Congo
Genesis (Phil Collins & Peter Gabriel) Lyrics

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You say that I put chains on you
But I don't think that's really true
But if you want to be free from me
You gotta lose me in another world

Send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Send me to the Congo you have to believe

You can do it if you want to just do what you please

Like a soldier ant
I will wait for the signal to act
To take a walk right through the door
If you don't want me here any more

Send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Send me to the Congo you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please

Into my heart you came
And gave a whole new meaning to my life
Into my world you brought a light
I thought it never would go out

Send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Send me to the Congo you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please

You can send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Yes you can send me to the Congo, you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please

I would never be the one to say you had no reason
To want me somewhere else far far away
But someday you may understand, someday you will see
That someone who would die for you is all I've ever been

Congo the Congo, if that's how it's got to be
Congo the Congo, if that's what you want from me

I would never be the one to say you had no reason

To want me somewhere else far far away
Someday you may understand someday you will see...

Overall Meaning

The song Congo by Genesis (Ray Willson) is about a relationship that has hit its breaking point. The singer addresses the accusations made against them that they have put chains on their partner. The singer, however, disputes the claim and believes that their partner has the freedom to leave the relationship. The singer suggests that their partner should send them to the Congo, where they are free to leave and explore, and where there is always somewhere one can lead. The singer accepts that their partner may want them far away and they will be waiting for the signal to act if their partner wants them gone.

The second half of the song explores the impact that the partner had on the singer's life. The partner gave a whole new meaning to the singer's life and brought light into their world. Despite their best efforts, the relationship seems to be at a dead end, and the singer gives in to their partner's wishes to go far away.

Line by Line Meaning

You say that I put chains on you
You believe that I am the one holding you back and restricting your freedom.

But I don't think that's really true
However, I do not agree with your perception of the situation.

But if you want to be free from me
If you truly desire to be rid of me and want to break free,

You gotta lose me in another world
You must let me go and release me into a different world or reality.

Send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
One option for letting me go is to send me away to the Congo where I will have my freedom.

There's always somewhere anybody can lead
There are endless possibilities for places where anyone can go and be free.

You can do it if you want to just do what you please
You have the power to make that change if you desire it and follow your own path.

Like a soldier ant
I am ready to act when given the signal, just like a soldier ant who follows orders.

I will wait for the signal to act
I will patiently wait for the moment when I am needed or given permission to leave.

To take a walk right through the door
I will take that opportunity and leave without hesitation.

If you don't want me here any more
In case you no longer want me to be present with you.

Into my heart you came
You entered deeply into my heart and soul.

And gave a whole new meaning to my life
You completely transformed my existence and gave me a new perspective.

Into my world you brought a light
You brought light and joy into my world.

I thought it never would go out
I believed that this light would always stay with me and never disappear.

You can send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
Again, I must emphasize that sending me to the Congo is an option for setting me free.

Yes you can send me to the Congo, you have to believe
It is essential that you believe that it is possible for me to be sent away and liberated.

I would never be the one to say you had no reason
I understand that you have your reasons for wanting me to leave.

To want me somewhere else far far away
You desire for me to be removed to a distant and separate location.

But someday you may understand, someday you will see
I hope that in the future you will come to grasp the depth of my love for you.

That someone who would die for you is all I've ever been
I want you to realize that I am a person who would do anything, even die, to protect and care for you.

Congo the Congo, if that's how it's got to be
Congo is the specific location that can be used to set me free, if that is what must be done.

Congo the Congo, if that's what you want from me
If sending me to the Congo is your desire or request, then that is what I will comply with.

Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: ANTHONY GEORGE BANKS, MICHAEL RUTHERFORD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

xisumavoid

14y↑110

Ive always been impressed with the singer on this album. He has huge boots to fill, yet he doesn't try to emulate Phil, he brings something new to the table and it works, for me anyway

Axel Dorman

5y↑10

damn this comment was made in 2010

Creak

4y↑4

Wow, didn't expect to see you here. Nice!

Brad Scott

4y↑3

Oh cool didn't realise you were a genesis fan, I agree with you this a good track

Frxxnsito

4y↑1

WHAT
THE
FUCKING
HELL
ARE
U
DOIN'
HERE.

Simon48

3y↑1

@Frxxnsito Uhhhh... same as you?

5 More Replies...

beng1lh00ly

15y↑23

this should have been a hit - it sounds like the 90's and it sounds like genesis.

