“Ripples”, a standout ballad from Genesis’s first post-Peter Gabriel album A Trick of the Tail (released in 1976), is a perfect example of subtle emotion and progressive rock elegance. Written primarily by Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks, the track showcases a more reflective, pastoral side of Genesis - one that leans into beauty and melancholy rather than the theatricality of their earlier material.
The song begins with gentle, arpeggiated 12-string guitar lines and soft piano, creating a dreamlike texture that immediately evokes a sense of longing. Phil Collins, stepping up as lead vocalist for the first time on a Genesis studio album, delivers one of his most heartfelt performances. His voice, still relatively untouched by the sharper pop edge it would acquire later, carries a tender vulnerability that suits the song’s nostalgic tone perfectly.
Lyrically, “Ripples” explores themes of aging, lost beauty, and the inevitable passage of time. The central metaphor - ripples fading in the water - beautifully captures the transience of youth and memory. It’s a poignant reflection on change, both personal and universal, and one that resonates deeply without ever becoming maudlin.
Musically, the track is a slow burn. The first half is restrained and introspective, but midway through, Genesis shift gears into a more dynamic instrumental section. Tony Banks’s sweeping keyboards take center stage, lifting the piece into a shimmering, almost orchestral passage that recalls the band’s symphonic ambitions. Yet even in its grandeur, the music remains lyrical and emotionally grounded.
What makes the song so affecting is its balance of simplicity and sophistication. It doesn't rely on complex time signatures or flashy solos, but instead builds emotional weight through careful composition and sincere delivery. It’s Genesis at their most mature and musically graceful.
“Ripples” is a quietly powerful gem in the Genesis catalog. It’s not as grandiose as “Firth of Fifth” or as quirky as “Robbery, Assault and Battery”, but it lingers in the heart. With its evocative lyrics, exquisite instrumentation, and one of Collins’s most sensitive vocal performances, “Ripples” stands as a highlight not just of A Trick of the Tail, but of Genesis’s entire discography. A song for twilight moments, when memory and melody intertwine.
The song begins with gentle, arpeggiated 12-string guitar lines and soft piano, creating a dreamlike texture that immediately evokes a sense of longing. Phil Collins, stepping up as lead vocalist for the first time on a Genesis studio album, delivers one of his most heartfelt performances. His voice, still relatively untouched by the sharper pop edge it would acquire later, carries a tender vulnerability that suits the song’s nostalgic tone perfectly.
Lyrically, “Ripples” explores themes of aging, lost beauty, and the inevitable passage of time. The central metaphor - ripples fading in the water - beautifully captures the transience of youth and memory. It’s a poignant reflection on change, both personal and universal, and one that resonates deeply without ever becoming maudlin.
Musically, the track is a slow burn. The first half is restrained and introspective, but midway through, Genesis shift gears into a more dynamic instrumental section. Tony Banks’s sweeping keyboards take center stage, lifting the piece into a shimmering, almost orchestral passage that recalls the band’s symphonic ambitions. Yet even in its grandeur, the music remains lyrical and emotionally grounded.
What makes the song so affecting is its balance of simplicity and sophistication. It doesn't rely on complex time signatures or flashy solos, but instead builds emotional weight through careful composition and sincere delivery. It’s Genesis at their most mature and musically graceful.
“Ripples” is a quietly powerful gem in the Genesis catalog. It’s not as grandiose as “Firth of Fifth” or as quirky as “Robbery, Assault and Battery”, but it lingers in the heart. With its evocative lyrics, exquisite instrumentation, and one of Collins’s most sensitive vocal performances, “Ripples” stands as a highlight not just of A Trick of the Tail, but of Genesis’s entire discography. A song for twilight moments, when memory and melody intertwine.