Currently listening to …But Seriously by Phil Collins.
Sometimes, when I’m in the mood for more thought provoking music, I turn to the Phil Collins album …But Seriously. I adore the title. It immediately lets you know that you should pay attention.
I’ve often described this album as a guide to being a better human being. Yes, many of the songs on here are socially conscious and politically motivated. At the end of the day, it’s a plea to make the world we live in a better place.
He comes perilously close to lecturing in some songs, such as “Colours” and the most popular hit on the record, “Another Day in Paradise”. Phil Collins avoids this by owning responsibility himself and employing a rhythmic and jazzy beat as his standard background music.
To break up the doom and gloom you also have the You-Can-Do-It! Song of “Hang in Long Enough” and “Heat in the Street” is a give-‘em-hell tune. After all of the singing about the human race’s ability to be apathetic in the face of world problems, he encourages you to stand up and use your voice to spark the changes that need to happen.
It’s not all global problems and political lyrics though. Phil Collins also has several love songs of which, “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven” is probably the most upbeat on the album. It’s your typical “take me back” song and is actually a refreshing break from the “woe is me and the world” music filling the rest of the tracks.
There are two other songs that draw us into Phil Collins’ world and makes the record that much more intimate. They are “All of My Life” and “Father to Son”. “All of My Life” was written in regret as Collins sings about wishing he had made more time for his father. “Father to Son” is a nice juxtaposition as Collins writes a lyrical letter to his own son. This is probably my personal favorite from the record.
I love the song that he chose to end the album with. “Find a Way to My Heart” seems to be both an open invitation and a closed door at the same time. It’s a promise that he will try only if you try. This is the perfect ending to an album highlighting the conflicts and concerns that we have in the world. It’s a request that you try and not back down from the challenge.
I think the hardest part about listening to the album isn’t necessarily the darkness behind many of the songs—it’s the un-comfortability of looking at yourself and finding your own shortcomings that can be difficult. Nobody wants to confess that they ignore the homeless on the street so that they can rush home and enjoy their smart phones and Netflix. No one wants to admit that the atrocities happening in other lands, and sometimes right on our own doorsteps eventually becomes your normal background noise and news fodder. I know I’d rather not.
As I said, this is definitely a moody and heavy album. It’s one that I can only tolerate when in the proper mood, or sometimes, only in small doses as I pick and choose the song most likely to make me sit back and listen… And make me a better person. Seriously.
Image from Discogs
Phil Collins? You’re like, old… lol!!
In all seriousness, I highly prefer him over anything new. He does come from a time when the music business required talent.
Abacab and Easy Lover always makes me try to bust a move…
I’d like to say I have an old soul because that just sounds classier and doesn’t give away my age. Lol
I have a wide range of musical taste, and I respect the Phil.
You’re awesome. And mid twenties 😁
Exactly! 😉
If I had to guess your from Florida too…
I wish! The theme parks are endless there!
You have a look that tends to come from that area.. my bad..
It’s all good, maybe I’m not as easy to read as you thought! 🙂 Mysteries!
This is what I know thus far..
You’re name is Kristen, you’re older than you look, you’re pretty awesome to talk to, you like makeup, you’re awesome weird, you like food! you’ve tolerated me for almost a month now?
Is that gooder nuff?
That is definitely gooder nuff 🙂
Ah! Excellent…
Indubitably.
No! That’s my word! Go find your own!
Did you copyright it?
I used to love listening to him! I haven’t listened to him in a while, but as I was reading this I could hear these songs in my head. You’re right – this album does need to be listened to when in a certain mood. 🙂
It’s a good record! I tend to listen to albums from decades past 🙂
Me, too! Most of today’s music gets on my nerves. 😀
Lol, there are very few artists that will stand the test of time, that’s for sure!