Follow You Follow Me

Last updated

"Follow You Follow Me"
Follow You Follow Me.jpg
Single by Genesis
from the album ...And Then There Were Three...
B-side
  • "Ballad of Big" (UK)
  • "Inside and Out" (US)
Released24 February 1978 [1]
RecordedSeptember–October 1977
Genre
Length
  • 3:59 (album version)
  • 3:19 (US edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Genesis singles chronology
"Your Own Special Way"
(1977)		"Follow You Follow Me"
(1978)		"Many Too Many"
(1978)
Official video
"Follow You Follow Me" on YouTube

"Follow You Follow Me" is a love song written and recorded by English rock band Genesis. It was released in February 1978 as the first single from their ninth studio album, ...And Then There Were Three... (1978). The music was composed by the band, and the lyrics were written by bassist and guitarist Mike Rutherford. [4] The single became Genesis' first top 10 hit in the UK and first top 40 hit in the US, reaching No. 7 and No. 23 respectively.

Contents

Background

Like much of the rest of the album, the slower, sentimental "Follow You Follow Me" was a departure from most of their previous work as a progressive rock band, featuring a simple melody, romantic lyrics and a verse-chorus structure. Although previous albums contained love ballads, such as Selling England by the Pound's "More Fool Me" and "Your Own Special Way" from Wind & Wuthering (1976), "Follow You Follow Me" was the first worldwide pop success by the group. The band felt that their music was attracting mainly male audiences, so this song was written specifically to address the imbalance. [5]

Composition

The song started from a chord sequence by Rutherford, who also said he wrote the lyrics in about ten minutes. [6] At the time, the band usually wrote songs individually. Keyboardist Tony Banks was quoted:

It was our only truly group-written number. Mike played the riff, then I started playing a chord sequence and melody line on it, which Phil then centralized around. It worked so well as a very simple thing; it was enough as it stood. I'd just written a simple love lyric for "Many Too Many", and I think Mike was keen to try the same thing. Maybe "Follow You Follow Me" was almost too banal, but I got used to it. I think we find it much easier to write long stories than simple love songs. [4]

Drummer and vocalist Phil Collins described it as "a great rhythm track" but said it "was not intended to be a hit single". [4]

Reception

Record World called it an "engaging song" that has a "light, flowing sound." [7]

Chart performance

At the time of release, "Follow You Follow Me" became the band's most successful single, spending 4 weeks in the top 10 on the UK Singles chart, peaking at #7 for two weeks. The song also peaked at #23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #23 on the U.S. Cashbox Top 100 chart [8] and #21 on the Adult Contemporary chart, [9] [10] #16 on the Australian singles charts, [11] [ deprecated source ] and #22 on the NZ singles charts. [12] [13] The song is included in the 2005 book, Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era, which states "the formerly progressive Genesis begins to proceed without impediment toward the Top 10". [14]

Music video

The music video for the song was a mimed live performance of the band filmed at Shepperton Studios. It later appeared on their DVD The Video Show (2004). In the video Banks is wearing a Vancouver Canucks hockey team sweater. The main scene has Collins using a shaker-type instrument while singing, but he was also separately filmed playing the drums.

Live performances

"Follow You Follow Me" was played live during the …And Then There Were Three… , [15] Duke , [16] Three Sides Live Encore tour , [17] Genesis , [18] Invisible Touch (1986 set only), [19] Calling All Stations (with Ray Wilson on vocals), [20] and Turn It On Again tours. [21] An excerpt of the song was also played on the We Can't Dance Tour , as part of an "Old Medley" of Genesis songs. [22] The band would include the song as the last song in their acoustic set for The Last Domino? Tour, following "That's All" and "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway".

