Phil Collins had already achieved great success as the drummer and lead singer of Genesis before launching his solo career in the 1980s. But it was during this decade that he became one of the most popular and successful pop artists in the world.
Collins’ solo debut album, Face Value, was released in 1981 and was a critical and commercial success. The album was inspired by his recent divorce, and its raw and emotional lyrics resonated with listeners around the world. Face Value spawned several hit singles, including “In the Air Tonight,” “I Miss You,” and “If Leaving Me Is Easy.”
Collins followed up Face Value with the equally successful album Hello, I Must Be Going! in 1982. The album featured a more polished sound and a wider range of musical styles, but it retained the emotional honesty that had characterized Collins’ debut album. Hello, I Must Be Going! spawned several more hit singles, including “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “I Don’t Care Anymore,” and “Two Hearts.”
In 1985, Collins released his third solo album, No Jacket Required. This album was Collins’ most commercially successful solo album, selling over 12 million copies in the United States alone. No Jacket Required spawned seven hit singles, including “One More Night,” “Sussudio,” “Don’t Lose My Number,” and “Take Me Home.”
Collins’ fourth solo album, …But Seriously, was released in 1989. This album was a more serious and introspective work than his previous albums, and it dealt with themes such as social injustice and homelessness. …But Seriously spawned five hit singles, including “Another Day in Paradise,” “I Wish It Would Rain Down,” and “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven.”
Collins’ solo career in the 1980s was marked by a string of hit singles and albums. He became one of the most popular and successful pop artists in the world, and his music has continued to be enjoyed by listeners of all ages.
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