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If you grew up anywhere near a radio in the 1980s or 1990s, there’s a good chance Phil Collins was basically part of the family. His voice floated through power ballads, movie soundtracks, and arena-ready anthems. He’s been a chart-topping solo star, the voice and drummer of Genesis, a Disney soundtrack king, andaccording to Rolling Stoneone of the greatest drummers of all time, ranked among the top 50 drummers in rock history. That’s a lot of Phil.
But which Phil Collins moments really stand out? And how do critics, fans, and musicians rank his songs, albums, and overall legacy? Let’s dig into the best Phil Collins work, what different outlets say about him, and where public opinion gets surprisingly spicy.
Ranking Phil Collins’ Most Iconic Songs
Every major music outlet seems to have tried a “Best Phil Collins Songs” list at some point, and while no two rankings match perfectly, a few classics are basically non-negotiable. Lists from sites like Rolling Stone, Gold Radio, and gear-focused blogs consistently highlight a core group of hits that define Collins as both a drummer and a pop songwriter.
1. “In the Air Tonight” – The Untouchable Number One
If you only know one Phil Collins song, it’s probably this one. “In the Air Tonight” is almost always ranked at or near the top of any list, and it also landed on Rolling Stone’s updated list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The track’s slow-burn tension, eerie atmosphere, and that legendary drum fill have made it a cultural touchstone. It’s been used in everything from Miami Vice to viral videos of people drumming on their steering wheels in traffic.
What critics love about it: the minimal, moody production and the way Collins’ drumming explodes into the mix. For drummers, that tom-heavy fill is practically a rite of passage. For casual listeners, it’s the part where you turn the volume to “slightly dangerous for your speakers.”
2. “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” – The Power Ballad Blueprint
Often ranked just behind “In the Air Tonight,” “Against All Odds” shows Collins’ gift for emotional, piano-driven ballads. A readers’ poll from Rolling Stone singled it out as one of his greatest songs, thanks to the soaring vocal and heartbreak-on-a-plate lyrics.
This is peak 1980s movie soundtrack energy: big chorus, big feelings, big hair. It set the template for a thousand dramatic breakup playlists and still hits a nerve with listeners who like their pop songs slightly devastating.
3. “Easy Lover” (with Philip Bailey) – The Crowd-Pleaser
“Easy Lover,” Collins’ duet with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, is the song that makes both rock fans and R&B fans nod in approval. While some rankings vary, this track almost always lands in the upper tier thanks to its explosive chorus, intricate drum work, and that gloriously shreddy guitar riff.
It’s also one of the clearest examples of Collins’ ability to collaborate across genres without sounding like a tourist. Bailey’s high-flying vocals plus Collins’ groove make it feel like a friendly vocal duel.
4. “Another Day in Paradise” – Pop With a Conscience
When critics talk about Phil Collins as more than just soft-rock comfort food, “Another Day in Paradise” comes up quickly. It’s a socially conscious song about homelessness, wrapped in a serene, radio-friendly package. Many best-of lists rank it in the top five, noting that it adds depth to his catalogue and showed that mainstream pop could tackle uncomfortable issues.
Is it a little earnest? Absolutely. Did it win a Grammy and lodge itself in adult-contemporary playlists for eternity? Also yes.
5. Deep Cuts and Fan Favorites
Beyond the obvious radio hits, more detailed rankings and fan polls highlight songs like:
- “I Don’t Care Anymore” – A darker, more aggressive track that shows off his drumming and production chops.
- “I Wish It Would Rain Down” – A gospel-tinged ballad featuring Eric Clapton on guitar, often spotlighted on song lists for its drama and big-screen feel.
- “Separate Lives” – A duet that’s beloved by fans of ‘80s movie soundtracks and comes up frequently in “best of” rankings.
Across most rankings, the pattern is clear: Collins’ best songs are either rhythm-driven experiments that highlight his drumming or emotional ballads that let his voice carry the entire track.
