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)
Take A Look At Me Now
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 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 got to 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
The lyrics of Phil Collins's song Against All Odds describe the pain of losing someone you love and the hope of them returning to you. The singer is struggling to come to terms with the fact that the person they love is leaving them behind, and they cannot do anything to stop them. The lyrics are filled with regret and longing - the singer wishes they had said more to the person they love and is now left with just the memory of their face.
The chorus of the song begins with the line "So take a look at me now", which is a plea for the person to consider the singer's feelings and see the emptiness they are leaving behind. The singer acknowledges that the chances of the person returning are slim, but they are willing to take that chance because they cannot imagine living without them.
The imagery in the lyrics is powerful and emotive, and the use of repetition drives home the pain and longing felt by the singer. Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the complex emotions that come with losing someone you love.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I just let you walk away,
I am unable to comprehend how I can allow you to go away,
Just let you leave without a trace?
Simply letting you depart without a single hint or indication.
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh ooh
In this moment, I stand beside you, breathing in every bit of air you breathe.
You're the only one who really knew me at all
Out of everyone, you understood and knew my true self.
How can you just walk away from me
How can you simply leave me behind?
When all I can do is watch you leave?
My only action is to witness your departure.
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
Because we have experienced both happiness and sorrow together.
And even shared the tears
Together we have shed tears.
So take a look at me now
Observe me at present.
Well there's just an empty space
My surroundings contain an absence of anything significant or worthwhile.
And there's nothing left here to remind me
There is nothing present here to bring back memories of the past.
Just the memory of your face
Only the recollection of your countenance remains with me.
Ooh, Take a look at me now
Behold me currently.
Well there's just an empty space
My immediate surroundings contain nothing substantial.
And you coming back to me is against the odds
The likelihood of you returning to me is incredibly low.
And that's what I've got to face,
I must confront this truth.
I wish I could just make you turn around
I desire to make you face me.
Turn around and see me cry
So that you can witness me shedding tears.
There's so much I need to say to you
I have many things to express to you.
So many reasons why
Numerous motives backing my stance.
Now Take a look at me now
Gaze upon me in the present moment.
'Cause that's just an empty space
The space I occupy possesses no substantial objects or people.
But to wait for you is all I can do
However, I have no option but to wait for you.
And that's what I've got to face
I must come to terms with this truth.
Take a good look at me now
Observe me intently at this moment.
'Cause I'll still be standing here
I shall remain present in this location.
And you coming back to me is against all odds
The prospect of you returning to me seems very unlikely.
It's the chance I've got to take
However, I must still take this chance.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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