Tonight, I more or less spun the wheel, said “Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe” and let the chips fall where they may. I liked where they fell … can never go wrong with Phil Collins … and so here we are … In the Air Tonight!
I could have sworn that I had played this one here before, for it is among my favourites by Phil Collins, but a thorough search did not find it, so apparently I dreamed I played it! It happens … some days I wake up thinking that I’ve already cooked supper, or taken a shower, when in fact all I’ve done is sleep!
Collins wrote this song about the anger he felt after divorcing his first wife, Andrea Bertorelli, in 1980 – he was so devastated that he left Genesis for a short time. All of the original songs on the Face Value album, including the follow-up hit I Missed Again, were at one time intended to be “messages” to his first wife in an attempt to lure her back to him.
The lingering tension caused by the divorce led Collins to the title, as these negative feelings were In The Air, and affecting not just the couple getting divorced, but the entire family.
By the time the album was released, Collins had moved on and was dating Jill Tavelman, who became his second wife. His split with Jill would inspire the songs on Collins’ 1993 album Both Sides.
The meaning of this song became a pervasive urban myth. The story, which is not true, is that Collins watched as a man who raped his wife drowned. Another version has Collins writing this about about a man who watched another drown, and singing it to him at a concert. Yet another variation claims that when Collins was a young boy, he witnessed a man drowning someone but was too far away to help. Later, he hired a private detective to find the man, sent him a free ticket to his concert, and premiered the song that night with the spotlight on the man the whole time. We repeat, these stories are not true.
This was Collins’ first single as a solo artist; he claims that he offered it up as a Genesis song, but that his bandmates rejected it, saying it was “too simple.” Tony Banks of Genesis insists that Collins never played them the song.
There are shorter versions of this song, but I like this one for its dramatic presentation …
In the Air Tonight
Phil Collins
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
And I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand
I’ve seen your face before my friend, but I don’t know if you know who I am
Well I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you’ve been
It’s all been a pack of lies
And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well I remember, I remember, don’t worry, how could I ever forget
It’s the first time, the last time we ever met
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, oh no you don’t fool me
Well the hurt doesn’t show, but the pain still grows
It’s no stranger to you and me
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
And I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord
Songwriters: Phil Collins
In the Air Tonight lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Concord Music Publishing LLC
Love Phil’s music! Great song and oooh the way rumors spread, with the versions of the meaning of this song. Crazy! As always thanks for sharing, my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you loved Phil!!! He could sing to me all night long! Yeah, methinks some people have nothing better to do than sit around and make up rumours! How are you doing, my friend?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doing pretty good, had a nice getaway this weekend at peacdful and beautiful waterfalls! Time to breathe!
How are you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your weekend getaway sounds delightful! I’m okay … just okay … maybe be better after November 3rd, but then … maybe not. Sigh.
LikeLike
Really really really hoping that we are all better after the 3rd!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Phil is terrific. Thanks, Jill. This was a great producttion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
production
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t even noticed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked it! He not only has a beautiful voice, but is an entertainer, has the persona to go along with his talent. Some don’t. Glad you liked it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing, Jill! One can not hear it often enough. Sir Phil is wonderful, in all his work. Enjoy the day! Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you liked it, Michael! You’re right … I could listen to Phil all day long … and James Taylor … and Stevie Wonder … sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Stevie Wonder is famous too. There are some song one can never forget, and they all are with a very positive impact.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this piece very much, Jill. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad! My pleasure, Suzanne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jill, recognizing Phil Collins is a drummer, I love the drumming that frames this song. It is one of his best. Keith
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too, though there isn’t much he has done that I don’t like. I’m glad you liked this one!
LikeLike
I’ll always remember the first time I heard this song. I’d never heard anything like it before. Those drums are incredible! I love Phil, both as a soloist and with Genesis.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t remember the first time I heard it, but I have always loved this one. But then, in my book, anything Phil does is bound to be good! Glad you liked it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can’t go wrong with a bit of Mr Collins. Unique talent. Great songs Great Singer and drummer.
Cwtch
LikeLiked by 1 person
I chose well, then! Hope your toes were tapping a bit.
Cwtch
LikeLiked by 1 person