Phillips grew up in Leesburg, Georgia and went to Lee County High School. He graduated Albany Technical College, but had to miss the graduation ceremony due to being on American Idol.
Phillips auditioned for American Idol in Savannah, Georgia. He auditioned by singing the Stevie Wonder song "Superstition." The judges then asked him to audition with his guitar where he performed Michael Jackson's "Thriller." He made it to the Hollywood rounds and later to Las Vegas round.
On February 23, 2012, Phillips was chosen as one of the Top 24 semi-finalists. For the semi-finals, he performed "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins. He was one of the top five male vote getters and advanced to the Top 13. After the Top 13 performance night, Phillips was taken to a doctor for possible kidney stones. The Home Songfacts reports that after advancing to the final, Phillips was declared the winner on May 23, 2012. He won with a record breaking total vote count of 132 million.
In The Air Tonight
Phillip Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to take you beside the sea
But I've got no transportation
No tires on the bike and the car's got a leak
I had an inspiration
Something's climbing above the trees
It's silent aviation
No bottlenecks on the A23
Eagle eye, one mile high, watch us fly
Love in a hot air balloon
Feelings of elation
Floating around in the atmosphere
It's pure intoxication
Moet Chandon et personne conduire
Losing elevation
The sands have run out and we're going down
She stubbed her cigarette out
And now we're on course for the Eiffel Tower
Me oh my, watch me fly, through the sky, higher and higher
Eagle eye, one mile high, watch us fly
Love in a hot air balloon
The lyrics of Phillip Phillips’s song In The Air Tonight describe the scenario of a man who wants to take his significant other to the sea but is facing transportation woes, as there are no tires on his bike and the car has a leak. But then suddenly, he gets inspired by something mystical as he sees silent aviation above the trees, with no bottlenecks on the A23. This leads him to fly higher and higher, through the sky with an eagle eye, reaching one mile high in a hot air balloon with his loved one. The feelings of elation, pure intoxication as they float around in the atmosphere; it is all a beautiful experience until the balloon loses elevation, and they are going down. They are headed toward disaster as they come crashing down towards the Eiffel Tower, but somehow they make it out alive.
Through poetic imagery, Phillips describes how the man, faced with a difficult situation, is inspired by a mystical experience, which takes him on an ethereal journey in a hot air balloon with his loved one. The song’s lyrics are open to interpretation, but the concepts of inspiration, imagination, and adventure are all clear. The writer seemed to encourage listeners to embrace unusual opportunities that come their way, take risks, and see where they lead. It is a beautiful love story with an unexpected adventure included.
Line by Line Meaning
What a situation
I find myself in a tricky predicament
I want to take you beside the sea
I desire to bring you to the ocean's side
But I've got no transportation
Unfortunately, I do not possess a means of travel
No tires on the bike and the car's got a leak
Both my bicycle and car are unusable due to broken parts
I had an inspiration
A moment of inspiration struck me
Something's climbing above the trees
An object is ascending above the treetops
It's silent aviation
This aircraft operates without disturbing the peace
No bottlenecks on the A23
The major road is free of congestion and delays
Me oh my, watch me fly, through the sky, higher and higher
Behold as I soar further and further up into the heavens
Eagle eye, one mile high, watch us fly
We fly gracefully as an eagle, ascending to great heights
Love in a hot air balloon
Romantic pursuit while suspended in a hot air balloon
Feelings of elation
Overwhelming sense of euphoria
Floating around in the atmosphere
Drifting aimlessly in the sky
It's pure intoxication
The experience is utterly intoxicating
Moet Chandon et personne conduire
Drinking expensive champagne while no one is in a state to drive
Losing elevation
Our balloon is descending to a lower altitude
The sands have run out and we're going down
We've exhausted our luck and our journey is ending
She stubbed her cigarette out
She extinguished her cigarette on the floor
And now we're on course for the Eiffel Tower
Our destination is set for the iconic Parisian landmark
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTHONY PHILLIPS, RICHARD SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carol Ju
I will never forget that performance!
lynnmlp
Holy S***! I forgot how good this was :-) He's the only Idol contestant ever (for me) that truly connects to every single lyric in ever song he does! He expresses the words with his voice, face, eyes and body! You know exactly what the song means when Phillip sings it!
Kayla Roberts
Exactly!! He always delivered with so much passion. At the time I couldn’t put it into words but he was very very impressive
Vanessa
My fave song by him...hes genius man...beautiful man and voice
Kayla Roberts
Still love this performance
Mid-Life Adventures
Oh Lawd, when this was on tv for the first time, I was drifting off to sleep on the sofa and knew I knew this song, but it took me a minute to place it. Again, I was falling asleep. When I placed it, I shot up and paid attention. I was like........WOW, WOW, WOW! I was never an Idol watcher, but because we live in Alb. and I teach in Lee Co., my hubby made me watch that year. We LOVE us some P squared.
W Jordan
that sax in the song is just golden, holy shit
Anita Hudson
The first time that i saw it i though: omg that's even better than Phil Collins....
Vanessa
Im in love gorgeous gorgeous man
Juan Doe
Same lyrics, different notes. o.O