then again, Genesis, as it was, would not have survived the punk invasion, as someone made a good point about here.  So I watched in horror as Collins did what he did with that band.  He was ok at the very end of the orig Genesis, but after that...no thanks IMHO.   Listen to Nursery Crime, or the most accessible of early Genesis, Selling England by the Pound.  But, to be sure, THAT Genesis and Phil Collins after are NOT even the same thing/band.   Both Gabriel and Collins, etc,  made it through punk and out the other side, so there's a bit for everyone there.  I notice that they don't play the best of old prog, for the most part here, which is a shame, as some people are hearing it for the first time.  It seems like the weakest album cut or album is played, but even so, it is still good stuff in my book, just not the strongest or what was best about them.
I love this funky tune.  Thank you Bill and Rebecca.  :D
 fredriley wrote:
Aargh! Genesis! The group that launched Phil sodding Collins on an unsuspecting world. Is there such a thing as a Music Crimes Tribunal? If so Collins should be hauled before it toot sweet to answer for his crimes. It was nice to see him make a complete arse of himself on the satirical TV programme Brass Eye, the (in)famous 'pedophile' edition, where he was conned into backing a campaign of "nonce-sense". Even better, when he realised he'd been had, instead of just taking it on the chin and shrugging his shoulders, he went ballistic, completely ape, which only added mightily to the entertainment.
 
Phil Collins is (was) a great drummer, one of the very best. Don't like his later pop stuff though.
 linden wrote:
Some of PG's best songs are the ones where he sings about his penis.
 

That is probably the funniest thing I have ever read here.  I certainly hope the next song I hear from him is not "Shock the Monkey."


Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks felix_the_man wrote:


AND Steve Hackett  {#Guitarist} !!

 

 tiggers wrote:


Yes but Genesis also gave us Peter Gabriel which more than make up for Colins. Yes Gabriel is THAT good!
 

AND Steve Hackett  {#Guitarist} !!

Please count this song out of your playlist. Thank you so VERY much. {#Puke}
 Zep wrote:
I think this song is borked - which might not be a bad thing.

 
yeah.   it's borked.  I wouldn't mind hearing this song unborked.   Its new to me and I like it.   I hope bill reads this and realizes its problems.

Some of PG's best songs are the ones where he sings about his penis.
I also heard distortions in this song, as others noted below. I don't think it was my connection.

The song itself was new to me and although I did not dislike it, I probably won't look deeper into the old Genesis stuff...
redfern777 wrote:
Phil Collins? Peter Gabriel is singing...

I meant the drumming part. The drum pattern is great on this (and throughout the whole album). The proof that Collins could be, and once was, a terrific musician. Call Ripley's team! Maybe I'll take flak for it, but I think that between 1972 and 1976 (by the way that's FIVE studio albums in four years, including a double length from which this song is taken, and the last two of those fronted by Collins - that's 20+ years of Radiohead output!) , Genesis produced some of the most interesting and groundbreaking period signature music of the 20th century and for that is up there with King Crimson, The Beatles (a special case, admittedly), Pink Floyd, Elvis before the Army, Ravel, Stravinsky, Richard Strauss, Miles Davis,  Bob Marley, the Clash etc.(list obviously not exhaustive).

But more than that, although they are often accused to be a leading part of of the "bombastic" prog movement (I think they went more or less their own way - and in fact left the multi-act market early on) they were the ones on the creative side (the bombastic prog scene was inflated by the hundreds of less talented bands that were axed later by Punk to the jubilation of many rock critics - the most important so called prog bands mainstreamed and survived, at least the British ones)­. Not only those Genesis records showed remarkable musicianship and a knack for well crafted melodies, they had to be recreated on stage - hardly a Rock 'N Roll proposition. So the band had to be imaginative on stage as well. Of course their shows became a Trademark over the years - from theatrical in the early 70s to Grand Rock Circus in the 80s, and that's part of their legend, but few people seem to know that on paper they "invented the shows" before knowing what was technically possible and so always pushed the envelope - and I might add they did so also from a compete lack of showmanship (they used to sit down to play and even Gabriel had to fight shyness). So it started with masks, in between stories and costume changes, then black lights, magnesium bombs, "flying gear", projections, Boeing 747 headlights, computerized mirrors, the list goes on and on. And even the infamous Vari Lite was created on specs for them. https://www.vari-lite.com/index.php?submenu=Company&src=gendocs&ref=About-Vari-Lite&category=Company
I saw the first Vari Lite show given by them in the 1981-82 tour and I can tell you it changed the way arena shows had to be delivered. So, maybe, there is a little bit of Phil Collins in the U2 shows we like...{#Wink}


