--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In Genesis we saw ourselves as…" description: "\"In Genesis we saw ourselves as song-writers. After Peter Gabriel left I was the first to say: 'It's OK - we can just do instrumentals.'\" — Phil Collins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/982/phil-collins-3028_firsts_in-genesis-we-saw-ourselves-as-song-writ_2471403.jpg" --- # In Genesis we saw ourselves as song-writers. After Peter… ![“In Genesis we saw ourselves as song-writers. After Peter Gabriel left I was the first to say: 'It's OK - we can just do instrumentals.'” quote by Phil Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/982/phil-collins-3028_firsts_in-genesis-we-saw-ourselves-as-song-writ_2471403.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/982/phil-collins-3028_firsts_in-genesis-we-saw-ourselves-as-song-writ_2471403.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/982/phil-collins-3028_firsts_in-genesis-we-saw-ourselves-as-song-writ_2471403.jpg) > “In Genesis we saw ourselves as song-writers. After Peter Gabriel left I was the first to say: 'It's OK - we can just do instrumentals.'” [Phil Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeing ourselves as songwriters limits creativity; embracing instrumentals expands possibilities. **In simple terms:** Songwriting can be limiting; instrumentals free creativity. Key Takeaway Allow flexibility in creative process. Themes creativity music collaboration Mood reflective optimistic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - film scoring - band practice - solo projects - genre experimentation Key Concepts songwriting instrumental composition creative flexibility Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance lyrics and instrumentals? - When is instrumental work most effective? A Different Perspective Instrumentals may lack lyrical connection for some audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gabriel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gabriel/) [Genesis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genesis/) [Music making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-making/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [When Peter Gabriel left, we obviously lost a very strong stage performer. Phil hasn't replaced him; Phil's done a different thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rutherford/when-peter-gabriel-left-we-obviously-lost-a-very-strong-stage/) [Mike Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-rutherford/) > [I strongly believe that Professor Longhair playing just instrumentals would be just as effective as stylized vocals; that's how much I believe in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-john/i-strongly-believe-that-professor-longhair-playing-just-instrumentals/) [Dr. John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-john/) > [My friends are Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, and we're singing about mortality, getting older. It's an interesting time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sting/my-friends-are-peter-gabriel-bruce-springsteen-and-we-re-singing/) [Sting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sting/) > [I connect so much with Peter Gabriel's sound because, to me, he always had that South African vibe. His drums were always something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-richard/i-connect-so-much-with-peter-gabriel-s-sound-because-to-me-he-always/) [Dawn Richard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-richard/) > [I love Peter Gabriel, and I've come so close to working with him a few times. We were on a movie soundtrack together, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-kowalczyk/i-love-peter-gabriel-and-i-ve-come-so-close-to-working-with-him-a-few/) [Ed Kowalczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-kowalczyk/) > [I'm looking forward to getting older. I look at people like Peter Gabriel and Sting and even Tom Petty, Don Henley. People that didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-flowers/i-m-looking-forward-to-getting-older-i-look-at-people-like-peter/) [Brandon Flowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-flowers/) > [I live a normal life. But I'm always thinking about what I'm going to do next, musically. 'Do I need a fresh producer? What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-flowers/i-live-a-normal-life-but-i-m-always-thinking-about-what-i-m-going-to/) [Brandon Flowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-flowers/) > [Oh yeah, I love Peter Gabriel's stuff. I mean, I even have the Genesis records. He's incredible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/oh-yeah-i-love-peter-gabriel-s-stuff-i-mean-i-even-have-the-genesis/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [Didgeridoo was something I picked up while I was on tour in Australia with Peter Gabriel in '93. 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We randomly met Hillary out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kelley/dave-and-i-had-been-song-writers-in-nashville-trying-to-get-around/) [Charles Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kelley/) > [I always loved song writers who wrote songs in the first person, so it's kind of like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-crowe/i-always-loved-song-writers-who-wrote-songs-in-the-first-person-so-it/) [Cameron Crowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-crowe/) > [Not being a natural songwriter... for me the appreciation of a great song and the writers came early on, growing up in a musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/not-being-a-natural-songwriter-for-me-the-appreciation-of-a-great/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) ## More by Phil Collins > [When children see Michael Jackson they see a human being. When adults see him they see money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-collins/when-children-see-michael-jackson-they-see-a-human-being-when-adults/) [Phil Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-collins/) > [I just don't think of myself as a star. This is what I do for a living; I'm fortunate that I make ends meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-collins/i-just-don-t-think-of-myself-as-a-star-this-is-what-i-do-for-a-living/) [Phil Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-collins/) > [Many people think of me as a perfectionist, someone who polishes and shines each song and performance. I've always been bothered by that assumption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-collins/many-people-think-of-me-as-a-perfectionist-someone-who-polishes-and/) [Phil Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-collins/) > [As I've gotten older and learned more, I realise that Hollywood has not told the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-collins/as-i-ve-gotten-older-and-learned-more-i-realise-that-hollywood-has/) [Phil Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-collins/) > [I feel terrible for women that have had Phil Collins tattoos. Their poor husbands have to deal with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-collins/i-feel-terrible-for-women-that-have-had-phil-collins-tattoos-their/) [Phil Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-collins/) > [This stupid sensitivity! 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