He actually caught his wife with another man. During the time of the pending divorce he wrote this! I'm 73 years old and still listening to Phil Collins in 2024!!❤
Because a real drummer uses whatever he needs to create the right sound - nothing wrong with drum machines unless they are used when you need a real drummer@u
@@fionaashton1738Duh.... That was the POINT ☝🏽 of the comment, to begin with! Sure buzzed your tower... Heh heh straight over your head 😂! Is English your second language, or something? Just kidding.... But geez😅
The lyric is :"[Well]IF you told me you were drowing, I would not lend a hand." I've never understood how people miss the IF. Perspective of the husbamd to the co- worker of his wife who was having an affair. He saw them together and they didn't. Know, hence, " I was there and saw what you did, saw it with my own 2 eyes." And "it was the first ti.e- the last time we ever met." Lots of Love.
Maybe people misses the "if" because oftentimes he says "whether you told me you were drowning, I wouldn't lend a hand"... As he does here. 🙂 It can be misheard for something else, or just be "removed" as it isn't understood. 🙂
He's one of only three recording artists to hit over 100 million record sales both as a solo artist and over another 100 million as a member of a group. The other two are Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney.
@Vlasko60that's why people suggest artists. You're willing to listen to and learn about past artists, and they love introducing the great music that they loved, in their time.
@MarkCucchiara I did say if I'm not mistaken sir. So, I was mistaken about Stevie album sales but I was not mistaken about her being inducted twice. Have a blessed one!
Good Reaction and I saw Phil's first ever Top Of The Bill performance with his previous group:Genesis in 1972 at The Croydon Greyhound venue in South East London,England when the scheduled bill toppers disbanded the day before the gig:)
Phil describes himself as a drummer that can sing a bit. He was the Drummer for Genesis when Peter Gabriel left and they struggled to find a singer he stepped up … the rest is history.
Phil was the original drummer for the band Genesis when Peter Gabriel was the lead singer. When Peter left the band, Phil took on the singing role. That is a whole other rabbit hole in Phil's past. This was the song in The Hangover when Mike Tyson was in the hotel room, BTW.
Not the original drummer, sorry. That was Christopher Stewart. Phil joined Genesis in August 1970. They already had 2 albums before that. But you are forgiven cause the other guy was easily forgettable... ;-]
My daughter had heard this song many times but had no idea who it was by, what he looked like, singer or band, etc. A couple of years back, I showed her this performance. When he started walking towards the drums, she kinda jokingly said "Where you goin Phil, why you walking towards the drums?" and then was stunned and moved to tears when he started. Incredible.
The drowning line has often been misunderstood/misheard. The lyric is "If you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand". People have also misheard "I saw it with my own two eyes" as something to do with falling through ice. That drum drop is legendary. Glad you did this one. ☮
Famous reactor phrase if they're under 40: I didn't know he was a drummer..., singer, songwriter and composer, Genesis front man Disney Movie OST composer. Genius.
Came here to say this...Phil completed the UK set, hopped on the Concorde (it was flying back then), & headed to finish the US set. Phil later said he didn't know why he felt the trans-atlantic/same-day gigs were so important...just something new to do, because it was possible. But, he still holds the world record, I do believe.
He said in an interview that he came up with the song during his divorce. He's just so talented at everything, especially drums. Very underrated. His son is great at drums as well, and i think his daughter Lily Collins is a very talented actress, too. Talent just runs in the family naturally. 😊
He's a household name from many people's childhood (him, Simply Red & Tina Turner practically ruled 80s/90s charts). He's much loved and respected and one of THE best artists from UK. He's made so many tracks used in many things. It's sad for many fans to see his health decline so much in the past few years, but, he is now 73 so it's to be expected. It will be another dark day in (modern) music history when we eventually loose him. Legends are leaving us....
