Strangers Like Me
From 1999's "Tarzan Soundtrack"

'Take my hand, there's a world I need to know'
It must be completely understood that these songs were written for the movie Tarzan, so anything said about this
song that contains subject matter out of the context of the movie is undoubtably false.
Stangers Like Me is the thoughts of Tarzan about his new encounter with other humans... and namely Jane. She
makes him feel and think things he never has before and he is very inquisitive and wants to find out everything about
these 'strangers like him'.
The song was changed for radio musically, adding guitars and more drums- but I think the song becaomes cluttered
and boring as a result, I like the soundtrack version better, and you can listen to it in the Tarzan section of the page
in real audio.
The interesting thing to note was that this song, along with all the others from Tarzan, morphed through four years
of edits, and revisions. These are cumulative works. Phil has really never worked this way before- especially topically-
I mean he had a topic, and he had to write from the mind of Tarzan, that was it. 'It was a bit like acting' Phil said in an
interview on CNN. Since he had to get inside Tarzan, he was in a sense playing the role- and narrating his thoughts
to music.




You'll Be In My Heart
From 1999's "Tarzan Soundtrack"

'Don't listen to them, 'coz what do they know, we need each other, to have, to hold - They'll see in time, I know'
You'll Be In My Heart was a massive hit for Phil, something he desperately needed as he rounded out a decade that
saw great success in '90 with The Serious Tour, and the Serious Hits...Live! release- and a sales plummet 4 years
later with Both Sides and worse with '96's Dance Into The Light. Although the tour was well recieved, it was a fact,
Collins would never see the success he once attained in the mid to late 80's.
So, like many other timeless artists, he makes a move. He morphed. He quickly made a move that seemed critical.
Elton John saw the light of sucess with 'The Lion King', and Phil saw it with 'Tarzan' - and the thing they had in
common, Disney. When Phil was approached by Disney for Tarzan, specifically for his abilities in drumming, and that
recently, [on Dance Into The Light] he had been working deeper in the tribal areas of drumming and percussion, he
would be advantageous as both a popular artist, and a musician.
But it wasn't just something to play with, Disney isn't that nice. They want good music, and Phil would have to give
everything, and present assured hits, at least two, for the soundtrack.
Phil sat down immediately, due to excitement, and started writing. Soon after he had the 'skeletons' of most of the
tracks, and would just need more guidance from the Disney crew to complete the tracks. Disney told Phil '...slow
down - we've got years to go on this, take your time'. And Phil didn't work that way. he quickly had the songs, and
was working on reshaping them for 4 years.
You'll Be In My heart, was the first song finished for the film, coincidentally. It's basically the lullabye to Tarzan from
his mother. It's about thier relationship, and it's a guidance song of love, similar to Phil's 'Father To Son' - and even
includes the same line from 'Father To Son' [just look over your shoulder-and I'll be there]. Phil has said that 'You'll Be
In My Heart' was written for his youngest, Lily. He has said too that 'Father To Son' was written for Simon. LI>'You'll
be In My Heart' spent 13 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Hot AC Chart. It has been his only #1 on that chart, ever.




It's Over [home demo]
B-Side From 1996's "Dance Into The Light" Single

'He never meant, to hurt anybody - but he broke some hearts, along the way'
Never released officially, but definitely one of the best songs of the Dance In The Light era, 'It's Over' reveals a very
deep and honest Phil Collins.
The feeling the strong solo piano gives off is very reminicent of 'Face Value' tracks with it's edgy improvised, demo
feel. It's Over was written for someone. I am not sure exactly who Phil is writing about, whether it be a friend, family,
or he himself, but it is definitely directed towards a story oriented base.
It's very apparent if you search through the lyrics that Phil is writing about someone who has been very honest, very
raw in his life- and has lived through it all with a very 'heart on his sleeve' attitude.
Recorded at home in Switzerland, 'It's Over' reveals a very introspective, and retrospective Phil- the kind of song that
maybe was still ruminating in his head after the both sides album.
Even though for me, the ever present truths of the song are obvious- but the origins of it's topic are not- Which is not
at all frusterating. Remember you don't have to know exactly who these songs are about to enjoy them, or learn from
them. That's what's so special about Phil- he writes for himself, and somehow, it ends up meaning as much for all of
us too.




