Editing We Can't Dance

{{EngvarB|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = We Can't Dance
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]
| cover        = Genesis - We Can't Dance.jpg
| border       = yes
| alt          = 
| released     = 11 November 1991
| recorded     = March–September 1991
| studio       = [[The Farm (recording studio)|The Farm]], [[Chiddingfold]], [[Surrey]]
| genre        =
* [[Pop rock]]
* [[soft rock]]
* [[progressive pop]]
| length       = 71:59
| label        =
* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
* [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]
| producer     =
* [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]
* [[Nick Davis (record producer)|Nick Davis]]
| prev_title   = [[Invisible Touch]]
| prev_year    = 1986
| next_title   = [[The Way We Walk, Volume One: The Shorts]]
| next_year    = 1992
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = We Can't Dance
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[No Son of Mine]]
 | single1date = 21 October 1991<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=19|date=19 October 1991}}</ref>
 | single2     = [[I Can't Dance]]
 | single2date = 30 December 1991<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/dancing-up-the-charts-with-genesis/|title='I Can't Dance': How Genesis Set Dancefloors Alight|last=Armstrong|first=Sam|publisher=uDiscoverMusic|date=30 December 2020|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref>
 | single3     = [[Hold on My Heart]]
 | single3date = 6 April 1992<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=17|date=4 April 1992}}</ref>
 | single4     = [[Jesus He Knows Me]]
 | single4date = 13 July 1992<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=19|date=11 July 1992}}</ref>
 | single5     = [[Never a Time]]
 | single5date = 19 October 1992<ref>{{cite book|first=Steve|last=Aldous|year=2020|title=The Songs of Genesis: A Complete Guide to the Studio Recordings|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|page=260|isbn=978-1-476-681382|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b7TeDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA260}}</ref>
 | single6     = [[Tell Me Why (Genesis song)|Tell Me Why]]
 | single6date = 8 February 1993<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=27|date=6 February 1993}}</ref>{{efn|Released in Europe in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-10571|title=Genesis: Tell Me Why|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]]|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref>}}
}}
}}
'''''We Can't Dance''''' is the fourteenth studio album by the English rock band [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], released on 11 November 1991 by [[Virgin Records]] in the UK and a day later by [[Atlantic Records]] in the US. It is their last studio album recorded with drummer and singer [[Phil Collins]] before his departure in 1996 to pursue solo projects full time. The album marked the return of band activity following an almost four-year hiatus after touring their previous album, ''[[Invisible Touch]]'' (1986).
 
''We Can't Dance'' was a worldwide commercial success for the band. It became the band's fifth consecutive No. 1 album in the UK and reached No. 4 in the US, where it sold over 4 million copies. Between 1991 and 1993, six tracks from the album were released as singles, including "[[No Son of Mine]]" and "[[I Can't Dance]]". The latter received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals#Recipients|Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals]] in [[35th Annual Grammy Awards#Award winners|1993]]. Genesis [[We Can't Dance Tour|toured in support]] of ''We Can't Dance'' from May to November 1992, playing large stadiums and arenas across North America and Europe.

==Background==
In July 1987, the Genesis line-up of drummer and singer [[Phil Collins]], keyboardist [[Tony Banks (musician)|Tony Banks]], and bassist and guitarist [[Mike Rutherford]] wrapped their 1986–1987 world tour in support of their thirteenth studio album, ''[[Invisible Touch]]'' (1986). The 112-date tour, attended by an estimated 3.5 million people, was extremely taxing on the group, particularly for Rutherford following his father's death and almost losing his son Harry due to a difficult birth.<ref name=mcall1992/><ref name=vox1991/> The band then entered a three-and-a-half-year period of inactivity, during which each member continued with his respective solo projects. Collins achieved further worldwide commercial success following the release of his solo album ''[[...But Seriously]]'' (1989), while Rutherford's band, [[Mike and the Mechanics]], had also begun to have hits.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|pp=208, 210}} Banks and Rutherford expected Collins to leave the band during this time, but he stayed on to record another Genesis studio album with them.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=217}} The band had initially agreed to enter production in 1990, but it was pushed to 1991 because of Collins's lengthy solo tour.<ref name=detroitpress1991/><ref name=cincinnati1991/> The album's title derived partly from the popularity of dance music and its presence in the charts at the time.<ref name=vox1991/><ref name=mcall1992/>