Divorce song I had the privilege of being 17 when this came out we only had the video and when the drums came in everybody lost their collective SHIT! Phil started out as a drummer for a band called Genesis. He went solo and had quite a few hits in the 80s. Glad you enjoyed it
I’m amazed there are still people out there who do not know Phil Collins 😀 Considered by many to be one of the world’s best drummers, singers & songwriters. He’s won several awards (inc an Oscar) and is one of three artists ever, to sell 100 million albums as both solo artists & as part of a group!! (the other two artists being Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson) - Steve
Phil Collins is one of the GOAT's in the musical industry. An amazing Drummer, a great lyricist, a wonderful live performer and his voice is iconic. The concert this video is pulled from (which I believe is called "Finally the First Farewell Tour", which can be found on RUclips in it's entirety) is great from start to finish. It's just hit after hit after hit. He gets behind the drums a few times during the show and it's great to see (at this time he had some neck / back injuries that were hurting him really bad and eventually made him give up drumming completely due to the pain). From his days in Genesis, to his amazing Solo career, he's one artist that you'd be hard pressed not to be impressed by....
One of the only people who could keep the attention of an audience of 80000 with his voice. Em got that lyric from this song. You know back when talent was showcased
Phil Collins is the best drummer around. His son plays the drums now too. He had an excellent teacher. He unfortunately injured his back and is no longer able to play drums. He wrote this after his divorce. He was 53 years old when he performed this. It is difficult to sing and play drums at the same time. Love your reaction! ♥
Great reaction. Clearly u recognized the ICONIC synth/riff from Em's song. However, that ish was computer generated... so happy to see you now know where it came from... NO auto tune, NO fake anything. Just human beings strumming on REAL instruments, singing from their own voices...
Its been sampled by rappers/hip hop over 20 times Collins wrote the song amid the grief he felt after divorcing his first wife Andrea Bertorelli in 1980. In a 2016 interview, Collins said of the song's lyrics: "I wrote the lyrics spontaneously. I'm not quite sure what the song is about, but there's a lot of anger, a lot of despair and a lot of frustration."[10] In a 1997 BBC Radio 2 documentary, the singer revealed that the divorce contributed to his 1979 hiatus from the band Genesis, until they regrouped in October of that year to record the album Duke. Collins remembered playing the song to Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks but he felt it was too simple for the group.[11] Banks, however, says he never heard the composition.
I believe when he wrote this song it had to do with a break up or a divorce…but the lyrics never state what it is he sees the person “drowning” from or the reason. I have a few members in my family and friends that have succumbed to the darkness of addiction over the years and have used and abused their loved ones in the process. This song makes me think of the times when I’ve had to finally step back and say no to those in the throes of their addiction that I’ve had the pain to see “drowning” and realized that I couldn’t help them anymore. I love them but…I just can’t help anymore…however this song still gives me hope that THEY will finally step up and overcome it. It’s very difficult to explain but it evokes those memories and emotions when I hear this song. I’m glad you enjoyed it!!!!
Phil is a true GOAT, the band is Genesis. He had spinal injuries from playing for so long and retired. He’s now wheelchair bound, but nothing will tarnish his legacy.
No, he caught his wife cheating on him. So, he's telling the guy who slept with his wife that if he was drowning....he would not lend a hand...to save him.
Great reaction dude! It always makes me chuckle when someone says "I didn't know he was a drummer". Don't worry, many have said it. Long before Phil's solo career, he was a drummer with prog rock band Genesis. There are (in broad terms) 2 eras of Genesis, one where the lead singer was Peter Gabriel, then when Collins took over as lead singer. Their body of work is immense. Seconds Out is one of the greatest live albums of all time. I love Gabriel and Collins Genesis. The drumming here is very basic by Phil's standards. Check out tracks like Dancing with the Moonlight Night, Suppers Ready, 11th Earl of Marr for drumming masterclasses!
I have followed Collins for decades and this song has ALWAYS been my favorite, his voice overwhelms me, can't get enough of his singing!!! He caught his wife in bed with his friend cheating on him! This happened in in 1981! This Live was in 1990!
I love watching the newbies discovering my favorite song of all time. He starts walking to the drum set, the crowd starts to go nuts, and the reactor has no idea why.😂
I never get tired of seeing people experience his greatness!!!!!! I, like another person who commentwd, was fortunate enough to be an okder teen when this came out. Music was our life then...and we had the BEST!!!
