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Original poster

Phil Collins wrote the best unrequited love songs

116 replies

BeardySchnauzer · 17/09/2026 21:50

So I mean the ones you listen to when you’ just want to wallow - against all odds, everyday, in too deep etc etc

i feel this might be controversial..

and if anyone comes for me with Taylor Swift I would say her breakup songs are more suited to the ‘fuck him, he didn’t deserve me anyway’ stage

YABU - it’s all sentimental tosh
YANBU - get the tissues, I’m bawling just thinking of the opening chords

OP posts:
itsnotmeitsu · 17/09/2026 21:55

'Take a look at me now' always takes me back to a heartbreaking time. I don't like Phil Collins stuff but strangely I love that song, even 'though it reminds me of when my heart was ripped out.

PurpleAxe · 17/09/2026 21:56

Whenever I listen to Phil Collins' songs, I think 'I can see why she left you mate'.

Wokeuptired · 17/09/2026 21:57

He is amazing, he wrote so many heartfelt songs that are timeless

Luddite26 · 17/09/2026 21:57

I can't vote yet as I went through a period of really hating him. Recently I no longer snarl at the radio when he comes on. I think there's a reason he is one of the biggest sellers.
I love That's All, Follow Me Follow You and Seperate Lives the one he did with Marilyn Martin. I like Easy Lover too.
My eldest brother was a huge Peter Gabriel fan, but my other one loved Phil!

itsnotmeitsu · 17/09/2026 21:58

Got title wrong - it's 'Against All Odds'

HappiestSleeping · 17/09/2026 21:58

You should listen to some Whitesnake. David Coverdale is pretty good at the whole heartbreak thing too.

And Thunder.

Luddite26 · 17/09/2026 21:59

HappiestSleeping · 17/09/2026 21:58

You should listen to some Whitesnake. David Coverdale is pretty good at the whole heartbreak thing too.

And Thunder.

David Coverdale has one of the best voices ever.

NerrSnerr · 17/09/2026 21:59

He wrote some good songs and I’ll sing along if they come on the radio. Taylor Swift also has some good songs and I’ll sign along to more of those. Not really comparable artists in my opinion- so I don’t think it has to be either/ or with anyone coming at anyone.

Original poster
BeardySchnauzer · 17/09/2026 21:59

🤣 strong feelings evoked!!

I heard him being interviewed recently and I did come away feeling he’s a nice guy and was very misunderstood!! I’m a bit young to remember him in ‘real time’

OP posts:
ladygindiva · 17/09/2026 21:59

Separate lives is incredible. Not sure if he wrote it but I love it.

Original poster
BeardySchnauzer · 17/09/2026 22:00

Luddite26 · 17/09/2026 21:59

David Coverdale has one of the best voices ever.

Show quote history

You know who else has a surprisingly good voice - Tony Hadley

and yes, I am currently listening to a best of the 80’s playlist

OP posts:
FancyKitten · 17/09/2026 22:01

I would say Morrissey is the king of unrequited love songs. But in terms of liking MOR artists… I’ll admit to loving Simple Red. Mick Hucknall can really belt ‘em out!

Morepositivemum · 17/09/2026 22:01

As an aside to this (I agree with you op!)- groovy kind of love is one of the best love songs out there!

LuckyHazelFox · 17/09/2026 22:03

Against all odds gets me every time at 🎶 I wish I could just make you turn around, turn around and see me cry 🎶

We wish men thought like that 😆 🤣

Norwaygirl · 17/09/2026 22:03

Ladygindiva - I agree about Separate Lives being one of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs ever. You can hear and feel the pain in both their voices especially Marilyn Martin.

ProfessorofDarkArts · 17/09/2026 22:04

I think Groovy Kind of Love is a cover isn’t it? Lovely song though.

LuckyHazelFox · 17/09/2026 22:05

Norwaygirl · 17/09/2026 22:03

Ladygindiva - I agree about Separate Lives being one of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs ever. You can hear and feel the pain in both their voices especially Marilyn Martin.

Oh yes forgot that one! Beautiful.

Original poster
BeardySchnauzer · 17/09/2026 22:06

LuckyHazelFox · 17/09/2026 22:03

Against all odds gets me every time at 🎶 I wish I could just make you turn around, turn around and see me cry 🎶

We wish men thought like that 😆 🤣

That’s probably it - he wrote the songs for women!!

I'm imagining walking away saying ‘don’t look back, don’t look back, oh fgs he’s doing the puppy dog eyes again’

OP posts:
Original poster
BeardySchnauzer · 17/09/2026 22:07

One More Night (love that one)
Do you remember?
The least you can do

OP posts:
Manifesto · 17/09/2026 22:08

You Know What I Mean has a very special place in my heart. A ‘why are we doing this again?’ lament

AliTheMinx · 17/09/2026 22:08

LOVE Phil. Absolute legend. Against All Odds is absolutely sublime.

LuckyHazelFox · 17/09/2026 22:10

The 80s love songs were the best. I used to love Boyz 2 Men for soppy songs, although I know they were later. They had the most beautiful harmonies. Diana Ross and Lionel Richie though for thee most beautiful love song.

TheDogsMother · 17/09/2026 22:16

PurpleAxe · 17/09/2026 21:56

Whenever I listen to Phil Collins' songs, I think 'I can see why she left you mate'.

This. I believe he was going through a difficult break up and the music from this period was utterly depressing. He’s done a lot of much better stuff IMO.

Doriangraysattic · 17/09/2026 22:23

I'm afraid nothing beats 'Don't let him steal ypur heart away'. Massive memories of a situation I was in when I first heard it.
Still makes me go goosebumpy!

Badvocthebad · 17/09/2026 22:25

In too deep was the song of my first heartbreak 💔