==Recording==
[[File:The Farm recording studio 2006.jpg|thumb|right|[[The Farm (recording studio)|The Farm]], where ''We Can't Dance'' was written and recorded]]
Genesis recorded ''We Can't Dance'' from March to September 1991 at their private recording studio named [[The Farm (recording studio)|The Farm]] in [[Chiddingfold]], [[Surrey]].<ref name=1991CD/>{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=217}} The trio were keen to work together after such an extensive break, and after two-and-a-half months of what Collins described as "chopping away, fine-tuning, and honing down all these ideas", they had completed some fifteen tracks.<ref name=1991presskit>{{cite book|url=http://thegenesisarchive.co.uk/we-cant-dance-press-kit/|title=Genesis: We Can't Dance – Atlantic Press Kit|via=The Genesis Archive |publisher=Atlantic Records|date=1991|access-date=18 February 2018}}</ref><ref name=mcall1992/> They originally considered releasing a [[double album]], but realised most people would be listening to their work on [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|CD]] which gave them the additional time they wanted to present more of their musical ideas.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=219}} As with ''[[Genesis (Genesis album)|Genesis]]'' (1983) and ''Invisible Touch'', none of the material on ''We Can't Dance'' was conceived beforehand, and the band instead developed songs through lengthy improvisational jams in the studio. This was a deciding factor for Collins to remain in the band despite his solo success as he enjoyed the task of writing songs with his bandmates from nothing.<ref name=detroitpress1991>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17947277/|title=Genesis: Free to be secure in a group|first=Gary|last=Graff|date=10 November 1991|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|pages=Q1, Q6|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref> A typical session would involve Banks and Rutherford playing chords on the keyboard or guitar, respectively, with Collins devising a drum pattern with a [[drum machine]], which allows him to sing notes and dummy lyrics. The words he sang may then be used to form a lyric or help create atmosphere for the song.<ref name=cincinnati1991>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17947441/|title=Together again|first=Cliff|last=Radel|date=10 November 1991|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|pages=K1|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref>

Genesis authorised the filming of some recording sessions for the first time for their ''No Admittance'' documentary, which aired on national television. Banks later admitted that the band avoided "any creative work" with the film crew present because they found it difficult, adding: "As soon as they were there, we shut off".<ref name=musician1992/> Collins supported his view and pointed out a change in the atmosphere of working when someone from the filming crew entered the room.<ref name=detroitpress1991/>

In a departure from their previous albums, Rutherford avoided playing a [[guitar synthesiser]] and only plays a [[Fender Stratocaster]] and two [[Steinberger]]s, one of them a GM series model that was new for the time, but on the song "Tell Me Why", he is playing a [[Rickenbacker]] 12-string electric guitar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/meaning-tell-genesis/|title = Meaning of "Tell Me Why" by Genesis|date = 6 August 2017}}</ref> He had asked the manufacturer to customise one with a larger body to suit his tall frame but they declined, leaving him to use a cardboard cutout of a body he wished for and sending it to luthier [[Roger Giffin]] to make it.<ref name=guitarmag1992/> He played all his guitar parts with a Groove Tubes amplifier that was suggested to him by his roadie and technician Geoff Banks.<ref name=guitarmag1992/>

For recording, they enlisted then 28-year-old [[Nick Davis (record producer)|Nick Davis]] as co-producer and engineer who had previously worked with Banks and Rutherford on their solo projects, with the band also handling production duties.<ref name=1991CD/><ref name=1991presskit/> This marked the end of their association with [[Hugh Padgham]] which had begun with ''[[Abacab]]'' (1981). Rutherford said the group decided to switch producers before work on the album had begun, and insisted they were pleased with Padgham's contributions, but felt it was the right time for a change after having done three albums with him (Padgham had also produced Collins's four solo albums throughout the 1980s).<ref name=guitarmag1992>{{cite magazine|url=http://thegenesisarchive.co.uk/guitar-magazine-interviews-mike-rutherford-we-cant-dance-february/|title=Rutherford's Revelations|first=Theresa|last=Fowler|date=February 1992|magazine=The Guitar Magazine|volume=1|issue=10|pages=27, 28, 30|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref><ref name=vox1991>{{cite magazine|url=http://thegenesisarchive.co.uk/interview-genesis-vox-magazine-december/|title=We Can't Dance|magazine=Vox|date=December 1991|pages=12–|first=Martin|last=Townsend|access-date=18 February 2018}}</ref> Davis was keen to feature Rutherford's guitar more prominently as an instrument than previous Genesis albums, and felt his approach was successful on some of the tracks on ''We Can't Dance''.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=220}} Banks took a liking to some of Davis's strong opinions towards certain aspects of recording and instruments which presented him the challenge of finding other ways of recording.<ref name=vox1991/>

