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GENESIS released their fifth studio album Selling England by the Pound on October 13, 1973 through Charisma Records. The album reached No. 3 in the UK and No. 7 in the US. A single from the album, “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) was released in February 1974 and became the band’s first top 30 hit in the UK.
The album was recorded in August 1973 following a tour in support of their previous album, Foxtrot. The album was recorded at Island Studios, London with producers John Burns and Genesis. After the album’s release, the group went on tour, where they received enthusiastic reception from fans.
The album cover is a painting by Betty Swanwick entitled The Dream. Swanwick had designed posters for London Transport between the 1930s and 1950s. The original painting does not show a lawn mower; the band asked Swanwick to add it later as an image for “I Know What I Like” because Swanwick told them he did not have enough time to paint a new image for their cover.
Critics and the band gave the album mixed opinions, although guitarist Steve Hackett has said it is his favorite Genesis record. The album continued to sell and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry and the RIAA. The album was remastered for CD in 1994 and 2007. Several tracks on the album which became fan favorites are featured as a regular part of set lists which were performed live by the band into the 1980s.
Track List: 1. Dancing with the Moonlit Knight, 2. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe), 3. Firth of Fifth, 4. More Fool Me, 5. The Battle of Epping Forest, 6. After the Ordeal, 7. The Cinema Show, 8. Aisle of Plenty.
Personnel: • Phil Collins – drums, percussion, vocals, • Michael Rutherford – 12-string, bass, electric sitar, • Steve Hackett – electric guitar, nylon guitar, • Tony Banks – keyboards, 12-string, • Peter Gabriel – vocals, flute, oboe, percussion. [sources/photo special]
