Born and raised in west London, Collins played drums from the age of five and completed drama school training, which secured him various roles as a child actor, with his first major role, aged 13, as the Artful Dodger in the West End musical Oliver!. He then pursued a music career, joining Genesis in 1970 as their drummer and becoming lead singer in 1975 following the departure of Peter Gabriel. Collins began a successful solo career in the 1980s, initially inspired by his marital breakdown and love of soul music, releasing the albums Face Value (1981), Hello, I Must Be Going! (1982), No Jacket Required (1985) and ...But Seriously (1989). Collins became, in the words of AllMusic, "one of the most successful pop and adult contemporary singers of the '80s and beyond". He also became known for a distinctive gated reverb drum sound on many of his recordings. In 1985, he was the only artist to perform at both Live Aid concerts. He also resumed his acting career, appearing in Miami Vice and subsequently starring in the film Buster (1988). In 1996, Collins left Genesis to focus on solo work; this included writing songs for Disney's Tarzan (1999) for which he received an Oscar for Best Original Song for "You'll Be in My Heart". He rejoined Genesis for their Turn It On Again Tour in 2007. Following a five-year retirement to focus on his family life, Collins released an autobiography in 2016 and completed his Not Dead Yet Tour in 2019. He then rejoined Genesis in 2020 for a second reunion tour, ending in March 2022.
Collins's discography includes eight studio albums that have sold 33.5 million certified units in the US and an estimated 150 million records sold worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling artists. He is one of only three recording artists, along with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, who have sold over 100 million records both as solo artists and separately as principal members of a band. He has won eight Grammy Awards, six Brit Awards (winning Best British Male Artist three times), two Golden Globe Awards, one Academy Award, and a Disney Legend Award. He was awarded six Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, including the International Achievement Award. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010. He has also been recognised by music publications with induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2012, and the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Collins
Studio albums
Face Value (1981)
Hello, I Must Be Going! (1982)
No Jacket Required (1985)
...But Seriously (1989)
Both Sides (1993)
Dance into the Light (1996)
Testify (2002)
Going Back (2010)
Against All Odds
Phil Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just let you leave without a trace?
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all
How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave?
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
You're the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Ooh, take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against the odds
And that's what I've got to face
I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Now take a look at me now
'Cause that's just an empty space
But to wait for you is all I can do
And that's what I've gotta face
Take a good look at me now
'Cause I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It's the chance I've got to take
Take a look at me now
"Against All Odds" is a ballad by Phil Collins that was released in 1984 for the soundtrack of the movie of the same name. The song features Phil Collins pleading to a lost lover "how can I just let you walk away / Just let you leave without a trace?" and reminiscing on their shared experiences, pain, and laughter. Collins acknowledges that his lover is the only person who really knew him and that he can only wait for them to return despite the odds being against him.
The emotions conveyed in the lyrics are powerful and heartfelt, making them relatable to anyone who has experienced heartbreak and loss. The song deals with themes such as love and loss that connect with the audience on an emotional level. It is a classic example of an 80s love ballad, complete with a powerful vocal performance, emotional lyrics, and a soaring melody.
The song has been covered by many artists and is a timeless classic that still resonates with people today. It speaks to the timeless nature of human emotions and how love, heartbreak, and loss are universal experiences that we can all relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I just let you walk away
Phil Collins is questioning himself as to how he can allow his loved one to leave him without saying anything.
Just let you leave without a trace?
He is wondering how he can let his loved one leave without a sign or trail.
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh
Phil Collins mentions that he is breathing the same air as his loved one as they stand together.
You're the only one who really knew me at all
He acknowledges that his loved one is the only one who could understand and know him for who he really is.
How can you just walk away from me
Phil Collins questions how his loved one can just walk away from him without any explanation.
When all I can do is watch you leave?
He feels helpless and can only watch his loved one leave while he can't do anything to stop them.
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
He knows that they have been through both good and bad times together.
And even shared the tears
They have cried together and have shared their deepest emotions.
So take a look at me now
Phil Collins asks his loved one to see him now and take a good look at him.
Well there's just an empty space
He mentions that he is feeling empty and incomplete without his loved one.
And there's nothing left here to remind me
There are no reminders of his loved one, and he feels like everything has changed now that they're not around.
Just the memory of your face
The only thing he has left is his memory of her face, which he can never forget.
I wish I could just make you turn around
Phil Collins wishes he could make his loved one turn around and see how much he cares for her.
Turn around and see me cry
He wants her to see how much her leaving has affected him emotionally and caused him to cry.
There's so much I need to say to you
He has so many things to say to his loved one, which he hasn't been able to say yet.
So many reasons why
He has many reasons to give her, as to why she should stay with him.
But to wait for you is all I can do
All he can do now is wait for her to come back to him.
And that's what I've gotta face
He knows that he has to come to terms with the reality of the situation.
Take a good look at me now
Phil Collins asks his loved one to take a good look at him now and see what she's done to him.
'Cause I'll still be standing here
Even though she's left him, Phil Collins will still be standing where she left him.
And you coming back to me is against all odds
He realizes that the chances of his loved one coming back to him are very unlikely.
It's the chance I've gotta take
But he's willing to take that chance, even though it may not work out in his favour.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Phillip David Charles Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MsMaxx88
2024 anyone? <3
@NisaaAmmara
April 2024
@charleselstubsongs
The man is 100% music talent, zero ego, all genius. Love you Phil.
@soniamattos4876
Concordo com a sua colocação.
@lebnajeudy9399
👍Fully agree👍 Thank you Phil Collins February 2024. Big hugs from France❤
@jjsifo1
Got that right !
@ryuka5730
Phill Collins is a true Master music...!!!
@globalclothes5859
Me encanta , la persona , sus canciones , cuantos buenos recuerdos ❤🎉💃🤗👌😍
@SoftRockBallads_232
To all those who come across this message, may your days be bright, your dreams be big, and your heart be full.
@mickem4322
One of the Best songs ever written.. The Melody, emotion and pure talent is just beautiful !! Thanks Phil !! <3