During the Turn It On Again Tour, Collins performed on the drums as well as the vocals (making it one of very few songs in which he performs both simultaneously), while animated line art of a selection of the band's album art played in the background video screens. The first and last scenes in the animated sequence show the "father" character from the We Can't Dance album cover, raising his hand. A bright white spotlight (on Collins) lights up at the beginning of the song, and turns itself off at the end. [23]

The song was also performed live on Collins' solo Not Dead Yet Tour , [24] as well as by Mike + the Mechanics (with Tim Howar on vocals) during their Out of the Blue tour [25] and on Ray Wilson's solo tours. [26]

Personnel

Certifications

Certifications for "Follow You Follow Me"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [27] Silver250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genesis (band)</span> English rock band (1967–2022)

Genesis were an English rock band formed at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey, in 1967. The band's longest-existing and most commercially successful line-up consisted of keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford and drummer/singer Phil Collins. In the 1970s, during which the band also included singer Peter Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett, Genesis were among the pioneers of progressive rock.

<i>We Cant Dance</i> 1991 studio album by Genesis

We Can't Dance is the fourteenth studio album by the English rock band Genesis, released on 11 November 1991 by Virgin Records in the UK and a day later by Atlantic Records in the US. It is their last studio album recorded with drummer and singer Phil Collins before his departure in 1996 to pursue solo projects full time. The album marked the return of band activity following an almost four-year hiatus after touring their previous album, Invisible Touch (1986).

<i>Genesis</i> (Genesis album) 1983 studio album by Genesis

Genesis is the twelfth studio album by English rock band Genesis, released on 3 October 1983 by Charisma and Virgin Records in the UK and by Atlantic Records in the US and Canada. Following the band's tour in support of their 1982 live album Three Sides Live, Genesis took an eight-month break before they regrouped in the spring of 1983 to record a new album. It is their first written and recorded in its entirety at their studio named The Farm in Chiddingfold, Surrey, and the songs were developed through jam sessions in the studio with nothing written beforehand. Hugh Padgham returned as their engineer.

<i>...And Then There Were Three...</i> 1978 studio album by Genesis

...And Then There Were Three... is the ninth studio album by the English rock band Genesis. It was released on 31 March 1978 by Charisma Records and is their first recorded as a trio of singer/drummer Phil Collins, keyboardist Tony Banks, and bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford, following the departure of guitarist Steve Hackett. The album marked a shift in the band's sound, mixing elements of their progressive rock roots with more accessible material, and Collins contributing to more of the group's songwriting.

<i>Duke</i> (album) 1980 studio album by Genesis

Duke is the tenth studio album by English rock band Genesis, released on 28 March 1980 on Charisma Records. The album followed a period of inactivity for the band in early 1979. Phil Collins moved to Vancouver, Canada, in an effort to salvage his failing first marriage, while Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford recorded solo albums. Collins returned to the UK after his marriage ended and wrote a significant amount of material, some of which was used for Duke and some was later reworked for his first solo album, Face Value. Duke contained a mix of individually written songs and tracks that evolved from jam sessions in mid-1979, while recording took place at the end of the year. The break in activity rejuvenated the band, and they found the album an easy one to work on.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesus He Knows Me</span> 1992 single by Genesis

"Jesus He Knows Me" is a song by the English rock band Genesis from their fourteenth studio album, We Can't Dance (1991), released in July 1992 as the album's fourth single. The song is a satire of televangelism, released in a period when several televangelists such as Jimmy Swaggart, Robert Tilton and Jim Bakker were under investigation for promising financial success to their listeners, provided they sent money to them. The song reached No. 10 in Canada, No. 20 in the United Kingdom and No. 23 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mama (Genesis song)</span> 1983 single by Genesis

"Mama" is a song by the English rock band Genesis, released as the first single in 1983 from their self-titled album. It is recognisable for its harsh drum machine introduction composed by Mike Rutherford, which leads into minimalist synthesizer lines in a minor tonality and finally Phil Collins' reverb-laden voice. It remains the band's most successful single in the UK, peaking at No. 4 on the UK singles chart. It also made the top 10 in Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Ireland and the Netherlands. It was less popular in the US, only reaching No. 73 on the Billboard Hot 100. A 1992 re-release of the single managed to reach the Top 40 in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Dance</span> 1991 single by Genesis