How Critics Rank Phil Collins’ Solo Albums
Song rankings are one thing; album rankings are where opinions really start to diverge. Classic rock sites and fan communities have put together lists of Collins’ solo albums, and while the order shifts, a loose consensus has formed around the top tier.
The Usual Top Three Albums
- Face Value (1981) – Frequently ranked number one, this debut solo album is where we get “In the Air Tonight,” but it also showcases Collins experimenting with production, horns, and genre-bending. Critics often call it his most adventurous record.
- No Jacket Required (1985) – Many U.S.-based rankings put this album at or near the top for sheer pop power. It’s loaded with hits“Sussudio,” “One More Night,” “Take Me Home”and represents peak mid-80s Collins dominance.
- …But Seriously (1989) – This album leans into adult-contemporary polish but has depth in songs like “Another Day in Paradise.” It’s often praised for mature songwriting, even when the production screams “end of the ‘80s.”
The Middle and Late-Career Records
Albums like Hello, I Must Be Going! and Both Sides usually occupy the middle of the pack. Fans appreciate their emotional honesty and occasional risks, while critics sometimes knock them for uneven pacing.
Later records such as Dance Into the Light, Testify, and the covers project Going Back often show up at the bottom of “worst to best” album lists, mostly because they were less commercially successful and arrived after his imperial phase. Even so, fans on forums and Facebook groups will regularly defend specific deep cuts from these albums as underrated.
Phil Collins in Genesis: A Parallel Ranking
Any ranking of Phil Collins that ignores his time in Genesis is missing half the story. After Peter Gabriel left, Collins stepped up from the drum kit to become the band’s lead vocalist, helping guide Genesis from progressive rock into a more accessible, radio-friendly sound.
On Genesis-centric forums and fan discussions, albums like A Trick of the Tail, Wind & Wuthering, Duke, and Invisible Touch all regularly land near the top of “best Genesis albums” lists for the Collins era. Fans praise his ability to balance technical drumming with pop-savvy songwriting.
Interestingly, some hardcore progressive-rock listeners still argue that the Gabriel era is the “true” Genesis, while others insist that Collins-fronted Genesis deserves equal (or greater) credit for bringing the band to a global audience. That split shows up clearly in fan polls and comment sectionswhere things can get heated faster than a gated reverb snare.
What Fans and Musicians Really Think
When you step out of formal rankings and into the wild world of online opinionsReddit threads, fan forums, Facebook groupsthe tone gets more personal and, honestly, more fun.
The “Underrated Legend” Camp
Plenty of fans consider Phil Collins massively underrated, especially as a drummer. In music communities, commenters point out that he influenced generations of drummers with his precise, song-first playing and distinctive tom-based fills. They also highlight his work outside of pop hits, including jazz-leaning projects like the Phil Collins Big Band.
Writers and fans alike note that Collins is not just a singer who happens to drum; he was considered one of the best drummers in popular music long before most people heard his voice on the radio.
The “Too Much Radio Play” Backlash
On the flip side, there’s a persistent group of listeners who feel Phil Collins was simply everywhere for too long. Some critics and fans argue that oversaturation in the 1980ssolo hits, Genesis hits, movie themes, Disney soundtracksled to unfair backlash. You’ll find threads where people joke that he was “the soundtrack to every supermarket aisle,” but even many of those commenters still admit that songs like “In the Air Tonight” are undeniable.
Contemporary Respect for His Legacy
More recent discussions, especially around the documentary Phil Collins: Drummer First and news about his health issues, often take a more reflective tone. Articles and interviews emphasize how his decades of drumming took a serious physical toll, leading him to retire from playing drums and eventually from touring.
Musicians commenting on his career frame him as a rare triple threat: world-class drummer, distinctive vocalist, and hit-writing songwriter. For a new generation discovering his work through playlists and documentaries, Collins increasingly looks less like “that ‘80s guy” and more like a foundational figure in pop and rock music.
So Where Does Phil Collins Rank Overall?
If you forced the internet to average all its lists and opinions (please don’t actually do this), a rough picture emerges:
- As a drummer, he’s widely recognized as one of the best in modern pop and rock, often ranking among the top 50 rock drummers.
