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Blood On The Rooftops is a beautiful track written by Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett and drummer/frontman Phil Collins which appeared on the second Genesis album after the departure of Peter Gabriel. The album was of course Wind & Wuthering, the follow up to Trick Of The Tail which was widely accepted by Genesis fans at the time despite the loss of the enigmatic Gabriel.

Trick Of The Tail had proven to most fans that Genesis was in a safe pair of hands now Phil Collins had taken over the vocal duties. The voice fitted and it seemed like business as usual. Getting that first album out, post Gabriel and having it accepted was a major achievement for the band, but then they had to follow it up and that was going to be a big test of the songwriting abilities of the band.

Listen To The FULL TRACK NOW! - You Won't Regret It.. 

That follow up album became Wind & Wuthering, and many suggest it was one of their finest. Strong songs from start to finish, but with a vibe all of its own. The album is very English, very wistful in places but strong, well written and with a punch that has made it a fan favorite, even many older fans that loved the Gabriel era.

The track 'Blood On The Rooftops' was penned by Steve Hackett with Phil Collins contributing to the chorus and the overall arrangement of the track. 

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Blood On The Rooftops : Lyrics

Dark and grey, an English film, the Wednesday play
We always watch the Queen on Christmas Day
Won't you stay?

Though your eyes see shipwrecked sailors you're still dry
The outlook's fine though Wales might have some rain
Saved again.

Let's skip the news boy (I'll go and make some tea)
Arabs and Jews boy (too much for me)
They get me confused boy (puts me off to sleep)
And the thing I hate, oh Lord!
Is staying up late, to watch some debate, on some nation's fate.

Hypnotized by Batman, Tarzan, still surprised!
You've won the West in time to be our guest
Name your prize!

Drop of wine, a glass of beer dear what's the time?
The grime on the Tyne is mine all mine all mine
Five past nine.

Blood on the rooftops, Venice in the spring
The Streets of San Francisco, a word from Peking
The trouble was started, by a young Errol Flynn
Better in my day, oh Lord!
For when we got bored, we'd have a world war, happy but poor

So let's skip the news boy (I'll go and make some tea)
Blood on the rooftops (too much for me)
When old Mother Goose stops, and they're out for twenty three
Then the rain at Lords stopped play
Seems Helen of Troy has found a new face again.