Genesis “Man on the Corner” released

Man on the Corner Genesis

Writer(s): Phil Collins (see lyrics here) Released: March 5, 1982 First Charted: March 13, 1982 Peak: 40 BB, 45 CB, 30 GR, 64 HR, 8 CL, 14 AR, 41 UK, 28 CN, 3 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.9 video, 7.44 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: With their eleventh album, Abacab, Genesis reached the top 10 of the album chart in the U.S. for the first time. The band’s early days were considered progressive rock, but after the departure of lead singer Peter Gabriel, they gradually moved toward a more commercial, album-rock sound. By 1980’s Duke they had become “a sleek, hard, stylish trio” AMG consisting of drummer/singer Phil Collins, guitarist/bassist Mike Rutherford, and keyboardist Tony Banks “that truly sounded like a different band from its first incarnation.” AMG Duke gave the band its first top-40 hit in “Misunderstanding.” That and “Turn It on Again” would become classic rock staples. The next album, Abacab, continued in that direction, generating three top-40 hits. “Abacab” was “possibliy their hardest-rocking sound to date” AMG while “No Reply at All” was “a precise piece of nearly new wave pop” AMG “powered by the percolating horns of Earth, Wind & Fire.” AMG The third top-40 hit and fourth single from the album was “the sleek and spooky ‘Man on the Corner’ which hides a real melancholy heart underneath its glistening surface.” AMG It is “about a man who spends every day on a street corner, apparently homeless or mentally disturbed, staring vacantly and shouting at random people.” SF Collins wrote the song “about the homeless epidemic and society’s reluctance to help the homeless or find a resolution.” WK He returned to theme again on his solo #1 hit “Another Day in Paradise” in 1989. Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Genesis AMG All Music Guide SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 2/8/2024.