Phil Collins shares his favourite songs by Prince
Phil Collins stands as a monolith in the music world, a living legend whose career spans decades and transcends the boundaries of genres. Born in London in 1951, Collins found his rhythm at an early age, establishing himself as a multifaceted musician, singer, songwriter, and producer.
Collins’ journey began with Genesis, a band that became a breeding ground for his creative prowess. He rose through the ranks, transforming from a remarkable drummer into the band’s lead vocalist after Peter Gabriel’s departure. This transition marked a pivotal moment, catapulting Genesis to new heights and showcasing Collins’s remarkable vocal range in hits like ‘Invisible Touch’ and ‘Land of Confusion’.
However, it was his solo career that solidified Collins’ place in the annals of music history. With an extraordinary knack for crafting chart-topping hits, his solo albums, starting with Face Value and No Jacket Required, showcased an unmatched versatility. Iconic tracks like ‘In the Air Tonight’ and ‘Against All Odds’ resonated with audiences globally, earning him numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards and an Academy Award.
Face Value, in particular, marked the onset of a series of chart-topping records that established him as a pivotal figure in 1980s music. This was incredibly beneficial for pop, coinciding with an era of phenomenal artists like Prince, whom Collins deeply admired. “I just think it’s funny to pull that kind of thing off in this business,” Collin said, discussing the singer’s legacy. “If you’re in front of 10,000 kids screaming at you, it’s one thing. But inside the business, it’s strange. Musically, Prince is great, though. I love his attitude.”
Throughout the years, he frequently shared his admiration for the late American artist, even singling out three tracks that he considered particularly exceptional. One such song was ‘Little Red Corvette’. Penned by Prince and featured on his iconic album 1999, ‘Little Red Corvette’ soared in popularity upon its release in 1983. The track achieved widespread success, peaking at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and reaching the 28th spot on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Interestingly, Collins’ appreciation for this album was also evident in his single ‘Sussudio’, which many claimed sounded a lot like Prince’s ‘1999’. However, although he decided to channel a lot of R&B tropes into the album as a whole, he later defended this accusation: “If anyone thinks I’m ripping off specific songs, that is up to them, but I’m not plagiarising Black music,” Collins said. “‘Sussudio’ was changed once because it was starting to sound a bit too much like Prince. I could never write a song like Prince, because I’m not from that environment.”
Another of Collins’ cherished picks hails from the groundbreaking 1984 album Purple Rain. Beyond the album’s title track, ‘Take Me With U’ emerged as a substantial hit and soared to number seven on the UK Singles Chart, claiming the 25th spot on the US charts. However, the album’s titular track also caught Collin’s attention. Arguably Prince’s most iconic song, ‘Purple Rain intricately blends elements of Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, and Orchestral music.
Phil Collins’ favourite Prince songs:
- ‘Little Red Corvette’
- ‘Take Me With U’
- ‘Purple Rain’