Chester wasn't even playing though. This is the studio recording. It's a staged "live" performance. I don't know why they did the video like this. Maybe they thought it'd be funny 🤷
I sawGenesis 3rd row center on this tour at age 15 in South Florida! Phil Collin’s was the most incredible frontman who was extraordinary at being funny with wit and visual storytelling! Chester had those giant sunglasses that were a trend in the 80’s and was a great touring drummer but we were still gifted with Phil Collins doing a drum solo! I remember the audience was late 20’s to early 50’s and I was definitely the youngest fan there! It was the greatest concert I ever attended of many in the decade of the 80’s!
This is one of my all time Genesis faves. I get goosebumps every time when at 12:51 the synth chords join in, and 13:06 the when the bass finally goes along with the band instead of droning on one note.
18:20 This tour remains one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Doug, you are 100% correct, this is a very compelling story. I once ran a D&D adventure that took place in the Home By The Sea, my players were completely freaked out.
I saw the Mama tour in Edmonton. I still remember being blown away by by the light show. The music was fantastic, and as others mentioned, the drum duet with Chester Thompson was incredible.
Remember, this footage is from 1983. Pay close attention to the lighting, this is the first song in history to have moving robotic lights. Alan Owen, lighting director for Genesis, is the inventor of the robotic lights that would later become known as Vari-Light. He and his team also had to come up with a way of controlling the lights as their was no such thing as personal computers. These lights were proprietary to Genesis until 1987.
The Vari-Lites were first used on the Abacab tour in 1981, You can see them on the 3 Sides Live footage, arguably to best effect on the "In The Cage/Cinema Show/Slippermen/Afterglow" medley.
@@Muck006and instrumental tech. Phil’s drum kit looks pretty cutting edge for 83. I think the first drum pads like that came out about two years prior.
Nope, the VL1 made its debut on the Abacab tour in 1981 - and they were always known as Vari*Lites right from the outset. Genesis and their management had a stake in the company, but the Vari*Lite system was used by several major bands and artistes throughout the 80s and beyond. (And they were invented by Jim Bornhorst and the engineers at Showco, not Alan Owen.)
Love this band and to me this resonates more than Suppers Ready and Musical Box. The imagery it creates is stunning. The concept of a burglar breaking into a haunted house is so simple but the execution is soild and fantastic
Just wanted to add that the audio is from the studio album, not the live show. Not sure why the audio from the live show wasn't used in the video. Either way, both are great performances.
The mix between catchy stuff and ProgRock stuff even in the 80ies is awesome and maybe unique in Rock history. They are masters, Genesis. Tony, Phil and Mike (incl. Daryl and Chester). But I do not forget Pete Gabriel and Steve Hackett, the only one I watched live playing years ago in Germany. I regret never watched Genesis live personally.
You just crossed my feed (re: your 1st reaction to Suppers Ready), good to see you pick up on Genesis these past couple of years. Their music became my life soundtrack. I've been a fan since about '84. I was in the back seat half asleep on the ride home from grandma's, heard a really interesting song on the radio, and within a couple of months pinned down that it was Genesis. Became a fan, and as a completionist I soon ended up with their discography on cassette for my sony sport boom box..lol
This video looks like it was maybe shot at a rehearsal for what became the live video from this same tour. The actual live performance of this looks a lot like this, and sounds amazing! Worth checking out sometime.
I was around 9 or 10 when I first discovered Genesis. I listened to this eponymous album and three sides live over and over, as I remember it, Second Home By the Sea is THE SONG that opened me up so I could really get Genesis for the first time. It opened me up to understanding and loving the prog Genesis. So I’m either one who loves both the pop and Prog Genesis, or I’m one who doesn’t see a clear distinction because of this song!
One of my absolute favorite Genesis tracks. I used to think it was about people wasting away in an old age home, but according to Phil it's about a would-be burglar stuck in a haunted house. Go figure.
I live in Eastbourne a town on the UK south coast also known as "Gods waiting room" so naturally I imagined the berglar to be a visitor to a care home trapped as the inmates retail him with there life stories.
I thought exactly the same and I've been listening to this track since it came out, a thumping tune bad sad words, always thought it was about someone breaking into a nursing home for old folk, but there you go.
Despite how poppy it is, _Invisible Touch_ still has some extended, progressive pop pieces. "Domino" is a long, extended piece and "The Brazilian," despite being shorter, has the feel of their early prog stuff. "Driving the Last Spike" and "Fading Lights" (and I would also argue "Dreaming while You Sleep") do the same on the also poppy _We Can't Dance_
I go against the grain when it comes to Genesis. I'm more of a prog guy, but prefer later Genesis to their earlier material. Not all of it, but their are some gems (tonight, tonight, tonight, domino, abacab, brazilian, driving the last spike, fading lights are all great) . I like Gabriel's solo albums but the early Genesis just doesn't do much for me.