Following a six-week break during the summer of 1991 the band reconvened and completed the mixing in late September, selecting a final 12-track running order that spanned 71 minutes.<ref name=1991presskit/> Banks said that compared to the more direct nature of ''Invisible Touch'', the style of ''We Can't Dance'' offered more of a sense of mystery with effort put into each track having its own "individual quality", yet have an atmosphere that runs through the entire album.<ref name=1991presskit/>

==Songs==
In a similar way to the writing of ''Invisible Touch'', the band initially allocated roughly one third of the album to each member, who was then responsible for the lyrics to their collection of songs. Banks said having one person work on a set of lyrics was a better way of carrying an idea through.<ref name=1991presskit/> In the end, ''We Can't Dance'' saw Collins contribute a greater amount of lyrics than before; his efforts praised by Rutherford who considered his words for its songs among his best in Genesis history. Collins went further and rated his lyrics on ''We Can't Dance'' as some of the best of his career and said, "Obviously, the music stimulated me".<ref name=1991presskit/> In a week during which Banks and Rutherford left the studio for promotional work, Collins started to write lyrical ideas; according to Rutherford "he just couldn't stop himself after that. He found he had dead time on his hands."<ref name=vox1991/>

Several songs deal with serious matters and social issues. "[[No Son of Mine]]" tackles the subject of the [[domestic abuse]] of a 15-year-old boy, which originated with Collins repeating the phrase "no son of mine" as a dummy lyric during the writing sessions, rather than a song concerning social commentary.<ref name=vox1991/> The ten-minute "Driving The Last Spike" is about 19th-century Irish [[navvies]] who helped built the railways in the UK, and the poor and unsafe working conditions they had to endure. Collins wrote it after being given a book on the subject by a correspondent who sought to produce a television show about it.<ref name=vox1991/> Banks used a [[Hammond organ]] patch on the track, which referenced his prominent use of the instrument early in Genesis' career. "Dreaming While You Sleep" concerns a hit-and-run driver and his guilt after failing to stop at the scene of the accident. The former contains a sample of a sound that Rutherford achieved as he was "messing about bending two notes" that Banks had recorded from a microphone on his E-mu Emulator which he then sampled and slowed down, creating a noise he compared to an elephant's trumpeting.<ref name=guitarmag1992/><ref name=keyboard1992/> "Tell Me Why" criticises the [[Gulf War]] and the plight of the Kurdish people in its aftermath. Collins got the idea from a television news report while he was having dinner with his wife and daughter. "So I just mixed my feelings with previous thoughts about Bangladesh and Ethiopia". Its original working title was "Rickenbacker" after the 12-string Rickenbacker guitar used by Rutherford on the song and known for their distinct "ringing" sound.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=221}}<ref name=boston1991>{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7685241.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311201855/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7685241.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 March 2018|title=Latest Genesis reunion proves that democracy does work|first=Steve|last=Morse|date=10 November 1991|newspaper=The Boston Globe|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|url-access=subscription |access-date=11 March 2018}}</ref> "Since I Lost You" was written by Collins for his friend [[Eric Clapton]], following the death of the guitarist's son Conor, on 20 March 1991. Banks and Rutherford were the only members in the studio that day, and played what music they had written to Collins the following day. Collins said, "Straight away, I was singing the things you hear on the record", and wrote a set of lyrics based on the incident, not revealing what they were about to his bandmates until he had finished them.<ref name=cincinnati1991/> Some lines were from a real-life conversation Collins had with Clapton following the incident.<ref name=boston1991/> The other long track, "[[Fading Lights]]", came out of group improvisation.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|pp=220-221}} 
 
