Steve Hackett - Blood On The Rooftops (Wuthering Nights: Live in Birmingham)

“A classical guitar intro for a Jimmy Webb inspired tune about 'televisual' apathy. The box can often take over from family life and communication. Phil Collins, who came up with the line Blood on the Rooftops, thought I was doing a Pete on this anthem to the electric paradise brought to life in every home, and indeed there was an aspect of the Lamb about my lyrics.” ~ Steve Hackett

~~~~~

The lyrics refer to a typical middle-aged or elderly couple (Dark and Grey) that have very little else to do with their lives than to watch TV, and complain about the content. "Better in my day, for when we got bored we had a world war".

"On Wednesday evenings the BBC used to broadcast plays. This long running series was called... The Wednesday Play."

“Watching the Queen on Christmas Day is "a longstanding tradition. The Queen records a Christmas message to the Commonwealth which is broadcast at 3.00 pm on Christmas Day.

"The Arabs and Jews, boy… too much for me" , The lyrics reference the 72 Munich Olympics when 11 Israeli athletes were shot on the roof of their living quarters in the Olympic village by Palestinian Black September (And it’s become a tittle of the song). The tragedy was happen at September 5 (Five Past Nine)
In the same year that Nixon went to Peking (now Beijing) China to broker a deal with eastern nations that included a staged withdrawal from Vietnam "Word from Peking".

Lindesfarne's Fog on the Tyne was a number 1 ablum in the UK earlier that year. That includes the line "The fog on the Tyne is all mine all mine".

'Mother Goose' is the name of a pantomime. The phrase 'they're out for 23' seems to be a cricket reference (which is 23 is very, very low score). There is another cricket reference in the line "When the rain at Lords stopped play" - Lords cricket ground is the home of English cricket - the headquarters of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

“Seems Helen of Troy has found a new face again” – is it refers to Rossana Podestà? Her most memorable role was Helen of Troy in 1956, and starring many genre movies such as comedy, drama, sex, war, etc

[johnosborne]

Brilliant guitarist from a brilliant giant of a band. 🤎🤎🤎🤎

[patrickricord]

Mr hackett you re number 1 for guitar classic and

[dmswan]

What a superb, classically grounded musician Steve Hackett is!🌹🌹🌹

[MrBamcito]

Wind & Whutering is one of the best albums of all times.

[jimcook]

Might be one of the most recognizable acoustic song openings ever.

[lucho]

I just can't get tired of listening this beautiful song, masterfully played by Steve and his bandmates. Gary does an amazing job in vocas as in drums. Thank you Steve for keeping Genesis spirit alive, for showing new generations that existed a wonderful music before rap. Long live to prog!

[GreenHoleSun]

I think this is the best song by Genesis of the post-Gabriel era. And the rendition here is perfect.

[dunningkruger]

Very interesting insights into the lyrics above. I lived....most of it.

[TheTim]

Such an evocative picture of Seventies Britain. We didn't realise it then but 40+ years later seems like a safer and more certain time

[rsviews]

So glad such gems are immortalized ( meaning the records ). I have no clue as to how these men were able to extract such crafted beauty within themselves. This music is from another realm, surely, another dimension of conscience. The song sweeps you right up there, at the top of this mystical wave. Phil Collins was an accomplished drummer and a very sensitive singer as well. No other founding band member could keep Genesis's original spirit alive better than the quiet and shy Steve Hackett. Members of the young new generations are blown away by such artistry and mastery. Long live the REAL Genesis ! I can't wait to travel across the universe to these sounds.

[alexanderalbano]

I have watched this countless times and still experience the same musical rush Steve is so cool and talent beyond words this has to be in the top 5 live performances in rock note for note execution timing effects a real music hero he has it together hope he continues we nd his action he stands for perfection and so laid back and delivers the guy is intense

[PhilistineTheArtLuvr]

I come from a Palestinian family and how glad I am that I can find refuge in this most beautiful music.

[marcorela]

Pezzo , di una bellezza celestiale, steve chittarista eccelso, per me il migliore a volte sottovalutato.

[hans]

A M E N and once more A M E N: thanx Steve for your romantic contribution to G E N E S I S where it al started.

[andywharam]

A fantastic performance by Steve & his band, the drummer (a favourite of mine) he's not just an excellent drummer & percussionist, he has a great voice, to be able to sing & play drums at the same time has to be applauded 👏👏absolutely superb, the song is also superbly written & performed👏❤️🇬🇧

[tmws]

Such a beautiful rendering of what might be Genesis' most haunting song. Just so great. Thanks for posting this and thanks to Steve Hackett for keeping it alive.

[suzettespencer]

OMG, the drummer can sing! Never suspected

[jimwallace]

Seeing Steve and his band here in New England in October and seeing this made me wish it were tomorrow!!! Outstanding work!!

[firstamendmentrightspreser]

Thanks to the Steve Hackett Band for keeping the sound of Genesis alive. Beautiful music preserved for another generation to hear. Cheers!

[marklockyer]

Such a beautiful song delivered perfectly by Steve and band. Great vocal Gary - loved the rasp at 4:59 - it really fitted, and the slide at the rain stopped play!