I'm glad you're reacting to this now--better late than never. He was 53 years old when he did this concert in Bercy, Paris in 2004. Truly an amazing performance by Brad Cole (keyboards, synthesizers, Vocoder), Daryl Stuermer (6 String Guitar), Leland Sklar (Bass Guitar), Chester Thompson ("Rhythm" Drums) and Phil himself (vocals, drums). It was performed in front of 20,000 + people at the "Palais Omnisport de Paris" and truly was, if not the greatest, close to the greatest live performance ever. It was from his "Finally... The First Farewell" Tour and this particular concert in Bercy started with an amazing "Drums, Drums & More Drums" track performed by Phil and his other drummer, the previously mentioned Mr. Thompson. Incidentally, this track ("In the Air Tonight") was the 17th in the tracklist sandwiched between Separate Lives and Dance into the Light. Phil had the energy he had in this song all the way through to the end of the concert (as did his musicians). Now that he can no longer drum, his son NIcholas plays drums almost as well as the old man did--literally--Phil is in his 70's now. His son was on the Domino tour with Genesis recently. Oh and of course, his daughter Lily is rapidly becoming a famous actress in her own right. So, he's still doing alright I suppose (tongue in cheek).
I don’t care the actual background story of this song, but every one of us knows, some long pending conflicts need to be resolved by escalation, by confrontation, by facing and letting face the truth, by eventually fighting it all out. And you can feel it coming, in the air, the moment when everything will break apart, no matter what, you have no control over this, but something has to happen, and all that anger and grief must be channeled now into this one showdown moment. Nobody knows what comes after. But at least it will change things and move us further, out of this. “I’ve been waiting for this moment” it is the perfect composition of lyrics and arrangement. Cause we all wait for the drum fill escalating and resolving the tension of the song. The reason for our goosebumps is that we all can relate to this feeling.
I saw him in 1982 perform this in concert at Indiana Imiversity. Best concert of my life And I have been to quite a few. Awesome vocals and his drumming is legendary.
You will never hear a more powerful version of this song. One of the best performances of any song ever. My marriage was on the rocks when this song was released in 1984. It always chokes me.
THE MOST IMPORTANT AND POWERFUL WORDS ARE: HE WROTE THIS WHEN HE GOT DIVOIRCE: 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 this silence up No you don't fool me 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 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 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 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 Well I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh lord, oh lord
He was hurt so bad by this person, that if he saw the person drowning, he would not lend a hand. That is because of being betrayed badly by someone. Likely as result of breakup after Phil was done a dirty by someone he had cared for and trusted. That is the general consensus of the great lyrics written by Phil Collins who has been the drummer for Genesis before the exit of Peter Gabriel years ago who was the lead singer and lyricist of Genesis. Once Gabriel left Collins stepped up as the lead singer and was always drummer. This song has been used in movies and was first featured on the TV show Miami Vice. Great song which I have had the pleasure of seeing Phil Collins live several times...well worth attending, and just as good live as on albums etc.
I remember the first time I heard this was the 1st episode of Miami Vice at the end when they were going to a confrontation and they were showing the wheels spinning on the black sports car. Perfect effect. Great reactions and love how you appreciate other genres of music so effortlessly.
This song is iconic and especially the drum fill. Spent my teen years air drumming to this. Also the Cadbury's Gorilla Advert introduced the song to a new wave of young fans. Phil played at Live Aid in both London & Philadelphia on the same day.
I am so excited to see you react to this. Phil Collins is magic. Eminem might have been referencing this song since Eminem was around 11 when it came out.
![First Time Reaction | Eagles - Hotel California (Live 1977) (Official Video) [HD]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yA3t3faGM9Q/mqdefault.jpg)
Phil was going through a divorce when he wrote it. He is also one of the best drummers out there.
I wouldn’t say one of the best drummers during that time top 130 in the 9Os but he was and is very good
Thats my understanding also.
"I Don't Care Anymore" was the song about his divorce.
