...But Seriously (1989) - Phil Collins

 

Tracklist:

1. Hang in Long Enough
2. That’s Just the Way It Is
3. Do You Remember?
4. Something Happened on the Way to Heaven
5. Colours
6. I Wish It Would Rain Down
7. Another Day in Paradise
8. Heat on the Street
9. All of My Life
10. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
11. Father to Son
12. Find a Way to My Heart

Released at the tail end of the 1980s, ...But Seriously finds Phil Collins turning introspective and socially conscious, shedding some of the breezier pop tones of his earlier solo work in favor of a more mature, world-weary sound. It’s a record that blends personal emotion with commentary on homelessness, war, and human connection—wrapped in lush production and classic Collins songwriting.

The album opens with “Hang in Long Enough,” a brassy, energetic track with Motown flair, before diving into the meatier, message-driven material. “That’s Just the Way It Is” addresses conflict in Northern Ireland, backed by David Crosby’s harmonies, while the Grammy-winning hit “Another Day in Paradise” casts a spotlight on homelessness with haunting restraint.

Yet, ...But Seriously isn’t just somber—it’s packed with soaring melodies and emotional power. “I Wish It Would Rain Down” (featuring Eric Clapton on guitar) is a gospel-tinged lament of lost love. “Do You Remember?” is smooth, melancholic pop perfection, and “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven” brings stadium-sized energy with bittersweet lyrics.

Collins also reflects on his family with “Father to Son” and lays bare his past on “All of My Life,” offering one of his most vulnerable performances. The mostly instrumental “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” adds cinematic depth, showcasing his knack for mood and arrangement.

With ...But Seriously, Phil Collins stepped away from the playful persona that marked earlier hits to make something weightier and more sincere. It’s perhaps his most adult album—both in tone and content—proving he could still dominate the charts while saying something that matters.