“In the Air Tonight” is a song written by Phil Collins and released in January 1981. It is a song that can mean different things to different people. Some think there are hidden messages in the lyrics, and some just drool over “that” memorable Phil Collins drum break. Either way, let’s take a closer look at the song and the meaning behind “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins.
Still Working With Genesis
“In the Air Tonight” was Phil Collins’ first solo single while still working with the British Progressive Rock band Genesis. He didn’t finally leave the band until 1996. It was also the lead single taken from Phil Collins’ first album, Face Value.
“In the Air Tonight” topped the charts in five countries, reaching #2 in the UK and #19 in America. The album also did well, reaching #1 in the UK, Sweden, and Canada and #7 in America.
It can be a risk to go it alone and produce music away from a successful, respected band. You have to have supreme confidence in your ability. Something that, at that stage of his career, Collins had plenty of.
Who Is Phil Collins?
Phil Collins is a West London lad born in 1951. He was raised in Hounslow, which, at that time, was part of an area frequented by some of the future greats.
Jim Marshall’s shop in Hanwell was just a few miles away. That meant the likes of Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, The Who, Ritchie Blackmore, John Mayall, and Jimi Hendrix were around. As was Mitch Mitchell, who worked in the shop. Collins was probably a couple of years too young to be a part of all that, but he soon caught up with some of them.
Early Starter
Phil began playing the drums at age five but had other ambitions in his young life. He went to drama school and, while there, secured some work playing small parts. One of those was in the crows’ scene in The Beatles film, A Hard Day’s Night.
His first major role came in 1964 when he was 13. He played the part of the ‘Artful Dodger’ in the London West End production of “Oliver.” Unfortunately, it didn’t last that long as his voice broke during a performance while he was singing. This is a role that Steve Marriott, later of Small Faces, had played a few years before in 1961.
But music was always important to the young actor…
And he began to devote more time to his drumming. Phil Collins’ early influences were The Beatles, of course, but also a lesser-known London band called ‘The Action.’
He had auditions for Vinegar Joe and the reincarnation of Manfred Mann without success. And he applied for an audition with Yes but didn’t go. He joined Genesis in 1970, which was then still a fledgling band, with one album release, but was on the rise.
Phil Collins’ first album with Genesis was Nursery Cryme. And he also made his debut with them as a lead vocalist taking on the acoustic-based song “For Absent Friends.”
It was with Genesis he made his name…
And, in 1975, when Peter Gabriel left, Phil took on the full-time singing duties as well. Genesis eventually went down to a trio but continued to tour and record. However, by now, Collins was having to deal with marital problems.
Solo albums followed; the first was Face Value, and he later returned to acting, playing ‘Buster’ the train robber, opposite Julie Walters. Two of his songs were included in the film.
Making The Most Of It
In the early days, it could be said that much of the music Phil Collins wrote was about the marital problems he had. Furthermore, it was said he was the only man on the planet to “make money” out of a divorce.
But let’s return to the meaning of “In the Air Tonight.” All of what we have spoken about so far was leading up to it.
Was There Something That Inspired it?
There is something rather dark and foreboding and almost sinister about the song. Songs written in minor keys can often have that feeling. But this song’s production takes it a stage further. Perhaps the best word to describe the song is “haunting.” But there may be a reason for that.
Genesis had been on tour for a long time. So, when Phil got back, his wife said to him that if he did the next tour of Japan, it would be over between them. She had known Phil since they first met in a drama class when they were both 11 years old.
Phil says he tried to explain to her that he was a musician and it was his job, and went off to Japan. When he got back, she took the kids and left. It was probably that moment when he turned his hand to songwriting as a way of pouring out his emotions.
Despair
The music creates an atmosphere full of despair. But, when those drums come in toward the end, the mood changes. Perhaps that could be an expression of his anger at the situation he finds himself in. The song had just been in a dark mood to that point, but the drums changed it all.
Meaning Behind “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins – The Lyrics
Most people interpret the meaning of the lyrics to “In The Air Tonight” as someone pouring their heart out in a song as a way of releasing all the pent-up emotions inside. And that could be difficult for some to hear if they have recently been through a similar experience.