He said in an interview its not about anything specific
He also said his wife got mad because he was capitalizing off of the divorce and what happened
He actually caught his wife with another man. During the time of the pending divorce he wrote this!
I'm 73 years old and still listening to Phil Collins in 2024!!❤
So am I! I’m 66 and still cranked up the volume for this song and waiting for the drum drop
I'm 55. This song was so popular when I was young, especially his drums. It brings back so many memories.
I'm 65, saw him live, what a show!
How many are listening whilst smiling and saying..."wait for it, wait for it"...
I cannot hear this song without Miami Vice memories as a kid in the 1980s.
Same
I thought I was the only one who remembered that Miami Vice scene..iconic!!!!
@soonerlilsis my bil was a cop when Miami Vice was on, he loved this song.
Personally, i love "Smuggler's Blues"
Me too!!! Except I was in high school 9th grade Miami vice came on every Thursday night.🙂
And we didn't pay for tv back then.
Phil is not just "a drummer", he is one of the best to ever drum. So glad you did this one.
And even he used a roland 808 for the initial rhythm part.
He has been playing drum since he a was little boy. His Is also playimg drums
Because a real drummer uses whatever he needs to create the right sound - nothing wrong with drum machines unless they are used when you need a real drummer@u
Phill is Thee Drummer. I think he was the Little Drmmer Boy. 😉 ❤️
And lefty
I hate that he can no longer play the drums. We definitely need to give him his flowers while he's here!
@gv7217 he's in a wheel chair and losing his sight from diabetes, but, he says that he feels good.
That is sad to hear
@@gv7217 I hope you're doing okay! 🖤
His son Nic has been drumming for him/Genesis for the last few years. He’s an amazing drummer as well.
@@marquisdelafayette1929 Of course he is! Look who he had as a teacher !!
I flew from indiana to France for this concert! Over 100,000 in the crowd!
That must've been epic
You were at this exact show? I saw this show in NYC and then a few days later in Philadelphia. It was epic!!!!
Ohmigosh!!!😮 Wow! That's AMAZING 😍
Fantastic
No auto tune OR A CELL PHONE OUT!! Just living in the moment!!🥰
Phones were still very basic at the time of this concert, they certainly didn't have the ability to record video of any quality
We were so lucky ❤
@@fionaashton1738Duh.... That was the POINT ☝🏽 of the comment, to begin with! Sure buzzed your tower... Heh heh straight over your head 😂! Is English your second language, or something? Just kidding.... But geez😅
A'HO ❤! ( Amen, in Shawnee)
The lyric is :"[Well]IF you told me you were drowing, I would not lend a hand." I've never understood how people miss the IF.
Perspective of the husbamd to the co- worker of his wife who was having an affair. He saw them together and they didn't. Know, hence, " I was there and saw what you did, saw it with my own 2 eyes." And "it was the first ti.e- the last time we ever met."
Lots of Love.
Maybe people misses the "if" because oftentimes he says "whether you told me you were drowning, I wouldn't lend a hand"... As he does here. 🙂
It can be misheard for something else, or just be "removed" as it isn't understood. 🙂
Apparently Phil came home from touring after his wife warned him to stop, she left him. He wrote the song about the impending divorce.
It's "Well if you told me you were drowning .."
@@heathercrocombe2977 Then I misheard it myself 😂. And I STILL hear it that way, even with headphones. 🙂
Exactly
Phil Collins - Another Day In Paradise
Is a must another day in paradise
Came here to suggest this one... very much in par sound-wise with In The Air Tonight.
That is my favorite.
Epic Video!
@@GhostWatcher2024 "I Don't Care Anymore" also gives that vibe.
Never piss Phil Collins off. The whole world will know. Exceptional Musician. ❤
~I don't care anymore! lol
This song isn't a performance it's an EVENT !
He's one of only three recording artists to hit over 100 million record sales both as a solo artist and over another 100 million as a member of a group. The other two are Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney.
@Vlasko60that's why people suggest artists. You're willing to listen to and learn about past artists, and they love introducing the great music that they loved, in their time.