Lorenzo
From 1996's "Dance Into The Light"

'And the wind laughed- and the wind laughed through the trees as if to say- 'here's a child who wants the world, to go
his way''
This song was written by Lorenzo Odone- a child who was diagnosed with Adrenoleukodystrophy, in East Africa.
He was thought to be incurable, and soon would die. His parent dedicated their lives to the finding of a cure, and to
much amazement they did- but it was Lorenzo who was the hero, fighting his sickness to hang in long enough for the
application of the cure.
the family wrote to Phil and asked him to put the words (that Lorenzo, through Michaela, wrote) to music. Phil
commented on this at the October 29, 1996 show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City (the 1996 GQ Awards).
The show was the first live performance of Lorenzo. Michaela was in the audience. Phil continued telling the story
throughout the whole Dance Into The Light tour; the song was performed at every regular show on the tour.
There is also a movie that was released a few years ago, called 'Lorenzo's Oil', recapturing the miraculous events
that took place in one of the most interesting sickness/cures in history.
Phil, was so touched by this- he wanted to create a song that represented Lorenzo in the best way possible-
incorporating tribal, 'african' like rythyms, and beautiful, uplifting lyrics, Phil wanted this song to be as special as the
boy himself.





Take Me Home
From 1985's "No Jacket Required"

'They can turn off my feelings, like they're turning off the light- but I, I don't mind'
Take Me Home, was misunderstood from the begining of the release of the video. Everyone thought it was about the
tortures of extended travel, and the longings of going home. Thanks to Phil though! He created a video where you see
him in all areas of the world, at various monuments and famous architectures.
It is actually, a written testament from the eyes of a mental patient. Similar, but not exactly like that of Big Cheif
and McMurphy of the classic novel 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'. Phil has mentioned this, but never said it is
directly written about it. He just says that the song is about the way they are treated- like vegetables, because of
thier mental conditions, they arn't human beings anymore.
This is one of Phil's favourite songs to perform he says. Phil has always enjoyed the creativity of his drum machine
pattern in this song. Which is actually three single drum machine patterns, woven into one- He set up three machines
at the time, and recorded them spliced into one track. And then even added two more original drum tracks that he
played!!
So obviously, alot of drums, means happy Phil!





Invisible Touch
From Genesis' 1986's "Invisible Touch"

'She don't like losing, to her it's just a game'
Invisible Touch, one of the sadest lyrical songs, with the most upbeat pop sound Genesis has ever written, is very
cruel in it's depiction of the girl in this song. The song is basically about this woman who 'steals' his heart- 'She
reaches in, grabs right hold of your heart, she seems to have an invisible touch, she reaches in, slowly tears you
apart'.
The woman in the song has an 'Invisible Touch' because she does things to him that he doesn't notice, until it's too
late. [falling in love fast for her, without the reciprocation of that love].
This song is great live, as the band added a long ending to it vocally and musically, that was very pinnacle to the
concert strength.
Invisible Touch, is one of my favourite songs to listen to while I work, say, right now on this section! because it
helps me to focus hard on the task, because of the driving base and drums, it's a very 'go forward' type of song,
something that isn't too unfamiliar for Genesis to write.





