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3 Phil Collins Collaborations That Sound Even Better Today
Phil Collins is best known as a Genesis member and solo artist, but he also recorded a handful of memorable duets that remain notable today. This piece highlights three standout collaborations that showcase his range across ballads, upbeat pop-rock and even a hip-hop reworking of one of his signature tracks.
– "Separate Lives" with Marilyn Martin: a poignant 1980s duet written by Stephen Bishop, featured on the soundtrack to the 1985 film White Nights.– "Easy Lover" with Philip Bailey: co-written with Nathan East, released as a single in 1984 and included on Bailey's album Chinese Wall.– "In the Air Tonight" with Lil' Kim: Collins's solo-written 1981 debut single from his album Face Value, reimagined by Lil' Kim in 2001 for the tribute album Urban Renewal — the only track on which Collins himself appears.
In short
- Article revisits three of Phil Collins's most memorable duets.
- Includes "Separate Lives", "Easy Lover" and "In the Air Tonight".
- Lil' Kim's 2001 remake was Collins's only feature on Urban Renewal.
Explained simply
Phil Collins established himself as one of popular music's most prominent figures first as the drummer and later vocalist for Genesis, a leading progressive rock band of the 1970s and 1980s. His subsequent solo career extended his success substantially, producing numerous hit singles and albums that defined much of the 1980s and 1990s popular music landscape.
Beyond his primary solo catalogue, Collins has recorded a number of duets and special collaborations with other artists, partnerships that have showcased different facets of his musical range and versatility. These recordings have paired him with musicians from different genres and backgrounds, ranging from pop and R&B to hip-hop, demonstrating his ability to adapt his distinctive voice to varied musical contexts.
These collaborations span different periods of Collins's career and offer a cross-section of his work beyond his main commercial releases. They represent his engagement with artists and musical styles outside his established sound, providing a broader view of his artistic capabilities and willingness to experiment across genre boundaries.