Alex Bowers

15y↑74

give the guy a break. he was filling big shoes. and i personally think he did it quite well

Kevin Dobson

3y↑3

I agree

Dusty Rose

3y↑3

I also agree.

Brett Schneider

3y↑3

I agree

Niklas Sp

3y↑3

Agreed

Greg Holman

2y↑1

Ray Wilson's situation was kind of like that of Gary Cherone's in Van Halen. Both men did well and filled-in well. But both albums were not great (probably).

Phoenix Black

3y↑8

Discovered this song not long ago. What an awesome song!!

arnick2

2y↑8

Such an underrated song! Just great!

Kevin Dobson

3y↑6

One of my favorite Genesis songs

lifer11

15y↑10

I must admit I was a little skeptical when this record came out. Being a Genesis fan to the core I didn't feel anybody could replace Phil but Bryan Wilson did a pretty good job on this album. But then again as long as Tony keeps writing the songs, it doesn't matter who sings them. He is just brilliant. This is the best band in the world PERIOD! I would fly to the moon to see them!

Mr. P

2y↑2

Ray Wilson, not Brian

siasti

14y↑9

A song of depth and power!

witeskyn7

4y↑3

Big fan of Genesis here! I remember vividly one morning on my way to work when they first dropped this song on FM radio, I was taking a hard right turn while attempting to turn it UP and very nearly crashed onto the lawn of the store I'd been passing by for years!! Had CAS the moment it was released.

SledgeInc2

15y↑43

Calling All Stations was a brilliant album. It's a shame the record company in America didn't market it at all. Heck, I am huge Genesis fan and even I didn't know it had come out until I saw one little poster in the record shop.

**

Right? Same here!

TimBurVlogs

2y↑1

It was everywhere if you lived in Los Angeles at the time.

POPEYEANDTHEJEEP

It had a very modest play schedule here in Louisiana. On the right station at the right time.

Eric Kleefeld

6y↑34

I still wonder if this incarnation of the band might've succeeded, if Mike and Tony hadn't called it "Genesis," but instead billed it as a whole new group, one of the many spinoffs from that legendary group.

Once you actually sit down and listen, it's really good. But you couldn't get anyone in through the door. (And then there were some great songs they left off the album, but only put as B-sides to the singles: "Anything Now," "Sign Your Life Away," "Nowhere Else To Turn," and others.)

Copaceticness

5y↑1

I think there may be something to this. I still don't think this would have been a big hit because let's be honest, this style of music was aggressively out of fashion by 1997, but the reception would have been better.

Paul Vanwalleghem

as well as a bunch of "Peter" songs....

A B

Easier to get proper record label backing with the Genesis name and team, but yeah agreed. Conceptually, its a more enjoyable experience to listen to it as a Banks/Rutherford album.

barneybsurfer

15y↑15

Good Song..Good Singer... well done Ray

Jonathan Campbell

2y↑6

THIS SONG IS A REAL BANGER!!🔥🔥🔥🔥

Strider

3y↑5

Still a bop to this day

kaszpiboy

15y↑4

Yeah, this song is awesome. I remember reading that he had to record the vocals on this album with having to listen to Phil Collins singing them on his earphone. He adressed the experience as "rather irritating".

Greg Schick

Just heard this song for the first time. LOVE THIS!!

Jerry Howard

3y↑2

Great old Song that needs to be heard more often.

Excellent Chal's Transit

3y↑1

Extremely underrated song

Aleksander

15y↑1

Kocham ten utwór ! :*

Ondrus21

15y↑9

Very good song!

kaszpiboy

15y↑5

One of the last great songs to come out in the 90's. I haven't heard any new track of this quality since then.

Michal Mechanik

15y↑3

Great relax song :o)) i love it.

Rachel Powell

14y↑49

Am I the only one who actually liked CAS and actually thought Ray was a great replacement for Phil? I was lucky enough to see the CAS tour live in 1998 and I loved it! Ray wasnt given a chance to prove he was more than good enough - then again Genesis fans are notoriously hard to please (including myself before anyone takes offence)

Stacy Burton

4y↑1

I love this album

Kevin Dobson

3y↑1

I love this album too

Stacy Burton

I love this album

Jennifer Beyer

I love this album. And I have been a fan of Genesis for all my life. And will continue to love them forever.

Bordbabe Besi

15y↑6

Great song!

twilight0406

16y

Genesis gehört seit Jahrzehnten zu meinen absoluten Favoriten. Auch wenn Phil nicht mehr dabei ist, egal, die Musik ist immer noch große Klasse! Danke OfficialGenesis!

Somebody235

15y↑6

awesome song

luuko656

15y↑7

i listened this a few times and iam starting to like it...

Laskovienko

15y↑15

Ofc this is Genesis. Its on the Calling All Stations album. And yea, its different from the rest of thier stuff and thats also why I really love this song...

Fingerblade Entertainment

2y↑1

It's different, yes, but so was Genesis with Peter Gabriel. This was like a third reinvention. Sadly, it didn't do well with audiences.

Ricardo

14y↑2

Me encanta Genesis de siempre, pero este vocalista estaba a la altura del grupo. Una pena que no siguieran.

Bends95

34w

This is a solid Genesis tune

Yakkymania

i really don’t know why everybody hates this album and Ray so much, this is really good

D Aiken

3y↑1

One of my favorite (now late) musicians, Kevin Gilbert, was being considered for a try out to replace Phil. He was an excellent alternative, and would have brought back the Peter Gabriel feel to Genesis. But, he made an unfortunate decision, and we lost him in 1995. If you haven't seen him, check out Lamb Lies Down by Giraffe. P.S.....love this song!

David Moore

5y↑13

I got this song on a Genesis Two-pack CD set!!

RazoRGaming

4y↑1

Me too Genesis was the soundtrack to my childhood

StanTheRecordMan

15y↑1

I love Genesis, this is without the great Phil Collins but a very good Song of Genesis, i like the part at 2:00

Jon Allen

5y↑11

Best national anthem ever.

Gerhard Kaiser

15y↑2

Great, I always liked this song, but I prefer the album version

K.J Shakespeare est 1994

For some reason I get a huge INXS vibe whenever I hear this because I thought that Genesis got the same producer from the Kick and X albums for “Calling all Stations” but I was very surprised that Nick Davis who produced the previous album “We Can’t Dance” did the production of CAS!

luis cardenas

15y↑9

I think that calling all the station is a good album and congo is a very good song

JohnCollectsStamps

The greatest spinoff Genesis Album - CAS, Congo are great tracks

StanTheRecordMan

15y↑3

Without Phil Collins, but a great Genesis Song I love Genesis. 2:01

David Kelly

2y↑2

While different from Phil, this was a good album. I really think the new lineup could have worked but, it is what it is.

Bryant Luis Mallqui

50w

Just perfect 😮👍🏽

Bill Arnold

6y↑8

Got to No.29 in the Charts. 1997.

Matthew Pearlingi

In the past?You had Gabriel.You had Phil .Each brought something different and unique to the table.Same with Ray Wilson..There are some songs he is the best at performing like Domino and Mama..They should of gave this version a chance.

James Greene

Great Rock love those Drums

Verona Raven

Always liked this tune...

Maciek Kopczyński

15y

I think Peter Gabriel sang in Genesis from the beginning. Phil was a drummer. This one here was one CD shot..they have never recorded anything more.

darkmachete

15y↑1

It's about a breakup. Hard to explain what it's about exactly. But listen to the lyrics and you'll know.

Kevin Keaveny

15y↑20

as long as Tony Banks is writing and contributing musically it will sound like Genesis - not to take anything from Mike

porkrolleggandcheese

6y↑13

No one is more responsible for Genesis' sound than Tony Banks.

Dani L.

4y↑11

Indeed, Tony Banks is the real Soul of Genesis

Dudeman Bearpig

I hate the fact that they cut out the intro here, because it's the best part of the song.

cjp371

15y

This is the first time I've seen this video, although I've liked the song since it came out. WOW! Two things kept this from being a bigger hit: it wasn't Phil Collins and it came out about the same time as the movie Congo and had nothing to do with the movie.

KarkTheRedCanadianDragon

15y↑1

Although they didn't enjoy as much success with Ron Wilson, this is not a bad Genesis song. Thank for posting it. :)

Joanna Przetakiewicz

16y↑2

that rocks!! :))))

uPiNtHemTNs

4y↑1

Ray is great singer he's definitely more Peter Gabrielisk, to bad they didn't stick it out make another album and then fans with be more accepting of him

Kevin Dobson

3y↑1

So underrated

Kimono Gryphon

15y↑14

Gotta give it to Mr Wilson for filling the vocal shoes for Phil. I give him a lot of credit, sounds a lot like an angry Peter Gabriel. ^^

Isaiah Walker

I hate to break dismantle your opinion, but Ray Wilson did not fill Phil's shoes whatsoever, much less Peter's. He turned Genesis into a shitty, woeful copy of what preceded it.

Creak

@Isaiah Walker Well, at least it was different.

Isaiah Walker

@Creak Different from an awesome, underrated formula, sure. I guess I'm just a sucker for the way Genesis was when they had just started making music. Go back and listen to Harlequin from their album Nursery Cryme. It's a completely different tone and mood. I guess the reason that I resent this version of Genesis is because it's so different from what I had first listened to from them. If I had to guess, I'd say one of the first songs you'd heard from them was Invisible Touch or Mama. I can handle up until about And Then There Were Three because they still had some of what was left of Peter Gabriel's sublime sound that could rile you up or put you to bed. Either way, I'm glad they're still being remembered fondly by everyone who cares to listen to them.

Isaiah Walker

In my opinion, the music that they were making at this time was just a thoughtless emulation of what was popular at the time.

Creak

4y↑1

@Isaiah Walker Yeah, I'm not very keen on this song or style at all. And yeah, I'm a huge early Genesis fan and I do agree that the later music is nowhere near as brilliant as say, anything from Trespass to A Trick of the Tail (the only brilliant Collins-lead album, in my opinion). It does suck that they fell more into trying to be popular, but a lot of people seem to like it, and it's not like there's no more prog to discover! I only recently found 'Aardvark' and 'Änglagård' (I recommend their Hybris album) which are two lesser known bands, Änglagård being more recent actually (1991), and their music feels like it came right from the early 70's.

I've pretty much given up on modern music, especially the last 20-30 years because I really haven't found anything I'm truly amazed by. It seems to me that everyone is influenced by the same kind of things and it honestly feels stale to me now. But then again, I tend to enjoy weirder, wackier, stranger music anyway.

Brendan A. MacWade

2y↑1

Hey, Tony dug Ray. And so did I. This was a very nice bonus from a band that should have ended things in 1993.

donutcookiepie

16y↑2

Ray Wilson is a very very good singer. He is technically a more competent vocalist than Collins. It's just that simple. Anyone who would disagree likely is not a musician. (Plus he has a very soulful quality to his voice that is very similar to Gabriel.)

Velocian

15y

Took me a while to appreciate the new singer, and I still enjoyed the albume "Calling all Station" (my dad hated it though being a music purist that is) but I agree that its not genesis anymore.

Jackson Teller

3y↑1

Who else is waiting with baited breath for Todd in the Shadows to do a Trainwreckords video on this album?

KarkTheRedCanadianDragon

15y

Wow! That video looks like it's been pulled from one of the Mad Max movies. Not bad song, but I'll always feel that Genesis is not complete without Phil Collins.

mbrownkcmo

16y

I think a Genesis needs Tony and Mike. That's what has always kept them going. And Phil's a badass drummer, no bones about it. Having Phil in the writing process made the music much more rhythmic and bombastic, this album is kinda monotonous. Some great writing by Tony, however. They should have hired Nick D'Virgilio permanently!! Look up his performance on the Modern Drummer Festival '03! He can sing AND play the drums.

agus prox

15y↑5

I'm leaving to the Congo next week!! I cant belive it man... I've been listening to this since I was a kid... I never did understand what does "send someone to the "CONGO"' meant... Now I do... unbeilivable excuse my english. Do what you please!!

Analog Kid

3y↑1

How was your trip to the DRC?

Agustín Lorenzo

3y↑1

@Analog Kid hey bro! Wow this was 12 years ago! Hahah. The trip was really interesting! The congo definitely had a vibe like this song. Lots of people, crazy ambient and you really felt the Earth was an organic alive rock in space.
Anyway, thank you for the memory.

David Silva

14y↑2

With Phil The Genesis is very, very best!

Chris Holland

3y↑2

Yeah I'm glad Phil Collins got a break. Ray Wilson is pretty good too.

Indra WB

15y↑6

i love Ray and the album too

DJNsomniac

15y

phil collins may not have been a original member of genesis but after replacing peter gabriel is when Genesis started getting famous. When people think genesis they think phil collins plain and simple.

grosser85198

15y

I didn't believe it, too, but I found some pieces of information. Ray Wilson is the singer here. The song was written a short period of time after the moment, when Phil Collins left the band.

Silvia Marques Fankanal ➊

3y↑8

I guess this was the most expensive video Genesis ever made.

David L

3y↑1

Oh, that's a given, I'd say! Had to have been at least a million dollar budget. One of my fav Genesis videos.

Jason Campbell

2y↑1

They certainly splashed some cash on it.

SaltTheFries86

1y↑1

@Jason Campbell I see what you did there 🙃

DrTomoculus

5y↑7

A lot better than most of the songs on We Can't Dance.

Camailria Wingo

5y↑1

DrTomoculus we can't dance was a underrated album, but I probably agree, I love this song congo

Abraham Esparza

5y↑2

No. We Can't Dance is great

Amy Stadnik

I had no idea thats wasn't phil it's still a great song

d1nonlytimco

14y

Squankynut: No you are not alone with liking CAS as a Genesis fan of nearly 40 years standing (First album bought 1970 in the bargain bucket Genesis to Revelation (sadly stolen back in the 80's) so have been through most of their career with them. I agree Wilson should have given it more time but sadly it was killed off because the americans thought it was Phil Collins and Genesis. CAS cuts it with the latter albums but is a poor shadow compared to the likes of the Lamb and SEBTP.

t uckerton

16y↑1

Really too bad Ray never really never had a chance...he could've done so much more with Tony & Mike

Gavin Wieland

Only two members of the original genesis line up on this one. Still very cool

Altaranalt

15y↑3

Impressive looking clip

Gabi X

5y↑1

Ray is a great singer. He was great in Stiltskin .
If , someone's fault for the bad album....the rest of the band.
The voice is top.

Andre Yusin

Could this be more disconnected from the Genesis legacy?

ZEPPELIN198

16y↑2

The singer is Ray Wilson, formerly of Stiltskin.

Christopher

2y↑1

Looks like a fun water park.

romaneberle

15y↑3

@xrobevansx: yepp, "calling all stations" is great. it takes some time to accept and adjust to, but then some of the songs are really fantastic. 'the dividing line', 'one mans fool'!

Richard Clarke

15y

This is like having nick lache as the lead singer of the rolling stones.... no dice

John Reese

Genesis without Phil Collins is like the Stones without Mick Jagger. That's why Collins was excepted when Gabriel left. The change came from in house. Banks and Rutherford should have called themselves something else.

Michael Rominski

2y↑1

It wasn't expected that Collins would take over vocals. Phil wanted them to become a vocal free band, but then had like 300 auditions, and they then gave it to Collins after not liking them. Steve Hackett was the best part of that band, and after HE left, they should have called themselves something else.

Suicidality

2y↑1

@Michael Rominski They didn't replace Hackett with someone else. At least not in the studio.

valtor1172

15y

En este video hay un pequeño error la chica morena que va en el carro,tiene una aleta en la espalda, pero cuando esta nadando desaparese la aleta.

Christopher Conroy

16y↑2

Ray Wilson did an outstanding job in a tough situation, and Calling All Stations is a solid album. Musically, one of the better Genesis albums since early 80s. As for those who think Ray can't sing, have you heard Phil Collins lately? The 2007 reunion would have been better if they'd forgotten to invite Phil Collins--he can't sing anymore!

balanta11

16y↑3

1997,nice song.

skintrade

14y↑3

Phil shouldn't have left in the first place, his solo career took a nose dive in 1993

Brett Schneider

fenderstratocaster more like 1996...lol

sgillman16

Phil's last hit song was in 2002, not 1993

jeevesthepunk

14y↑1

pretty much the only part of "calling all stations" that wasnt horrendous

DemoManMLS

5y↑2

You must of missed songs such as "The Dividing Line" and "One Man's Fool" which are fantastic.

Brett Schneider

Shipwrecked is a beautiful song 😎

Richard Doyle

Waterworld meets Amistad. Genesis is no more.

John McCall

Only song of this short era that I like. I hate to say it but without Phil's voice it just isn't the same. Had they stuck a little more to the formula that worked so well on Invisible Touch and We Can't Dance it might have been more listenable. I recall back when this came out they were planning an american tour but it never happened, but I have seen that they still had big concerts in other parts of the world.

darkmachete

15y

Well Metal is very different from Genesis.

Richard Steele

I was such a massive Genesis fan in 91-93, but by the time this album came out I’d lost all interest. Not because of Collins leaving or this new singer, but because I got into Britpop in 94.