...But Seriously
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
...But Seriously | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by Phil Collins | ||||
Released | 24 November 1989[1] | |||
Studio | April - October 1989 at The Farm, England, and A & M Studios, Los Angeles, California | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length | 59:42 (CD) 54:25 (LP) |
|||
Label | Virgin (UK and Ireland) Atlantic (US and Canada) WEA (Rest of the world) |
|||
Producer | Phil Collins, Hugh Padgham | |||
Phil Collins chronology | ||||
|
||||
Singles from ...But Seriously | ||||
|
Professional ratings | |
---|---|
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [2] |
Rolling Stone | [3] |
...But Seriously is the fourth solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Phil Collins. It was recorded at The Farm, Surrey, England, and at A & M Studios, Los Angeles, United States. It was released on 24 November 1989,[1] on Virgin in the UK and Ireland, Atlantic in the US and Canada, WEA Records (now Warner Music Group) for the rest of the world. It was the best-selling album of 1990 in the UK.
Contents
Musical style
While much of the album follows the same formula as Collins' previous album, No Jacket Required (1985), there was also a move towards more organic production as Collins chose to utilise live drums instead of the drum machines used heavily on No Jacket Required. He also prominently used keyboards and electric piano but fewer synthesizers. The album also features a sole instrumental track, "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning", which recalls the jazz-influenced instrumentals featured on his first two albums, Face Value and Hello, I Must Be Going.
Themes
The tone of the album is serious, as the title suggests. Instead of focusing entirely on personal relationships, dark psychedelics, and simple fun, Collins expands his focus to the exploration of socio-economic and political themes. There is great emotional turmoil underneath the polished studio production, and many of the songs are unambiguous and unveiled in their melancholy.
"Another Day in Paradise", which was released as the lead single and became the album's biggest international hit, is a sympathetic look at the plight of the homeless.[4] The song was inspired by Collins' visit to Washington, D.C. There, he was struck with the widespread poverty in which so many people live, and the struggles that homeless people face. He was equally struck by the perfect abandonment of these needy people, and the complacency of the city as a whole, despite being the nation's center of government (hence the sarcasm used in the title of the song).
Another politically themed song on the album is "Colours", which voices Collins' condemnation of the segregation and oppression of black and coloured people in South Africa under apartheid. Arguably the song with the most progressive rock influence in this album (à la Genesis), it is quite popular with some fans. But it did not see much commercial success as it is almost nine minutes long, and radio stations had no interest in playing it. The political theme is also evident in the second song on the album "That's Just the Way It Is", which deals with The Troubles of Northern Ireland. This was a minor chart hit in the summer of 1990 and in the lyrics Collins makes reference to the gridlock of Ulster's sectarian differences most notably in the line "If we'd agree that we can disagree, we could stop all of this today."
While incorporating political themes, ...But Seriously does not abandon the theme of relationships. But unlike some of his earlier work, Collins takes a more mature and reflective approach when looking at the relationships in his life.
The album also features a dramatic, gospel-influenced track, "I Wish It Would Rain Down", which features Eric Clapton prominently on guitar and became one of the album's biggest hit singles.
"Father to Son" is a song in which Collins explores his connection with his own son. The song has a positive, inspirational tone as he seeks to guide his son through some of the trials of life and love, and to reassure him that, "if you look behind you, I will be there".