The serious material was balanced by shorter and lighter songs. "[[Jesus He Knows Me]]" was a barbed parody of the [[televangelist]] movement in the US, which the band members had seen while touring the country.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|pp=221-222}} "[[I Can't Dance]]" was a criticism of models who appeared in jeans adverts popular at the time, and built around a heavy Rutherford guitar riff.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|pp=221-222}} Banks noted his electric piano part was one of the most minimal riffs he has played on record and had thought of a style heard on the 1968 song "[[Feelin' Alright?]]" by [[Traffic (band)|Traffic]].<ref name=keyboard1992/> "Living Forever" deals with a cynical view of society's obsession with modern diets and lifestyles.<ref name=1991presskit/> Its original working title was "Hip-Hop Brushes" after Collins acquired new drum disks for his [[E-mu SP-1200]] drum machine and devised a hip-hop oriented drum pattern using its brush sound, as he recalled, in around ten minutes which the group then played from and developed the song from it.<ref name=keyboard1992/> Two songs, "On the Shoreline" and "Hearts on Fire", were cut from the album due to time constraints; instead, both songs were released as B-sides for the singles "I Can't Dance" and "Jesus He Knows Me" respectively, as well as appearing in the ''[[Genesis Archive 2: 1976–1992]]'' and ''[[Genesis 1983–1998]]'' box sets. Among the keyboards Banks plays on the album are the [[Korg 01/W]] Music Workstation, [[Korg Wavestation]], [[Ensoniq VFX]], [[Roland JD-800]], Roland Rhodes VK-1000, and [[E-mu Emulator III]]; the latter enabled Banks to create samples in stereo.<ref name=keyboard1992>{{cite magazine|title=Genesis: We Can't Dance|first=Robert L.|last=Doerschuk|date=February 1992|issue=62|pages=82–94|magazine=[[Keyboard (magazine)|Keyboard]]}}</ref>

== Release ==
''We Can't Dance'' was released worldwide on 11 November 1991 on Virgin Records and on 12 November 1991 by Atlantic Records in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=October 1991 |title=Genesis Magazine |url=https://thegenesisarchive.co.uk/genesis-information-issue-52/ |magazine=Genesis |issue=52 |page=2 |access-date=15 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=25 October 1991 |title=Upcoming Releases |magazine=[[CMJ|CMJ New Music Report]] |page=136}}</ref> The album was a success in the charts, going to number one on the [[UK Albums Chart]] for two non-consecutive weeks beginning 23 November 1991 and 22 August 1992. In the United States, it debuted the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart at number four, the week of 30 November 1991.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1991-11-30|title=Billboard 200: The Week of November 23, 1991|magazine=Billboard|access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> It stayed at its peak for one week during its 72-week stay on the chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/1496517/genesis/chart?f=305|title=Artists – Genesis – Chart History – Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=15 September 2016}}</ref> The album also spawned several hit singles, including "No Son of Mine", "[[Hold on My Heart]]", "I Can't Dance" and "Jesus He Knows Me",{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=222}} the latter two supported by humorous videos.

On 1 December 1991, the album was certified double [[List of music recording certifications|Platinum]] by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI) for shipment of 600,000 copies. A year later, sales grew to reach quadruple platinum, signifying 1.2 million copies sold. The album reached quintuple platinum status in March 1997, for 1.5 million copies sold.<ref name="BPI">{{Cite web |title=British album certifications – Genesis – We Can't Dance |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards/search.aspx |access-date=15 September 2016 |publisher=British Phonographic Industry |archive-date=5 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905083402/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards/search.aspx |url-status=dead }} Enter "We Can't Dance" in the field 'Keywords'. Select 'Title' in the field 'Search by'. Select 'Album' in the field 'By Format'. Click 'Search'.</ref> In the United States, ''We Can't Dance'' shipped 1 million copies by 27 December 1991. Five years later, the album was certified quadruple [[RIAA certification|platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for four million copies sold.<ref name="RIAA">{{Cite web |title=American album certifications – Genesis – We Can't Dance |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Genesis&ti=We+Can%27t+Dance#search_section |access-date=15 September 2016 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America}}</ref>

''We Can't Dance'' was re-released in 2007 as a [[Super Audio CD|SACD]]/DVD set with new stereo and [[5.1 surround sound]] mixes by Davis. It was also included as part of the band's ''[[Genesis 1983–1998]]'' box set.

