Phil Collins hit #1 with “Another Day in Paradise”

Another Day in Paradise Phil Collins

Writer(s): Phil Collins (see lyrics here) Released: October 23, 1989 First Charted: October 27, 1989 Peak: 14 US, 15 CB, 15 RR, 15 AC, 7 AR, 2 UK, 18 CN, 11 AU, 5 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 0.2 UK, 1.26 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 454.84 video, 260.47 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Fittingly, Phil Collins – one of the most successful artists of the ‘80s – finished out the decade with the #1 song. “Another Day in Paradise” was his seventh trip to the top (eighth if you count “Invisible Touch” with Genesis). The song was the lead single from his …But Seriously album, which went on to generate three more top-5 hits. Collins “was concerned that he was becoming perceived as a lightweight after having two cheery number one pop singles with ‘Groovy Kind of Love’ and ‘Two Hearts’” AMG from the Buster soundtrack. He opted to “expand his lyrical content” AMG by tackling homelessness, based on his own encounters with it it London and Washington, D.C. The song is sung in third person with Collins seeing a man cross a street to ignore a homeless woman. He begs listeners not to ignore such people because, as he sings, “it’s just another day for you and me in paradise.” WK Upon its release, some complained that “the wealthy Collins [was] unqualified to sing about the poor.” WK Others accused him “of profiteering from homelessness.” WK In a New York Times interview, he said “When I drive down the street, I see the same things everyone else sees. It’s a misconception that if you have a lot of money you’re somehow out of touch with reality.” SF Jamie Wales of Gigwise attacked the hypocrisy leveled at Collins, saying “Phil collected money for homeless charities from fans who attended his concerts and then donated double the total takings out of his own money.” WK The song won the Grammy for Record of the Year. It was also nominated for Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male, and Best Music Video – Short Form. It also won a Brit Award for Best British Single. Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Phil Collins AMG All Music Guide review by Ed Hogan FB Fred Bronson (2007). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (4th edition). Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 749. SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 2/28/2021; last updated 10/28/2022.