@@PaulMazzoniThe outro solo in The Brazilian is, as far as I'm concerned, Rutherford's crowning achievement as lead guitarist (as rhythm guitarist he has quite a bit more to choose from).
Was hoping you include Second Home by the Sea since they go hand in hand. Heard Genesis play these live and it was surreal. Mama would also work this time of year. It's pretty creepy with Phil playing his part expertly.
Since you are going back catalog with Genesis, you need to work your magic with "Driving the Last Spike" off the We Can't Dance album. Arguably the best of their late career songs. It's a great story song and brilliantly done
Couldn't agree more. In my opinion, Driving the Last Spike is Phil Collins' best ever vocal performance. I was sad, but understood, that live they had to modulate the "We worked..." section down a tone just to save Phil's voice. But the studio version ... OMG. In fact, that whole first side (of the vinyl) contains 4 of the best tracks ever put together by Genesis.
One of their more underrated albums, but one of their best for true fans, and going back to a more proggy sound. You cant produce a more fitting final album for the band than I Cant Dance. Fading Lights as a final song on the final album with Phil always gets me. Not really a fan of Calling All Stations. It's not really Genesis without Phil, Tony, and Mike.
I just love Genesis! I remember "Home By the Sea" when it came it and it still has such amazing musical value all these decades later. As Doug mentioned this track being a "Hybrid" of their classical "prog" type music with their contemporary pop explorations. It is a great compromise for that time of a band that was had achieved incredible artistry and was embarking on popular music success. Thank you Doug, great reaction video
Thanks Doug, brilliant explanation of the story & your brilliant knowledge of composing. The Genius's at work doing what they do best, entertain us with Drama, Emotions, Theatre & that unmatched unmistakable, Genesis Sound, they are the Masters of their craft, the Best Prog rock band of all time period 😊
I do enjoy watching you enjoy songs I've been enjoying for a long time. Keep up the good Genesis work Doug. Can't wait for the next one. Is the Duke Suite on your Patreon page? I'd really like to watch that again as it's my favourite video of you watching Genesis. Cheers.
Thanks for the continued Genesis coverage, Doug. This is another particular favourite of mine. They did give us a lot of amazing music. I've been listening to them on and off for over 40 years and the songs still transport me. I was lucky enough to see Steve Hackett touring a combination of Selling England by the Pound and Seconds Out. To hear those songs played live was such a pleasure. They were the soundtrack to my early life as I was discovering music. My tastes have gone in many directions over the years but I come back to Genesis again and again. So glad that I happened to discover then early in life and was able to see them a few times.
I originally bought this album primarily for Illegal Alien. But as I listened all the way through, I discovered Home By The Sea/Second Home By The Sea. I'm a musician and I immediately recognized the absolute brilliance of this piece. It is easily my favorite song from Genesis. I played AD&D before and after this song came out. I had done a dungeon module as a player in a group that I played with for years and years called THE LEGEND OF SALT SALTMARSH. The first time I heard this, I immediately thought about that game. I'm willing to bet that it was definitely an influence on the creation of this song. The parallels are totally uncanny.
For me, the last "true Genesis prog album" was Duke in 1980. It did contain two tracks that would be on heavy rotation on the radio and give Genesis commercial success, but even those songs were full of neat time signatures and interesting musical progressions. Abacab was them "selling out," in some ways. Although they hinted at their prog past in several songs, like this one, they never entered the prog world again.
This is the studio recording set to a live performance. A pop song arranged as prog is spot on. It's Gonna Get Better is a criminally underrated song from the Mama album.
I experienced Genesis live at Wembley in 1987 for the Invisible Touch tour. One of the best live bands of all time. Phil Collins is an amazing front man. Such a shame how he is suffering now.
I love all of Genesis. My favorite album is Trick of The Tail; Though my favorite song is Firth of Fith (Selling England by the Pound); and I'd put 1983 Genesis in a close second place to Trick because it was part of my childhood. It was the first CD I got to play on the new sound system I got for my birthday from my mom back in 2001. So, yeah. I love Genesis. And your videos are awesome, Doug. Cheers.
That was great, Doug! I've loved this song since I was a kid (when it came out) and it's really cool to see a professional explaining some of what's happening.
I was so lucky to see all 3 nights of this concert in Chicago we saw them in different seats at each show. Each show was amazing and the light show was so cool!
