We Can't Dance
Encyclopedia
Rolling Stone
chiefly commented on the album's lyrics. They criticized "Tell Me Why" and "Way of the World" for being soulless and impersonal social commentaries, but regarded most of songs as outstanding, and summarized "Although We Can't Dance doesn't quite achieve the vulnerable grace of Duke
or the exuberance of Abacab
, Genesis has nevertheless delivered an elegantly spare – and even adventurous – album."
Allmusic similarly criticized the lyrics of "Tell Me Why" and "Way of the World", calling them "peons for world understanding that sound miles away from any immediacy." However, they praised the album for returning to a less pop-oriented direction, and especially complimented the grittiness of "No Son of Mine
", "Jesus He Knows Me
", and "I Can't Dance
".
, Phil Collins
and Mike Rutherford
; all lyrics by Phil Collins, except where noted.
Side Two
Side Three
Side Four
.
The set list featured much of the "We Can't Dance" album as well as the "Invisible Touch" and "Genesis" albums. The only material from the 1970s played on a regular basis was featured in a new "Old Medley" of songs which replaced the "Cage" medley of past tours.
Typical set list:
Encore:
Encore #2:
Also played on the tour were "Throwing it All Away", "Mama" (during the first few shows in North America) and "The Carpet Crawlers" (one time only in Southampton, England). Both "Way of the World" and "Living Forever" were rehearsed for inclusion in the tour set list but ultimately didn't make it with "Way of the World" being dropped only four days before the first show of the tour.
with
Singles – Billboard (North America)
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
chiefly commented on the album's lyrics. They criticized "Tell Me Why" and "Way of the World" for being soulless and impersonal social commentaries, but regarded most of songs as outstanding, and summarized "Although We Can't Dance doesn't quite achieve the vulnerable grace of Duke
Duke (album)
Duke is the tenth studio album by British band Genesis, released in March 1980.-Overview:The release of Duke followed solo albums by Genesis members Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford ....
or the exuberance of Abacab
Abacab
Abacab, released in 1981, is the 11th studio album by British band Genesis. It reached No.1 in the UK, where it remained in the charts for 27 weeks.-Background and recording:...
, Genesis has nevertheless delivered an elegantly spare – and even adventurous – album."
Allmusic similarly criticized the lyrics of "Tell Me Why" and "Way of the World", calling them "peons for world understanding that sound miles away from any immediacy." However, they praised the album for returning to a less pop-oriented direction, and especially complimented the grittiness of "No Son of Mine
No Son of Mine
"No Son of Mine" is the first single by the British rock group Genesis from their 1991 album We Can't Dance, which reached #6 in the UK and #12 in the U.S. It made #8 on the Dutch Top 40.-Lyrics and music:...
", "Jesus He Knows Me
Jesus He Knows Me
"Jesus He Knows Me" is the second track on the 1991 Genesis album We Can't Dance, and its fourth single. The song is a satire about televangelism, released in a period when several televangelists such as Robert Tilton, Jim Bakker, Larry Lea and Benny Hinn were under investigation for promising...
", and "I Can't Dance
I Can't Dance
"I Can't Dance" is the fourth track from the Genesis album We Can't Dance and was the second single from the album . The song peaked at number seven on both the U.S...
".
Track listing
All music by 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...
, Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip 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....
and 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...
; all lyrics by Phil Collins, except where noted.
CD
- "No Son of MineNo Son of Mine"No Son of Mine" is the first single by the British rock group Genesis from their 1991 album We Can't Dance, which reached #6 in the UK and #12 in the U.S. It made #8 on the Dutch Top 40.-Lyrics and music:...
" – 6:39 - "Jesus He Knows MeJesus He Knows Me"Jesus He Knows Me" is the second track on the 1991 Genesis album We Can't Dance, and its fourth single. The song is a satire about televangelism, released in a period when several televangelists such as Robert Tilton, Jim Bakker, Larry Lea and Benny Hinn were under investigation for promising...
" – 4:16 - "Driving the Last SpikeDriving The Last Spike"Driving the Last Spike" is the third track on the Genesis album We Can't Dance, released in 1991.The song's lyrics were written by Phil Collins. They are about the railroad workers of the 19th century, many of whom died constructing Britain's railways. The song narrates the thoughts and feelings...
