The lyrics tell the story of a man trapped in his dreams, unable to stay awake. The song is populated by a warm climate, completely in conjunction with its title. It also has one of the most imaginative string changes by Tony Banks, accompanying a complex and seductive melody.
No cloud, a sleepy calm
Sunbaked earth that's cooled by gentle breeze
And trees with rustling leaves
Only endless days without a care
Nothing must be done
Silent as a day can be
Far-off sounds of others on their chosen run
As they do all those things they feel give life some meaning
Even if they're dull
It's time to stop this dreaming, must rejoin the real world
As revealed by orange lights and a smokey atmosphere
The trees and I are shaken by the same winds but whereas
The trees will lose their withered leaves
I just can't seem to let them loose
And they can't refresh me those hot winds of the south
Feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place
Now the light is fading fast
Chances slip away, a time will come to pass
When there'll be none
Then addicted to a perfumed poison
Betrayed by its aftertaste
We shall lose the wonder and find nothing in return
Many are the substitutes but they're powerless on their own
Beware the fisherman who's casting out his line
Into a dried up river bed
But don't try to tell him 'cos he won't believe you
Throw some bread to the ducks instead, it's easier that way
Feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place
The trees and I are shaken by the same winds but whereas
The trees will lose their withered leaves
I just can't seem to let them loose
And they can't refresh me those hot winds of the south
Feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place
Heathaze was written by Tony Banks.
Heathaze was produced by Genesis & David Hentschel.