I got to see their final tour live at their first stop on the NA leg in Chicago. Fave band of all time and easily the best show I've ever seen, even with Phil in his current condition. Home/Second Home is amazing. Love attention being given to this. Great job, Doug
Watching and listening to your reaction was like re-living the first time I listened to this song as a kid. I was riveted, and riveted all over again. I'm glad you had the same reaction. This truly haunted me as a kid, and it still does.
I always consider this is Genesis saying to Pink Floyd - "anything you can do we can do better!" "The Final Cut" had been released 6 months earlier........
I love music. Certainly not a professional like you, I (used to) play piano, flute, and clarinet and loved them all but was not a natural talent. I hear you calling out the keys and wish I’d had that talent. Those key changes are what made me a life long Genesis fan ❤️
Before really listening to the lyrics, I interpreted Home By The Sea as being a retirement home where someone, a child perhaps, is visiting grandma and gets stuck in the lounge with all the old people and can't get away from them and to the child it seems like they're stuck for eternity listening to all these old stories about people they don't know.
I think you should give their live performance of that song in 1987 in Wembley, where they got the acoustic drum set again! It's slightly faster, and Phil delivers an amazing vocal performance. The entire concert is worth watching tbh. Thanks for the video!
I saw them live in '87 and they performed both of these and I loved it. They should always be played together and reacted to together. I wore out that album, replaying it so much.
The 1987 Wembley show is the one to watch for this. The band is just on fire on that video, and Mike's guitar is much more prominent in the heavier parts of Second Home. The dual drums really lift it up too. Admittedly it loses some of its ambient qualities when performed live, but it rocks a lot harder
At the end he nails it. This band had the musical ability (in both technical and song-writing senses) to be excellent at 70s prog and 80s pop. That's why I love them so.
They actually always continued "long songs" and instrumentals on their later albums. "Domino" on " Invisible Touch" is a great song. ""Driving the Last Spike" on "We Can't Dance" is a forgotten masterpiece.
Looks like Tony Banks has a Synclavier sampler on his keyboard arsenal as well. 9:20 It was then state of the art along Fairlight CMI. "It's Gonna Get Better" is another nice track from this era.
This is a promo video. Chester plays while Phil songs. It's basically the way they presented the song when I saw them on that tour. I worked in a record store at the time and a regular customer offered me a ticket since he'd won 2 and I was the biggest Genesis fan he knew. It was a great show and even the ride was supplied by a local radio station.
Very poignant words at the end Doug. After Duke, Genesis decided to go for a more stripped-back sound on ABACAB. The were experimenting, hence a couple of songs had a horn section, But the album after, Genesis, is the sound they were looking for. A classic album. I had the privilege of seeing a Genesis concert in 1992, where they played Home By The Sea. The song really comes alive on stage.
I’m one of the fans of all Genesis music. It amazes me how much the members of the band have done, not only in prog and pop. Phil had his own excellent pop career, and wrote the music for Tarzan. Tony has written some beautiful orchestral pieces. Peter Gabriel went off to have his own successful career and is still writing. His music has some jazz elements as well as African sounding pieces. These guys are phenomenal musical geniuses. Home By the Sea is probably my favorite song from the album. Thanks for spotlighting this excellent song.
Yes Doug, this very much straddles both eras of Genesis, and is one of the reasons why this album was so successful across the board. One of my favourite later Genesis songs, and I love Mike Rutherford's guitar here.
The song was written by Tony Banks. This song is the first time Phil Collins played the Simmons electronic drums on Second Home By The Sea. Simmons electronic drums were almost brand new back in octuber 1983.
They did some more callbacks to their prog days, even up into the 90s. Check out "Driving the Last Spike" if you haven't before, live from the "The Way We Walk Live" tour. Great storytelling.
I have this music video on DVD and playing it on my 9.2 channel home theater system is just fantastic. When those bass pedals kick in, my two powered subs make the whole house vibrate. An immersive experience.!
Excellent Choice! (how did I miss this at Halloween?) I like your stopping the music for comment. This is such a fine production with the lighting.....Sophisticated live music with wonderous effects. Interesting concept so well executed. Subtly, perhaps hauntingly, sad. Mr. Collins certainly nails his vocals. These guys knew what they were doing. Respect!
Love this analysis. How clever to turn 'welcome to the home by the sea' from benign to sinister. Used to have it oni the car all the time in 1983. Very very evocative of a time and place for me.
This was the second tour that the band used the new stage lighting system made by Vari*Lite. The lights changed color at record speed, beam sizes and moved in nearly 360 degree positions. The company was financed by Genesis and their manager Tony Smith came up with the company name.
