20 Years We Can't Dance

Last Update: 2011-11-11

Today, twenty years ago, the Genesis album We Can't Dance was released.

We Can't Dance, the great album of the British band, is the first album after the success of Invisible Touch, which was published in 1986. While the latter aims to audibility and radio capability, We Can't Dance captivates with splendid melodies, splendid lyrics and splendid music videos that spawned the following singles.

Furthermore, all titles practice social criticism: Jesus He Knows Me with its catchy melody is directed against money-hungry televangelists, while No Son Of Mine tells the story of a mature man who has been abused in his childhood.

These two songs are also the compilation's most impressive ones: they are courageous and not cocky. Both make extensive use of the orchestra crescendo; the added instruments mark the beat, they select the appropriate tempo. And both also encourage the listeners to reflect on them, they are socially critical songs reaching a broad audience.

All songs hit the heart of the matter, all tracks strike the right chord. The lyrics make you think, perhaps they are Genesis' best texts. They are the result of great poetry and creative ingenuity of Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. No album shows a bigger return to Progressive Rock times: titles with a special significance, titles with emotions.

We Can't Dance is a musical statement like no other, it impresses in every way: a real, almost perfect, masterpiece, a musical work of art — There can only be one.