While the music creates a somber feel to the song, the words are something different. Phil seems to go on the attack right from the very first verse. The words are rather unpleasant in context, and he says if she was drowning, he wouldn’t even lend a hand.
That is often the initial emotion that occurs when someone secretly knows they are in the wrong but then directs the blame onto others. Possibly his guilt for the situation creates the anger he directs at her. Whatever the inner reason, the anger and bitterness in the lyrics of “In The Air Tonight” matched the somber mood of the music, creating something very special.
Legends On The Lyric
As is often the case, when lyrics are dark and foreboding, theories will arise to promote various meanings. At best, they are usually wide of the mark, at worst, quite funny. That especially applies to the verse we have already mentioned. The “not lending a hand” reference to presumably his now departed wife drowning.
Some thought it was a reference to an incident that didn’t occur. They wrongfully assumed that Collins had seen someone drown. Some took it a stage further by commenting that the man who was drowning had an affair with his wife. And Collins did nothing to save the man.
Absolute nonsense…
The problem with this is it is like a lot of the rubbish you read on the internet. People start to believe it. Eminem included a line in his song “Stan” that references “In the Air Tonight” and someone leaving someone to drown.
To Collins’s credit, when questioned about these references, he denied them and did so without laughing. The meaning behind the Phil Collins song “In The Air Tonight” then is quite unambiguous. It is a reaction to heartbreak, and the anger in some of the lyrics shows very clearly his deeper emotions.
What Is It About This Song That Is So Striking?
It is a song with a great atmosphere created, as we have discussed, by the combination of the music and lyrics. But, it isn’t those things that are most memorable in many people’s eyes. The icing on the cake is “that” drum break towards the end.
Ten Strikes And Out
Ten strikes of his tom-toms at just after three minutes and forty seconds elevated the song to a higher plateau. The first time you heard it, you aren’t ready for it. The song seemed to be drifting towards a fade out when wallop. Ten strikes on some tom-toms not only changed the atmosphere of the song but also changed Phil Collins’ career.
An Accident
The irony is that the iconic Phil Collins drum fill was an accident. Producer Hugh Padgham had accidentally left the talkback control active on the desk. He had been using it to speak through but then hadn’t turned it off when Collins started to warm up on the drums.
Because of the heavy compression, it delivered a blistering sound, the likes of which he hadn’t heard before. But, the desk, or any other desk for that matter, wasn’t set up to record the sounds. So, that night he called the studio maintenance engineers in to make some adjustments to the desk. The next day the sound was “almost” born.
“Almost”?
I say that because Collins also added some sounds from a Roland CR-78 drum machine to finish off the sound. But, it still took some powerful drumming to make it work, and Collins was able to provide it.
Want To Learn More About Famous Drummers?
If so, check out our thoughts on Rolling Stones Drummer – Charlie Watts, Who Was the Drummer for Nirvana, Who is the Famous One Arm Drummer, the Best Metal Drummers of All Time, the Best Rock Drummers of All Time, and Female Drummers You Should Know for more incredible musicians and song selections.
Meaning Behind “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins – Final Thoughts
The song still retains its magic. However, Phil is now unwell and not able to play drums anymore. He still sings but has to remain seated and recently finished a tour to say goodbye and farewell. But, unlike The Eagles, who have finally given up saying goodbye and farewell after three separate “farewell” tours, this was to be Phil’s last.
Phil has suffered multiple medical problems – Deafness in his left ear, surgery needed to repair a problem in his neck, and plenty of other issues. He had an alcohol problem and is now diabetic. These days he cannot walk unaided and uses a cane.
Charity Work
Phil Collins has set up a charity called ‘Little Dreams’ that supports young people in their musical and sporting dreams. He also works with the ‘Topsy Foundation’ for underprivileged people in South Africa.
What he is doing now, given his health issues, is admirable. And he has come a long way both musically and as a person since I first saw him with Genesis in the back room of a pub in Southall, West London.
He has left us some great music, as you can hear on Greatest Hits by Phil Collins. And one of Phil Collins’ best recordings was a live album, Serious Hits Live! But, musically, his legacy will always be “In the Air Tonight” and “that” drum sound. Thanks for everything, Phil.
Until next time, happy listening.
