In the summer of 1973, Genesis re-signed their contract with Charisma Records. Manager Tony Stratton Smith said they got "a much-improved deal" despite their being able to get a better one with a bigger label, but the group were loyal and trusted Charisma with their careers. With a new agreement in place and thus a green-light for a new album, Genesis recorded Selling England by the Pound at Island Studios in August 1973, the second Genesis album that John Burns co-produced. Peter Gabriel contributed lyrics based on the idea of commercialism and the decline of English culture and the rise in American influences. Its title refers to a UK Labour Party slogan to make it clear to music critics who may have thought Genesis were beginning to "sell out" to the US.