" – 10:08 - "I Can't DanceI Can't Dance"I Can't Dance" is the fourth track from the Genesis album We Can't Dance and was the second single from the album . The song peaked at number seven on both the U.S...
" – 4:01 - "Never a TimeNever a Time"Never a Time" is the fifth track from the Genesis album We Can't Dance. It was originally called B.B. Hit, because the group thought it was going to be a big, big hit. This song among others from the We Can't Dance album are featured on the fly on the wall documentary called No Admittance....
" (Lyrics: Rutherford) – 3:50 - "Dreaming While You Sleep" (Lyrics: Rutherford) – 7:16
- "Tell Me WhyTell Me Why (Genesis song)"Tell Me Why" is a rock song by Genesis. It first appeared as the seventh track on their 1991 album We Can't Dance, and was later issued as a single in Europe and Britain . It was the last Genesis single featuring Phil Collins on vocals.-Background:A royalty from the single was donated to the...
" – 4:58 - "Living Forever" (Lyrics: Banks) – 5:41
- "Hold on My HeartHold on My Heart"Hold on My Heart" is a 1992 single by rock band Genesis. It was released as the third single from their 1991 album We Can't Dance. The song proved to be successful in both the UK and the U.S. reaching number 16 on the official UK Top 75 singles chart and number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
" – 4:37 - "Way of the World" (Lyrics: Rutherford) – 5:38
- "Since I Lost You" – 4:09
- "Fading LightsFading LightsFading Lights is the twelfth and final song on the album We Can't Dance by Genesis. It is also one of the last songs that would include Phil Collins as a member of the progressive rock group. The song was written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford. It is also the longest song on the...
" (Lyrics: Banks) – 10:16
LP
Side One- "No Son of Mine" – 6:39
- "Jesus He Knows Me" – 4:16
- "Driving the Last Spike" – 10:08
Side Two
- "I Can't Dance" – 4:01
- "Never a Time" – 3:50
- "Dreaming While You Sleep" – 7:16
Side Three
- "Tell Me Why" – 4:58
- "Living Forever" – 5:41
- "Hold on My Heart" – 4:37
Side Four
- "Way of the World" – 5:38
- "Since I Lost You" – 4:09
- "Fading Lights" – 10:16
B-sides
- "On the Shoreline" from the single "I Can't DanceI Can't Dance"I Can't Dance" is the fourth track from the Genesis album We Can't Dance and was the second single from the album . The song peaked at number seven on both the U.S...
" - "Hearts on Fire" from the single "Jesus He Knows MeJesus He Knows Me"Jesus He Knows Me" is the second track on the 1991 Genesis album We Can't Dance, and its fourth single. The song is a satire about televangelism, released in a period when several televangelists such as Robert Tilton, Jim Bakker, Larry Lea and Benny Hinn were under investigation for promising...
"
Working titles for the album
Before We Can't Dance was released, all songs had working titles. Below is a list of the original song working titles and finalised song titles (in parentheses):- "Elephantus" ("No Son of Mine") – 6:39
- "Do the New One" ("Jesus He Knows Me") – 4:16
- "Irish" ("Driving the Last Spike") – 10:08
- "Blue Jeans", "Heavy A Flat" ("I Can't Dance") – 4:01
- "B. B. Hit", "Still Throwing It All Away" ("Never a Time") – 3:50
- "Rolling Toms" ("Dreaming While You Sleep") – 7:16
- "Rickenbacker" ("Tell Me Why") – 4:58
- "Hip Hop Brushes" ("Living Forever") – 5:41
- "Burt Bacharach" ("Hold on My Heart") – 4:37
- "Spaghetti West" ("Way of the World") – 5:39
- "Song for Conor" ("Since I Lost You") – 4:09
- "Nile" ("Fading Lights") – 10:17
Tour
The "We Can't Dance" tour featured shows in large arenas and stadiums throughout North America and Europe. It would be the band's final full-length tour until the 2007 Turn it On Again reunion tour. The tour is captured live on the albums The Way We Walk, Volume One: The Shorts, The Way We Walk, Volume Two: The Longs and the concert video The Way We Walk - Live in ConcertThe Way We Walk - Live in Concert
Genesis – The Way We Walk – Live in Concert is a 2001 double DVD9 featuring live performances from the We Can't Dance tour by Genesis. The footage was filmed on 8 November 1992 at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London, and first released on VHS in March 1993 as Genesis Live – The Way We Walk – In...