== Critical reception ==
{{Music ratings
| rev1      = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">Orens, Geoff. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=we-cant-dance-r8183|pure_url=yes}} Album review], [[AllMusic]].</ref>
| rev2      = ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]''
| rev2score = (favourable)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-11-12-1991316079-story,amp.html|title=On 'We Can't Dance,' Genesis reaches back to push music forward|author=Considine J.D.|author-link=J.D. Considine|date=November 12, 1991|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref>
| rev3      = ''[[Calgary Herald]]''
| rev3score = C<ref>King, Frank (17 November 1991). "Recent Releases". ''[[Calgary Herald]]''.</ref>
| rev4      = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev4score = C<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,316232,00.html|title=We Can't Dance Review|last=Browne|first=David|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=15 November 1991|access-date=8 June 2012|archive-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602200025/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,316232,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev5      = ''[[NME]]''
| rev5score = 1/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Maconie |first=Stuart |date=23 November 1991 |title=Long Play |magazine=[[New Musical Express]] |page=31}}</ref>
| rev6      = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="stones">Manning, Kara (9 January 1992). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080828212945/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/genesis/albums/album/189249/review/5943222/we_cant_dance Album Review], ''Rolling Stone''.</ref>
| rev7      = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite book | author1= Nathan Brackett | author2= Christian David Hoard| title = The new Rolling Stone album guide | publisher = Simon & Schuster | page = [https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/328 328] | location = New York | year = 2004 | isbn = 978-0-7432-0169-8 | url = https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac | url-access= registration }}</ref>
| rev8      = ''[[The Windsor Star]]''
| rev8score = B+<ref>Shaw, Ted (15 August 1992). "Record Review". ''[[The Windsor Star]]''.</ref>  
}}
''[[Rolling Stone]]'' chiefly commented on the album's lyrics. They criticised "Tell Me Why" and "Way of the World" for being soulless and impersonal social commentaries, but regarded most of the songs as outstanding, and summarised "Although ''We Can't Dance'' doesn't quite achieve the vulnerable grace of ''[[Duke (album)|Duke]]'' or the exuberance of ''[[Abacab]]'', Genesis has nevertheless delivered an elegantly spare – and even adventurous – album."<ref name="stones"/> David Browne of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave a lacklustre review, stating: "At a time when everything is uncertain&nbsp;... you almost have to admire a record like ''We Can't Dance''.&nbsp;... You know there will be a couple of fleeting moments when the band breaks out of its torpor – for instance, on the very polite primal stomp of 'I Can't Dance' – and that such moments will just as quickly be subsumed by the rest of the musical quicksand."<ref name="EW"/>

In a retrospective assessment, [[AllMusic]] also criticised the lyrics of "Tell Me Why" and "Way of the World", calling them "paeans for world understanding that sound miles away from any immediacy". However, they praised the album for returning to a less pop-oriented direction, and especially complimented the grittiness of "[[No Son of Mine]]", "[[Jesus He Knows Me]]", and "[[I Can't Dance]]".<ref name="allmusic"/> [[Ultimate Classic Rock]] ranked ''We Can't Dance'' as the 14th best album by Genesis, stating "Collins' final album with Genesis is full of obnoxious, overproduced pop pap; most of the tracks sound like castoffs from one of his solo albums. When the meager charms of a song like 'I Can't Dance' are a highlight, you’re in big trouble."<ref>{{cite web | url= https://ultimateclassicrock.com/genesis-albums-ranked/ | title= Genesis Albums Ranked Worst to Best | work=Ultimate Classic Rock | first=Jim | last=Allen | date=4 January 2017 | access-date=26 May 2019}}</ref> Stevie Chick of ''[[The Guardian]]'' dismissed the album as "blandness" in a countdown of ten of the best Genesis songs.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/sep/03/genesis-10-of-the-best | title= Genesis: 10 of the best | work=The Guardian | location=London | first=Stevie | last=Chick | date=3 September 2014 | access-date=6 September 2014}}</ref>

The album garnered Genesis an [[American Music Awards of 1993#Winners and nominees|American Music Award]] for [[American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group#1990s|Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group]] and two further nominations for [[American Music Award for Favorite Adult Contemporary Album#1990s|Favorite Adult Contemporary Album]] and [[American Music Award for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist#1990s|Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist]]. At the [[Brit Awards]] in [[1993 Brit Awards#Winners and nominees|1993]], the album was nominated for [[Brit Award for British Album of the Year#Winners and nominees|British Album]] while [[Phil Collins]] was nominated as [[Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist#Winners and nominees|British Male Artist]] for his contribution to the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/1993|title=History|website=[[BRIT Awards]]}}</ref>

==Tour==
{{main|We Can't Dance Tour}}
[[File:Genesis Live- Land Of Confusion.jpg|thumb|right|Genesis performing at the 1992 Knebworth Festival]]
Genesis supported the album with the 68-date We Can't Dance Tour across the United States and Europe from 8 May to 17 November 1992, with their longtime touring musicians [[Chester Thompson]] on drums and [[Daryl Stuermer]] on bass and lead guitars.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=222}} It also marked the 25th anniversary of the band, and featured a 20-minute medley of their older material recorded in the 1970s.<ref name=mcall1992/> For the first time since 1978, the setlist did not include "In the Cage" from ''[[The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway]]'' (1974).<ref name=musician1992/> Booking agent Mike Farrell said Genesis spent millions of their own earnings to put the tour together.<ref name=musician1992>{{cite magazine|url=http://thegenesisarchive.co.uk/musician-june-1992-genesis-are-interviewed-during-1992-tour-rehearsals/|title=Three for the Road|first=J.D.|last=Considine|magazine=Musician|date=June 1992|pages=34–36, 38, 40, 42|access-date=25 February 2018}}</ref>

