5. “You Can’t Hurry Love” (1982)
Generally speaking, we don’t co-sign White folk remaking Black classics if they’re not named Hall & Oates. But Phil Collins took this Supremes banger, added some production heft, and stayed in pocket. Come for the lessons on managing expectations around love; stay for the belts that are dripping with chocolate thunder!
4. “In Too Deep” (1986)
This is a Genesis slow jam, but with bad-ass Brit singing lead there’s no need to get caught up in semantics. Here’s the skinny: Phil can’t take being in a dysfunctional relationship that finds him getting played by a slick-talkin’ babe. Says Phil: “There’s so much you promised / How could I ever forget?” It’s emo on ‘roids; the fact that Drake hasn’t covered it is a miracle.
3. “Against All Odds” (1984)
Phil’s homies should have all been fired! Collins gets the shitty end of the relationship stick more often than not. But this ballad is a gotdamn bop for thugs nursing a broken heart. The line “I wish I could just make you turn around / turn around and see me cry” hits different when you’re sulking, my G.
2. “Easy Lover” (1984)
Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey comes through in a falsetto. Terius Nash could never.