.
The set list featured much of the "We Can't Dance" album as well as the "Invisible Touch" and "Genesis" albums. The only material from the 1970s played on a regular basis was featured in a new "Old Medley" of songs which replaced the "Cage" medley of past tours.
Typical set list:
- Land of Confusion
- No Son of Mine
- Driving the Last Spike
- Old Medley: Dance on a Volcano / The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway / The Musical Box (Closing Section) / Firth of Fifth / I Know What I Like / That's All / Illegal Alien / Your Own Special Way / Follow You Follow Me / Stagnation / I Know What I Like (Reprise)
- Fading Lights
- Jesus He Knows Me
- Dreaming While You Sleep
- That's All
- Home by the Sea
- Hold on My Heart
- Domino
- The Drum Duet
- I Can't Dance
Encore:
- Tonight, Tonight, Tonight / Invisible Touch
Encore #2:
- Turn It on Again
Also played on the tour were "Throwing it All Away", "Mama" (during the first few shows in North America) and "The Carpet Crawlers" (one time only in Southampton, England). Both "Way of the World" and "Living Forever" were rehearsed for inclusion in the tour set list but ultimately didn't make it with "Way of the World" being dropped only four days before the first show of the tour.
Personnel
- 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, lead vocals - 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...
– keyboards, vocals - 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...
– guitars, bass guitar, vocals
with
- Daryl StuermerDaryl StuermerDaryl Mark Stuermer is an American musician who plays guitar and bass for Genesis during live shows, and lead guitar for Phil Collins during most of his solo tours and albums.-Biography:...
– guitars, bass guitar, vocals - Chester ThompsonChester ThompsonChester Cortez Thompson is an American drummer and session musician.-Biography:Thompson made his name as a session drummer, going on to play in Frank Zappa's touring band and with Weather Report...
– drums
Charts
Album – Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The Billboard 200 | 4 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|
| Germany Bundesverband Musikindustrie The Bundesverband Musikindustrie or simply BVMI represents the music industry in Germany. The association represents the interests of nearly 350 labels and music industry related enterprises.... |
5× Platinum |
Singles – Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | "I Can't Dance" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 2 |
| "No Son of Mine" | Adult Contemporary | 8 | |
| Mainstream Rock Tracks | 3 | ||
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 12 | ||
| 1992 | "Driving the Last Spike" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 25 |
| "Hold on My Heart" | Adult Contemporary | 1 | |
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 12 | ||
| "I Can't Dance" | Adult Contemporary | 26 | |
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 7 | ||
| "Jesus He Knows Me" | Adult Contemporary | 27 | |
| Mainstream Rock Tracks | 24 | ||
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 23 | ||
| Top 40 Mainstream | 12 | ||
| "Never a Time" | Adult Contemporary | 4 | |
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 21 | ||
| Top 40 Mainstream | 12 |
External links
- No Son of Mine (Music Video) at VH1 ClassicVH1 ClassicVH1 Classic is a television network, launched on May 8, 2000. It is operated as part of MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom and primarily features music videos and concert footage from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, though it formerly included a wider range of genres and time periods...
- Jesus He Knows Me (Music Video) at VH1 ClassicVH1 ClassicVH1 Classic is a television network, launched on May 8, 2000. It is operated as part of MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom and primarily features music videos and concert footage from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, though it formerly included a wider range of genres and time periods...
- I Can't Dance (Music Video) at VH1 ClassicVH1 ClassicVH1 Classic is a television network, launched on May 8, 2000. It is operated as part of MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom and primarily features music videos and concert footage from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, though it formerly included a wider range of genres and time periods...
- Hold on My Heart (Music Video) at VH1 ClassicVH1 ClassicVH1 Classic is a television network, launched on May 8, 2000. It is operated as part of MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom and primarily features music videos and concert footage from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, though it formerly included a wider range of genres and time periods...