Stevie Nicks as well if I'm not mistaken. Also inducted into Rock n Roll Hall of fame twice as such.
@@TheInkdN3rd Fleetwood Mac has sold 120 million records. Stevie Nicks is nowhere near that, 11 million.
@MarkCucchiara I did say if I'm not mistaken sir. So, I was mistaken about Stevie album sales but I was not mistaken about her being inducted twice. Have a blessed one!
The group was Genesis 🤘
Been rocking with Phil since the 70s and Genesis. Sent from God, as a gift.
Me too m8 👌🏻
Yep. I'm 60.
Same
He's fantastic. I've been drumming for a long time and some of those Genesis time signatures are a serious pain to get down! Lol
Good Reaction and I saw Phil's first ever Top Of The Bill performance with his previous group:Genesis in 1972 at The Croydon Greyhound venue in South East London,England when the scheduled bill toppers disbanded the day before the gig:)
I can hear this song hundreds of times but still gives me the chills. ☮️😎
Phil describes himself as a drummer that can sing a bit. He was the Drummer for Genesis when Peter Gabriel left and they struggled to find a singer he stepped up … the rest is history.
Phil was the original drummer for the band Genesis when Peter Gabriel was the lead singer. When Peter left the band, Phil took on the singing role. That is a whole other rabbit hole in Phil's past.
This was the song in The Hangover when Mike Tyson was in the hotel room, BTW.
It's also referenced in the video for his song "I Wish it Would Rain Down" :)
Not the original drummer, sorry. That was Christopher Stewart.
Phil joined Genesis in August 1970. They already had 2 albums before that. But you are forgiven cause the other guy was easily forgettable... ;-]
My daughter had heard this song many times but had no idea who it was by, what he looked like, singer or band, etc. A couple of years back, I showed her this performance. When he started walking towards the drums, she kinda jokingly said "Where you goin Phil, why you walking towards the drums?" and then was stunned and moved to tears when he started. Incredible.
Great story!
Without question the most famous drum fill of all time, by one of the best-selling artists ever, for good reason. This man has A LOT of awesome songs.
Epic songs
Can't believe he didn't really know the song
And epic talent
This song is over 40 years old and it still gives me chills. Excellent musician and songwriter
You are right. It is the song Eminem was refering to in Stan. He wrote this during his divorce.
The drowning line has often been misunderstood/misheard. The lyric is "If you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand". People have also misheard "I saw it with my own two eyes" as something to do with falling through ice. That drum drop is legendary. Glad you did this one. ☮
It was used for the show Miami Vice!
@@amyaeschbach3581 Along with a bunch of others of his. Plus he starred in one episode!
Yes it's like saying 'if you were on fire I wouldn't piss on ya'
It's amazing that he can sing so clearly while playing the drums
He is one of the greatest drummer's ever!!!!
Im 49 yrs old. This gives me goosebumps every time. If you don't play the air drums when this comes on, something is wrong 😂.
This song is litterly used in the 80's for the pilot of the series Miami Vice that was a banger of a show.
Famous reactor phrase if they're under 40: I didn't know he was a drummer..., singer, songwriter and composer, Genesis front man Disney Movie OST composer. Genius.
..and don't forget he played both the USA *and* the UK in *the same concert*. Legend.
Came here to say this...Phil completed the UK set, hopped on the Concorde (it was flying back then), & headed to finish the US set. Phil later said he didn't know why he felt the trans-atlantic/same-day gigs were so important...just something new to do, because it was possible. But, he still holds the world record, I do believe.
He said in an interview that he came up with the song during his divorce. He's just so talented at everything, especially drums. Very underrated. His son is great at drums as well, and i think his daughter Lily Collins is a very talented actress, too. Talent just runs in the family naturally. 😊
Phil's other daughter Joely Collins is also an actress
This was also in the TV show Miami Vice
This was featured, and he acted, in the old school Miami Vice from the 80's! Intense! ❤🔥
He's a household name from many people's childhood (him, Simply Red & Tina Turner practically ruled 80s/90s charts). He's much loved and respected and one of THE best artists from UK. He's made so many tracks used in many things. It's sad for many fans to see his health decline so much in the past few years, but, he is now 73 so it's to be expected. It will be another dark day in (modern) music history when we eventually loose him. Legends are leaving us....