Designed specifically for stadiums, the set featured a 200&nbsp;ft-long (60.9 m) stage designed by Marc Brickman and built to the band's specifications with 80&nbsp;ft (24.3 m) sound towers and three 20 x 26&nbsp;ft (6 x 7.9 m) moveable [[Jumbotron|Sony Jumbotron]] screens that alone cost $5 million, all needing 42 lorries to transport. The advantages of these was that images from videos or artwork was projected on them to illustrate some songs, while live camera footage of the band gave everyone in the arena a front row view.<ref name=musician1992/><ref name=mcall1992>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/1992/05/31/rock-band-genesis-thrives-on-its-mega-event-shows/|title=Rock band Genesis thrives on its 'Mega-event' shows|date=31 May 1992|newspaper=The Morning Call|access-date=25 February 2018}}</ref> Collins sang with an in-ear monitoring system which he credited to singing more in tune and more effortlessly than before as he felt he was always "fighting" with the band's sound. It also reduced his worry about the condition of his voice on tour.<ref name=musician1992/> Collins would not tour with Genesis again until he returned in 2006 for their [[Turn It On Again: The Tour]].

Recordings from several dates were released on the live albums ''[[The Way We Walk, Volume One: The Shorts]]'' (1992) and ''[[The Way We Walk, Volume Two: The Longs]]'' (1993). The dates at Earl's Court in London were filmed and released as ''[[The Way We Walk - Live in Concert]]''.

==Track listing==
All music written by [[Tony Banks (musician)|Tony Banks]], [[Phil Collins]], and [[Mike Rutherford]].<ref name=1991CD/> Lyricists specified below.<ref>Giammetti, Mario (2021). Genesis 1975 to 2021 - The Phil Collins Years. Kingmaker. {{ISBN|9781838491802}}.</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline        = Side one
| total_length = 21:10
| title1          = [[No Son of Mine]]
| length1         = 6:41
| lyrics1         = Collins
| title2          = [[Jesus He Knows Me]]
| length2         = 4:23
| lyrics2         = Collins
| title3          = [[Driving the Last Spike]]
| length3         = 10:10
| lyrics3         = Collins
}}
{{Track listing
| headline        = Side two
| total_length = 15:17
| title1          = [[I Can't Dance]]
| length1         = 4:04
| lyrics1         = Collins
| title2          = [[Never a Time]]
| length2         = 3:52
| lyrics2         = Rutherford
| title3          = Dreaming While You Sleep
| length3         = 7:21
| lyrics3         = Rutherford
}}
{{Track listing
| headline        = Side three
| total_length = 15:22
| title1          = [[Tell Me Why (Genesis song)|Tell Me Why]]
| length1         = 5:00
| lyrics1         = Collins
| title2          = Living Forever
| length2         = 5:42
| lyrics2         = Banks
| title3          = [[Hold on My Heart]]
| length3         = 4:40
| lyrics3         = Collins
}}
{{Track listing
| headline        = Side four
| total_length = 20:06
| title1          = Way of the World
| length1         = 5:40
| lyrics1         = Rutherford
| title2          = Since I Lost You
| length2         = 4:10
| lyrics2         = Collins
| title3          = [[Fading Lights]]
| length3         = 10:16
| lyrics3         = Banks
}}

===B-sides===
{{Track listing
| extra_column    = Single A-side
| total_length = 10:00
| title1          = On the Shoreline
| extra1          = "I Can't Dance"
| length1         = 4:45
| title2          = Hearts on Fire
| extra2          = "Jesus He Knows Me"
| length2         = 5:15
}}

== Personnel ==
Credits are adapted from the album's 1991 sleeve notes.<ref name=1991CD>{{cite AV media notes|url=https://www.discogs.com/Genesis-We-Cant-Dance/release/369534|title=We Can't Dance|year=1991|publisher=Virgin Records|id=GEN CD3/262 082}}</ref>

'''Genesis'''
* [[Tony Banks (musician)|Tony Banks]]&nbsp;– keyboards
* [[Phil Collins]]&nbsp;– drums, percussion, vocals, drum machines
* [[Mike Rutherford]]&nbsp;– guitars, bass guitar

