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)
If Leaving Me Is Easy
Phil Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And though it's past now, and the words start to fade
All the memories I have still remain
I've kept all the pictures, but I hide my feelings so no-one knows
Oh sure my friends all come round, but I'm in a crowd on my own
It's 'cause you're gone now, but your heart, still remains
And it'll be here if you come again
You see, I'd heard the rumors, I knew before you let me know
But I didn't believe it, not you,
No you would not let me go
Seems I was wrong, but I love, I love you the same
And that's the one thing that you can't take away but just remember
If leaving me is easy,
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
The song "If Leaving Me is Easy" by Phil Collins is an emotional ballad that explores the complex feelings of hurt, loss and love. The singer sings about the pain of separation and the longing for someone who has left them. The lyrics are poignant and beautiful, and the melody is haunting and melancholy.
The first verse begins with the singer expressing his sadness and loneliness after his lover has left him. He confesses to having read all her letters and keeping her pictures close, even though he hides his feelings from the outside world. The memories of her remain fresh in his mind, even though she is no longer physically present.
In the second verse, the singer talks about how he had heard rumors about his lover leaving him, but he chose not to believe them. He loved her deeply and couldn't fathom the thought of her leaving him. However, when she actually did leave, he was devastated, but his love for her stayed the same. The chorus then repeats the lines "If leaving me is easy and you know, coming back is harder," emphasizing the theme of the difficulty of letting go of love and moving on.
In conclusion, "If Leaving Me is Easy" is a beautiful expression of love and heartbreak. Its lyrics showcase the complexity of human emotions and the pain of separation, while the melody reinforces the song's melancholic sentiment. It is a song that continues to connect with people all over the world and remains a classic of its genre.
Line by Line Meaning
I read all the letters, I read each word that you've sent to me
I carefully read and preserved every letter and word you sent to me
And though it's past now, and the words start to fade
Even though it's in the past, the meaningful words are still clear in my mind
All the memories I have still remain
I still cherish all the memories we shared together
I've kept all the pictures, but I hide my feelings so no-one knows
I keep all the pictures of us, but I hide my emotions from others
Oh sure my friends all come round, but I'm in a crowd on my own
Although my friends are always around me, I feel alone because you're not here
It's 'cause you're gone now, but your heart, still remains
You may be physically gone, but your love still lingers within me
And it'll be here if you come again
My love for you will still be here if you ever decide to come back
You see, I'd heard the rumors, I knew before you let me know
I had already heard the rumors about you leaving before you told me yourself
But I didn't believe it, not you, no you would not let me go
I didn't want to believe that you would actually leave me, because I trusted you
Seems I was wrong, but I love, I love you the same
It turned out I was wrong about you not leaving, but I still love you just as much
And that's the one thing that you can't take away but just remember
Even if you leave me, you can never take away the love I have for you
If leaving me is easy, and you know, coming back is harder
It might be easy for you to leave me, but it will be much harder to come back
And leaving me is easy and you know, coming back is harder
Leaving me won't be difficult, but returning will be much more challenging for you
And leaving me is easy, and you know, coming back is harder
Even though it won't be hard for you to leave me, it will be much tougher to come back
And leaving me is easy, and you know, coming back is harder
It may seem easy for you to leave me, but returning will be a difficult journey
And leaving me is easy, and you know, coming back is harder
Although it might be easy for you to leave me, returning will be a challenge
And leaving me is easy, and you know, coming back is harder
Walking away from me will be simple, but making a return will be tough
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Phil Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@biancafalaschi1490
lyrics:
“I read all the letters, I read each word that you've sent to me
And though it's past now, and the words start to fade
All the memories I have still remain
I've kept all the pictures, but I hide my feelings so no-one knows
Oh sure my friends all come round, but I'm in a crowd on my own
It's 'cause you're gone now, but your heart, still remains
And it'll be here if you come again
You see, I'd heard the rumors, I knew before you let me know
But I didn't believe it, not you,
No you would not let me go
Seems I was wrong, but I love, I love you the same
And that's the one thing that you can't take away but just remember
If leaving me is easy,
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder
And leaving me is easy
And you know, coming back is harder”
@Roman7-
J'ai lu chaque lettre, j'ai lu chaque mot que tu m'as envoyé,
Et même si c'est le passé maintenant, les mots commencent à partir,
Et tous les souvenirs que j'ai, reste,
J'ai gardé toutes les photos, mais je cache mes sentiments pour que personne ne sache
Oh c'est sûr, tous mes amis tournent la page, mais moi je suis seul dans la foule,
Car même si tu es partie, ton cœur est toujours présent,
Et je serais là quand tu reviendras,
Tu verras, j'ai entendu les rumeurs, je le savais avant que tu m'en fasses part,
Mais je n'y croyais pas, pas toi,
Non, tu me laisserais pas
Ont dirait que j'ai eu tort, mais je t'aime, je t'aime toujours autant.
Et c'est la seule chose que tu ne peux pas m'enlever, mais souviens-toi,
Si me laisser est facile
Et tu sais que revenir est plus dur
Si me laisser est facile
Et tu sais que revenir est plus dur
Si me laisser est facile
Et tu sais que revenir est plus dur
Si me laisser est facile
Et tu sais que revenir est plus dur
Si me laisser est facile
Et tu sais que revenir est plus dur
Si me laisser est facile
Et tu sais que revenir est plus dur
Si me laisser est facile
@cassi05
this song was released in 1981... it's 2023... and 40 years from now it will still be beautiful and timeless... congratulations Mr Phil Collins.
@deanthompson4028
I have thought the very same thing! Music can be timeless in some cases. Like this pne.
@joedirac
Anyone who has ever had their heart broken can relate to the powerful emotions expressed in this classic Phil Collins song.
@bethmiller3635
Yes ......
@TheAceSpaceman
Oh I remember my first real heart break...I spend nights crying at this song.
@dinalawmon9149
Yes iam listening to it now broken tp pieces. My lover dump me and he's with my daughter, can't stop crying. Thanks phillyxx
@paulainsworth9229
heartbroken , by a women who bared my beautiful daughter, took me for £22,000, a rented property in favour of shagging multiple men, who were on dole etc, the latest has got 2 more with her, and has multiple kids with other mothers, and guess what, they are no longer together, and now she's got three kids, moved back into moms after having been evicted by her council for lack of rent payment, ( I only got told after daughter found it funny) and then uses my daughter to try and get even more money off me cos daddy of the other 2 kids can't pay his way.
@paulainsworth9229
her words, " I don't think we should be together anymore" why ? "because" that's not answer, " I can do it on my own, it's easier!" Hmm look how that's worked out"
@kevinlally5617
From 1981 to 2023 Phil’s lyrics are timeless .
You take so much from this ballad , vocally Phil is brilliant the soft percussion eases you through the song .
In my top ten of all time classics
@Nostalgic-Lady
It's one thing to write brutally heart-rending lyrics, but to deliver such a wistful and sincere vocal just completes the package. "Oh sure, my friends all come round, but I'm in a crowd and on my own ..." 💔 Have loved this absolute masterpiece forever - but to anyone who hasn't personally experienced the sentiment of it, lucky you ...