Behind the Lines (Genesis song)

Infobox Song
Name = Behind the Lines


Artist = Genesis
Album = Duke
Released = 28 March 1980
track_no = 1
Recorded = October-December 1979
Genre = Art rock (Genesis version) Disco (Phil Collins version)
Length = 5:31 (Genesis version) 3:53 (Phil Collins version)
Writer = Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford
Label = Charisma/Virgin (UK), Atlantic Records (US)
Producer = David Hentschel and Genesis (Genesis version) Phil Collins (Phil Collins version)
prev = Beginning of album
prev_no =
next = "Duchess"
next_no = 2

Behind the Lines is a rock song by Genesis, from their March 1980 album "Duke". The group's drummer and vocalist Phil Collins released a re-recorded version on his first solo album "Face Value" in February 1981.

Different versions

The Genesis version of the track is a dramatic art-rock piece, while the Collins reading is lighter and more funky. Lyrically the song is about pleading to a former lover, a subject which fit in with Collins' post-divorce solo album. There were a few minor changes to the words, however.

Phil's version

Phil revealed on the "Classic Albums" documentary on "Face Value" that his solo remake came about after "recording Behind the Lines, we ran the tape back at double speed and suddenly this other song appeared". Phil then set out to re-record the song on "Face Value" as a Michael Jackson "Off the Wall"-era disco track featuring the Earth, Wind and Fire horn section, the Phenix Horns.

B-side version

An edited version appeared as the B-side to "Turn It On Again", the lead single from "Duke".

Tours

"Behind the Lines" was performed on the accompanying tour in 1980, and was also played as the show opener during "Abacab"-era gigs in 1981/82. The instrumental intro was used as an opener on the 2007 .

Cultural references

Named after the song, "Behind the Lines" is also an internet radio show on [http://www.thedividingline.com/ The Dividing Line Broadcast Network] . Originally the show focussed mainly on Genesis and Genesis related music, but has since expanded its scope. The Dividing Line itself is also named after a Genesis song, from "Calling All Stations".