Two Hearts
From 1987's "Buster Soundtrack"

'She knows, no matter how far apart we are, she knows, I'm always right there beside her'
I love the way this song makes me feel- so dammed happy about love. I mean, I could be totally shattered about a
relationship, and this comes on the radio, and I'm smiling, remembering only good times I've had with someone. And
this is another shining example of Phil's mood writing- He can create a desired mood with his music- echo it with the
lyrics, and create atmosphere, stronger than most artists out there today. Music that makes you feel something- that
is hard to find. Phil makes music you attach your life to- remembering intricut and intimate details because of a
section of lyrics or music.
Two hearts was written to be a 60's style love song, suiting for the film Buster. And perfect it was, fitting in with his
cover of 'Groovy Kind Of Love' almost synchonically. The two were hits together, almost in unison on the charts at
separate times.
Lamont Dozier guided Phil to create the music that would fit into the genre and style he was looking for. The lyrics
came to Phil when he was describing his role to Nicolas Cage over the telephone- he said to Nicolas that his
character was torn between the life he was addicted to- and the woman he did it all for. He said of his relationship in
the movie to June- that they were like Two Hearts, that wished they could be one- but there minds were always in
different directions.
Which, is something Phil himself has experienced many times in the past, with both love, family, and Genesis.





Another Day In Paradise
From 1989's "...But Seriously"

'Oh, think twice- 'coz it's another day for you and me in paradise'
This song, is very close to my heart. I have always believed strongly that the homeless in the world shouldn't be
treated like dirt- I see so many things that are done and said about them, and it's as if they are dehumanized as
result of thier social status. I think the modern western civilization has lost it's perspective on life- aiming for success,
filled with greed, we suck it all up and leave the waste in our trails, and that waste, is sometimes our fellow man.
Phil tried to bring this message across to the world- Really, by accident, he started singing the chorus in his demo
suite while playing the demo music, and then wrote the lyrics as they came to him. The hardest part of writing this
song, was perfecting the musical side of the song, not the lyrics.
Phil said he left the studio one day while recording the song, and just walked right by a homeless man. He said he
stopped, and caught himself. He said to himself 'I'm that guy- I'm that guy in the song'. And he knew he wanted to
change his thoughts- his ways. He knew that when it was released- there would be a responsibility to carry on work
for the homeless, as he says 'Because it all has to be done'. The song has been a huge success for Phil, and
brought attention to the problem of homelessness everywhere, and even supported it's cause too- By giving proceeds
from the '...But Seriously' and 'Both Sides' tours to shelters and foundations at all the stops on the tours. As well as
giving proceeds from the tour video from the 'Both Sides' tour.





Dance Into The Light
From 1996's "Dance Into The Light"

'They'll be no more hiding in the shadows of the earth- they'll be no more chains to hold you'
****Watch the video and interview about Dance Into The Light in real video here.

Dance Into The Light is one of the most positive and uplifting songs Phil has ever written- it's like a coming out of
the dark for him- after the early 90's, and his second divorce. This album reflected Phil's happieness with Orianne,
and the positive light it shone on his life and career.
Writing this song, he thought is was about the suppression occurring in africa, and the release of the political
stroghold at the time. But he said [in the interview available above in real video] that he looked at the song, and saw
that it worked on another level, a personal 'Dance Into The Light'. It's a very upbeat and dancable song, something
Phil hadn't really explored since 'Sussudio'.





I Missed Again
From 1981's "Face Value"

'When it feels like something you want so bad- and then you think you've got it- but it's something you already had'
I Missed Again, was originally 'I Miss You Babe'-the demo was completely different. It was a desperate and awfully
sad love song along the lines of 'Against All Odds' and 'If Leaving Me Is Easy'. A 'Now that you're gone I know what
you mean to me' type of song.
I don't know when he decided to change the song, maybe the chorus changed, and he then altered the lyrics, but it
was very interesting none the less, to see the metamorphasis of the song.
Simply, it's about trying to get the chance to be with someone, waiting and waiting, but never getting even close to
it- or thinking you did- and then realizing you 'Missed Again'.
Phil really created an interesting use of lyrics in this song- I was very impressed with the sounding- I think he used 'I
think I missed again' instead of 'you know I missed you babe' because the first sounds more bluesy and R&B-esque,
fitting the style of the song.
You can always catch Phil doing this- writing the atmosphere, the feeling of the song. He never sits down, has a
sheet of lyrics and then writes music for it- it's always music that either has lyrics, or it doesn't. I love this style,
because I think the music lends itself to another level when the artist searches out the mood and feeling of a song,
and then tries to capture it in words as best as possible.