How could u not know that Phil Collins is one of the best drummers in the world??
80,000 strong crowd. Awesome.
Phil Collins started in a band called Genesis.. He plays all instruments..
Can you imagine being in the audience for this!!
Pretty sure Phil can play all instruments needed to make an album pure legend…. Good actor too 👊🏻👍🏻💯
I am a huge Phil Collins fan and I DO believe that he can play almost, if not ALL instruments!
@@sheliaspringer7389That's why all his music sounds personal and authentic
Yes. He played all the instruments in one of his albums. Amazing!
too many to mention!
Divorce song I had the privilege of being 17 when this came out we only had the video and when the drums came in everybody lost their collective SHIT! Phil started out as a drummer for a band called Genesis. He went solo and had quite a few hits in the 80s. Glad you enjoyed it
I lost my collective shit. I was 20
Phil Collins isn't just "a drummer."
He is THE DRUMMER.
One if the greatest if all time!
I’m amazed there are still people out there who do not know Phil Collins 😀
Considered by many to be one of the world’s best drummers, singers & songwriters. He’s won several awards (inc an Oscar) and is one of three artists ever, to sell 100 million albums as both solo artists & as part of a group!! (the other two artists being Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson)
- Steve
One of the most iconic drum solos by one of the most legendary Artists. ❤🔥
That performance is classic!
"I didn't know he was a drummer." How I love that line.
Phil is the singing, songwriting, drummer GOAT ❤🎶
Phil Collins is in my top 5 favourite artists, the man has never done a bad song.
Awesome drummer, awesome singer
Phil Collins is the complete package; musician, song writer, singer…the real defenition of a true artist. Hope you can react more of his songs.
He must have influenced Paulina Villareal!
I also loved him in Buster.
And he is funny.
One regret I have is never seeing Phil Collins in concert
Although I walked past him many years ago in Cranleigh, Surrey
😊
Phil Collins sang lead and played drums for a group called Genesis. A song to check out is Land of Confusion.
Phil Collins is one of the GOAT's in the musical industry. An amazing Drummer, a great lyricist, a wonderful live performer and his voice is iconic. The concert this video is pulled from (which I believe is called "Finally the First Farewell Tour", which can be found on RUclips in it's entirety) is great from start to finish. It's just hit after hit after hit. He gets behind the drums a few times during the show and it's great to see (at this time he had some neck / back injuries that were hurting him really bad and eventually made him give up drumming completely due to the pain).
From his days in Genesis, to his amazing Solo career, he's one artist that you'd be hard pressed not to be impressed by....
when I saw PC perform this song live, I literally got the chills when he got to the drum kit! Fantastic!
He was the original drummer for the group genius after the lead singer left he stepped up to be the singer
Genesis
One of the only people who could keep the attention of an audience of 80000 with his voice. Em got that lyric from this song. You know back when talent was showcased
Phil Collins is the best drummer around. His son plays the drums now too. He had an excellent teacher. He unfortunately injured his back and is no longer able to play drums. He wrote this after his divorce. He was 53 years old when he performed this. It is difficult to sing and play drums at the same time. Love your reaction! ♥
He said. IF i saw you drowing, i would not lend a hand
Great reaction thanks
Phil is an Icon!
Great reaction. Clearly u recognized the ICONIC synth/riff from Em's song. However, that ish was computer generated... so happy to see you now know where it came from... NO auto tune, NO fake anything. Just human beings strumming on REAL instruments, singing from their own voices...
Watching your eyes light up to this song was beautiful
Phil is the GOAT Epic Epic performance. God bless him he needs it now.