I saw this tour in Austin, and it remains in my Top 10 concerts even after 40 years. I very clearly remember their performance of Second Home By the Sea. The last couple of years, I've done a deep dive into their earlier Gabriel/Hackett period, and they've become one of my favorite bands.
Hi Doug. Thanks for reviewing this excellent song. If you get the Genesis live dvd set that this gig is on, the same disc has a "fly on the wall" video of the studio album being made. What's striking is how "ordinary" the whole process appears. My favourite band by a Country Mile; I saw them on the the night following this film being made.
Doug - it's actually the house itself capturing the various interlopers. As time passes, each time a new victim is captured the spirits of those before arise and force them to listen to the recounting of the lives past. That's one hell of a way to torment the spirits old and new.
I'm always amazed when out of the blue you dial in to some of of my favorite deep tracks. This doesn't sound like the actual live footage though, on the live versions Mike Rutherford's solo sounds different every time.
Some people give the pop years a hard time, but to me its like Sammy Van Halen vs Dave Van Halen. Both are worth appreciating on their own merits. These long tracks are my favorites from the 80s and 90s.
Thanks again, Doug. I'm one of those Genesis fans that likes almost everything they did. The possible exception might be "Calling All Stations" as I'm still coming to grips with their final album.
I didn't really listen to Genesis until I heard their "Way we walk" live album that was split across two CD's called "The Shorts" and "The Longs". The Longs had these great tracks. I ended up buying all of their back catalogue then.
I saw this show as a freshman in college when they opened the tour at Horton Fieldhouse at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. They were amazing live.
Home by the Sea is a criminally overlooked single, and thank you for reacting to it.
I love it...gonna make a karaoke of it
Agreed! Home by the Sea (pt.1 and 2) is my favorite Genesis song.
too long for the average folks, who want 3 minutes-instant joy.....for Home by the Sea you need the Genesis genome ;-)
Not a single.....but a great album track.
Was never a single, just a great song
Phil really developed into an amazing singer by this time, so much emotion in almost every word, perfectly delivered.
Chester Thompson is a total Beast! His drum duets with Phil Collins were epic and highly entertaining! 😊
Chester is awesome!
The one they did in Rome in 2007 was indeed Epic!
@@SueKay-rq1lr And his gorilla is, too!
Chester wasn't even playing though. This is the studio recording. It's a staged "live" performance. I don't know why they did the video like this. Maybe they thought it'd be funny 🤷
@@Some_Cat_this was a promotional video for the album and the following tour
I got the chance to see them live a few years ago in Chicago. I remember those big bass notes in Second Home really shaking the spine. Incredible.
I sawGenesis 3rd row center on this tour at age 15 in South Florida! Phil Collin’s was the most incredible frontman who was extraordinary at being funny with wit and visual storytelling! Chester had those giant sunglasses that were a trend in the 80’s and was a great touring drummer but we were still gifted with Phil Collins doing a drum solo! I remember the audience was late 20’s to early 50’s and I was definitely the youngest fan there! It was the greatest concert I ever attended of many in the decade of the 80’s!
This is one of my all time Genesis faves. I get goosebumps every time when at 12:51 the synth chords join in, and 13:06 the when the bass finally goes along with the band instead of droning on one note.
18:20 This tour remains one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Doug, you are 100% correct, this is a very compelling story. I once ran a D&D adventure that took place in the Home By The Sea, my players were completely freaked out.
Oh, I would totally be all over that
I'm going to have to do that! I have just been starting to set up a new campaign.
I saw the Mama tour in Edmonton. I still remember being blown away by by the light show. The music was fantastic, and as others mentioned, the drum duet with Chester Thompson was incredible.
Remember, this footage is from 1983. Pay close attention to the lighting, this is the first song in history to have moving robotic lights. Alan Owen, lighting director for Genesis, is the inventor of the robotic lights that would later become known as Vari-Light. He and his team also had to come up with a way of controlling the lights as their was no such thing as personal computers. These lights were proprietary to Genesis until 1987.
They were stunning to see the first time...I was there!
Yep ... Genesis have been instrumental in advancing "stage tech".
The Vari-Lites were first used on the Abacab tour in 1981, You can see them on the 3 Sides Live footage, arguably to best effect on the "In The Cage/Cinema Show/Slippermen/Afterglow" medley.
@@Muck006and instrumental tech. Phil’s drum kit looks pretty cutting edge for 83. I think the first drum pads like that came out about two years prior.
Nope, the VL1 made its debut on the Abacab tour in 1981 - and they were always known as Vari*Lites right from the outset. Genesis and their management had a stake in the company, but the Vari*Lite system was used by several major bands and artistes throughout the 80s and beyond. (And they were invented by Jim Bornhorst and the engineers at Showco, not Alan Owen.)
