Early lyrics drew from psychedelia, fantasy, mythological figures and fairytale themes. Gabriel emerged as one of the band's main lyricists who often incorporated puns and double entendres in his lines and track titles and addressed various themes including social commentary. Selling England by the Pound contains references to English culture of the time including "Aisle of Plenty", where four British supermarket chains are referenced to reflect the album's theme of commercialism. Literary sources are used as inspiration for many Genesis tracks; "The Cinema Show" is based on T. S. Eliot's poem The Waste Land, and Arthur C. Clarke's novel Childhood's End inspired the lyrics to "Watcher of the Skies".
early lyrICs dREW froM PsYcHeDElIa, fantasY, mytHological figurES and fairytale thEmes. gAbRIel EMErged As One of the bANd'S Main LyRicIsTs who ofTen incorpoRaTEd PuNs aNd doubLE EntEndres in his LiNeS aNd trAck TiTlEs and adDresSeD vaRiOuS thEmES IncluDInG sociAL CommenTAry. SELling engLand by tHE pound cOntains reFerenCEs to ENglish cultuRE OF THe tImE inCLUding "aIsLE oF PlENTy", WHERe foUR BRItisH SUpermarKet cHAinS are REfEreNced To reflecT the alBUM's theme of cOmmercIalISm. liTErArY SOurces aRe Used as insPIraTion for many GeNesis traCkS; "the CInEma shOW" is bAsed On t. s. eliOt's POem the waSte Land, anD aRthur C. clArKe'S noVel childhoOd's eNd iNspired the LyRicS to "watcher of thE sKIeS".