Firth Of Fifth (Genesis); drum cover by Sina

I love this song so much! Are you up for some classic Genesis from the Peter Gabriel era?

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Kirchhoff Schlagwerk

Meinl Cymbals (Pure Alloy Series)

Evans Drumheads

Beyerdynamic mics (snare/toms/hihat/Overheads)
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#Genesis #PeterGabriel #FirthOfFifth #DrumCover

[julietp.]

Genesis - In the beginning there was silence and darkness was over the surface of the screen. And Tony Banks sat down at his piano. Let there be music, and there was music...

THE SONG - "Firth of Fifth" is a prog-rock song by the English rock band Genesis and it appears as the third track of their 1973 album 'Selling England by the Pound'. All five band members were given writing credits although it was mostly written by keyboardist Tony Banks. He'd written most of it on his own in 1972 and presented it to the band for their previous album 'Foxtrot' but it was rejected. 'Selling England by the Pound' was recorded in London at Island Studios in Aug 1973 and released on Oct 13, 1973. "Firth of Fifth" was not released as a single.

The album 'Selling England by the Pound' entered the Billboard 200 chart at #167 on Dec 15, 1973. It peaked at #70 on Apr 13, 1974 and was last seen at #182 on June 29, 1974 with 29 weeks on the chart. In the UK, it reached #3.

The title "Firth of Fifth" is often misunderstood. In an interview with SongFacts, Tony Banks explained, "We're talking about the early '70s here, so it was a little bit pretentious. There's a river in Scotland called the Forth, and the word for an inlet in Scotland is firth so it's known as the Firth of Forth. I thought, forth, fifth, you know, Firth of Fifth. It was supposed to be just a slight joke, really."

About the strange lyrics, Banks said, "It's not my best lyric. Mike (Rutherford) and I wrote the lyric together, although it was mainly me - I won't put too much of the blame on Mike. It was just following the idea of a river and then I got a bit caught up in the cosmos and I don't quite know where I ended up, actually."

Few people are more qualified to discuss Genesis and "Firth of Fifth" than Rick Benbow. Rosanna asked him to contribute a comment and we're happy to present it here -

""Firth of Fifth" was really influential to me in my teen years when it first came out and the juxtaposition of such a glorious classical opening with the heavy thud of the band coming in (clearly an edit on the recording but that was nothing unusual for the times) was thrilling to me. I also loved the drop in the middle to simple flute and piano, then the reprise of the opening piano theme on synths (Banks used an ARP Pro-Soloist for his synth sounds which set him apart from the the more common Moogs used by Wakeman, Emerson and Bardens) and finally into that beautiful guitar solo by Steve Hackett, coming as close to King Crimson as they dared but creating something even more heart-wrenching. And then that sudden switch to E Major is inspired and a deft release from the minor solo as it heads towards the last verse. And on top of all of this there are strange lyrics about a shepherd leading his flock (mankind) to somewhere we are unsure of. Unsettling but brilliant. I learnt to play this at school and it was guaranteed to attract schoolmates into the practice room to listen and enjoy."


"Firth of Fifth" has been critically acclaimed as one of the best examples of progressive rock. Edward Macan describes "Firth of Fifth" as "one of the finest nine and half minutes of music that Genesis ever put down". It is rhythmically challenging with the first section using exotic time signatures. Drummer Phil Collins, who Sina had to accurately emulate here, turned in an incredible performance. Sina had to study and memorize every little bit and she nailed it. She wrote, "I’m often asked, how long it takes me to learn a song. I can honestly say, it took me quite a bit longer to learn this one compared to a ‘standard’ Rock or Pop song."


TECHNO-GEEK DEPT - During the Tony Banks intro, Sina wrote that the tempo floats and "nothing is attached to a grid". She's referring to a feature of digital recording software that can display the individual tracks on a timing grid - essentially a visible metronome. Instruments can be edited to align with the grid creating the illusion of perfect, consistent timing. Human musicians do not have perfect timing. While poor timing is unacceptable, tiny "errors" sound more natural because for centuries music was always heard that way. Much modern music relies heavily on grid-aligned editing. It's a hotly debated issue and, to be fair, not all music produced today is so extremely processed. It's appropriate for some genres like EDM and other electronica, not so much for rock, jazz, blues and similar forms. "Firth Of Fifth" was recorded in the early '70s on analog tape long before grid editing became possible.

