Driving the Last Spike

The Zoo Crew is spinning the epic track Driving the Last Spike by Genesis from their 1991 album We Can't Dance, and Zoo Freaks, you're in for a treat with this one! This song, clocking in at over ten minutes, is a standout for its storytelling and progressive rock roots. Written by Phil Collins, the lyrics dive into the grueling lives of 19th-century railway workers, known as navvies, who faced deadly conditions while building Britain's railways. The inspiration came from a book given to Collins by actor Dennis Waterman, which sparked the song's vivid narrative. It’s told as a soliloquy, capturing the emotional weight of a worker leaving his family, toiling through danger, and questioning the cost of his labor. Fans on Reddit have called it one of Collins’ finest lyrical achievements, with some saying it brings them to tears, especially the line, “They’ll never see the likes of us again,” belted with raw emotion. Genesis News notes a rare promo CD edit of the song, sponsored by Volkswagen, which trimmed it down and could’ve been a single—check it out on YouTube for a unique listen!

Despite not being a single, Driving the Last Spike made waves, hitting number 51 on Canada’s RPM Top Singles chart and number 25 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. Its live performance on the 1992 We Can’t Dance tour, as shared in a post by Genesis on X, was a highlight, with fans raving about the instrumental riff around the five-minute mark that builds to a soaring climax. Tony Banks, in a quote from a Reddit thread, explained that long tracks like this one gave Genesis depth, keeping fans coming back for more. Some fans, though, as mentioned in Prog Archives reviews, prefer the studio version over the live cut on The Way We Walk, Volume Two: The Longs, citing the early ’90s digital production as a bit exhausting. Still, its emotional heft and historical lens make it a fan favorite, often debated as underrated in the Genesis Fans Facebook group.

Genesis began in 1967 at Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey, where students Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Peter Gabriel, Anthony Phillips, and Chris Stewart formed the band. Named by pop impresario Jonathan King, they recorded their debut album, From Genesis to Revelation, in 1969, blending pop, folk, and psychedelic influences. Early on, Gabriel’s theatrical vocals, inspired by Otis Redding, and the band’s literary leanings—drawing from T.S. Eliot and Arthur C. Clarke—set them apart. After parting with King, they toured relentlessly, honing their progressive rock sound with albums like Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot. Phil Collins joined in 1970 as drummer, and after Gabriel left in 1975, Collins took over vocals, steering the band toward a pop-rock era with hits like Invisible Touch. Despite lineup changes, Banks and Rutherford remained the core, and Genesis sold over 150 million albums, making them one of the top 30 highest-selling artists ever, as noted on Wikipedia.

Stay connected with Genesis through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for updates and throwbacks like their We Can’t Dance recording clips. Fans can dive deeper at Genesis News, a dedicated fan site with interviews and tour reports, or join discussions in the Genesis Fans Facebook group and r/Genesis subreddit. The Turn It On Again forum is another spot for Zoo Freaks to swap bootlegs and debate the band’s legacy. Whether you’re vibing to the prog epics or the pop hits, Genesis’ journey from schoolboy dreamers to global rock icons is a wild ride!