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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:
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.

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:
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 12:20

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:
Carryingitjoyfully · 18/09/2026 12:22

BeardySchnauzer · 18/09/2026 12:20

Please tell me it was your first dance

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

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!

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Where’s the emoji for ‘disappointed’

OP posts:
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

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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.

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

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.

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 😢

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.

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!!

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!!

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!

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.

HesterLee · 19/09/2026 23:09

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

DeftGoldHedgehog · 19/09/2026 23:11

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!

He didn't write that.

MamaBobo · 20/09/2026 07:24

Luddite26 · 18/09/2026 14:34

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.

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They thought I was nuts! I was 13 when I bought my first PC single and I’d say I was obsessed from then till I left high school. I left it behind a bit when I started working! I always had crushes on older men though…went to see The Colour of Money with a friend and she came out lusting after Tom Cruise while I was drooling over Paul Newman. Michael Caine and John Thaw were also very appealing. Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and Hugh Bonneville are in that fantasy crush space these days but I don’t have a cardboard cutout of any of them. Alas!

the80sweregreat · 20/09/2026 07:42

He is great. He did one of his songs on top of the pops with a tin of paint next to the keyboard because his ex had previously run off with the man who decorated their house !
In the air tonight is my favorite one of his.

Aydel · 20/09/2026 07:54

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.

Roxy Music’s Oh Yeah was the soundtrack to my first break up. I used to lie in bed and cry and listen to it on repeat on my Walkman.

the80sweregreat · 20/09/2026 07:57

I am a Roxy music fan too. He had a distinctive voice and that smooth jazzy sound that washes over you.
Fabulous group.

Modernfamily2011 · 20/09/2026 23:18

He is an absolute legend and all round nice guy! He’s just made some very questionable choices on wives!
Face Value and Hello I must be going were testament to that 🤣 I absolutely love him ❤️
For context, i’m in my 40’s so was v young when he was huge in the 80’s

Original poster
BeardySchnauzer · 20/09/2026 23:22

yes his last wife in particular seems to have worked out badly - I heard him recently and he talked about how he would get back with her tomorrow if she wanted.

OP posts:
OneMentalBastard · 20/09/2026 23:25

I think he's a whiny wee cunt.

Modernfamily2011 · 20/09/2026 23:28

@BeardySchnauzer - he got back with his 3rd wife around 2020 and she totally ripped him off again! I think he had to have her evicted and she sold a lot of his collections!