Inside Out
From 1985's "No Jacket Required"

"Inside Out" is a very difficult song to interpret. There are several topics brought up in the song, but I think it mostly
deals with sudden sucess- and the twist of romance Phil was enduring at the time. It is a song about the struggling
through the hardships of people pulling him in several directions- and his answer of 'I'm taking what's mine' in
response.
"I won't lose sight of all the, things I'm looking for". Phil I think wrote lighter during the "No Jacket" era- probably
mostly du to the fact that he has quite happy with Jill at the time- after suffering the gruelling tortures of his divorce
with childhood sweetheart Andrea.
"Inside Out" can be taken in many contexts- which makes it very universal and easily captured by the listener into
his/her own life circumstance. We always have those around us who try to persuade and even push us in directions
that arn't natural to us- and Phil knows this all too well.





Do You Know, Do You Care?
From 1982's "Hello, I Must Be Going!"

Heavy in lyrical weight- "Do You Know, Do You Care?" is a musical thunder and lyrical heart-string puller. This song
is directed towards Andrea once again- to her benevolent push for royalties of Phil's songs in the "Hello..." and "Face
Value" era. She wished for royalties because the songs were so easily understood as being wroitten about her. The
song "I cannot Believe It's True" is a direct account of her wishes for more money- and Phil's eye rolling disbelief in
the face of it.
The lyrics are very telling Phil's angry, and tortured state-"You said you could, you couldn't, and I wanna know why,
and don't make no excuses- You promised, you promised, you better explain, though I don't know what the use is".
"Do You Know..." is simple is in translation into a sentence: "Do you have any idea of what I'm going through? You
said so much, and have done nothing".
Probably side by saide with "I Don't Care Anymore" and "In The Air Tonight" as one of Phil's angriest songs, "Do
You Know..." pounds in it's simple but effective drum track, and haunting ecclectic percussive noise- on top of
throbbing synthesizer and guitar. The end is particualarily interesting, as the end of the vocal screaming by Phil, there
is a bout 20 seconds of subtle noise- as there is at the begining- almost like the calm before and after the storm.





Can't Turn Back The Years
From 1993's "Both Sides"

Easily decoded as a song about lost love, "Cant Turn Back The Years" is about the deconstruction of Phil's second
marriage- and the remains of the first. Still obviously torn by it- you can tell by the lyrics in this song- and reflected as
a general feeling in the album, Phil was still very much in love with his wives- in a reflective manner. Phil was never
more personally reflective then in "Both Sides"- his most commercial failure. I can't imagine how hard that must be-
But he still believes that it will be discovered [as his fans have found] as an incredible collection of music put together
completely by Phil.
"Could've given you everything that you need- but I cannot turn back the years- The perfect love was all you wanted
from me, but I cannot turn back the years-So we had to be strong, but I'm finding that hard, we have to move on, and
no matter how hard I try- If your heart's in peices, you look for the truth- And when I look deep down inside, it's too
bad I love you".





Don't Lose My Number
From 1985's "No Jacket Required"

What can I say? I have never heard about this song being a big social comment- but more like "Sussudio" in it's
flaky drum ladden structure. This song is written about a half-stranger on the run- from something- and his perspective
is the helper who waits for the call to come to the aid of her [Billy]. It reminds me of Michael Jackson's "Smooth
Criminal"- in it's text and style.