Its been sampled by rappers/hip hop over 20 times
Collins wrote the song amid the grief he felt after divorcing his first wife Andrea Bertorelli in 1980. In a 2016 interview, Collins said of the song's lyrics: "I wrote the lyrics spontaneously. I'm not quite sure what the song is about, but there's a lot of anger, a lot of despair and a lot of frustration."[10] In a 1997 BBC Radio 2 documentary, the singer revealed that the divorce contributed to his 1979 hiatus from the band Genesis, until they regrouped in October of that year to record the album Duke. Collins remembered playing the song to Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks but he felt it was too simple for the group.[11] Banks, however, says he never heard the composition.
I believe when he wrote this song it had to do with a break up or a divorce…but the lyrics never state what it is he sees the person “drowning” from or the reason. I have a few members in my family and friends that have succumbed to the darkness of addiction over the years and have used and abused their loved ones in the process. This song makes me think of the times when I’ve had to finally step back and say no to those in the throes of their addiction that I’ve had the pain to see “drowning” and realized that I couldn’t help them anymore. I love them but…I just can’t help anymore…however this song still gives me hope that THEY will finally step up and overcome it. It’s very difficult to explain but it evokes those memories and emotions when I hear this song. I’m glad you enjoyed it!!!!
It is a break up song, he has never seen anyone drown! You nailed it!
One of my favorite songs and the fact he can sing AND play drums at the same time is amazing. This performance was epic!!! ❤
Well, quite a lot of people do that to be fair. Even Adam Levine and Peter Criss.
Phil is a true GOAT, the band is Genesis. He had spinal injuries from playing for so long and retired. He’s now wheelchair bound, but nothing will tarnish his legacy.
He doesnt just play drums, he plays keyboard/piano and guitar too. If you are looking for another phil masterpiece, listen to Another Day In Paradise
The moment when people realize that Phil is a drummer makes watching reactions to this song the best. It never gets old
Best Drum drop ever❤ I heard this for the first time when my Dad got a Rocking Stereo system and He played this for me. I'll never forget it❤
Absolute legend!! Love you Phil.
Phil grew up on American R&B so he is a monster drummer.
OMGosh, didn't know he was a drummer! The amount of times I've heard that, lol. One of the best ever.
No, he caught his wife cheating on him. So, he's telling the guy who slept with his wife that if he was drowning....he would not lend a hand...to save him.
So love all these reactions.. Wow!!! I didnt know he played the drums!¡!!!!! Collins is a drummer THEN a singer
He was the drummer for Genesis back in the day.
Great reaction dude! It always makes me chuckle when someone says "I didn't know he was a drummer". Don't worry, many have said it. Long before Phil's solo career, he was a drummer with prog rock band Genesis. There are (in broad terms) 2 eras of Genesis, one where the lead singer was Peter Gabriel, then when Collins took over as lead singer. Their body of work is immense. Seconds Out is one of the greatest live albums of all time. I love Gabriel and Collins Genesis. The drumming here is very basic by Phil's standards. Check out tracks like Dancing with the Moonlight Night, Suppers Ready, 11th Earl of Marr for drumming masterclasses!
I have followed Collins for decades and this song has ALWAYS been my favorite, his voice overwhelms me, can't get enough of his singing!!! He caught his wife in bed with his friend cheating on him! This happened in in 1981! This Live was in 1990!
I love watching the newbies discovering my favorite song of all time. He starts walking to the drum set, the crowd starts to go nuts, and the reactor has no idea why.😂
Phil was a drummer that could sing!!
To be so COOL as you Age...love it !!
Phil Collins IS also a very great pianiste
He was the drummer for genesis when Peter Gabriel was singing Phil went to vocals when pter left
I never get tired of seeing people experience his greatness!!!!!! I, like another person who commentwd, was fortunate enough to be an okder teen when this came out. Music was our life then...and we had the BEST!!!
