86: Me Looking At You, You Looking At Me

86. "That's All" by Genesis {#6; 11/83} [iTunes? Yes] {Video: That's All.}

I've said before that the HondoJoe "Cognitive Triad" of musical acts is: Electric Light Orchestra, Billy Joel, and They Might Be Giants. It wasn't always that way. Before I discovered They Might Be Giants in 1990, that third spot was up for grabs.

It was probably first occupied by Queen. Queen, obviously, has some very, very good songs, and they have always been in my Top 5 of musical acts. But, sometimes Queen could put out some stinkers, too. The aforementioned "Get Down Make Love" off the News of the World album and most of both the Jazz and Hot Space albums being good examples of badness. ("Body Language?" Really?)

So, that left an opening for someone, and in 1983 Phil Collins and Genesis made their push. Early in the year, Phil hit a chord with the solo hit "I Don't Care Anymore." And then later in the year Genesis struck with this song. Before long, Phil and Genesis were in that mythical "Cognitive Triad" spot.

(Yes, I know I've said I get annoyed when people don't separate a lead singer going solo (like Sting) and the group they are from (like The Police.) And, I still feel that way about Phil Collins and Genesis. But, I'll admit that it is difficult to differentiate the accomplishments of both entities, the solo singer and the group, in this specific case.)

Phil Collins and/or Genesis maintained that Top 3 status until the movie Buster came out. I'm not sure why I blame Buster. I never saw the movie. Maybe it's because the soundtrack was disappointing. Maybe it's because Phil started to seem a bit too smug all the time. Maybe it's because he followed Buster up by releasing crap like "Another Day In Paradise." (Really, is there a less fun song than "Another Day In Paradise?")

Anyway, "That's All" is an awesome song. The line "Why does it always seem to be me looking at you, you looking at me," reminds me of being in the band room, up on the top row with the rest of the tromboners, trying to sneak a look down at a particular girl in the woodwinds section. (Yes, the same girl I mentioned back at #95 with Dave Edmunds.) (No, I am not obsessed.) (Back in the day, maybe, but certainly not now.)

"I can't feel a thing from my head down to my toes."

COMING UP NEXT: Hay!