"I Can't Dance" is the fourth track from English rock band Genesis' 14th studio album, We Can't Dance (1991) and was released in December 1991 as the second single from the record. Lyrics were composed by drummer Phil Collins with music written collectively by the band. The song peaked at number seven on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart and also received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals at 1993. In Europe, the song reached number one in Belgium and the Netherlands, while peaking within the top five in Austria, Germany and Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Invisible Touch (song)</span> 1986 single by Genesis

"Invisible Touch" is the title track and first single from the 1986 studio album of the same name by the English rock band Genesis. The song is a group composition which featured lyrics written by drummer and lead vocalist Phil Collins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Throwing It All Away</span> 1986 single by Genesis

"Throwing It All Away" is the seventh track on the 1986 album Invisible Touch by Genesis. It was the second single taken from the album in the United States, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1986, as well as No. 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart and the Album Rock Tracks chart. It was the last single released from the album in the UK in June 1987, reaching No. 22. The song was also a top 40 hit on the Irish Singles Chart, peaking at No. 24. The working title was "Zephyr and Zeppo".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonight, Tonight, Tonight</span> 1987 single by Genesis

"Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" is the second track on the 1986 album Invisible Touch by the English rock band Genesis, released in January 1987 as the fourth single from the album. It peaked at No. 3 in the US and No. 18 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's All (Genesis song)</span> 1983 single by Genesis

"That's All" is a song by the English rock band Genesis. It is a group composition and appears as the second track on their self-titled album (1983). It was the album's second single after "Mama". On June 17, 1993, MCA Records re-issued and re-released the song as a CD and "HiQ" cassette single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home by the Sea</span> 1983 single by Genesis

"Home by the Sea" and "Second Home by the Sea" is a suite of two songs by English rock band Genesis. It first appeared on their eponymous album in 1983. The lyrics were written by keyboardist Tony Banks and the music was written by the whole band. Lyrically, the song is about a burglar who breaks into a house only to find it is haunted. The burglar is captured by the ghosts, who force him to listen to their stories for the rest of his life. "Home by the Sea" became a chart hit in New Zealand, peaking at number four in November 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn It On Again: The Tour</span> 2007 concert tour by Genesis

Turn It On Again: The Tour was a 2007 concert tour of Europe and North America by the English rock band Genesis. The tour was notable for the return of drummer and vocalist Phil Collins, who had fronted the band during their most commercially successful period before leaving in 1996, rejoining founder members Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford, with their traditional on-stage musicians, Chester Thompson on drums and Daryl Stuermer on guitar/bass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abacab (song)</span> 1981 single by Genesis

"Abacab" is a song by the British rock band Genesis, released on 14 August 1981. It was produced by Genesis and distributed in the United States by Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group. The song, mainly written by Mike Rutherford with Tony Banks and Phil Collins with lyrics by Rutherford, was featured on Genesis' album of the same name and was a top 10 hit on the British pop chart, where it peaked at No. 9. The song was the second single from the album in the US, where it peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1982. It stayed in the Top 40 for six weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tell Me Why (Genesis song)</span> 1992 single by Genesis

"Tell Me Why" is a song by English rock band Genesis. It first appeared as the seventh track on their 14th studio album, We Can't Dance (1991), and was issued as a single in Europe in 1992 and in the United Kingdom on 8 February 1993 by Virgin Records. It was the last Genesis single featuring Phil Collins on vocals before leaving the group in March 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misunderstanding (Genesis song)</span> 1980 single by Genesis

"Misunderstanding" is a song by the English rock band Genesis, released on their 1980 album Duke. It reached No. 14 in the U.S. and No. 42 in the UK. Its highest charting was in Canada, where it reached No. 1 and is ranked as the seventh biggest Canadian hit of 1980. It was also featured on the band's 1982 double-album Three Sides Live, where it led off side three.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Many Too Many</span> 1978 single by Genesis