It amazes me how so many get Blown Away by this Song the intro is So Suspenseful ❤ Phil Colin's wrote this back in the late 70's
Phil Collins started playing drums at 5 years old. I call him a MASTER ICON!❤
I'm glad you're reacting to this now--better late than never. He was 53 years old when he did this concert in Bercy, Paris in 2004. Truly an amazing performance by Brad Cole (keyboards, synthesizers, Vocoder), Daryl Stuermer (6 String Guitar), Leland Sklar (Bass Guitar), Chester Thompson ("Rhythm" Drums) and Phil himself (vocals, drums). It was performed in front of 20,000 + people at the "Palais Omnisport de Paris" and truly was, if not the greatest, close to the greatest live performance ever. It was from his "Finally... The First Farewell" Tour and this particular concert in Bercy started with an amazing "Drums, Drums & More Drums" track performed by Phil and his other drummer, the previously mentioned Mr. Thompson. Incidentally, this track ("In the Air Tonight") was the 17th in the tracklist sandwiched between Separate Lives and Dance into the Light. Phil had the energy he had in this song all the way through to the end of the concert (as did his musicians). Now that he can no longer drum, his son NIcholas plays drums almost as well as the old man did--literally--Phil is in his 70's now. His son was on the Domino tour with Genesis recently. Oh and of course, his daughter Lily is rapidly becoming a famous actress in her own right. So, he's still doing alright I suppose (tongue in cheek).
This is the most iconic drum rolls in history
I don’t care the actual background story of this song, but every one of us knows, some long pending conflicts need to be resolved by escalation, by confrontation, by facing and letting face the truth, by eventually fighting it all out. And you can feel it coming, in the air, the moment when everything will break apart, no matter what, you have no control over this, but something has to happen, and all that anger and grief must be channeled now into this one showdown moment. Nobody knows what comes after. But at least it will change things and move us further, out of this.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment” it is the perfect composition of lyrics and arrangement. Cause we all wait for the drum fill escalating and resolving the tension of the song. The reason for our goosebumps is that we all can relate to this feeling.
1981 concert was phenomenal! Just like this one.
I saw him in 1982 perform this in concert at Indiana Imiversity. Best concert of my life
And I have been to quite a few. Awesome vocals and his drumming is legendary.
You will never hear a more powerful version of this song. One of the best performances of any song ever.
My marriage was on the rocks when this song was released in 1984. It always chokes me.
Words SO CLEAR, all words make sense, no mumbling crystal clear..LOVE PHIL!!
I instantly got excited when I saw you were reacting to the Live version ‼️‼️
THE MOST IMPORTANT AND POWERFUL WORDS ARE: HE WROTE THIS WHEN HE GOT DIVOIRCE:
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 this silence up
No you don't fool me
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 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
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
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
Well I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh lord, oh lord
He was hurt so bad by this person, that if he saw the person drowning, he would not lend a hand. That is because of being betrayed badly by someone. Likely as result of breakup after Phil was done a dirty by someone he had cared for and trusted. That is the general consensus of the great lyrics written by Phil
Collins who has been the drummer for Genesis before the exit of Peter Gabriel years ago who was the lead singer and lyricist of Genesis. Once Gabriel left Collins stepped up as the lead singer and was always drummer.
This song has been used in movies and was first featured on the TV show Miami Vice. Great song which I have had the pleasure of seeing Phil Collins live several times...well worth attending, and just as good live as on albums etc.
You nailed it and beat me to it
Exactly. I think of my mom going through a divorce, and I wouldn't have spit on him to save him from burning or bent over to save him from anything
I remember the first time I heard this was the 1st episode of Miami Vice at the end when they were going to a confrontation and they were showing the wheels spinning on the black sports car. Perfect effect. Great reactions and love how you appreciate other genres of music so effortlessly.
Always love the reactions to Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight". And you did not disappoint. Thank you
He was the drummer for the group GENESIS and became their lead singer.
Phil is one of the biggest performers from my high school days. He had hit after hit after hit. So freaking talented!
This song is iconic and especially the drum fill. Spent my teen years air drumming to this. Also the Cadbury's Gorilla Advert introduced the song to a new wave of young fans. Phil played at Live Aid in both London & Philadelphia on the same day.
Never tire of watching this performance, Phil's one of the best drummers to ever live, and this performance was epic
I am so excited to see you react to this. Phil Collins is magic. Eminem might have been referencing this song since Eminem was around 11 when it came out.
Yes he did reference this song in stan
It needed to be twice as long. Beautiful.