I am in the middle of reading the Phil Collins autobiography.
It is a great read.
Of course since it is me I am
going deep into the Collins catalog.
Besides the big roomy gated
drum sound, his songwriting and vocals are really emotional as well.
His schmaltzy words epitomize
the 1980s in a way that kind of defines a time once past.
If I may be so bold and draw
some lines that Phil Collins did what Beethoven did in his latter period in
that he created "music as drama." Using his compositions to reflect
on his own struggles. Yes, yes I know that many, many, MANY artists do this...I
guess what I am getting at is that I think Phil Collins' body of work should be
noticed academically.
I have participated in many
discussions about who will be remembered and studied from the popular music in
the 20th and 21st century. There has been much discovery in the social context
angle of music study and I think there is definitely room for study of Phil
Collins' music.
His drum sound is recognizable
and his song writing (not in all cases) memorable.
Besides his own material he was
the drummer on recordings by Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, Eric
Clapton, Quincy Jones, and of course, Band Aid's "Do They Know It's
Christmas?"
I want to delve into his
songwriting.
Yes, they are put in some kind
of AABA kind of variation, but the lyrical content at times is so dramatic that
it reminds me of opera like Tosca, Carmen, or one of Verdi's
works.
It reflects on heartbreak that
was pre-internet. This mix tape ethos of having to use your imagination to what
a love lost is up to...
Some of the phrases that I think reflect this notion of love heartbreak.
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
I try to forget and yet, still rush to the telephone
I'm waiting in line
Would you say if I was wasting my time
Leave me alone with my heart
I'm putting the pieces back together again
Just leave, leave me alone with my dreams
I can do without you, know what I mean
There must be some misunderstanding
There must be some kind of mistake I waited in the rain for hours
And you were late
His delivery is also so very important in selling the pain. What makes this authentic is that most of his songs are about heartache that he experienced. Heartache not in a tortured kind of way, but a more everyperson kind of way.
A colleague of mine pointed out the other day that wondering what someone is up to is gone. Just message them on Facebook or check their Instagram. If you want to tell them how you feel with song, curate a Spotify playlist for them and don’t forget to include some Phil Collins. He knows that you can’t hurry love.
I'm putting the pieces back together again
Just leave, leave me alone with my dreams
I can do without you, know what I mean
There must be some misunderstanding
There must be some kind of mistake I waited in the rain for hours
And you were late
His delivery is also so very important in selling the pain. What makes this authentic is that most of his songs are about heartache that he experienced. Heartache not in a tortured kind of way, but a more everyperson kind of way.
A colleague of mine pointed out the other day that wondering what someone is up to is gone. Just message them on Facebook or check their Instagram. If you want to tell them how you feel with song, curate a Spotify playlist for them and don’t forget to include some Phil Collins. He knows that you can’t hurry love.
