TotW 10/07/2024 - 10/13/2024: GENESIS - Just A Job To Do

    Your rating for "Just A Job To Do" by GENESIS 37

    1. 15 points - outstanding (4) 11%
    2. 14 points - very good (0) 0%
    3. 13 points - very good - (7) 19%
    4. 12 points - good + (6) 16%
    5. 11 points - good (7) 19%
    6. 10 points - good - (4) 11%
    7. 09 points - satisfactory + (2) 5%
    8. 08 points - satisfactory (1) 3%
    9. 07 points - satisfactory - (0) 0%
    10. 06 points - sufficient + (2) 5%
    11. 05 points - sufficient (1) 3%
    12. 04 points - sufficient - (0) 0%
    13. 03 points - poor + (1) 3%
    14. 02 points - poor (1) 3%
    15. 01 points - poor - (1) 3%
    16. 00 points - abysmal (0) 0%

    We invite you to share interesting facts and tidbits about this track. Let's look at the track in the context of the band's / the artist's history, at the music, the songwriting and all other aspects that are relevant for this track. Please do stick to the discussion of the track above. Comparisons to other tracks are okay, but remember that the other track you may be keen to talk about has or will have its own Track Of The Week thread. If you spot a mistake or if you can close a gap in the fact sheet above please feel free to contact martinus or Christian about it; we will gladly add and improve!


    GENESIS - Just A Job To Do

    Year: 1983
    Album: Genesis
    Working title: MJ
    Credits: Banks/Collins/Rutherford
    Lyrics: Yes
    Length: 4:44
    Musicians: Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford
    Played live: never
    Cover versions: Daryl Stuermer (with Orchestra), Glitch Factor

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    Notes: For this week, we have chosen the only song from the Genesis album that was not released on a single (neither as an A-side nor a B-side) and was never played live. The fact that the song is about a detective is emphasized by the fact that a Dick Tracy-like picture is printed next to the lyrics in the booklet. Although the song is officially a joint production of the Genesis trio, like all the others on the album, it was probably mostly written by Mike.
    Quote

    The fact that the song is about a detective is emphasized by the fact that a Dick Tracy-like picture is printed next to the lyrics in the booklet.

    Surely it's about an assassin, given the lyrics which essentially say it doesn't matter who you are, if you've got to be killed I'll do it, it's just my job. It's definitely Dick Tracy shown in the graphic, but that's never made any sense to me - never been a fan but he's a cop isn't he?

    Quote

    Although the song is officially a joint production of the Genesis trio, like all the others on the album, it was probably mostly written by Mike.

    Someone said, possibly on here, there was a plan that MR would sing lead on this given it's primarily by him, and TB would sing lead on Silver Rainbow as it's his, but this was obviously abandoned (although a mark of the intention is retained by Banks's prominent vocal line in the chorus of SR). Is there any verification of that?


    The song's ok-ish, it has quite a good energy but there's also something indefinably naff about it and I hardly ever listen to it.

    Abandon all reason

    I agree this is underrated. Has a great vocal and drums from Phil, and a nice dark streak of tension running through it. The bridge is a very effective pause in the clatter. It's also a bit different from their standard fare, which I appreciate is impossible to define anyway. I really enjoy side 2 of shapes, for the most part, and this and the two tracks that follow it are a nice little run in the backwaters of their catalogue. 13.

    This album to me is a strange one really.


    Side 1 is so strong and includes some of their best (modern work) and side 2 suffered for sure.


    They also had very little extra tracks that came from this project and I believe they finished it all pretty quickly in comparison to other projects.


    Phil voice was probably in its prime around this period and it would have been great to have had a few more tracks with the band created and recorded pre No Jacket and IT.


    I give it an 11 for it's energy alone

    I don't think I've listened to this song since sometime around 1986, something like that, which I guess evidences my indifference to it.


    I agree that Phil was in his vocal prime around this point. He had range and a bit of gravel, and he got to exercise his pipes a bit on this one. As to the song itself, it's just kind of alright to me. It's one that needs guitar impact but instead (and like so many of that era) it has Mike doing his polite riffing while Tony overfills the sound space.


    It's an OK album track, but when Side 1 includes arguably some of the best material they ever produced as a three piece (and definitely the best single) the Side 2 content was always likely to struggle for oxygen - and does so. It's been said before but it feels like they were struggling for material to complete the album, and in more bountiful years this song might have been a B-side to a single rather than one that made the album grade.


    9

    A strong track from a somewhat underrated album side. Great vocal from Phil.

    Quote from Christian

    The fact that the song is about a detective is emphasized by the fact that a Dick Tracy-like picture is printed next to the lyrics in the booklet.

    I discussed this in a previous thread, but... early printings of the album had an original cartoon drawing of a generic detective, while later ones had Dick Tracy, apparently drawn by that comic strip's artist. I preferred the former as the latter struck me as a bit gimmicky.

    Quote from Mozo

    For me this is probably the lowest point on their worst album.


    I have already gone on at length about this album, so I will spare you that here too!

    We might disagree about this being the worst track, but as you say, I agreed overall with you before, so I'll stop now too.


    2

    Ian


    Putting the old-fashioned Staffordshire plate in the dishwasher!

    Quote from Backdrifter

    Someone said, possibly on here, there was a plan that MR would sing lead on this given it's primarily by him, and TB would sing lead on Silver Rainbow as it's his, but this was obviously abandoned (although a mark of the intention is retained by Banks's prominent vocal line in the chorus of SR). Is there any verification of that?

    I distinctly remember Phil saying that before. It's quite possible i was the one who remarked on it at some stage in the past few years!


    I don't think it was a plan though, I believe he said it was his idea, but Mike and Tony were never up for it. And no, I have no clue where I read/heard this before so until someone can come up with the reference it's going to remain boardlore!

    Good. Not a song I seek out in any way, but not a song I'll skip if I am playing the album. I like the fact that musically it is stylistically different than the other tracks on the album and as people have mentioned, Phil gives a great vocal performance.