Misunderstanding (Genesis song)

"Misunderstanding"
Song
B-side	"Evidence Of Autumn (UK) / Behind The Lines (USA) / Open Door (Germany) / Duchess (Holland)"

"Misunderstanding" is a song by British band Genesis, released on their 1980 album Duke. It reached number 14 in the US and number 42 in the UK.

History

Originally written by Phil Collins during the production of his debut solo album Face Value, the song ended up being donated (along with "Please Don't Ask") for Duke.

Song information

The song's main riff is identical, even in the same key, to the chorus of the song "Hot Fun in the Summertime" by Sly and the Family Stone and also bears a similarity (both musically & lyrically) to "Fool in the Rain" by Led Zeppelin. Also, Phil Collins claims that the song shares musical and rhythmic similarities with The Beach Boys song "Sail On, Sailor", Toto's "Hold the Line" and Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way".

Because of its title and lyrics, its main chorus is often played by some NHL teams, including the Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames and the Buffalo Sabres, also such Novice A teams such as the Drumheller Dynamites when the home team is given a penalty.

Music video

A music video was made for the song, featuring Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford playing their instruments on the back of a truck, with a bearded Phil Collins driving a 1950s model Ford convertible making stops at various locations around Los Angeles (the Capitol Records Tower can be seen in the background and street signs for Hollywood Boulevard are present) looking for his girlfriend.

Tour information

The song was featured on the US leg of the Duke Tour of 1980, and was also featured on tours to promote future albums Abacab and Genesis. Despite its commercial success, it was dropped from the setlists of all the later tours. However a verse was sung sometimes in the We Can't Dance Tour's "Old Medley." Phil Collins also played the song in its entirety with a horn section in America during his First Final Farewell Tour in 2004.