Just a Job to Do

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Just a Job to Do" by Genesis from their 1983 self-titled album, and the Zoo Freaks are vibing to its infectious energy. This track, nestled on the Genesis album, is a punchy, rhythmic gem that showcases the band’s pivot to a more pop-rock sound. In a 1983 interview with Genesis News, Phil Collins described the song as a “fun, upbeat number” born from the band’s jam sessions at their studio, The Farm in Surrey. The lyrics, with their tongue-in-cheek nod to a hitman’s work ethic, were inspired by Collins’ love for storytelling through a cinematic lens, a theme he’d later explore in solo tracks like “In the Air Tonight.”

One juicy piece of trivia comes from Tony Banks in a German Genesis Fanclub interview, where he revealed the song’s driving rhythm was initially nicknamed “Adam” because it echoed the tribal beats of Adam Ant’s early ’80s hits. The band leaned into this playful vibe, crafting a track that felt both modern and distinctly Genesis. On Facebook, fans in the Genesis Fan Club group have shared stories of hearing “Just a Job to Do” live during the 1983-84 Mama Tour, noting how Collins’ energetic drumming and Rutherford’s sharp guitar riffs electrified audiences. A post on X from a fan account, The Genesis Archive, mentions that the song was a favorite in the studio for its spontaneous creation, with no pre-written parts, just pure improvisation.

Genesis began in 1967 at Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey, where schoolmates 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 for Decca Records. Initially a baroque-pop outfit, their early sound was influenced by the Bee Gees and Moody Blues, as noted in a Rate Your Music bio. After parting with King, the band honed their progressive rock edge with albums like Trespass in 1970. The arrival of Phil Collins on drums and Steve Hackett on guitar in 1971 solidified their classic lineup, leading to seminal works like Foxtrot and Selling England by the Pound.

The shift to a pop-oriented sound in the ’80s, as heard in “Just a Job to Do,” came after Gabriel’s 1975 departure and Collins stepping up as frontman. This evolution, detailed in a Billboard biography, made them global superstars, with the Genesis album hitting No. 1 in the UK and selling over 4 million copies in the US. Fans can dive deeper into their history on the official website, genesis-music.com, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For community vibes, check out fan sites like The Genesis Archive or join discussions in the Genesis Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks might find kindred spirits sharing love for the band’s eclectic journey.