In The Air Tonight
From 1981's "Face Value"

"In The Air Tonight" is the most commonly mis-understood song that Phil Collins has ever written. Most people have
heard stories about Phil witnessing a drowning, and writing the song. Then he supposedly brought the guy that
survived to the concert, and for a ridicule, sung the song to that guy. FALSE!
As mentioned in the book by Ray Coleman "Phil Collins: The Definitive Biography", this story is completely untrue.
The truth, is that Phil wrote this while recording music at his newly constructed home studio. During a period of
turmoil in his relationship to Andrea, his first wife, Phil was writing music as a means of catharsis, not for an album.
The song deals with Andrea's infidelity, and his witness of the relationship she had with a home decorator while he
was on tour with Genesis in '79/'80. Intresting to note, was a passage I read from the book. Phil, in early
performances of "In The Air Tonight", had placed a paint can and brush on his piano. Many thought it was some kind
of 'Artistic' message; which of course wasn't Phil's motive or reason for the can. Signifing 'Interior Decorator'- The
paint can was a direct message to the one person he wanted to hear the song- Andrea.
"In The Air Tonight", ended up becoming perhaps Phil's signature song. It was released on "Face Value" ('81). Phil's
unexpected debut solo album. Writing with Genesis and catharsis in mind, he had no intentions of making a solo
album. It was when producer Hugh Padgram got a listen that Phil was thrown into the whirlwind of what was to
become one of the most successful decades any artist has ever encountered.
Sadly, as successful as "In The Air Tonight" became, along with it brought a problem: performance. He has had to
perform that song over a thousand times, and although he has never said it hurts to do so, he certainly has had a
wound re-opened everytime it is performed, for the past 18 years.





Long Long Way To Go
From 1985's "No Jacket Required"

Like "Both Sides Of The Story" and "We Wait and We Wonder", "Long Long Way To Go" is a song about the
turmoil that is constant in Ireland. The song was essentially Phil's way of saying "Nothing will be solved if we just turn
it off and ignore it". He meant "Turn It Off", as in the people who just sit at home and watch it on TV. When it's too
much for them, they just turn off the TV; and that's it. His social commentaries are very heartfelt, and are almost
pleadings, beggings, for people to bring compassion and honesty into these situations; not be blinded by the
socio-political side of the story. "Long Long Way To Go" was recorded at the studio with Phil's demo from home that
was done solo on Piano (Wouldn't you love to get a hold of that). Guest vocalist Sting adds compasion and sincerity
to the chorus.
*One of the best performances of this song in my estimation, is on the "Live and Loose In Paris" video. It's very
atmospheric.





In Too Deep
From GENESIS' 1986 album "Invisible Touch"

In Too Deep strikes me as the one song that hits you right in the heart on "Invisible Touch". If you have ever been so
far in love things are in overdrive; and you have to get out- you know what this song is about. Not written about
anyone in particular, "In Too Deep" was just a semi-reflective picture of Phil's own relationship experiences. He
seems to know that he will fall in love so hard, that it ends up hurting him in the end. A song about desperation, loss
of control, and the pain of breaking apart from someone you love, "In Too Deep" is heart twisting for two reasons I
believe: 1)The lyrics are powerful, but Phil's very expressive and pleading voice feed them to the point where you want
to yell them out. And 2)The music is very restrictive. There is no major cresendo, and you get this feeling of inability
to let it out, and therefore the mood of the song and it's theme is captured.
Definitely one of my favourites, "In Too Deep" in my estimation qualifies as one of the tops for Phil's "Lost Love"
songs.





Thru These Walls
From the 1982 album "Hello! I Must Be Going"

"Thru These Walls", is another social comment by Phil, especially significant because of the times. Currently in
England, there were several disgusting cases of pedophelia, including rape, child abuse, and sex scandal. Originally
about weird sex schemes "I can hear thru these walls, I can hear it when they're fooling around" that went on in the
various hotels\motels in England, "Thru These Walls" was one dimentional. Then, as a series of events popped up,
Phil expanded the song to include the other forms of behaviour. When performed, Phil pokes fun at the situation, for a
reason. He once said that to lure his fans in with laughs, brings a comfort to the topic. To have them laugh, and then
have them think about it, is his goal. He wants hopefully to have the audience remember each part of the concert in a
different light. The topic of sex offenders, is very heavy, and the song written in a very crude tone, the drum machine,
diction, and and his voice all capture the perversity and sickness of these acts.
The best [and I think only video example of this], is on the deleted video "Live At Perkin's Palace". Phil goes
through a whole routine with a glass, some underwear, and a robe. It's very funny, and then through the song, he
becomes very scary visually, acting as the offender. To listen to this routine and song, click here [will be available
shorty].





