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)
HeatWave
Phil Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something inside starts burning
And I'm filled with fire
Stop this, it's got a hold on me
I said this ain't the way it's supposed to be
It's like a heatwave burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
(Heatwave)
Tearing me apart
Whenever he calls my name
Sounds so soft sweet and plain
I feel this burning pain
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
Is this the way love's supposed to be
It's like a heatwave burning in my heart
(It's like a heatwave)
I can't keep from crying
(Heatwave)
Tearing me apart
(Ooh, ooh heatwave)
(Ooh, ooh heatwave)
(Ah, ah, ah, ah)
So I'm starin' into space
Tears all over my face
I can't explain it
Don't understand it
I ain't never felt like this before
Well that funny feeling has me amazed
I don't know what to do
My head's in a haze
I got the heatwave
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Oh, he's gonna love her)
(Yes he's gonna love her)
Yeah, yeah
(Oh, he's gonna love her)
(Oh you know he's gonna love her)
Don't pass up this change, it could lead to romance
Oh, heatwave
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah,
Oh heatwave
Oh, yeah
Heatwave, yeah, heatwave
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
Heatwave, yeah, heatwave
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
The lyrics to Phil Collins's song Heatwave are about the intense feelings of love that the singer experiences whenever he is with the person he loves. He describes how that person has a hold on him and fills him with fire whenever they are together. The singer is overwhelmed by this intense emotion and questions whether this is how love is supposed to feel. The chorus repeats the idea of a heatwave burning in his heart and tearing him apart, which highlights the strong emotions he is feeling.
The second verse describes how the person he loves calls his name and how it causes him to feel pain due to the high blood pressure that he experiences. The singer can't explain or understand why he feels this way and is amazed at the intensity of the emotions that he is experiencing. The bridge of the song describes how the singer is tearful and struggling to make sense of what he is feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever I'm with you
Every time I'm with you
Something inside starts burning
I feel a strong emotional response that's difficult to control
And I'm filled with fire
It intensifies and makes me feel passionate
Stop this, it's got a hold on me
I want to put an end to this feeling because it's overpowering me
I said this ain't the way it's supposed to be
I feel that this isn't how love should be
It's like a heatwave burning in my heart
It feels like an intense heat is emanating from my chest
(It's like a heatwave)
I can't keep from crying
This emotion is overwhelming and makes me cry
(Heatwave)
Tearing me apart
It hurts me deeply and causes emotional pain
Whenever he calls my name
Every time he says my name
Sounds so soft sweet and plain
His voice is gentle and soothing
I feel this burning pain
I get this intense feeling of discomfort
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
These intense feelings are overwhelming me and causing physical symptoms like high blood pressure
Is this the way love's supposed to be
I wonder if love is supposed to feel like this
So I'm starin' into space
I'm lost in thought and not paying attention to my surroundings
Tears all over my face
I'm crying uncontrollably
I can't explain it
I don't understand this feeling
Don't understand it
I'm aware that I don't know why I feel this way
I ain't never felt like this before
I've never experienced this kind of emotion before
Well that funny feeling has me amazed
This strange sensation is surprising me
I don't know what to do
I'm unsure of what action to take
My head's in a haze
I'm feeling confused and disoriented
I got the heatwave
I'm experiencing intense feelings of love and passion
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Oh, he's gonna love her)
(Yes he's gonna love her)
Yeah, yeah
(Oh, he's gonna love her)
(Oh you know he's gonna love her)
Don't pass up this change, it could lead to romance
Take a chance on love, it could lead to a romantic relationship
Oh, heatwave
Oh, intense feeling of love and passion
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah,
Oh heatwave
Oh, intense feeling of love and passion
Oh, yeah
Oh, yes
Heatwave, yeah, heatwave
Intense feeling of love and passion
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
Intense, passionate feelings
Heatwave, yeah, heatwave
Intense feeling of love and passion
Burnin' burnin' burnin'
Intense, passionate feelings
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ethan Smith
I'm impressed at how the song doesn't sound "modernized," but yet it still sounds uniquely Phil. He sounds good for his age and all the health problems he's been through recently.
pungooer
When I remember the original version I cant help but recall the Vietnam war and all the songs that were around then. Although I love this song and Phil does a great rendition I am reminded of all the young men who are fighting again only this time in Afghanistan. God bless them all and keep them safe and bring them home to those that love and cherish them. This generation will recall this song in years to come and they too will be reminded of war.
Alec Klipslec
This song is one of the best styles for me. Phil Collins was one of the best drummers in the world I love.
MrsAppleTree
They truly nailed it!!!!! It’s fascinating how perfectly it’s worked out. I’m amazed how they captured the atmosphere, it’s fantastic 👌👌👌
tander4100
He sounds as good today as he did 20 years ago. His voice hasn't changed one bit!
BrendanPerring
This man has simply give me a lifetime of smiles, just got up and danced around my office:)
Michael David
This is brilliant it sounded like it was recorded back in the 60's. Sounds just like the original.
Jude Tony
an amazing musician. Most critics could not tie his shoes.
Anique
Phil is the Number One! All of your songs touched my heart and I love this song. Going Back is #1 in the album charts in Holland. I ♥ PHIL COLLINS
aquario9
Os instrumentos de sopro trazem uma nobreza para as cançoes seja rock, blues ou qualquer outra, Phil Collins sempre traz o melhor das bandas para abrilhantar suas interpretaçoes seja bateria, backing vocals, sopros e guitarras quanto não é o piano. Brilhant.