Fading lights. Is a must listen. It feels like the end of road for the band
Love this band and to me this resonates more than Suppers Ready and Musical Box. The imagery it creates is stunning. The concept of a burglar breaking into a haunted house is so simple but the execution is soild and fantastic
Just wanted to add that the audio is from the studio album, not the live show. Not sure why the audio from the live show wasn't used in the video. Either way, both are great performances.
Thanks, I noticed it’s to clean for live
But I guess it’s official clip with live performance but studio audio maybe
He should've done the Wembley 1987 performance...
@@Pulsar77agreed
This was how I remember it from the old VHS, like a music video filmed on the concert stage, so album audio, but appears live....
I saw this concert live in Calgary at the Saddledome January 1984. Epic doesn't begin to describe what I saw and heard.
Great!! Finally you decided to take on more of the epic Genesis work, interesting rhythm, melodies and chord progressions.
The mix between catchy stuff and ProgRock stuff even in the 80ies is awesome and maybe unique in Rock history. They are masters, Genesis. Tony, Phil and Mike (incl. Daryl and Chester). But I do not forget Pete Gabriel and Steve Hackett, the only one I watched live playing years ago in Germany. I regret never watched Genesis live personally.
You just crossed my feed (re: your 1st reaction to Suppers Ready), good to see you pick up on Genesis these past couple of years.
Their music became my life soundtrack.
I've been a fan since about '84. I was in the back seat half asleep on the ride home from grandma's, heard a really interesting song on the radio, and within a couple of months pinned down that it was Genesis. Became a fan, and as a completionist I soon ended up with their discography on cassette for my sony sport boom box..lol
This video looks like it was maybe shot at a rehearsal for what became the live video from this same tour. The actual live performance of this looks a lot like this, and sounds amazing! Worth checking out sometime.
The visual may appear to be live, the audio is studio version.
I was around 9 or 10 when I first discovered Genesis. I listened to this eponymous album and three sides live over and over, as I remember it, Second Home By the Sea is THE SONG that opened me up so I could really get Genesis for the first time. It opened me up to understanding and loving the prog Genesis. So I’m either one who loves both the pop and Prog Genesis, or I’m one who doesn’t see a clear distinction because of this song!
The track after it, Silver Rainbow, is a very short for Genesis song that goes prog pop. They were practising "less is more" around this time.
One of my absolute favorite Genesis tracks. I used to think it was about people wasting away in an old age home, but according to Phil it's about a would-be burglar stuck in a haunted house. Go figure.
I used to think the same. So far as I'm concerned, it still works both ways. 🤷🏻
I always thought the burglar was breaking into an old now closed and haunted old people's home
I live in Eastbourne a town on the UK south coast also known as "Gods waiting room" so naturally I imagined the berglar to be a visitor to a care home trapped as the inmates retail him with there life stories.
I thought exactly the same and I've been listening to this track since it came out, a thumping tune bad sad words, always thought it was about someone breaking into a nursing home for old folk, but there you go.
I always thought it was a haunted house but I will always now think about the old folks' home!
Despite how poppy it is, _Invisible Touch_ still has some extended, progressive pop pieces. "Domino" is a long, extended piece and "The Brazilian," despite being shorter, has the feel of their early prog stuff.
"Driving the Last Spike" and "Fading Lights" (and I would also argue "Dreaming while You Sleep") do the same on the also poppy _We Can't Dance_
Yeah, I've always loved Dreaming While You Sleep, but never gets the love like the other 2 proggy numbers you mentioned..
and some of the worst songs ever done by genesis
I go against the grain when it comes to Genesis. I'm more of a prog guy, but prefer later Genesis to their earlier material. Not all of it, but their are some gems (tonight, tonight, tonight, domino, abacab, brazilian, driving the last spike, fading lights are all great) . I like Gabriel's solo albums but the early Genesis just doesn't do much for me.
Would love to hear him do an analysis of “The Brazilian”. Absolutely love that song.
@@PaulMazzoniThe outro solo in The Brazilian is, as far as I'm concerned, Rutherford's crowning achievement as lead guitarist (as rhythm guitarist he has quite a bit more to choose from).
Was hoping you include Second Home by the Sea since they go hand in hand. Heard Genesis play these live and it was surreal.
Mama would also work this time of year. It's pretty creepy with Phil playing his part expertly.
One from 80es....reminde me on 70es from Genesis.
The band,which make my life...feal richer/ biger....
