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Anthony PHILLIPS was one of the original founding members of GENESIS featuring Peter GABRIEL, Tony BANKS, and Michael RUTHERFORD. Following "Trespass", GENESIS' second album, PHILLIPS left (purportedly due to stage fright) and was replaced by Steve HACKETT. Nothing was heard again from Anthony until 1977, when he favored us with his first solo, "The Geese and the Ghost", although PHILLIPS wasn't the first member of the band to release a solo album (that honor goes to Steve HACKETT, by releasing "Voyage of the Acolyte", in 1975). A more commercial audience was courted on "Wise After The Event" and "Sides", to no avail, and PHILLIPS spent much of his time releasing instrumental pieces (both old and new) under the "Private Parts & Pieces" series. Steeped in classical, pre-Baroque, and folk influences, he was able to record entire albums featuring only his acoustic instrument. He is one of the world's masters on the twelve string guitar and piano compositions that hark back to GENESIS' original lost innocence. His studio recordings reveal a distinctive character to his compositions on those instruments as well.
Some of his albums are more "progessive" than others, especially "Sides" (INTERESTING CD), "Private Parts and Pieces II" (A MUST! for fans of early GENESIS), "PP&P IX", and "Wise After the Event" (A MASTERPIECE); others are more "classical" in style like "PP&P III", "PP&P V", "PP&P VI" or "poppy" like "Invisible Men" and a few tracks on "Sides". Anthony PHILLIPS' 1977 debut album is one of the best works, but all of them are excellent. This album (1977) by Ant is my second favorite PHILLIPS album after "Wise After the Event". Even more its a jewel for every Rock collection, but in its own particular genre (a mix of those quiet moments of "Trespass" of GENESIS+the medieval folkprog style by GRYPHON). As you well have gathered, "Anthology" (1995) is an album that has a compilation of tracks from his solo career. This album is the perfect introduction to the world of Anthony PHILLIPS.
Sally
Anthony Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So socially unattainable
Down the line in Balham Johnny's keen
Pursuing the unobtainable
I said 'Hey, you, up in the clouds
She's spinning you like a circus wheel.'
By moonlight, scheming all his moves
Detectives at her heels
What are you trying to do?
Sally, I'm miles away
I can't take my eyes off you
Tea with the Princes, dinner with the stars
She's cool amongst High Society
Johnny takes her to a wimpey bar
And acts with perfect sobriety
I said 'Hey, you, up in the clouds
She's spinning you like a circus wheel.'
Call the airforce, call the C.I.A.
She won't escape this time
Taking off for ten weeks on the Nile
The nights will be rich with mystery
Johnny's swimming with the crocodiles
But he's gonna teach her some history
I said 'Hey, you, up in the clouds
She's spinning you like a circus wheel.'
He's in the gym, he's on the driving range
She won't escape this time
The lyrics of Anthony Phillips's song "Sally" recount a story of two people: Sally, a woman of high social status, and Johnny, an admirer of hers. Sally is described as being "unattainable" socially, but Johnny is still pursuing her. Despite the detectives trailing Sally, she goes on living her luxurious life, spending tea time with princes and dining with the stars. Johnny appears to be wary of Sally's intentions and warns her that she is "spinning him like a circus wheel". In an attempt to impress her, Johnny takes Sally to a Wimpy bar and tries to act sober.
As the song goes on, it is revealed that Sally goes on a ten-week adventure to the Nile, and Johnny follows her, swimming with the crocodiles. Despite his effort to win her over, Sally remains distant, and Johnny realizes that she is playing a game with him. The song ends with Johnny working on improving himself, going to the gym and driving range, determined not to let Sally escape him again.
The lyrics of “Sally” seem to explore themes related to social class, power dynamics in relationships, and the idea of unrequited love. The song speaks about how individuals of high social status can be socially unattainable to those perceived as being from lower social classes. Sally’s character is portrayed as manipulative and scheming, and Johnny is shown as being drawn in by her mystique, despite his better judgment. Through Johnny’s character, the song seems to suggest that one’s station in life is not pre-determined and that self-improvement is a viable solution when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
29 in Highgate, P.R. queen
Sally lives in the posh locality of Highgate and is a public relations executive by profession.
So socially unattainable
Her social status makes her unreachable.
Down the line in Balham Johnny's keen
Johnny, who lives in the nearby suburb of Balham, is interested in Sally.
Pursuing the unobtainable
Johnny is chasing someone who is difficult to catch or acquire.
I said 'Hey, you, up in the clouds, She's spinning you like a circus wheel.'
I tell Johnny that Sally is manipulating him and making him dizzy.
By moonlight, scheming all his moves, Detectives at her heels
Sally is plotting her next moves, but detectives are tracking her.
Sally, what's your game? What are you trying to do?
Johnny questions Sally's intentions and asks about her motives.
Sally, I'm miles away, I can't take my eyes off you
Johnny is far away from Sally but still can't stop thinking about her.
Tea with the Princes, dinner with the stars, She's cool amongst High Society
Sally socializes with the elite and handles it with ease.
Johnny takes her to a wimpey bar, And acts with perfect sobriety
Johnny takes Sally to a simple fast-food restaurant and behaves impeccably.
Call the airforce, call the C.I.A., She won't escape this time
Authorities are on high alert to ensure Sally won't escape this time.
Taking off for ten weeks on the Nile, The nights will be rich with mystery
Sally is going on a ten-week trip to the Nile region, and her nights will be filled with unknown adventures.
Johnny's swimming with the crocodiles, But he's gonna teach her some history
Johnny is taking a risk to be with Sally, but he plans to show her something of historical value.
He's in the gym, he's on the driving range, She won't escape this time
Johnny is improving himself physically and mentally to make sure Sally won't get away from him again.
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY EDWIN PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RGJ
on Ballad of Penlee
Solomon Browne is the name of the lifeboat - Union Star was a coaster, not a fishing boat