I've Forgotten Everything
From the 1993 album "Both Sides"

I've Forgotten Everything is in many ways the most intimate of lost love songs that Phil has ever written. Basically,
the cause for Both Sides' main themes, is of course another period of depression following a divorce for Phil. After the
long and tedious break-up with second wife Jill, Phil went into submission. And again, fell into a series of cathartic
expressions through music.
I've Forgotten Everything is more than commentary on his feeling toward Jill. It also reflects the fading memories of
his first wife Andrea, and the relationship with Joely and Simon. He has at times felt very distant from them, and
although mostly due in part to his own schedule, Phil felt alone. I've Forgotten Everything reflects the way in which
we all close up after hurt; and are immediately opened again by triggers that remind us. That we can't escape the
past, and how hard we try to bury our feelings and emotions- but how easily they can surface.
The song was almost completely improvised. What your hear on the album, are the vocals Phil improvised and
recorded at his home. He kept alot of his demo work for Both Sides intact, a trait more present than ever here. The
lyrics flowed from a couple attempts, and because Phil often feels threatened by the studio atmosphere and it's
uncomfortable eyes, he prefers to try and get the vocals out at home for very personal songs. Which, is why he did
the whole album himself. It got to the point where it was too personal to share. He once mentioned in an interview he
released the album with his eyes closed, afraid of what the reaction would be. Although a commercial flop, Both
Sides is known well to be his best work for most fans.





Survivors
From the 1993 album "Both Sides"

Survivors, is another deeply introspective, and reflective look at relationships by Phil. This song, is a letter of
apology to his children. Basically asking for forgiveness to the hurt and pain he has caused them, especially twice
now, [Andrea, then Jill] Phil felt very badly about the kind of situation he had created for his children. During his
second divorce, he was often far away, and often depressed. He drank alot on the Serious Tour, and once was quoted
about how he was completely drunk at the concert in Japan. He felt awful. Survivors is about the fight to remain
together in the darkest hours of the seperation he was encountering. It's a highly inspirational piece. He is very
hopeful in the writing, and it shows Phil's ability to express grief positively in his music, something we're not used to.
In writing Survivors, Phil spent alot of time at home in the recording room. He pieced a nice drum machine bit,
[you'll notice it 's strongest presence in the first 30 seconds or so]. He then added piano, and kept with familiar
sounds of the album. He has also been qouted saying that "I wanted the album to be a story- showing different
stages of how I was feeling during that period of time. It's not going to be a sucess. It's really only the way I was
dealing with the situation- music. But I think in time it will be appeciated."
And it is, and will continue to be greatly appreciated as some of his most personal and powerful work. Survivors is
among the strongest pieces of work on the album.





Find A Way To My Heart
From the 1989 album "...But Seriously"

Find A Way To My Heart, is about relationships in the sense of a view Phil has, not about Phil's relationships.
People think every love song he writes is one that relates directly to Phil. That is not true. Phil can write outside
himself in terms of love, and he definitely could not possibly have experienced all that he writes about, I think he's
shoot himself if he had!
Find A Way is about the wanting of someone you love to want you. It's about having that person search out your
soul, to thirst about who you are. And when and if they do, they can "come inside" so to speak. Once they "Find A
Way To your Heart", you will let them take that sense of individuality away from you. It's also about the hesitation of
commitment, which Phil does not ever endorse. Phil has jumped into his relationships full steam ahead, and that
possibly has burned him. But he still remains confident it's the only way.
While writing "Find A Way..", Phil was playing with drum machine sounds, and Daryl kept playing with his guitar.
That "bwowooowoow" at the begining is Daryl's little fooling around peice. I have never felt it went with the song, but
just as well for them to experiment- Something Phil never avoids.
Find A Way To My Heart has found it's way into many people's hearts, and has frequently been known to be an
anthem for relationships by many fans. If only he'd play it live again....





