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“Paperlate” is a song by the English rock band Genesis from their second of two EPs. The EP, titled 3×3 (for it featured three tracks and the band comprised three musicians), peaked at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart in mid-1982. The success of the EP led to an appearance on Top of the Pops. In the U.S. and Europe, “Paperlate” was released as a standard single, backed by “You Might Recall”. It was also featured on the U.S. version of the band’s Three Sides Live album, of which all three tracks from the 3×3 EP are included on side four.

History

The title came from a line in the 1973 Genesis song “Dancing with the Moonlit Knight” (“Paper late, cried a voice in the crowd”), which Genesis rehearsed at a soundcheck, leading to the conception of the song. “Paperlate” is one of two Genesis songs that features the Earth, Wind & Fire horn section, the other being “No Reply at All“, also from the Abacab sessions.[2] Phil Collins has often hired the group for other projects, including his debut solo album, Face Value.[3] A music video was also created, utilising the band’s 27 May 1982 appearance on Top of the Pops.[4]

Release and reception

“Paperlate” was the lead song from 3×3, released in the United Kingdom by Charisma Records in May 1982.[1] The cover artwork is a homage to the design of The Beatles‘ 1963 Twist and Shout EP, with both also including liner notes written by Tony Barrow.[5]

“Paperlate” debuted at No. 30 on the UK charts, peaking at No. 10 later on.[6] In the United States, “Paperlate” was released by Atlantic Records. By the week of 4 June 1982, 71 percent of album oriented rock radio stations in the United States reporting to Radio & Records had included the song on their playlists.[7] The song peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 2 on the Top Rock Tracks chart.[8][9] It also reached No. 36 on the German charts.[10]

Upon its release, Billboard said that Collins’ “ripe and thundering vocals” were “straight-forward pop/rock lures” and highlighted the “flashy” horn section.[11] Cash Box noted a resemblance to Collins’ solo single “I Missed Again“.[12]

Retrospectively, Dave Thompson of AllMusic said that “Paperlate” was 3×3′s selling point, and describes the song as “a horn-honking romp with just the ghosts of ’60s soul playing around its chorus and a buoyancy that fed readily into the mood of the U.K. charts of the day.”[13] Dw. Dunphy of Popdose commented that while catchy and enjoyable, “Paperlate” is “a definite cousin to ‘No Reply At All’, both songs employing the same tempo, attitude, and the Earth, Wind, and Fire horn section.”[14]

Personnel

Additional musicians

Chart performance

Chart (1982) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[15] 73
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[16] 25
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 40
UK Singles (OCC)[18] 10
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 32
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[9] 2
West Germany (GfK)[10] 36

References

  1. ^ a b “New Singles” (PDF). Record Business. 10 May 1982. p. 18. Retrieved 9 April 2026 – via World Radio History.
  2. ^ “Genesis – 3 × 3 (7″, EP) at Discogs”. discogs.com. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
  3. ^ Classic Albums: Face Value VH-1, 1999
  4. ^ Genesis: The Video Show (DVD), 2005
  5. ^ Hockinson, Michael J. (1992). The Ultimate Beatles Quiz Book. New York, NY: Macmillan. p. 134. ISBN 0-312-07104-3.
  6. ^ “The Official Charts Company – Genesis – 3 × 3 (EP)”. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
  7. ^ “AOR Breakers” (PDF). Radio & Records. 4 June 1982. p. 46. Retrieved 10 April 2026 – via World Radio History.
  8. ^ a b “Genesis Chart History (Hot 100)“. Billboard. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  9. ^ a b “Genesis Chart History (Mainstream Rock)“. Billboard. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  10. ^ a b “Offizielle Deutsche Charts (West Germany)” (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click ‘TITEL VON’, followed by the artist’s name. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  11. ^ “Top Single Picks” (PDF). Billboard. 5 June 1982. p. 67. Retrieved 10 April 2026 – via World Radio History.
  12. ^ “News & Reviews: Singles” (PDF). Cashbox. 5 June 1982. p. 8. Retrieved 27 January 2023 – via World Radio History.
  13. ^ Thompson, Dave. “3 X 3”. AllMusic. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  14. ^ Dunphy, Dw. (17 March 2011). “Secret Single: Genesis, ‘Paperlate’“. Popdose. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  15. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 123. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  16. ^ “Top RPM Singles: Image 6547“. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  17. ^ “Genesis – Paperlate” (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  18. ^ “Official Singles Chart on 6/6/1982 – Top 100“. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2026.