'''Production'''
* Genesis&nbsp;– production
* [[Nick Davis (music producer)|Nick Davis]]&nbsp;– production, engineering
* Mark Robinson&nbsp;– production and engineering assistant
* Geoff Callingham&nbsp;– technical assistance
* Mike Bowen&nbsp;– technical assistance
* David Scheinmann/Icon Photography&nbsp;– cover and art direction
* Felicity Roma Bowers&nbsp;– illustrations

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for ''We Can't Dance''
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1991–1993)
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|8|artist=Genesis|album=We Can't Dance|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|1|artist=Genesis|album=We Can't Dance|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
!scope="row"|Belgian Albums ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 10 Sales in Europe |magazine=[[Music and Media]] |publisher=worldradiohistory.com |page=26 |date=21 March 1992}}</ref>
|1
|-
{{album chart|Canada|5|artist=Genesis|album=We Can't Dance|chartid=2041|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
!scope="row"|Danish Albums ([[Hitlisten]])<ref name="MM">{{cite magazine |title=Top 10 Sales in Europe |magazine=[[Music and Media]] |publisher=worldradiohistory.com |page=22 |date=July 10, 2024}}</ref>
|2
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|1|artist=Genesis|album=We Can't Dance|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
!scope="row"|European Albums ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=European Top 100 Albums |magazine=[[Music and Media]] |publisher=worldradiohistory.com |page=29 |date=7 December 1991}}</ref>
|1
|-
!scope="row"|Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|page=263|language=fi|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5}}</ref>
|2
|-
!scope="row"|French Albums ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://infodisc.fr/Album_Liste_Selection2.php?Lettre=G|title=Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – Lettre G|publisher=[[Institut français d'opinion publique]]|language=fr|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|2
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|1|artist=Genesis|album=We Can't Dance|id=1340|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
!scope="row"|Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 10 Sales in Europe |magazine=[[Music and Media]] |publisher=worldradiohistory.com |page=26 |date=15 February 1992}}</ref>
|4
|-
{{album chart|Hungary|7|year=1992|week=19|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
!scope="row"|Irish Albums ([[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 10 Sales in Europe |magazine=[[Music and Media]] |publisher=worldradiohistory.com |page=33 |date=14 December 1991}}</ref>
|5
|-
!scope="row"|Italian Albums ([[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|FIMI]])<ref name="MM"/>
|2
|-
! scope="row"| Japanese Albums ([[Oricon Albums Chart|Oricon]])<ref name="JPN">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Entertainment]]|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9|language=ja}}</ref>
| 8
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|5|artist=Genesis|album=We Can't Dance|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|1|artist=Genesis|album=We Can't Dance|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
!scope="row"|Portuguese Albums ([[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|AFP]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 10 Sales in Europe |magazine=[[Music and Media]] |publisher=worldradiohistory.com |page=16 |date=15 August 1992}}</ref>
|6
|-
!scope="row"|Spanish Albums ([[Productores de Música de España|AFYVE]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 10 Sales in Europe |magazine=[[Music and Media]] |publisher=worldradiohistory.com |page=18 |date=22 February 1992}}</ref>
|8
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|4|artist=Genesis|album=We Can't Dance|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Genesis|album=We Can't Dance|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|1|date=19911117|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|4|artist=Genesis|rowheader=yes|access-date=July 10, 2024}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 1991 year-end chart performance for ''We Can't Dance''
!scope="col" style="width:17em;"|Chart (1991)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums ([[Album Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1991&cat=a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324093928/https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1991&cat=a|archive-date=24 March 2015|url-status=live|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1991|publisher=Hung Medien|language=nl|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|89
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="JPN"/>
|92
|-
!scope="row"|Spanish Albums ([[AFYVE]])<ref name="ESP">{{cite book|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
|76
|-
!scope="row"| UK Albums ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=1991 Top 100 Albums |magazine=Music Week |publisher=Spotlight Publications |location=London, England |page=21 |date=11 January 1992}}</ref>
| 13
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 1992 year-end chart performance for ''We Can't Dance''
!scope="col" style="width:17em;"|Chart (1992)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australian Albums ([[ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1992/albums-chart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020115424/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1992/albums-chart|archive-date=20 October 2020|url-status=live|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1992|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|26
|-
!scope="row"|Austrian Albums ([[Ö3 Austria]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=1992|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140300/https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=1992|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live|title=Jahreshitparade – Alben 1992|publisher=Hung Medien|language=de|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|1
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Albums (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume+56-No.+25-December+19%2C+1992.pdf#page=13|title=The RPM Top 100 Albums of 1992|magazine=RPM|volume=56|issue=25|page=13|date=19 December 1992|access-date=24 May 2022|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225045251/http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume+56-No.+25-December+19%2C+1992.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 15