I think this song is borked - which might not be a bad thing.
fredriley wrote:
Aargh! Genesis! The group that launched Phil sodding Collins on an unsuspecting world. Is there such a thing as a Music Crimes Tribunal? If so Collins should be hauled before it toot sweet to answer for his crimes. It was nice to see him make a complete arse of himself on the satirical TV programme Brass Eye, the (in)famous 'pedophile' edition, where he was conned into backing a campaign of "nonce-sense". Even better, when he realised he'd been had, instead of just taking it on the chin and shrugging his shoulders, he went ballistic, completely ape, which only added mightily to the entertainment.
Yes but Genesis also gave us Peter Gabriel which more than make up for Colins. Yes Gabriel is THAT good!
Wow... I suppose that "eclectic" truly goes for the audience as much as the music that gets played here. Amazing the level of shallowness and sheer ignorance shown in some of the comments posted about this song.
reason06 wrote:
Umm, whats wrong with this? bad file?
I think the feed was scrambled somehow.
Aargh! Genesis! The group that launched Phil sodding Collins on an unsuspecting world. Is there such a thing as a Music Crimes Tribunal? If so Collins should be hauled before it toot sweet to answer for his crimes. It was nice to see him make a complete arse of himself on the satirical TV programme Brass Eye, the (in)famous 'pedophile' edition, where he was conned into backing a campaign of "nonce-sense". Even better, when he realised he'd been had, instead of just taking it on the chin and shrugging his shoulders, he went ballistic, completely ape, which only added mightily to the entertainment.
good, it's not only me it's skipping/gapping/dying for then. i'd guess bad network before bad file though. at least it's not happening to a good song. mutex0r! -PL-
Dior wrote:
Listen, even Phil Collins is getting into it... This is great music and lyrics.
Phil Collins? Peter Gabriel is singing...
Art_Carnage wrote:
Wimp-rock at its very worst. Just awful.
Stick to your country shit 'dude'
not a good one...
Umm, whats wrong with this? bad file?
Art_Carnage wrote:
Wimp-rock at its very worst. Just awful.
Evidently you have no understanding of this song at all. It's about a teenage boy thinking he can have sex with a girl by following a procedure he read in a book but by doing so he just upsets her. It's a satire of the macho stereotype of how a guy's supposed to bed a woman and pretty funny. I have no idea where you get 'wimpy' on that except maybe for some brain dead Texas idea of whatever you don't like you label 'wimpy' or liberal. Get your head out of the sticks, there's a world of facts out there. You simply don't understand the song.
Art_Carnage wrote:
Wimp-rock at its very worst. Just awful.
Wimp-rock? Go away, far far away.
rockasaurus wrote:
It's not as good as "Groovy Kind of Love", but really, what is?
It's not as good as "Groovy Kind of Love", but really, what is?
Art_Carnage wrote:
Wimp-rock at its very worst. Just awful.
So sorry, I believe you may have posted to the wrong page. Childish heckling should be posted to https://www.kissmybigass.com Have a nice day!
Wimp-rock at its very worst. Just awful.
robco1 wrote:
What a fantastic album. It is kind of strange for me to hear this out of "context" of the rest of the story. I always thought of this as the comic relief interlude. "I've got unexpected distress for my mistress"
This reminds of why I used to like Genesis.
MAKE IT STOP........!
Great Album...I'm hovering like a fly waiting for the windshield on the freeway
What a fantastic album. It is kind of strange for me to hear this out of "context" of the rest of the story. I always thought of this as the comic relief interlude. "I've got unexpected distress for my mistress"
Dior wrote:
Listen, even Phil Collins is getting into it... This is great music and lyrics.
Mets-en !!! :o)
cracka wrote:
Definitely not their best. How about leaving this one off the playlist for a while?
Ditto
Listen, even Phil Collins is getting into it... This is great music and lyrics.
Holy crap! I never expected to hear this outside the confines of my teenage bedroom.
OH YES BABY!
I think this song should be play over and over..there I said it...Open your eyes and ears people...Even Brian Eno contributed here...
Originally Posted by cracka: Definitely not their best. How about leaving this one off the playlist for a while?
I'd agree, from a music POV. But the lyrics are absolutely hilarious. But I'd rather read them than hear the song ;)
Is there a better song about teenage male sexual consternation?