22. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

The Inspiration:

From The Annotated Lamb Lies Down on Broadway:

The following is taken from Peter Gabriel: An Authorized Biography by Spence Bright, 1988, pub. 1989 by Headline Book Publishing PLC, ISBN 0-7472-3231-8.

""The Lamb" was intended to be like a "Pilgrim's Progress"," said Peter, "an adventure through which one gets a better understanding of self -- the transformation theme. I was trying to give it a street slant, and that was before punk happened. I felt an energy in that direction, and it seemed that prancing around in fairyland was rapidly becoming obsolete." Rael, the character around which "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" revolves, was as far removed from fairyland as possible. He was a streetwise Puerto Rican from the ghettos of the Bronx, and provided a transatlantic antidote to the English-ness of "Selling England By The Pound" and much of Genesis' previous work. Rael was Gabriel's made-up name. It was similar enough to the popular Spanish name Raoul to fit in with the character, but English enough to suggest both reality and fantasy. At the time Peter was credited with the major contribution on the album. Since then all concerned have stressed their role in what is Genesis' most controversial and for many most inspiring album. The lyrics were mainly Peter's, but he felt he was never given enough credit for his contribution to the music as well. He regards his composition 'The Carpet Crawlers' as one of his favourite melodies and the title track's chorus was also his composition with the use of the 'On Broadway' theme.

Though Rael was portrayed by Gabriel on stage as a punk wearing leather jacket and jeans, the imagery of the lyrics owes more to the supernatural than subways and sidewalks. Rael's journey through his subconscious to eventual self-discovery includes a confrontation with death..."

You might want to listen to this...

Notes:
Earthenware with glue, gold dust, silver wax and glass.

This one was the toughest to interpret. Not sure how successful I was.
But I tried...

Progress Photos: