Supper's Ready Illustrated

It's a very thought provoking take on a piece of music I've always loved. Some of the imagery presented does support my long held view that the couple at the start might be Adam and Eve, the latter is tempted by Satan (the serpent and the apple) in the garden (of Eden) : the fall via original sin and the eventual salvation of the sinner through the bestowing of Grace from God. I think the medieval crusades are clearly referenced and critiques the wanton slaughter perpetuated in the name of 'religions of love' or the imposition of western values on 3rd world countries (Vietnam?). Or it just might be a sidelong swipe at self serving belief systems. I've never understood the narcissus episode (a flower?) but in my review of the Foxtrot album I posited that one of the themes was how we face up to our own impending mortality i.e. there is the consolation afforded by faith in transcendental agents or the pragmatism that all said and done, we are but supper for the worms who crawl hungrily beneath our feet. As you would expect Hell, or the final battle between good and evil occurs near the end (apocalypse)
and when the opening music is reprised at the denouement of the piece, I think Gabriel wishes to imply a complete life-cycle being returned to source. This might denote reincarnation or his belief in the eternal immutability of the human soul. Failing that, the whole band were just chipped off their tits ya dig?

Thanks for posting this, I really enjoyed it.


Edited by ExittheLemming - May 21 2017 at 04:26

Would have been cool if they had this as a backdrop on the 1972-73 tour. Great minimalist artwork. In high school we had to interpret songs from rock albums for English class back in the mid seventies and some kid actually did this track. If I remember correctly I think I did Black Sabbath's Electric Funeral.

Edited by Kepler62 - May 21 2017 at 08:16

very nice, thans a lot !

I quite like it...

Very enjoyable - thanks for sharing it. As good an attempt as I've seen or read to put some narrative structure to what is essentially a stream of consciousness dream story. Obviously very, very literal in its execution, but the religious theme - incorporating false prophets, religious wars, apocalypse and finally redemption and the power of love - were well expressed by the artist. Without a definitive explanation by Peter Gabriel, I think it stands up well. Still interpretative room for other views from literary students to keep us all guessing for many a year. Only 'Willow Farm' and it's Edward Lear/Lewis Carroll nonsense verses struggles for a clear narrative meaning, in my view.

I really liked the links to other Genesis songs in the video - such as 'Get Them Out by Friday', 'A Trick of a Tail', 'Mad Man Moon', 'Squonk', 'The Musical Box', 'Firth of Fifth' etc. He's clearly a real fan and no doubt I'll be watching again to spot all the references.

Still THE prog epic of all time! Thanks again. I'll check out his other work (such as 'The Lamb').......

Edited by Squonk19 - December 13 2017 at 11:54

Wouldn't a graphic novel for The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway be great? It would assuredly spawn a much-needed movie project.

I simply love it , thanks Jean for posting and thank you so much Nathan, if you ever read this !

(Somehow resonated with my feelings for the music - now, I should be a little ashamed of saying this - and I got my eyes wet near the end - stupid old fart)