I recently read an article in Rolling Stone about Phil Collins and his withdrawal from public life as a reaction to relentless bashing of his music.
Collins, who was one of the 80s biggest stars thanks to hits such as ‘Sussudio’ and ‘Against All Odds,’ not to mention his popular work with Genesis (‘Land of Confusion’ and ‘Invisible Touch’ to name just a couple), now spends almost all of his time curating an impressive collection of Alamo memorabilia.
He is actually one of the world’s top collectors of artifacts from the Alamo and was touched and proud to be accepted into their world as an equal. Fascinating.
When the 80s ended and the darker, heavier 90s began, Collins fell out of fashion. Next to the grunge acts dominating the musical landscape he seemed like the worst kind of adult-contemporary schlock-meister. And suddenly it became a sport to equate the name Phil Collins with anything tired and lame.
This criticism extended to his work with Genesis, where the popular sentiment became that he took a pretty cool band over from Peter Gabriel and turned it into a cheese factory.
And these jabs didn’t slow down with time… in fact, they got worse. Even after he’d stopped recording regularly, throughout the first decade of the new millennium, you could find biting criticism of Collins and his work all over the internet. He became a punching bag and a punch line.
All of this hit him pretty hard, to the point that he no longer calls himself Phil, preferring Phillip, and seeks to disassociate himself with his past career as much as possible. And this is a guy who made a fortune selling records to people who loved what they were hearing (at least at the time).
This all strikes me as quite unfair. I admit I haven’t listened to Face Value, his 1981 solo debut, in years but I remember it as being pretty damn great. ‘You Know What I Mean’ is one of the great heartbreak songs… he should get a pass for writing that one alone.
But the true Phil Collins Lifetime Immunity from Internet Bullshit Award is owed to him for penning and recording today’s SOTD, ‘In the Air Tonight.’ I’d love to see the haters take shots at this song. Crockett and Tubbs would kick their sorry asses.
It just occurred to me that I didn’t include ‘In the Air Tonight’ in my 80s countdown, which kind of makes that whole exercise pointless. This is a quintessential 80s song that’s as cool today as it was back then.
Whether it’s the way it was used in the Miami Vice pilot (a groundbreaking event in the marriage of music and dramatic television) or the urban legends that have sprung up around it (no, Collins did not write this song to get back at a guy who let a friend drown), ‘In the Air Tonight’ has a life and impact that reaches beyond the music.
So put down the coonskin cap, Phil, and embrace your musical legacy! You have nothing to be ashamed of.
I’ve been waiting for this moment, all my life, Oh Lord
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord, Oh Lord
Well, if you told me you were drowning
I would not lend a hand
I’ve seen your face before my friend
But I don’t know if you know who I am
Well, I was there and I saw what you did
I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off the grin, I know where you’ve been
It’s all been a pack of lies
And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord
I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, Oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, Oh Lord, Oh Lord
And I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life, Oh Lord, Oh Lord
Well I remember, I remember don’t worry
How could I ever forget, it’s the first time, the last time we ever met
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, no you don’t fool me
The hurt doesn’t show; but the pain still grows
It’s no stranger to you or me
And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord…
Meet Me In Montauk 
I was a fan of Genesis under Phil Collins early on. Unfortunately, with each new album, the band became more and more pop and less and less interesting. Early songs like “Follow You, Follow Me,” “Misunderstanding,” “Turn It On Again.” “no Reply at All,” and “Man on the Corner.” They started to lose me after their album Genesis, and really lost me with Invisible Touch. I felt similarly about Collins’ solo career–really liked Face Value and Hello, I Must Be Going. But he lost me with No Jacket Required and that rather insipid “Susudio.” I will say that there were redeeming moments though even on that album, with “Take Me Home” always resonating with me.
Collins obviously was moving both Genesis and himself into pop with each effort and, while he was transitioning, the songs remained quite good. But he definitely tilted by the mid to late 80’s and deserves some of the bashing he has received.
Still, the man was/is no doubt a talent and he also seems like a decent guy, so I would love to see him make a comeback and have him remembered for the many good and great songs he did. Today’s song is, of course, certainly one of them..
Okay, I step in now as one of the cheese lovers. I loved every second of “Against All Odds” and “Separate Lives,” not to mention great Tarzan songs like “You’ll Be in My Heart,” “Son of Man,” and “Strangers Like Me.” I enjoy every musical moment of all of those songs, so when those Internet “critics” bash Mr. Collins, they are bashing fans like me.
Good Old Phillip and I simply need to blow those critics off. Who the hell cares what “they” say, when Phil Collins’ music has given so much pleasure to so many people?
Listen to your own lyrics, man! That said, if you want to spend your days thinking about the alamo, then you certainly have earned the right to do so. Still, I hope you don’t disassociate yourself from the great music (like today’s SOTD) you have created.
I have always loved this song and it was a great marriage of music and TV as Clay said.