What is the Genesis song “I Can’t Dance” about? “I can’t dance” sings Phil Collins here – and: “I can’t sing”. Wait a minute: does the singer suddenly have ego problems? Or what is going on there? Singing, dancing, looking good – that’s actually the basic equipment for a pop star. And no, the band members of Genesis don’t doubt their skills here – with the song they make fun of the modeling scene and in the early 90s.
At first listen, the lyrics of “I can’t dance” don’t really make sense:
“The blue jeans are on the beach – her dog is talking to me – but she remains unreachable.”
Does he mean the woman or the jeans? “Ah – that dream body under her shirt – but all she wants is to rub my face in the dirt.”
Actually, the whole thing is just a joke at the beginning
The band members of Genesis are in the studio – a jeans commercial is on – the song to it: “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” by The Clash. Mike Rutherford inspires a riff. And Phil Collins improvises the lyrics: “I Can’t Dance” – bang! The song is finished in one sitting.
Phil Collins’ high, squeaky voice and again and again this sound, as if someone were playing drums on glasses. sound! A whole new direction for the band. The disjointed story is jigsaw puzzled together from a bunch of commercials: a hot guy who can’t get a straight sentence out – stands around selling stuff. A clothes rack.
If you can’t dance here now – it doesn’t matter!
Phil Collins can definitely do it – and he proves it in the accompanying music video – as he tap-dances a round and imitates Michael Jackson. In an interview, Phil Collins later complained that many fans didn’t really get the joke about “I Can’t Dance” – and that in turn spoiled the fun of the song.