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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:
HesterLee · 19/09/2026 23:09

The first gig I ever went to was Phil Collins. 1991 in Australia. It had a circus theme.

Toastandjam16 · 19/09/2026 22:54

Throwing It All Away - as used in a heart rending TV series - is another great lost love song.

An alternative though: Roxy Music. Dance Away, Oh Yeah!, Over You.. all brilliant heartbreak songs.

AccidentalKiwi · 19/09/2026 22:45

I think he’s due a renaissance, my teenager is a surprise fan, we’ve had some heated discussions about Phil!

Freudianflip · 19/09/2026 22:17

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

I unironically love a bit of Phil. Great stuff!!

Luddite26 · 19/09/2026 22:12

Hey @BeardySchnauzer I've asked Alexa to play Phil. Thanks for the thread. I have been contemplating his music for some time should I like shouldn't I? All the media negativity.

So I'm having a listen then I will vote!!

supiciousminds · 18/09/2026 15:26

His songs “If leaving me is easy” and “You know what I mean” from Face Value are incredible but so sad.

MyballsareSandy2015 · 18/09/2026 15:16

omghereistrouble · 18/09/2026 12:05

he did write good songs but i don't know about the best, they certainly hit your soul.
when i had to let my ex go we had the song
Odyssey if you are looking for a way out
that will rip your soul to pieces

Oh I’d forgotten about that song … heartbreaking 😢

Luddite26 · 18/09/2026 14:34

MamaBobo · 18/09/2026 12:15

I was absolutely obsessed by Phil Collins back in the day, totally besotted with him. Had scrapbooks full of pictures cut out of the papers and music magazines, massive posters on my bedroom walls and I once carried a lifesize cardboard cutout of him, made for the film Buster, home on the bus after a local record shop let me have it. Some of the music has stood the test of time for me, some not.

In spite of being so devoted to Phil my go to 80s heartbreak song is “Missing You” by John Waite. “Every time I think of you I always catch my breath” gets me every time!

what did your friends think about your PC obsession? I'm assuming you mean when in your teens. although my mum has a huge Meltdowns Gibson Brave heart poster in her living room my kids called him Uncle Mel she was so obsessed in her 50s.

but I'm totally with you on the John Waite many crushes were mooned over in my bedroom listening to that taped off the radio! Don't know why I never bought the single it was a good one still is when it comes on the radio.

BunkBedsArePeopleShelves · 18/09/2026 12:52

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!

I wouldn't really call them love songs as Morrissey has only ever been in love with himself.

I love the Smiths but he's just such a massive wanker

bumblingbovine49 · 18/09/2026 12:34

BeardySchnauzer · 17/09/2026 22:00

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

Show quote history

Those of us who remember him the first time around know this. I absolutely used to love his voice in the 80s, itbgave me goosebumps, despite not really liking a lot of Spandau Ballet songs in general. His voice made them

I love a lot of Phil Collins too, though not necessarily his voice which is perfectly fine, but I do like a lot of his songs.

Original poster
BeardySchnauzer · 18/09/2026 12:24

Carryingitjoyfully · 18/09/2026 12:22

That would have been hilarious. We had a ceilidh so no Phil Collins I'm afraid!

Show quote history

Where’s the emoji for ‘disappointed’

OP posts:
Carryingitjoyfully · 18/09/2026 12:22

BeardySchnauzer · 18/09/2026 12:20

Please tell me it was your first dance

Show quote history

That would have been hilarious. We had a ceilidh so no Phil Collins I'm afraid!

Original poster
BeardySchnauzer · 18/09/2026 12:20

Carryingitjoyfully · 18/09/2026 12:15

DH used to play If Leaving Me Is Easy over and over again on the school common room record player. He seemed to think it would make me want to go out with him... It didn't but strangely we are now together anyway.

Please tell me it was your first dance

OP posts:
Original poster
BeardySchnauzer · 18/09/2026 12:19

Wow @MamaBobo that’s devotion!

the current generation of kids are really missing out on the whole life size cut out thing

OP posts:
Original poster
BeardySchnauzer · 18/09/2026 12:18

Carryingitjoyfully · 18/09/2026 12:15

DH used to play If Leaving Me Is Easy over and over again on the school common room record player. He seemed to think it would make me want to go out with him... It didn't but strangely we are now together anyway.

That deserves the laugh reaction.

OP posts:
Carryingitjoyfully · 18/09/2026 12:15

DH used to play If Leaving Me Is Easy over and over again on the school common room record player. He seemed to think it would make me want to go out with him... It didn't but strangely we are now together anyway.

MamaBobo · 18/09/2026 12:15

I was absolutely obsessed by Phil Collins back in the day, totally besotted with him. Had scrapbooks full of pictures cut out of the papers and music magazines, massive posters on my bedroom walls and I once carried a lifesize cardboard cutout of him, made for the film Buster, home on the bus after a local record shop let me have it. Some of the music has stood the test of time for me, some not.

In spite of being so devoted to Phil my go to 80s heartbreak song is “Missing You” by John Waite. “Every time I think of you I always catch my breath” gets me every time!

AlwaysExtraHot · 18/09/2026 12:10

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.

Well, all she was saying is their songs are about different stages of heartbreak. They don't need to be comparable artists.

dustabsorber · 18/09/2026 12:07

He had a brilliant career from prog rock drummer, to songwriter, to vocalist to actor. Very sad that is not so well these days.

omghereistrouble · 18/09/2026 12:05

he did write good songs but i don't know about the best, they certainly hit your soul.
when i had to let my ex go we had the song
Odyssey if you are looking for a way out
that will rip your soul to pieces

Luddite26 · 18/09/2026 12:03

Phil Collins along with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson are artists who have sold over 150 million albums so he hasn't done bad.
but I'm sure he was one who said if Labour get in he's leaving the country and said something about homeless people after his song Another Day in Paradise. I will have to get down the rabbit hole and see whether it was all true.

Luddite26 · 18/09/2026 12:00

sorry @BorgQueen Missing as you said not Miss You.

namechange62 · 18/09/2026 11:41

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.

My (now DH) broke up with me because I wanted marriage and DC.
I travelled the world and had a relationship with a lovely man. I heard this song whilst with him and so did he. My now DH sent me the cassette (this is how long ago it was. It's our 36th wedding anniversary tomorrow) and asked me to listen to this song.
So I have many memories and everytime I hear it it takes me back.

Original poster
BeardySchnauzer · 18/09/2026 11:34

I am a big fan of drums so that probably also explains why I like the Phil Collins ones!

I'm not saying there aren’t other good songs out there but he did write quite a lot on the subject

OP posts:
Luddite26 · 18/09/2026 11:30

BorgQueen · 18/09/2026 11:25

I do like Against all odds but there are better songs.
“Missing” by Everything but the Girl - such evocative lyrics - one of my all time favourite songs.
I also love “Incomplete” by the Back Street Boys.
Oh and “Please don’t leave me” by Pink.

Funny how tastes are so different! I can't stand that song Miss You.! I have to turn it off so bloody miserable. but I was working in a bar when it was out so massively overplayed. each to their own eh!