The Same Lyrics That Crop Up In Different Periods of The Band

There are plenty of thematic ideas connecting various eras of the band. Here we connect some lyrics that turn up in songs from different eras of the band.

1. Touchy Subject

“I’ve been waiting here for so long”
– The Musical Box (1972)

“Well I’ve been waiting, waiting here so long”
– Invisible Touch (1986)

2. A Peculiar Walk

“Me, I’m just a lawnmower you can tell me by the way I walk.”
– I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) (1973)

“Only thing about me is the way I walk.”
– I Can’t Dance (1991)

3. Revelation

“We have finally been freed to get back home.”

“There’s an angel standing in the sun, and he’s crying with a loud voice”
– Supper’s Ready (1972)

“There’s an angel standing in the sun,
Free to get back home.”
– Los Endos (1976)

Apparently this repeated line in Los Endos is a tribute to Peter Gabriel.

4. Late Paper

“Paper late!”
– Dancing With the Moonlit Knight (1973)

Paperlate is a word shouted out by evening newspaper salesmen in London to announce that the late edition of a newspaper is available.

“Paperlate”
– Paperlate (1982)

The song Paperlate came to life through Phil Collins soundchecking the Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (song) on the Duke tour (partial version). At one particular soundcheck the phrase had to be repeated when Phil sang “Paper late, cried a voice in the crowd” Source: The Book of Genesis: Hugh Fielder

“All my life” and “All of my life” seem to be placeholder phrases for Phil Collins – they appear frequently both in Genesis songs and in his solo records.