[UserAusAachen]

It is terribly sad that this profound and complex kind of music is no longer in demand today and is only a thing of the past. Thank you for bringing this gem out again.

[churgnwords]

Yet another old Genesis fan here who has been listening to this song for most of the 50 years since its release. Congratulations to you, Sina, for your heartfelt, respectful and inspirational playing. You are definitely an old soul and we actual old-timers appreciate your skills.

[z-man]

I'm a sixty year-old husband, father and grandfather and yet I think I've just fallen in love again. I've been enjoying Genesis, this album and this song in particular for many years and have air drummed to Phil Collins' amazing stick work for just as long. To watch this very talented young lady play this so perfectly just about melts my heart...wow.

[briggsfartblender]

I am 61 years old, you are playing the music of my youth and I am in tears of joy. You have such talent, I cannot describe. Thank you!

[jyrivirtanen]

This was one of the covers that stopped me and got me hooked into Sina Drums. The other one was Roundabout by Yes. Firstly, the choices that were quite original! Here was a young lady who proved smart, respectful to tradition, exceptionally talented as a drummer, and who also was into old rock music, in this case progressive rock music. I was amazed and in awe after the first listening. And still is. She made intelligent remarks about the piece that hadn’t ever occurred to me. This is a really really great and truthful cover! You enlivened this piece with your touch. Respect, Sina !

[fabricnt]

I've listened to it at least ten times and it gives me goosebumps every time.
As a Genesis lover I must say that you fully respected this masterpiece that I know deeply. I can't find even one inaccurate note. That note that "slipped" on the plate during the flute solo was wonderful and perfect: brilliant!
You honored this song and even Phil Collins would be pleased! Few people in the world know how to play it so well!
It's a pleasure to listen to you, Sina. And your young age is an added value.
I always follow you with pleasure.
Greetings from Italy and I love you! 😍

[ArchieBC]

So many people don’t know how good Phil really was. You did him and Genesis justice!

[gerrevandermeer]

This is surreal, to see a young woman playing drums and drumming a almost 50 year old prog song!
I love this tooo much😁

[vincentmancuso]

Phil Collins was 22 when he laid this down! Well done Sina

[thegammas]

The early Genesis volumes are, in my humble opinion, some of the best music of my generation. I couldn't agree more with you're thoughts at the start of this video. In most tracks I am focused on the drum and bass lines. I've listened to Firth of Fifth literally hundreds of times, and Sina, you simply nailed it. Bravo!

[cramhic]

For the respect you have for Genesis and its work, all the fans of this group show you their respect for the way you play. Admirable.

[theoandmariaeisel-klee]

Totally in awe with the talent and skills and professionalism of this young woman drummer. Only discovered her on you tube tonight. Many more listening to follow. Thank you, Sina.

[martinleckie]

I have no words ... just gobsmacked at this girls drumming ability and appreciation of old rock stuff. She is awesome!

[RickvanWijngaarden_me]

Dear Sina, Firth of Fifth is one of my most loved piece of music. Actually because of the heart that the Genesis artists who played it over and over again through last decennia, put into it. The last years, the piece was dominated by the focus on drums by Phil Collins. However, while he gave all his colleagues moments to shine during the performance. Drumming Firth of Fifth is exhausting and requires giving all that a human being can give. I saw you exactly doing that in this video. Thank you. Please never stop exploring and using your talents. Cheers!

[johnclarke-vsqe]

Total respect to Sina for the talent required to play this epic piece of work. Also to the members of Genesis, who were all
in their very early twenties when they wrote, recorded and performed F of F. Absolutely fantastic Sina!

[deancamp]

My favorite part of this video? It's that a new generation is loving the music I grew up loving.

[Zerpersande]

I’ve listened to this song almost 50 years now. Most covers of anything Genesis are painful. Some are reasonably well done. Yours is above that. Well done.

[DaniloVillani]

i'm 63 and i've grown up with genesis and other prog groups. the fact that a young girl like you, belonging to current generation, considers XX century music, fills me with joy. thanks a lot.

[doncherry]

BRAVO! BRAVO! That would even bring a tear to Phil's eyes.