Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Can Utility and the Coastliners

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Released
  
6 October 1972

Length
  
5:44

Recorded
  
August 1972

Genre
  
Progressive rock, progressive folk

Label
  
Charisma Records, Atlantic Records, Virgin Records

Writer(s)
  
Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford

Can-Utility and the Coastliners is the fourth song on Genesis' fourth album, Foxtrot, released in 1972. "Can-Utility and the Coastliners", written mostly by guitarist Steve Hackett, is based on the legend of King Canute, who supposedly ordered the seas to retreat to mock the sycophancy of his followers. An early, longer version of the song found its way into pre-album live sets (as heard on certain bootleg recordings); known as "Bye Bye Johnny" or "Rock My Baby", it featured an extended instrumental section in which the Mellotron string sound dominated.

Personnel

  • Peter Gabriel – lead vocals, tambourine, oboe, bass drum
  • Phil Collins – drums, finger cymbals, backing vocals
  • Steve Hackett – electric and 12-string acoustic guitars
  • Mike Rutherford – 12-string acoustic guitar, bass guitar, Dewtron "Mister Bassman" bass pedal synthesizer
  • Tony Banks – Mellotron, Hammond organ

    • References

    Can-Utility and the Coastliners Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA