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The title refers to the song structure. "A", "B", and "C" refer to different sections of the song, which at one point during recording spelled ABACAB. The 'B' stands for Tony Banks' part, the 'C' for Phil Collins' part, as they wrote the song. (thanks, stu - brantford, Canada)
Collins said that this is the first album where the 3 members of the band really talked to each other and worked as a team.
The first Top-10 hit for Genesis in the US.
Before a reunited Genesis set out for their 2007 tour, Rolling Stone magazine asked Collins if any songs didn't make it past rehearsal. His reply: "That happened with "Abacab," which I'm sure everyone expects us to do. Halfway through the first verse, I said, 'I don't really want to sing this. I don't know what it's about.'"
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A Trick of the Tail remains one of my favorite Genesis albums. They're great with or without Gabriel.
- Tim, Springfield, MA
It is the note progression of the song.
- Brad, Creston, BC
If you read and follow the lyrics it's almost as if the song was initially formulated by the band as just some non - sensical rhyme. In fact though it is more about a ficticious scapegoat. I do believe the chord progression theory about the title. My brother in-law was a keyboardist and he had heard that rumor about the title and confirmed that the chords that make up the song comprise it. As for the order not matching the title I've heard that they were strapped for a title and merely rearranged order of the chords into a "catchy title". Even if it wasn't the band members themselves some music producer with enough basic knowledge of music could've easily improvised the title with that idea.
- abacab, outhere, FL
this is a total lie genesis got you to buy into. I can show you the proof but an open mind is required and no, i'm not a looney tune. just email me at salasanthony@juno.com and I will show you the meaning of this song.
- Anthony, Albuquerque, NM
What I heard was that ABACAB is the key changes the song goes through. It starts in A and ends in the key of B
- Ryan, LeSueur, MN
I saw Genesis at Camp Randle in Madison, Wi in 1992. To this day that concert has been the best show I have ever attended.
- J_Bryon, Milladore/Monroe, WI
Whatever!!! Genesis ceased to be once Gabriel left. Period
- Jim, Chicago, IL
ABACAB is yet another proof that this band was worthless and dull after Gabriel dumped them, yet it's still better than Congo - the stupidest pile of junk ever written. I'm scared to even think of the garbage they'll come up with after their 2006/2007 reunion. Britney Spears, please help those old dorks do something half-decent!
- Goran, Monterey, CA
I learned about song structure in grammar school music class, and wondered if that had something to do with this song. If you call the verse the "A" section, the chorus the "B" section, and the bridge the "C" section, the song is assembled: (intro), verse 1, chorus, verse 2, chorus, bridge, verse 3, chorus, OR ABABCAB. Not quite exactly the final title, but as someone else stated, probably the easiest to pronounce. I just knew my music lessons would come in handy one day!
- Robby, Commerce, TX
Correction to the 3rd "Songfacts": This was not Genesis's first top 10 US hit. As indicated, it peaked at #26. Their first top ten was "That's All" about two years later.
- Pat, Brampton, Canada
Stu and Will are correct - this refers to the positioning of the different sections of the song, not the note or chord progression.
- Jay, St. Louis, MO
This is essentially an instrumental; the vocals were really just used as an additional instrument. I doubt the lyrics have a great deal of significance.
- Kent Lyle, Palo Alto, CA
The letters do not stand for chords or notes. They stand for different sections of the tune. The 'A' section, 'B' section and 'C' section. While putting the song together, they tried different combinations, like 'ABBCBA' or 'AACBAB' and so forth. Though the final version heard today is not actually in the 'ABACAB' form, it was the easiest to pronounce!
- Will, Long Island, NY
My god they were inventive at that stage weren't they? "What shall we call this one?" "Oh, doesn't matter, some loser will buy it, just name it after the chord progression".
And this was the first top 10 hit for them in the US!! There must have been a massive appetite for uninspired unoriginal crap that year.
- Si, London, England
ABACAB refers to the song's chord progession.
- Sled, St. Louis, NE
I thought that this song was named after the chord structure of the song? The note progression at the start of the song is is A B A C A B. Could have swore I heard Banks say that.
- RAJA, Austin, TX