Nice....🙂👌🍀🖖👋
Since you are going back catalog with Genesis, you need to work your magic with "Driving the Last Spike" off the We Can't Dance album. Arguably the best of their late career songs. It's a great story song and brilliantly done
Yes, and he can also do Fading Lights while he's at it.
Couldn't agree more. In my opinion, Driving the Last Spike is Phil Collins' best ever vocal performance. I was sad, but understood, that live they had to modulate the "We worked..." section down a tone just to save Phil's voice. But the studio version ... OMG. In fact, that whole first side (of the vinyl) contains 4 of the best tracks ever put together by Genesis.
Definitely a favorite of mine. Phil’s vocals are terrific.
One of their more underrated albums, but one of their best for true fans, and going back to a more proggy sound. You cant produce a more fitting final album for the band than I Cant Dance. Fading Lights as a final song on the final album with Phil always gets me. Not really a fan of Calling All Stations. It's not really Genesis without Phil, Tony, and Mike.
The live at Knebworth version is 10x better than the studio version.
I just love Genesis! I remember "Home By the Sea" when it came it and it still has such amazing musical value all these decades later. As Doug mentioned this track being a "Hybrid" of their classical "prog" type music with their contemporary pop explorations. It is a great compromise for that time of a band that was had achieved incredible artistry and was embarking on popular music success. Thank you Doug, great reaction video
Einer der besten Genesis Songs überhaupt
Noch nah am Prog der 70er sind diese beiden Song-Perlen. Zeitlose Meisterwerke meiner Meinung nach
Vollste Zustimmung!!!
Thanks Doug, brilliant explanation of the story & your brilliant knowledge of composing.
The Genius's at work doing what they do best, entertain us with Drama, Emotions, Theatre & that unmatched unmistakable, Genesis Sound, they are the Masters of their craft, the Best Prog rock band of all time period 😊
This is just a Masterpiece 💥👍
I saw them on the "Invisible Touch " tour in 1987. I so enjoyed it. One of the best concerts I've seen.
I do enjoy watching you enjoy songs I've been enjoying for a long time. Keep up the good Genesis work Doug. Can't wait for the next one.
Is the Duke Suite on your Patreon page? I'd really like to watch that again as it's my favourite video of you watching Genesis.
Cheers.
Thank you for this! My favorite Genesis song.
My #1 fave Genesis song. The live version from 93 is even better!
Live version from 1998 is even more better
Yes. I love the little variation that Daryl plays on the bass. I only wish they had done that on earlier tours.
1987 is the bestest ❤
Needless to say, Genesis is phenomenal live, no matter the decade 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks for the continued Genesis coverage, Doug. This is another particular favourite of mine. They did give us a lot of amazing music. I've been listening to them on and off for over 40 years and the songs still transport me. I was lucky enough to see Steve Hackett touring a combination of Selling England by the Pound and Seconds Out. To hear those songs played live was such a pleasure. They were the soundtrack to my early life as I was discovering music. My tastes have gone in many directions over the years but I come back to Genesis again and again. So glad that I happened to discover then early in life and was able to see them a few times.
I originally bought this album primarily for Illegal Alien. But as I listened all the way through, I discovered Home By The Sea/Second Home By The Sea. I'm a musician and I immediately recognized the absolute brilliance of this piece. It is easily my favorite song from Genesis. I played AD&D before and after this song came out. I had done a dungeon module as a player in a group that I played with for years and years called THE LEGEND OF SALT SALTMARSH. The first time I heard this, I immediately thought about that game. I'm willing to bet that it was definitely an influence on the creation of this song. The parallels are totally uncanny.
I doubt it, Phil is absolutely not the D&D type lol
I watched this live at Knebworth Hertfordshire in the early 90's, big screens, big sound, amazing gig. It's on youtube too.
For me, the last "true Genesis prog album" was Duke in 1980. It did contain two tracks that would be on heavy rotation on the radio and give Genesis commercial success, but even those songs were full of neat time signatures and interesting musical progressions. Abacab was them "selling out," in some ways. Although they hinted at their prog past in several songs, like this one, they never entered the prog world again.
This is the studio recording set to a live performance. A pop song arranged as prog is spot on. It's Gonna Get Better is a criminally underrated song from the Mama album.
I experienced Genesis live at Wembley in 1987 for the Invisible Touch tour. One of the best live bands of all time. Phil Collins is an amazing front man. Such a shame how he is suffering now.
Why was it so dark?
I love all of Genesis. My favorite album is Trick of The Tail; Though my favorite song is Firth of Fith (Selling England by the Pound); and I'd put 1983 Genesis in a close second place to Trick because it was part of my childhood. It was the first CD I got to play on the new sound system I got for my birthday from my mom back in 2001. So, yeah. I love Genesis. And your videos are awesome, Doug. Cheers.
