Fly on a Windshield
Encyclopedia
"Fly on a Windshield" is a song by Genesis
. It is the second track from their 1974 concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
.
The song describes the album's protagonist, Rael, making his way through the streets of New York City, when he suddenly sees a mysterious dark cloud descend upon Times Square
nearby, where it forms a solid wall and slowly engulfs the city and its pedestrians, block by block, making its way towards Rael. Rael tries to run away, but the winds pick up, forming a thick, hard crust of dust all over him, rendering him immobile. The wall engulfs Rael, hitting him hard "like a fly, waiting for the windshield on the freeway."
The song originally came about through a band improvisation, sparked by an idea that bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford
had. Says keyboardist Tony Banks
, "We used a lot of moods (on the album), at times things were little more than improvisations on an idea. For instance, Mike would say, 'Pharaohs going down the Nile', and he would just play two chords and instantly the rest of us would conjure up that particular mood. That one ended up on the album as Fly On A Windshield."
Besides being performed on the "Lamb" tour itself, "Fly on a Windshield" was also performed by Genesis on the "A Trick of the Tail" tour of 1976, as part of the "Lamb Stew" medley. It was also later performed at their Six of the Best
reunion concert with Peter Gabriel
at the Milton Keynes Concert Bowl on October 2, 1982.
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
. It is the second track from their 1974 concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
The Lamb Lies down on Broadway
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a double concept album recorded and released in 1974 by the British rock band Genesis. It was their sixth studio album and the last album by the group to feature the involvement of lead singer Peter Gabriel.-Premise:...
.
The song describes the album's protagonist, Rael, making his way through the streets of New York City, when he suddenly sees a mysterious dark cloud descend upon Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
nearby, where it forms a solid wall and slowly engulfs the city and its pedestrians, block by block, making its way towards Rael. Rael tries to run away, but the winds pick up, forming a thick, hard crust of dust all over him, rendering him immobile. The wall engulfs Rael, hitting him hard "like a fly, waiting for the windshield on the freeway."
The song originally came about through a band improvisation, sparked by an idea that bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford
Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
had. Says keyboardist Tony Banks
Tony Banks (musician)
This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
, "We used a lot of moods (on the album), at times things were little more than improvisations on an idea. For instance, Mike would say, 'Pharaohs going down the Nile', and he would just play two chords and instantly the rest of us would conjure up that particular mood. That one ended up on the album as Fly On A Windshield."
Besides being performed on the "Lamb" tour itself, "Fly on a Windshield" was also performed by Genesis on the "A Trick of the Tail" tour of 1976, as part of the "Lamb Stew" medley. It was also later performed at their Six of the Best
Six of the best
Six of the Best was the name chosen for the reunion concert of the rock band Genesis with former founding member Peter Gabriel which took place on a wet 2 October 1982 at National Bowl, in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England...
reunion concert with Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
at the Milton Keynes Concert Bowl on October 2, 1982.
Performers
- Peter GabrielPeter GabrielPeter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
: Vocals - Phil CollinsPhil CollinsPhilip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
: Drums, percussion - Tony BanksTony Banks (musician)This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
: RMI Electra 368 piano, Mellotron, Hammond organ - Mike RutherfordMike RutherfordMichael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
: Bass, bass pedal and twelve-string guitar - Steve HackettSteve HackettStephen Richard Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career...
: Guitar