I Wish It Would Rain Down
From the 1989 album "...But Seriously"

I Wish It Would Rain Down, an effort musically by Phil and Eric, and an effort lyrically by Phil, is a song that
explores "The skeletons in the closet". Phil was once quoted as saying that it's about "Turning around that corner
and bumping into someone you haven't seen in 10 years. And then you say to yourself, oh God, I never planned on
this- which is where I Wish It Would Rain comes in. It's just wanting to escape. It's about dealing with this resurgance
of an old familiar and unpopular point of your life."
Phil really didn't have anyone in mind when he wrote the piece, just a general intrigue into that moment of life that
becomes so difficult to deal with. It's interesting how much guitar is heard in the song. It's probably the most guitar
heavy song Phil has. He gained many fans as a result. I remember it being a hit "slow song" at dances for us. People
really didn't know who it was, they just loved the song.
Phil's demo ecording of the song, consisted of much the same focus and idea; something that is rare for his
demos. Demos like "I missed again", and "Broadway Chorus" [Something Happened On The Way To Heaven] and
the final product, was strikingly different. But for "I wish...", he kept plugging away and drilling at this topic.





Against All Odds
From the 1985 soundtrack album "Against All Odds"

Against All Odds, was a recycled Face Value track. Written originally during his cathartic sessions at home in '80,
Against All Odds, was a song originally intended as a song about Andrea. But, when it came time for the album, he
hadn't finished the track, and felt he wasn't going to get it done by the deadline, and left it out. He revamped it and
changed it to reflect the movie that it was intended for, the title of the same name. Since it was the title track, it had
to reflect the entire feeling of the film. And nobody new the feeling of loss like Phil. The song is powerful and uplifting,
yet sadening and reflective. Which provided perfect harmony with the film, and people's hearts around the world.
He wrote the new version of the song on the "No Jacket" tour, and sent the demo to the producer of the movie. He
loved it, and they went in and recorded the track. It went #1, and skyrocketed Phil to an ultimate artist in the mid
'80's. Following that, came of course the "No Jacket Required" acclaim, and it engraved Phil as one of the leaders in
the music industry untill the end of the decade.




Sussudio
From the 1985 album "No Jacket Required"

"There's a girl that's been on my mind, all the time, Su-su-ssudio"... The all well too known catchy chorus to this
Prince 1999 sound-alike. Sussudio, unlike many other Phil Collins songs, is light and airy, dancable and upbeat,
happy and bouncy. There are many desperate undertones to the song's lyrics, but generally, it's a feel-good song.
Most notable, and questioned, is the title. Where did it come from? Well, simply, the air. Phil was mumbling out the
lyrics as always, improvising and playing around, and kept saying "su-su-ssudio", over and over when it came to the
chorus. He said he tried many other words, but none fit as well. So he kept it. As for the meaning, he then decided it
was to be a girl... And then wrote from the point of a school boy, having an insatiable crush on a girl at school who
doesn't even know he exists, but he loves her just the same.
Probably Phil's flakiest song, his hard-core fans are usually a little sick of it being overplayed on radio and in
concert. But to the average fan, or listener, it has a signature attached to it that rises close to In The Air Tonight.




MAMA
From the 1983 self-titled album "Genesis"

When I first heard "MAMA", I think I was scared! Such a dark and gothic song, with the haunting keyboards, and
thunderous reverberating drums. Not to mention the sterylizing guitar.
~Hung T. Nguyen contributes~
The Ostrich FAQ quotes Phil Collins on the subject matter of Mama: "Our manager, when he first heard it, thought it
was about abortion, the kind of feeling of the, you know, the fetus, if you like, saying to the Mother 'Please give me a
chance, can't you feel my heart, don't take away my last chance', all those lyrics are in the song but in fact what it is,
is just about a young teenager that's got a mother fixation with a prostitute that he's just happened to have met in
passing and he has such a strong feeling for her and doesn't understand why she isn't interested in him. It's a bit like
Niven in 'Moons of Balloon', I don't know if you've read that book, he's very young, just come out of cadet college or
whatever, and he meets this quite, you know, 45 year old prostitute who he has a fantastic time with. He's special to
her but it definitely can't go any further than what it is and that's really what the song is about, with sinister
overtones."