You should also go back and listen to Invisible Touch songs as well. Some great music and instrumental there as well. I do love ALL their music!
That was great, Doug! I've loved this song since I was a kid (when it came out) and it's really cool to see a professional explaining some of what's happening.
Hey there Doug. Loved your Home By The Sea review. I’m a huge Genesis fan from Melbourne Australia and love all your Genesis song reviews.
I was so lucky to see all 3 nights of this concert in Chicago we saw them in different seats at each show. Each show was amazing and the light show was so cool!
Hi Doug! I advise you to listen to the live version "the way we walk" which is absolutely insane !!
Just loved watching and listening to your reaction to this song. This is one of my favorite Genesis songs.
8/9 years old. Playing D&D at the neighbors. Memories.
I remember those days well, I went from player to DM
Please do the 'In The Cage' medley from the 'Thre Sides Live' set :)
I got to see their final tour live at their first stop on the NA leg in Chicago. Fave band of all time and easily the best show I've ever seen, even with Phil in his current condition. Home/Second Home is amazing. Love attention being given to this. Great job, Doug
And then demonstrates he's one of the best drummers of all time. With all the attention he's stull underrated.
Watching and listening to your reaction was like re-living the first time I listened to this song as a kid. I was riveted, and riveted all over again. I'm glad you had the same reaction. This truly haunted me as a kid, and it still does.
Try looking at the live version in 84 , stunning.
I always consider this is Genesis saying to Pink Floyd - "anything you can do we can do better!" "The Final Cut" had been released 6 months earlier........
This is my first hearing of this song, too. I enjoyed it very much.
Audio is studio version but with live concert footage, and I think it sounds better live.
Phil's bass drum leg after this was aching and he pulled it off night after night on tour. I was there.
I love music. Certainly not a professional like you, I (used to) play piano, flute, and clarinet and loved them all but was not a natural talent. I hear you calling out the keys and wish I’d had that talent. Those key changes are what made me a life long Genesis fan ❤️
Before really listening to the lyrics, I interpreted Home By The Sea as being a retirement home where someone, a child perhaps, is visiting grandma and gets stuck in the lounge with all the old people and can't get away from them and to the child it seems like they're stuck for eternity listening to all these old stories about people they don't know.
I think you should give their live performance of that song in 1987 in Wembley, where they got the acoustic drum set again! It's slightly faster, and Phil delivers an amazing vocal performance.
The entire concert is worth watching tbh.
Thanks for the video!
I saw them live in '87 and they performed both of these and I loved it. They should always be played together and reacted to together. I wore out that album, replaying it so much.
Props to Daryl Stuermer for playing bass on this…Cause he took the Lead Guitar spot on Phil's solo tour, two decades later!
Daryl wasn't playing on this. He was miming along with everyone else on this "live" video
The 1987 Wembley show is the one to watch for this. The band is just on fire on that video, and Mike's guitar is much more prominent in the heavier parts of Second Home. The dual drums really lift it up too. Admittedly it loses some of its ambient qualities when performed live, but it rocks a lot harder
I was there!
I agree, I saw it on Laserdisc in HK... Excellent
Genesis' reactions much appreciated. Many thanks!
At the end he nails it. This band had the musical ability (in both technical and song-writing senses) to be excellent at 70s prog and 80s pop. That's why I love them so.
They actually always continued "long songs" and instrumentals on their later albums. "Domino" on " Invisible Touch" is a great song. ""Driving the Last Spike" on "We Can't Dance" is a forgotten masterpiece.
Looks like Tony Banks has a Synclavier sampler on his keyboard arsenal as well. 9:20 It was then state of the art along Fairlight CMI.
"It's Gonna Get Better" is another nice track from this era.
I saw them perform these 2 songs in Lexington Kentucky in 1984. There were impeccable live. Memorable to say the least.
You're the man, Doug! Your musical breakdown brings joy to your program.
This is a promo video. Chester plays while Phil songs. It's basically the way they presented the song when I saw them on that tour. I worked in a record store at the time and a regular customer offered me a ticket since he'd won 2 and I was the biggest Genesis fan he knew. It was a great show and even the ride was supplied by a local radio station.
They are an underated band. From the 70's to the 90's one of thier songs were always on the radio wether a band or solo song.
The live version from Wembley stadium is epic
Thanks for playing Doug
Neal UK
Very poignant words at the end Doug. After Duke, Genesis decided to go for a more stripped-back sound on ABACAB. The were experimenting, hence a couple of songs had a horn section, But the album after, Genesis, is the sound they were looking for. A classic album. I had the privilege of seeing a Genesis concert in 1992, where they played Home By The Sea. The song really comes alive on stage.
