Phil Collins
Ashley DeMann
All about Phil

Born January 31, 1951

Played drums when he was 5

Several musical roles when younger

Joined several bands like “the real
thing”

Big break: Genesis, changed the
band as drummer

Became lead singer, wrote most
songs

First solo album, Face Value- hit “
In the Air Tonight” went gold

Second “Hello I Must Be Going”
(Nominations for Grammy best

“You can’t Hurray love.: Reached
#1 in UK
Phil Collins
Third album “No Jacket Required” all over
the charts
Multi-platinum selling album
Music used all over TV.
Wrote song for “Two Hears.” Earned him an
Academy Award and a Golden Globe
Still worked with Genesis, getting number one
single “Invisible Touch”
More albums, “But Seriously”, “Both Sides”
Wrote Tarzan Music: Winning Academy
Award for Best Original Song in a Film
Against All Odds (Take a
Look at Me Now)

Written in 1983 –(big hits)

Theme song for Against All
Odds

Wrote it on tour

Released February 1984

First solo hit to reach #1 on
the Billboards

Nominated for best original
song

Mariah Carey, Steve
Brookstein made covers

Won Golden Globe
Time
Text
Musical Elements
Instruments
Introduction- 2 measures
Piano, synthesizer
4 Piano notes ascending, then a
step down, and two higher notes.
Synthesizer holding out, chime
like.
Dynamics piano
0:00
0:09
How can I just let you walk
away, just let you leave
without a trace. When I
stand here taking every
breath with you, ooh.
You're the only one who
really knew me at all
0:33
How can you just walk away
from me,
when all I can do is watch
you leave
Cos we've shared the
laughter and the pain and
even shared the tears
You're the only one who
really knew me at all
First verse. Male solo voice.
Piano chords slower,
gradually moving up the
scale , same with the vocals.
Created a little arch
Soft, p
Piano not repeat going into next
section
Another verse, piano chords
continue a mix like
synthesizer comes in soft
holding on one note,
growing. steps and skips first
ascending, then descending,
and back to ascending,
descending.
Piano,
Piano
String, electric
keyboards play few
notes
Time Text
Musical Elements
Instrumentation
0:54
Two bar interlude. Piano with main
beat Grows, crescendos into mezzo
forte
Piano chords, with
string like synthesizer
Chorus Male solo, many steps, jump
to “left here in a higher range with a
skip at the end. Piano chords, then
used single notes, and goes back
chords vibrato and higher
Synthesizer holding out. Melody
repeats, higher range on back,
emphasizing the word.
Holds out on face
Synthesizer, Piano
:58
1:32
So take a look at me
now, oh there's just an
empty space. And
there's nothing left
here to remind me, just
the memory of your
face
Ooh take a look at me
now, well there's just
and empty space. And
you coming back to me
is against all odds and
that's what I've got to
face
Piano, then Drums
Interlude 2 measures.
Same piano chords, with synthesizers introduced
still holding on. Drums show a
Synthesizer
change to a new section.
Time
Text
Musical Elements
Instrumentation
1:37
I wish I could just make
Another verse, with “echo's”
you turn around, “turn
emphasizing repeating
around and see me cry”.
phrases in a higher pitch.
There's so much I need
Drums play a steady beat
to say to you, “so many
with cymbals and sets a new
reasons why”
tone/mood for the song.
You're the only one who Drums and piano build up getting
louder for the next section.
really knew me at all
2:01
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.
Back to chorus reaching the
Drums, synthesizers,
climax of the song. Its forte, and
piano
at the top of his range. More
emphasis, vibrato, or higher notes
2:19
Now take a look at me
now, cos there's just an
empty space. But to wait
for you, is all I can do
and that's what I've got
to face.
The stings come in after now . Still
in the top of range. Top of his
range, keeps building up the
climax. Busier background
Drum cymbals
Synthesizers electric
keyboard
Drums, synthesizer,
piano, strings
Time Text
Musical Elements
Instrumentation
2:35
Singer changes from the same
notes and goes higher,
emphasizing the words and
hitting the climax. Drummer fast
and on the first line. Ascending
and you coming
Synthesizer come back, slowing it
down. Holding on take
Drums hit , and
the piano
synthesizers loud.
Starts to decline. Drums slowing
down, then leave. The tempo slows,
and it softens. Piano is main focus
again.
Piano and drum
and synthesis
Last line. Soft slow. Gentle repeats
main .theme but slower
Synthesizer piano
Slows and finishes holding out with
the synthesizer. Fades out.
Synthesizer,
piano
Take a good look at me
now, cos I'll still be
standing here .And you
coming back to me is
against all odds
It's the chance I've gotta
take
2:58
3:06
3:08
Take a look at me now