It's In Your Eyes
From the 1996 album "Dance Into The Light"

"It's In Your Eyes" is a beautiful love song, 60's style... with the guitar, and simple drums, Phil said he had never
done a song like this or "No Matter Who" or "That's What You Said". And rightfully so, because you really can't
picture Phil with this kind of sound, knowing of him his complex musical past as a solo artist and with Genesis.
But he easily pulls it off. The song was written about simple love in the way that someone who is waiting for the
other person to fall in love with him/her, the way they have with them. I wish I could give you a deeper meaning, but
it's not that deep, however it is ear pleasing and beautiful, which is always a Phil trait.




Colours
From the 1989 album "...But Seriously"

"Colours", is a strangly metamorphic, Genesis like song. From the soft melodical lyrical begining, to the eerie drum
pattern, this song represents more than most songs by Phil.
The song is plain and simply, about South Africa. Phil has said as much in numerous interviews, and at most of the
shows on the Serious Tour (performed at every show on the tour). Phil comments, at the October 2 1990 show at
Madison Square Garden in New York City (last show of the serious tour) was that the song is two ways of looking at
the situation (at that time) in South Africa. The first part was intended to be, as Phil said, a look at the starvation
going on in South Africa. The second was about the policy of Apartheid. Phil said the second part was "an open letter
to Mr. Botha" about the policy of apartheid in South Africa (the white minority ruling over the black majority, and not
granting equal civil rights to the blacks). Phil went on to say that "they now have a new leader, Mr. DeKlerk, and
things are getting better, but slowly." (P.W. Botha wasPresident of South Africa until 1990 -- Frederik W. DeKlerk
took over in 1990, freeing Nelson Mandela from Jail and effectively starting the end of Apartheid -- he was succeeded
by Mandela, with whom he shared a Nobel Peace Prize, in 1994). Naturally, Apartheid no longer exists in South
Africa, but the country still suffers from certain problems regarding starvation, poverty, etc. Incidentally, Phil's first
performances in South Africa were in March of 1995, when he played shows in Johannesburg and Durban, on the
Both Sides World Tour. When Phil was writing the song, he had written it in two parts, splicing it together at the
recording sessions. The first part had a working title of "Hymn." The second part had a working title of "Oh Mr. Botha
What Can We Do."
The song, musically, is a paradox of sorts, yet lends itself to a beautiful story like construction. Powerful,
emotionally driven lyrics surrounding a social comment are not unfamiliar in Phil's writing. I think in all honestly this
was one of my least favourite songs by Phil, but has grown on me over the years. I suggest everyone to give it
another listen, with the lights off, at night, in a cozy place. It's certainly another "We're in paradise- most are not-
think twice about this" song- but one of passion and honesty, and strikingly blunt.




The Roof Is Leaking
From the 1981 album "Face Value"

"The Roof Is Leaking", is not what you think. For most, it's always misunderstood. I never thought it was about his
wife, and the situation surrounding thier divorce; but it most certainly is. This song is a direct translation of the feeling
of lonliness Phil was experiencing during the separation from his wife and children in 1980. [-"The Roof Is Leaking"-
Everything is falling apart, yet I'm still going to be strong through this- "oh I've tried to fix the fire, but you know the
damn thing's too old"- thier relationship]
Andrea left with the kids and went to Vancouver, Canada during a difficult time in thier relationship- she also left with
the man she cheated on Phil with- thier interior decorator. He was so alone, yet feeling powerful in writing these
cathartic songs of Face Value. If you listen again, you will notice these references...