I’m one of the fans of all Genesis music. It amazes me how much the members of the band have done, not only in prog and pop. Phil had his own excellent pop career, and wrote the music for Tarzan. Tony has written some beautiful orchestral pieces. Peter Gabriel went off to have his own successful career and is still writing. His music has some jazz elements as well as African sounding pieces. These guys are phenomenal musical geniuses. Home By the Sea is probably my favorite song from the album. Thanks for spotlighting this excellent song.
Great show! I saw this tour at the Lawler Event Center in Reno back in the day. Still one of my favorites! Thanks for covering it, Doug.
Yes Doug, this very much straddles both eras of Genesis, and is one of the reasons why this album was so successful across the board. One of my favourite later Genesis songs, and I love Mike Rutherford's guitar here.
Phil's 3 beat bass drum in sync with Chester is pure magic
The song was written by Tony Banks. This song is the first time Phil Collins played the Simmons electronic drums on Second Home By The Sea. Simmons electronic drums were almost brand new back in octuber 1983.
Thank you for reminding me of this incredible talent of this band and my album of my youth!
Phil's triple bass drum and Tony's massive chords are a gift.
They did some more callbacks to their prog days, even up into the 90s. Check out "Driving the Last Spike" if you haven't before, live from the "The Way We Walk Live" tour. Great storytelling.
I have this music video on DVD and playing it on my 9.2 channel home theater system is just fantastic. When those bass pedals kick in, my two powered subs make the whole house vibrate. An immersive experience.!
Great informative reaction! Thanks!
Doug, I wish to thank you for showing & teaching me how music progression works & builds up. Excellent job!!!
Home by the Sea is a great ‘compromise’ between the new 80s sound and 70s prog-ness
Excellent Choice! (how did I miss this at Halloween?) I like your stopping the music for comment. This is such a fine production with the lighting.....Sophisticated live music with wonderous effects. Interesting concept so well executed. Subtly, perhaps hauntingly, sad. Mr. Collins certainly nails his vocals. These guys knew what they were doing. Respect!
Love this analysis. How clever to turn 'welcome to the home by the sea' from benign to sinister. Used to have it oni the car all the time in 1983. Very very evocative of a time and place for me.
This was the second tour that the band used the new stage lighting system made by Vari*Lite. The lights changed color at record speed, beam sizes and moved in nearly 360 degree positions. The company was financed by Genesis and their manager Tony Smith came up with the company name.
I saw this tour in Austin, and it remains in my Top 10 concerts even after 40 years. I very clearly remember their performance of Second Home By the Sea. The last couple of years, I've done a deep dive into their earlier Gabriel/Hackett period, and they've become one of my favorite bands.
Hi Doug. Thanks for reviewing this excellent song. If you get the Genesis live dvd set that this gig is on, the same disc has a "fly on the wall" video of the studio album being made. What's striking is how "ordinary" the whole process appears.
My favourite band by a Country Mile; I saw them on the the night following this film being made.
Doug - it's actually the house itself capturing the various interlopers. As time passes, each time a new victim is captured the spirits of those before arise and force them to listen to the recounting of the lives past. That's one hell of a way to torment the spirits old and new.
I remember when this first came out. I would listen to it and get lost in that haunted house many times, Mesmerizing track!
I'm always amazed when out of the blue you dial in to some of of my favorite deep tracks. This doesn't sound like the actual live footage though, on the live versions Mike Rutherford's solo sounds different every time.
Some people give the pop years a hard time, but to me its like Sammy Van Halen vs Dave Van Halen. Both are worth appreciating on their own merits. These long tracks are my favorites from the 80s and 90s.
Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! A great Genesis song! Thanks for the brilliant analysis.✌️
Another masterpiece..and in the same album of Mama!!! Unbelievable...
Thanks again, Doug. I'm one of those Genesis fans that likes almost everything they did. The possible exception might be "Calling All Stations" as I'm still coming to grips with their final album.
I went to the 1983 tour. Such a wonderful concert and this song was a highlight of it.
I didn't really listen to Genesis until I heard their "Way we walk" live album that was split across two CD's called "The Shorts" and "The Longs". The Longs had these great tracks. I ended up buying all of their back catalogue then.
I was just revisiting this last week, one of my favorite bands, never got to see them live, shame on me. Great reaction!
Seeing and hearing this live was absolutely fantastic.
I saw this show as a freshman in college when they opened the tour at Horton Fieldhouse at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. They were amazing live.
I enjoy all of it!