The Cinema Show

Song_infobox
Name = The Cinema Show


SorA = album
Artist = Genesis
Album = Selling England by the Pound
Released = 12th October, 1973
track_no = 7
Recorded = August 1973
Genre = Progressive rock
Length = 11:10
Writer = Tony Banks/Phil Collins/Peter Gabriel/Steve Hackett/Mike Rutherford
Composer =
Label = Charisma (UK) Atlantic (U.S.)
Producer = Genesis & John Burns
Chart position =
prev = "After the Ordeal"
prev_no = 6
next = "Aisle of Plenty"
next_no = 8

"The Cinema Show" is an epic rock song by British progressive rock band Genesis from their 1973 album, "Selling England by the Pound."

Musically, the song is divided into two main sections: The first section is a gentle 12-string guitar-based piece, featuring vocal harmonies between Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins as well as a short flute solo. Afterward, the song segues into a four-and-a-half minute keyboard solo by Tony Banks, with Mike Rutherford and Collins laying down the rhythm in a 7/8 time signature (this solo has frequently been integrated into the "In the Cage" medley that appeared in later years). The song ends by switching back to 4/4 time and seguing into the final track, "Aisle of Plenty." (On live versions, however, "Aisle of Plenty" was never played; instead, a new ending was added at the end of the 7/8 section, as can be heard on "Seconds Out".)

The lyrics, written by Banks and Rutherford, draw much of their inspiration from the T. S. Eliot poem "The Waste Land." They reference two characters, Romeo and Juliet, who appear to be readying themselves for a date at a cinema show, although it seems that Romeo is anticipating a sexual encounter with Juliet after the show. The chorus makes reference to Tiresias, a character in Greek mythology who lived as both a man and a woman, concluding that women derive more pleasure from sex than do men.

Personnel

*Peter Gabriel: Vocals, Flute, Oboe, Bass Drum and Tambourine
*Steve Hackett: Electric and Acoustic Guitars
*Mike Rutherford: Bass, Acoustic Guitar and Backing Vocals
*Tony Banks: Hammond Organ, Hohner Pianet, ARP Pro-Soloist, Mellotron, Acoustic Guitar and Backing Vocals
*Phil Collins: Drums, Triangle and Backing Vocals