Genesis had a legendary run from 1967 to 2000, with a few reunions off and on through the 21st century. With humble beginnings that launched with a critically hated album, the prog-rock outfit rose from the ashes and defied the odds, notably with the addition of Phil Collins.
Videos by American Songwriter
Genesis enjoyed many a hit through the years. Surprisingly, though, they only made it to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart one time. And that was with the title track of their 1986 album, Invisible Touch.
The band certainly got close on more than one occasion, starting in the late 1970s. The 1977 track “Your Own Special Way” was their first to appear on the coveted chart. That song peaked at No. 62. Throughout the 80s, Genesis enjoyed quite a few successful hits that made it to the Top 40 on the Hot 100 chart. But only one song made it all the way to No. 1, and that was the 1986 classic, “Invisible Touch”.
Unless you were around in 1986 or are a diehard Genesis fan, you might not be familiar with this tune. But you should; it’s actually an amazing dance-rock release that was both of and ahead of its time.
Genesis’ Only No. 1 Hit on the Hot 100 Chart Was a Song About Phil Collins’ Ex-Wife
According to Phil Collins himself, “Invisible Touch” has quite a few influences, one of them being his ex-wife, Andrea Bertorelli, whom he was married to from 1975 to 1980. He noted that the song was about people who got under his skin, hence the title, “Invisible Touch”. Collins also admitted that he was influenced by Prince and Sheila E. for the drum machine part.
This Genesis hit is loaded with excellent songwriting and addictive hooks. It was a collaborative effort, too. Phil Collins wrote the lyrics and contributed to the composition. Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford also contributed to the composition.
Interestingly enough, “Invisible Touch” would later be knocked from its No. 1 spot by Peter Gabriel, the former vocalist of Genesis. The song that took the top spot was “Sledgehammer”. Collins joked about being usurped by his band’s former singer after the fact. He admitted that Genesis’ members didn’t know that it was Gabriel who knocked them from the top spot.
“I read recently that Peter Gabriel knocked us off the No. 1 spot with ‘Sledgehammer’,” said Collins decades later. “We weren’t aware of that at the time. If we had been, we’d probably have sent him a telegram saying: ‘Congratulations – bastard.’”
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.