Genesis "Misunderstanding" Parody

[progdirjim(Admin)]

It seems to be mostly common belief amongst Genesis fans that the band went seriously downhill somewhere between "And Then There Were Three" and "Invisible Touch". I hope we don't get into the argument as to exactly where the line between good and bad falls, as that is so subjective.

However, I think most people would agree that the song "Misunderstanding" was alarming, as it was pop with really no hint of prog. I don't even mind the song, but it's just not classic prog Genesis. Years ago I wrote this parody of the lyrics which I think are reasonably funny, and just came across it again, so I thought I'd share...


There must be some misunderstanding
There must be some kind of mistake
I’ve been listening to this band for years, but
This song is lame

Now it’s not like them to go top forty
But this will be a hit no doubt
I checked the label twice, don’t understand it
I threw it out

Well I’d been waiting for this album
I thought it might beat “And Then There Were Three”
Never dreamed it would be worse still
But hearing it, yes it is swill
That’s why I do know why
This album makes me cry

There must be some misunderstanding
There must be some kind of mistake
I’ve been listening to this band for years, but
This song is lame

Since then I’ve been listening to The Lamb and Foxtrot
I though that maybe I could hear the flow
Saw a video – what a bummer
Phil sings and is not the drummer
I still don’t believe it
Come back Steve and Pete

There must be some misunderstanding....etc

That's funny Jim.

I might learn those lyrics and perform it as my office party piece. There are a lot of Genesis fans at work.

[roger]

those are great, Jim!

but I always liked that song. maybe it brought people to Genesis, that otherwise wouldn't have listened.

[podakayne]

ROTFLMAO!!!!!

that is hill-larry-us!!! and i can hear phil singing it in my head...
truely a great parody jim, well said

that being said roger, i hope when folk discovered Genesis thru this song they weren't "dissappointed" that the large part of their music wasn't as "poppy" as that song.

[Rick and Roll]

Weird Al would be proud

I penned "21 shelves", which basically had to do with geddy lee during a futureworld alcohol prohibition basically stockpiling beer in a cave and drinking himself to death via a keg. I have no idea where it is, thankfully.

But I was 14...since we're nearly the same age, jim, i could not have penned that for the Genesis so young - I started listening to them in college, and of course the early stuff first...it was a bit of a shock.

How long ago did you write this?

[PFD]

Good parody.

That said, as a pop song, I always liked Misunderstanding.

I'd rather hear that on the radio then anything by ELO

[Yesspaz]

Weird Al would cover it, but his fan base wouldn't comprehend. Very good Jim.

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

How long ago did you write this?

I wrote this in 1993 or 1994 - whilst bemoaning the fate of progressive rock with some friends (this in the days before the internet), I got the idea. I was 30+ when I wrote it - it probably would have been angrier in my teens rick...

[NorCalKurt]

it's the wrong tone Jim.

[gr8sho92]

Ya can't always get what you want.

I would have settled for just Steve.

I actuallly liked Duke more than ATTWT, maybe because it slightly reminded me of the story telling in Trick.

Even though I missed the prog stuff, somehow I managed to buy all those pop albums. Maybe it was wishful thinking that I would hear something that wasn't there.

Thanks for posting. Sentiments share by many on this poster child for progressive rock music phase 1.

[Giloeada]

That's brilliant, Jim!

Like some have said, Misunderstanding is a decent pop song, unlike the swill they made on later albums which just grates on my ears.

Roger, I'm sure if and when any pop fans bought early Genesis albums, they were severely disappointed, or at least puzzled. I remember some of the comments of classmates in high school that I tried to convert to Yes - "It doesn't have a good beat" or "It's too long!"

[roger]

Originally Posted by Giloeada

Roger, I'm sure if and when any pop fans bought early Genesis albums, they were severely disappointed, or at least puzzled. I remember some of the comments of classmates in high school that I tried to convert to Yes - "It doesn't have a good beat" or "It's too long!"

hey, if we got just one...

[Giloeada]

Good point...

[ProgressiveEars]

Funny lyrics, but DUKE is really a great album. The last one they did, IMO.

[emperorken]

Hilarious. For those of you(like me), that hadn't seen this before, bump.

[ramsgate]

I am a true Genesis Fan, meaning I love all of their albums . Even Calling all Stations. Go ahead and laugh. I just like they way the write the songs ( Mike and Tony). If its sounds good to me that's what will make me buy the album.

[nsgobbi]

Nice lyrics, Jim, you're a hidden prodigy.
Regarding Genesis downhill itself, I'm the first of the widows, but instead of crying I think: ok, they were VERY good prog, now they derailed to low-emission pop stuff, let them live, let me miss who they were someday (and I press play for Nursery Crime).

[Iszil]

Great parody!

I really enjoy classic pop -- specially from the '80 and '90 -- but I just can't stand Misunderstanding. It's a really bad song!

[warrplayer]

When I was ten I wrote a Godzilla based parody of the Beatles titled "I Wanna Eat Japan". I'm pretty sure that's when I realized i'd never be a lyricist.