Phil Collins has spoken about his desire, as a producer, to remind audiences that Eric Clapton remained a brilliant guitarist even as musical fashions shifted around him. Collins recalled meeting Clapton and quickly becoming close friends, and said he took producing Clapton's records as a chance to show people that "this guy is still a fantastic guitar player" rather than a legend left behind by changing times.

The pair's collaboration produced Clapton's 1985 album Behind the Sun, which Collins helped shape after Clapton had worked through issues with addiction earlier that decade. Collins pointed to the single "Forever Man" as evidence Clapton could still play with the same fire he'd shown in Cream and Derek and the Dominos. The piece also touches on Collins' broader solo career, noting his work with figures such as Philip Bailey and former ABBA members as he embraced pop songwriting outside Genesis.