# Favorite Phil Collins/Genesis song? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 12, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322 "2020-01-12T21:51:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/41 "2020-01-14T00:21:00Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Phil Collins & Phillip Bailey, [Easy Lover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkRKT6T0QLg), no question. Nails on a blackboard would be preferable. Big Phil Collins fan, up to a point. Did not like any of his solo work. With Genesis, as a drummer, check out [The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pteh5hdZlg). With Genesis, as a singer and drummer, listen to [Seconds Out](https://www.amazon.com/Seconds-Out-remastered-GENESIS/dp/B000002J29). In particluar, **Cinema Show** with last part having Phil and Bill Bruford on drums. That is probably my favorite. Also check out Phil playing drums on several tracks of Robert Plant’s first 2 solo albums. In particular, [Burning Down One Side](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_Down_One_Side). Magnificent. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/42 "2020-01-14T11:36:15Z")
> [@Sefton](#): > > I’m a big fan as well. Favorites are [In the Air Tonight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN3x-kAbgFU) and [I Wish It Would Rain Down](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcY3FH208l8). Same here. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/43 "2020-01-14T13:03:51Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > As for Peter Gabriel albums, Phil contributed the drum part to “Intruder” from _Peter Gabriel_ (Melt) in 1980, in which he made drum audio processing history and thereby set himself upon a decade of adventures with gated reverb drums. Huh. The drums in that song sound to me like that typical 80s sound that always reminds me of lids being smashed onto big metal trash cans/bins. Random example: [Roxette’s “Joyride.”](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xCorJG9mubk) Is this the “gated reverb drums” of which you speak, and do I understand correctly that Phil Collins was an early innovator/popularizer (even if he didn’t use it so much on his own 80s output)? If so, that’s cool (even though I personally don’t like the sound). ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/44 "2020-01-14T13:33:48Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Huh. The drums in that song sound to me like that typical 80s sound that always reminds me of lids being smashed onto big metal trash cans/bins. Random example: [Roxette’s “Joyride.”](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xCorJG9mubk) > > Is this the “gated reverb drums” of which you speak, and do I understand correctly that Phil Collins was an early innovator/popularizer (even if he didn’t use it so much on his own 80s output)? If so, that’s cool (even though I personally don’t like the sound). IIRC, when they were recording Gabriel’s third album (melting face), his direction to Collins and Jerry Marotta was that there should be no cymbals, only drums. Which inspired Collins to develop the gated reverb technique. I know the 80s drum sound that you’re referring to, but I always thought that sounded more like “electronic cymbal crashes”. Here’s the Wikipedia page on gated reverb: [Gated reverb - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gated_reverb) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/45 "2020-01-14T19:55:10Z")
Thanks. Yes, this was it. “Born in the USA” is the iconic example for me (and featured in this helpful video, cited in the Wikipedia article): [How a recording-studio mishap shaped '80s music - YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxz6jShW-3E) The effect could be done tastefully, as in most of the Phil Collins examples, or (in my mind), awfully — the garbage-can lids — as in the Springsteen example. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/46 "2020-01-14T20:09:18Z")
Blood on the Rooftops End of discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/47 "2020-01-14T20:21:12Z")
Like others here, my favorite Genesis song came long before Phil stepped out from behind the drum kit. [The Musical Box](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W35wtfcByIY) Great backing vocals and harmonies from Phil though. And, oh my, what a drummer he was. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/48 "2020-01-14T20:25:30Z")
> [@Doyle](#): > > Blood on the Rooftops > > End of discussion. Lovely—thanks. The lyrics (by Steve Hackett) are as English as anything by, say, the Jam. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/49 "2020-01-15T12:36:21Z")
One more Phil Collins trivia item: He was in the film _A Hard Day’s Night_. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/50 "2020-03-04T14:22:21Z")
He also is a huge fan of Alamo history: > **[Phil Collins Collection](https://www.thealamo.org/visit/whats-at-the-alamo/phil-collins-collection)** > > Get a sneak peek of design renderings that show increased gallery space and room for interactive exhibits and learning opportunities. [https://www.history.com/news/phil-collins-has-always-remembered-the-alamo](https://www.history.com/news/phil-collins-has-always-remembered-the-alamo) > **[$100 Million 'Phil Collins Alamo Collection' in the Works](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/100-million-phil-collins-alamo-collection-in-the-works-64400/)** > > A January measure in Texas legislature will declare Collins an “Honorary Texan” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/51 "2020-03-04T14:23:43Z")
Oh, and Genesis is going to go on tour again (yes, Collins too): [Genesis to tour with Phil Collins in 2020 | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/04/entertainment/genesis-reunion-intl-scli-gbr/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/52 "2020-03-04T14:49:25Z")
I’ve seen them twice. However, all the dates I’ve seen for the 2020 tour are in the UK. That doesn’t do me any good. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/53 "2020-03-04T15:37:14Z")
Looks like you’re right. You can arrange for an alert here when any US dates are announced, though: [https://www.stereoboard.com/genesis-tickets](https://www.stereoboard.com/genesis-tickets) ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/54 "2020-03-04T15:42:21Z")
Does the terrible, awful thought cross anyone else’s mind that this might be some kind of “last wish” for Mr. Collins?😕 I hate to even articulate that thought but after his appearance in my area several months ago, I was sure that would be his last tour. I certainly hope that’s not the case. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/55 "2020-03-04T15:50:12Z")
The CNN article I linked to above quotes Collins as saying he expected their 2007 tour to be their last. My favorite Phil Collins (not Genesis) songs, BTW: “Why Can’t It Wait 'Til Morning” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/IjDn-FoVWRs/hqdefault.jpg "Phil Collins - Why can't it wait 'til the morning (1982)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjDn-FoVWRs) “Son of Man” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tiBaBca7-rY/maxresdefault.jpg "Son of Man") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiBaBca7-rY) The Liebrand radio edit of “In the Air Tonight” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Q4xh5He2S1w/hqdefault.jpg "Phil Collins In the air tonight 80th Remix best ever") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4xh5He2S1w) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/56 "2020-03-04T16:08:31Z")
"Revenge of the “Giant Hogweed”. If you require Genesis songs with Phil as vocalist, I’ll go with “Turn It On Again” and “Abacab”. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/57 "2020-03-04T16:52:12Z")
I like the jazzy feel of That’s All [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Vzyn60Zns-E/maxresdefault.jpg "Genesis - That's All (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzyn60Zns-E) ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322/58 "2020-03-09T15:39:57Z")
Paperlate was not a Phil solo tune that became a Genesis tune. It was derived from Genesis soundchecking 1973’s “Dancing With the Moonlit Knight”, where the lyric “paperate, cried a voice in the crowd”, was riffed on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-phil-collins-genesis-song/846322.md?page=2)