Anthony Phillips began his solo career in the 70's after departing as Genes… Read Full Bio ↴Anthony Phillips began his solo career in the 70's after departing as Genesis' lead guitarist in 1970 due to stage fright. Since 1977, he has released several albums taking on different moods, from his poppy Sides to the ambience of his Private Parts and Pieces collections, from the anthemic pieces like "Tarka" or "Slow Dance" to the rock opera of 1984.
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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.

Sanctuary
Anthony Phillips Lyrics

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How I want you, how I want your loving, girl
How I want your pretty smile
Through the winter nights, and the long, long summer days
I drift and dream of you all the while

[Chorus]
And if you ever find yourself so lonely
And if you're at the end of the line

You can find my sanctuary waiting
Don't worry, girl, I won't let on

How I want you, how I want your loving, girl
Your sentimental sighs and stares
You can be like day; you can drive me crazy
I'm walking and a think away

[Chorus x 2]

Don't worry girl I won't let on

No I won't let on; just take my sanctuary

No I won't let on; just take my sanctuary
Won't you give me your heart?

Overall Meaning

Anthony Phillips's song Sanctuary is a heartfelt ballad about the desire for affection and companionship. The lyrics express the yearning for a specific person and the craving for their attention and love. The lines "How I want you, how I want your loving, girl / How I want your pretty smile" convey the deep longing and infatuation for this person. Despite the distance or separation, the singer can't help but continue to think and dream of this person, even in "winter nights, and the long, long summer days." The repetition of "How I want you" reinforces the desire and need for this person's affection.

The chorus acts as a reassurance to this person, offering them a "sanctuary" from loneliness, possibly hinting at a desire to be that person's emotional refuge. "Don't worry, girl, I won't let on" indicates a sense of secrecy or discretion, as if the singer is holding space for this person to seek shelter without revealing their vulnerability to others. The second verse again expresses the singer's love and adoration for this person, highlighting their sentimental qualities and the power they hold to drive the singer mad with desire.

Line by Line Meaning

How I want you, how I want your loving, girl
I am deeply in love with you and I desire your love, my dear

How I want your pretty smile
I yearn for your beautiful smile

Through the winter nights, and the long, long summer days
During the day and night, in all seasons, I think and fantasize about you

I drift and dream of you all the while
My mind wanders to you and I fantasize about you continually

And if you ever find yourself so lonely
If you ever feel sad and lonely

And if you're at the end of the line
If you feel like you've reached your limit

You can find my sanctuary waiting
You can come to me and I will be your safe haven

Don't worry, girl, I won't let on
You can trust me to keep it a secret

Your sentimental sighs and stares
Your longing looks and affectionate sighs

You can be like day; you can drive me crazy
Your love can light up my life and also make me go crazy for you

I'm walking and a think away
I am always thinking about you and you are just a thought away from me