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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.
Wind
Anthony Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look, see how the day goes on,
You, it won't stop to help you
Me, it won't stop to help me.
All the time a wind is blowing
Where it's blowing next we don't know...
Look, some spend their days in slumber,
Home, be my guest and come back home.
Come, you'll be better off at home.
All the time someone is dying,
Where he's dying next we don't know...
I sit in the sunset
Watching God's evening,
Receding so gently now
Into the Westlands.
I think I'm at peace now
But of nothing am I certain
Only which way will the wind blow next time?
You, you might never have been saved
Ah, well you might not have been so brave,
Time would have shown the parting waves
And you slipping under Autumn's gaze
And now I know that nothing is what it ever seems.
I sit in the sunset
Watching God's evening,
Receding so gently now
Into the Westlands.
I think I'm at peace now
But of nothing am I certain
Only which way will the wind blow next time?
The lyrics of Anthony Phillips's song "Which Way The Wind Blows" seem to suggest that life is an unpredictable journey, with no guarantee of a specific destination. The first verse paints a picture of the world whirling and spinning without any care for individual troubles, with the wind blowing in an unknown direction. The second verse highlights the contrast between those who sleep their days away and those who work themselves to exhaustion, with someone dying constantly in an unknown part of the world. The chorus appears as a question of indecisiveness, with the singer sitting in the sunset and wondering which way the wind will blow next time.
The bridge reflects on hypothetical situations, suggesting that fate is a fickle master who can crush even the bravest souls. The final chorus is identical to the first, but its tone suggests a deeper sense of understanding: even though life is full of uncertainty, the singer finds peace in the sunset, yet cannot be certain of anything except the wind's unpredictability.
In summary, the song 'Which Way the Wind Blows' is a poignant reflection on the uncertainties of life, encouraging acceptance of the journey, despite its unpredictable direction.
Line by Line Meaning
Look, see how the world goes round,
Observe how the world keeps turning
Look, see how the day goes on,
Observe how the day progresses
You, it won't stop to help you
The world won't halt to lend you assistance
Me, it won't stop to help me.
The world won't pause to offer me aid either
All the time a wind is blowing
There is always an unpredictable force at play
Where it's blowing next we don't know...
We cannot predict where this force will lead us
Look, some spend their days in slumber,
Some spend their days inactive and unproductive
Look, someone is weary toiling,
Some people are exhausted from ceaseless work
Home, be my guest and come back home.
Return to my place and stay with me
Come, you'll be better off at home.
You'll be better off staying home
All the time someone is dying,
Death is constantly present
Where he's dying next we don't know...
We cannot predict where death will occur
I sit in the sunset
I reflect on the end of a day
Watching God's evening,
Observing the beauty of twilight
Receding so gently now
Gradually fading away
Into the Westlands.
Disappearing into the horizon
I think I'm at peace now
I believe I am calm and content
But of nothing am I certain
However, I am unsure of what the future holds
Only which way will the wind blow next time?
Only the unpredictable force will guide what's next
You, you might never have been saved
You may have never been rescued
Ah, well you might not have been so brave,
Perhaps you wouldn't possess such courage
Time would have shown the parting waves
Over time, obstacles would have become apparent
And you slipping under Autumn's gaze
You'd fade away under autumn's chilly embrace
And now I know that nothing is what it ever seems.
Current circumstances may change, and things aren't always as they appear.
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY EDWIN PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Blow
Beautiful song when Phil’s voice had a pure, dreamy, quality. One of his two great vocals on the album.
Bruce Schuette
Really there are three. Silver Song released as a Bonus track on the 2007 remaster. Please check it out. It should have made the original album.
C cromwell
Back then. They both really cared. Striving for success. They both got it. I am sure Phil still cares a bunch but health comes in the way sometimes now at this date. Anthony and Phil helped each other out immensely with those 2 songs. This production is amazing. It is music to my ears.
JohnFive Eagles Szuros
Very nice. I listened to it when I drove through the Ruby Mountains in Nevada, and it was remarkable and utterly beautiful. BTW, you should give the whole album a listen. There is a lot in there for everybody and if you like this the album will blow you away! The mountains are called that because at twilight every night they took on a beautiful colour of red and they were so in tune with this whole album. A pretty special Place: A pretty special memory; A pretty special album. All together Cool.
Stefania Partini
Quando fu pubblicato questo splendido album, avevo 17 anni. Lo comprai subito e finii con il consumarlo letteralmente...Anthony Phillips ci ha regalato un disco prog bellissimo e senza tempo, che continuo ad ascoltare tutt'oggi. Grazie Nuccio! Abbiamo la stessa mania...
Idris
I discovered this album last year and played back to back multiple times. It funny how nostalgic can you be with things you discover pre covid19 times.
Nelson Fundamento
this album is so sweet, so delicate.
JohnFive Eagles Szuros
Thank you for your input. Each work of music is a treasure all its own. This one is particularly beautiful. Definitely one of my favourite albums.
Dave Neukirch
JUST A BEAUTIFUL ALBUM THAT I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD LISTEN TO CAUSE HAS SO. MUCH FEELING CHANGES ITS JUST THE BEST ALBUM I I EVER RAN INTO!!! ANTHONY PHILLIPS, WHAT A WONDERFUL CREATER OF MUSIC !!! AND TO BRING IT ALL TO US!!!
Pete Genesis
Ant masterpiece album. Luv it. Thanks for sharing