- As a solo artist, his classic era from Face Value through …But Seriously is treated as essential 1980s pop, even by critics who grumble about “Sussudio” in public but sing along in private.
- As part of Genesis, he’s central to the band’s transition from prog rock cult favorites to stadium-filling hitmakers.
In other words: Phil Collins may not top every “Greatest Artist of All Time” list, but his fingerprints are all over modern musicespecially if you listen for big, echoing drums and emotionally messy piano chords.
Personal Experiences and Opinions on Phil Collins Rankings
Rankings are fun, but they’re also deeply personal. Ask ten people to rank Phil Collins’ career, and you’ll get at least twelve answers. Here’s how many listeners, critics, and musicians describe their own experiencesplus a bit of grounded opinion about how to approach his catalogue.
Growing Up with Phil: The Background Soundtrack
For a lot of people, Phil Collins wasn’t an artist they consciously chosehe was just always there. His songs drifted through car rides, waiting rooms, grocery stores, and family movie nights. Over time, that background presence turned into emotional attachment. “In the Air Tonight” becomes the song you remember from your first late-night drive. “You’ll Be in My Heart” from the Tarzan soundtrack might be tied to childhood memories, long before you realize the singer is the same guy behind all those ‘80s hits.
Because of this, when people sit down to rank his songs, they’re not just scoring melody or production; they’re ranking memories. A ballad like “Against All Odds” may technically be less innovative than “In the Air Tonight,” but if it played during your first breakup, it might as well be the greatest song ever written.
Discovering the Drummer Behind the Ballads
A common experience among younger listeners is discovering Phil Collins in reverse: they know the soft-rock hits first, then they stumble onto his drumming. Maybe it’s a YouTube interview breaking down the “In the Air Tonight” drum sound, or a clip from a Genesis concert where he’s attacking the kit with incredible precision. Suddenly the rankings shift.
Instead of seeing him as just a singer of slow songs, people start to appreciate tracks where the drums lead the story. Songs like “I Don’t Care Anymore” or early Genesis material reveal a musician obsessed with rhythm and texture. That’s when you understand why drum magazines and rock critics put him in the “all-time greats” category.
Revisiting the Albums as an Adult
Another familiar arc: someone grows up hearing only the singles, writes Collins off as “too radio-friendly,” and then later in life revisits the full albums. Suddenly Face Value sounds raw and experimental. Both Sides feels painfully honest. Even the much-maligned Dance Into the Light has moments of joy that critics often overlook.
When people share these rediscovery experiences online, the tone often shifts from mocking to respect. You’ll see posts along the lines of: “I used to make fun of ‘Sussudio,’ but wow, the guy really poured himself into these records.” Rankings tend to climb once listeners pay attention to the album tracks instead of just the overplayed hits.
Living with the Legacy
Finally, there’s the emotional layer of watching Phil Collins age in public. News about his health problemsneck surgery, back issues, difficulty walking, and retirement from drumminghas led many long-time fans to reevaluate his legacy with more tenderness. When you know how much physical effort went into decades of touring and recording, those thunderous drum parts hit differently.
In that context, rankings start to feel less like a scoreboard and more like a thank-you note. Whether you personally put “In the Air Tonight,” “Easy Lover,” or “Another Day in Paradise” at number one, the real takeaway is that few artists manage to be a world-class drummer, a distinctive singer, and a hit-making songwriter all at onceand to sustain that level of success over multiple decades.
So if you’re building your own Phil Collins rankings, here’s a simple approach:
- Start with the obvious hits to understand his impact.
- Dig into Face Value, No Jacket Required, and …But Seriously front to back.
- Explore Genesis albums from the Collins era for a fuller picture of his drumming and songwriting.
- Then, and only then, decide whether he’s “overrated,” “underrated,” or simply essential to modern pop and rock.
Chances are, by the time you’re done, you’ll have strong opinionsand at least one Phil Collins song you quietly play on repeat when no one is watching.