"Many Too Many" is a love song recorded by English rock band Genesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn It On Again</span> 1980 single by Genesis

"Turn It On Again" is a song by the English rock band Genesis featured on their 1980 album Duke. Also released as a single, the song reached number 8 in the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's second top 10 hit. The lyrics, by Mike Rutherford, concern a man who does nothing more than watch television. He becomes obsessed with the people he watches on it, believing them to be his friends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Invisible Touch Tour</span> 1986–87 concert tour by Genesis

The Invisible Touch Tour was a worldwide concert tour by the English rock band Genesis. The tour began on 18 September 1986 in Detroit and ended on 4 July 1987 in London. London dates at Wembley Stadium were filmed for a video release entitled Genesis Live at Wembley Stadium. The group earned as much as $300,000 a night in North America alone. The five shows in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. in May 1987 grossed $5.4 million and were attended by a total of 273,414 people.

References

  1. ↑ Mic Smith (May 2017). "Get 'Em Out By Friday. Genesis: The Official Release Dates 1968-78" (PDF). p. 76.
  2. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "AllMusic Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2015. Its calm, insistent melody, layered with harmonies, is a perfect soft rock hook
  3. ↑ Molanphy, Chris (31 May 2019). "The Invisible Miracle Sledgehammer Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate . Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Jon Young. "The Genesis Autodiscography". Trouser Press . March 1982 issue
  5. ↑ Dave Bowler and Bryan Dray. Genesis: A Biography. ISBN   0-283-06175-8
  6. ↑ Lester, Paul (20 July 2017). "The Stories Behind The Songs : Genesis". Classic Rock. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  7. ↑ "Record World Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. 1 April 1978. p. 38. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  8. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996 . Sheridan Books, Inc. p. 158. ISBN   978-0-89820-209-0.
  9. ↑ Genesis UK chart history, The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  10. ↑ "Genesis - Follow You, Follow Me - Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  11. ↑ "Australian Top 100 Singles". Kent Music Report. 25 September 1978.
  12. ↑ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 23 July 1978.
  13. ↑ "Genesis — Follow You Follow Me". Charts.nz.
  14. ↑ Pollock, Bruce (2005). Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era. Routledge. p. 107. ISBN   978-0415970730.
  15. ↑ And Then There Were Three Songs & Dates. Genesis-movement.org. Retrieved on 2 December 2011.
  16. ↑ Duke Tour Songs & Dates. Genesis-movement.org. Retrieved on 2 December 2011.
  17. ↑ Three Sides Live Encore Tour Songs & Dates. Genesis-movement.org. Retrieved on 2 December 2011.
  18. ↑ Mama Tour Songs & Dates. Genesis-movement.org. Retrieved on 2 December 2011.
  19. ↑ Invisible Tour Songs & Dates. Genesis-movement.org (6 November 1989). Retrieved on 2 December 2011.
  20. ↑ Calling All Stations Tour Songs & Dates. Genesis-movement.org (6 December 1997). Retrieved on 2 December 2011.
  21. ↑ Turn it on again Tour Songs & Dates. Genesis-movement.org. Retrieved on 2 December 2011.
  22. ↑ The Way We Walk Tour Songs & Dates. Genesis-movement.org. Retrieved on 2 December 2011.
  23. ↑ When in Rome 2007 DVD.
  24. ↑ Phil Collins Setlist at Toyota Center, Houston, TX, USA (24 September 2019) [ permanent dead link ] Setlist.fm Retrieved on 9 April 2020.
  25. ↑ Mike + the Mechanics Setlist at Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol, England (8 April, 2019) Setlist.fm Retrieved on 9 April 2020.
  26. ↑ Tour Statistics of Ray Wilson Setlist.fm Retrieved on 29 October 2021.
  27. ↑ "British single certifications – Genesis – Follow You, Follow Me". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 2 May 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.