|-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums ([[Album Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1992&cat=a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110152816/https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1992&cat=a|archive-date=10 November 2020|url-status=live|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1992|publisher=Hung Medien|language=nl|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|4
|-
!scope="row"|European Albums ([[IFPI]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=1992 Year-End Sales Charts – Eurochart Top 100 Albums |magazine=[[Music and Media]] |publisher=worldradiohistory.com |page=17 |date=19 December 1992}}</ref>
|2
|-
!scope="row"|German Albums ([[GfK Entertainment Charts|Offizielle Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1992|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013065145/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1992|archive-date=13 October 2015|url-status=live|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1992|publisher=Offizielle Deutsche Charts|language=de|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|1
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="JPN"/>
|34
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand Albums ([[RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1992-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016184638/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=3881|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live|title=Top Selling Albums of 1992 – The Official New Zealand Music Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|17
|-
!scope="row"|Norwegian Albums ([[VG-lista]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartsurfer.de/musik/album-charts-norwegen/jahrescharts/alben-1992.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512163123/http://www.chartsurfer.de/musik/album-charts-norwegen/jahrescharts/alben-1992.html|archive-date=12 May 2016|url-status=dead|title=Alben 1992 Norwegen – Album Charts – Top 10 Auswertung|publisher=Chartsurfer.de|language=de|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|21
|-
!scope="row"|Spanish Albums ([[AFYVE]])<ref name="ESP"/>
|11
|-
!scope="row"|Swiss Albums ([[Schweizer Hitparade]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1992/alben|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308235824/https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1992/alben|archive-date=8 March 2021|url-status=live|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1992 – Alben|publisher=Hung Medien|language=de|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|2
|-
!scope="row"|UK Albums ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Year-End Charts 1992 – Top Albums |magazine=[[Music Week]] |publisher=worldradiohistory.com |page=10 |date=16 January 1993}}</ref>
|9
|-
!scope="row"|US ''[[Billboard 200]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1992/top-billboard-200-albums|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814083009/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1992/top-billboard-200-albums|archive-date=14 August 2020|url-status=live|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1992|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|13
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Sales certifications for ''We Can't Dance''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=1993|certref=<ref>{{cite book|first=Gavin|last=Ryan|title=Australia′s Music Charts 1988–2010|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mount Martha, Melbourne, Victoria|year=2011}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=Austria|award=Platinum|certyear=1992|artist=Genesis|title=We Can't Dance|access-date=16 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=Canada|award=Platinum|number=4|certyear=1992|artist=Genesis|title=We Can't Dance|access-date=16 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=France|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2000|source=infodisc|artist=Genesis|title=We Can't Dance|access-date=16 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=Germany|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=1994|artist=Genesis|title=We Can't Dance|access-date=16 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=Japan|award=Gold|certyear=1992|certmonth=11|artist=Genesis|title=We Can't Dance|access-date=16 January 2021|salesamount=250,000|salesref=<ref name="JPN"/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=Netherlands|award=Platinum|certyear=1992|artist=Genesis|title=We Can't Dance|access-date=16 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|number=4|certyear=1993|certref=<ref>{{cite book|first=Dean|last=Scapolo|title=The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006|publisher=Maurienne House|year=2007|isbn=978-1-877443-00-8}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=Spain|award=Platinum|certyear=1993|certref=<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.mediafire.com/view/vqzno2c0fe48zam|title=Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 1991–1995|year=2005|publisher=Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano|isbn=8480486392|access-date=16 January 2021}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=Sweden|award=Platinum|certyear=1992|access-date=16 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=Switzerland|award=Platinum|number=4|certyear=1993|artist=Genesis|title=We Can't Dance|access-date=16 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=1997|artist=Genesis|title=We Can't Dance|id=8085-1206-2|access-date=16 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=4|certyear=1996|artist=Genesis|title=We Can't Dance|access-date=16 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1991|region=Europe|award=Platinum|number=6|certyear=1993|certref=<ref>{{cite magazine |title=European Top 100 Albums |magazine=[[Music & Media]] |date=6 March 1993 |page=18}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

'''References'''
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last1=Bowler|first1=Dave|last2=Dray|first2=Bryan|title=Genesis: A Biography|year=1992|isbn=978-0-283-06132-5|publisher=Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/genesisbiography0000bowl_h5d4}}
{{refend}}

{{Genesis}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Genesis (band) albums]]
[[Category:1991 albums]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records albums]]
[[Category:Virgin Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Nick Davis (record producer)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Phil Collins]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Tony Banks (musician)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Mike Rutherford]]