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Phil Collins, except where noted.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Hang in Long Enough" | 4:44 |
2. | "That's Just the Way It Is" | 5:20 |
3. | "Do You Remember?" | 4:36 |
4. | "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" (lyrics: Collins, music: Collins, Daryl Stuermer) | 4:52 |
5. | "Colours" | 8:51 |
6. | "I Wish It Would Rain Down" | 5:28 |
7. | "Another Day in Paradise" | 5:22 |
8. | "Heat on the Street" | 3:51 |
9. | "All of My Life" | 5:36 |
10. | "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" (Collins, Thomas Washington) | 1:26 |
11. | "Father to Son" | 3:28 |
12. | "Find a Way to My Heart" | 6:08 |
LP
- Side A
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Hang in Long Enough" | 4:44 |
2. | "That's Just the Way It Is" | 5:20 |
3. | "Find a Way to My Heart" | 6:08 |
4. | "Colours" | 8:51 |
5. | "Father to Son" | 3:28 |
- Side B
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Another Day in Paradise" | 5:22 |
2. | "All of My Life" | 5:36 |
3. | "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" | 4:52 |
4. | "Do You Remember?" | 4:36 |
5. | "I Wish It Would Rain Down" | 5:28 |
Working titles
- The original title of "Do You Remember?" was originally "Lionel".
- The original title of "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" was originally "Broadway Chorus".
- The original title of the first part of "Colours" was originally "Hymn" and the second part was originally called "Oh! Mr. Botha What Can We Do?".
- The original title of "Another Day in Paradise" was originally "Homeless".
B-sides
- "That's How I Feel"
- "You've Been in Love (That Little Bit Too Long)"
- "Around the World in 80 Presets"
Personnel
Instrumental contributions
- Phil Collins — keyboards, drums, percussion, tambourine, vocals
- Daryl Stuermer — guitar
- Leland Sklar — bass guitar
- Dominic Miller — guitar
- The Phenix Horns:
- Don Myrick — saxophone
- Louis Satterfield — trombone
- Harry Kim — trumpet
- Rhamlee Michael Davis — trumpet
- Alex Brown — backing vocals
- Marva King — backing vocals
- Lynne Fiddmont — backing vocals
Featured musicians
- David Crosby — vocals on "That's Just the Way It Is" and "Another Day in Paradise"
- Nathan East — bass guitar on "Hang in Long Enough" and "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven"
- Pino Palladino — bass guitar on "Do You Remember?" and "I Wish It Would Rain Down"
- Stephen Bishop — vocals on "Do You Remember?"
- Eric Clapton — guitar on "I Wish It Would Rain Down"
- Steve Winwood — Hammond organ on "All of My Life"
Production
- Produced and Mixed by Phil Collins and Hugh Padgham
- Engineered by Hugh Padgham
- Assisted by Ed Goodreau (Los Angeles) and Simon Osbourne
- Horns arranged by Tom Tom 84
- Music Preparation by Maurice Spears
- Photography by Trevor Key
Chart performance
Chart (1989) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
---|---|---|
Australian Albums Chart[5] | 1 | 45 |
Austrian Albums Chart[6] | 1 | 44 |
Canadian Albums Chart[7] | 1 | 66 |
Dutch Albums Chart[8] | 1 | 77 |
Finnish Albums Chart[9] | 1 | |
German Albums Chart[10] | 1 | 79 |
New Zealand Albums Chart[11] | 1 | 63 |
Norwegian Albums Chart[12] | 1 | 27 |
Spanish Albums Chart[13] | 1 | 52 |
Swedish Albums Chart[14] | 1 | 14 |
Swiss Albums Chart[15] | 1 | 51 |
UK Albums Chart[16] | 1 | 71 |
US Billboard 200[17] | 1 | 90 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
---|---|---|
Argentina (CAPIF)[18] | 3× Platinum | 180,000 |
Australia (ARIA)[19] | 6× Platinum | 420,000 |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[20] | Platinum | 50,000 |
Brazil (ABPD)[21] | Gold | 100,000 |
Canada (Music Canada)[22] | 7× Platinum | 700,000 |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[23] | Platinum | 74,715[23] |
France (SNEP)[24] | Diamond | 1,711,100[25] |
Germany (BVMI)[26] | 6× Platinum | 3,000,000 |
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[27] | Platinum | 15,000 |
Italy (FIMI)[28] | 3× Platinum | 300,000 |
Japan (RIAJ)[29] | Platinum | 200,000 |
Netherlands (NVPI)[30] | 2× Platinum | 200,000 |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[31] | Platinum | 15,000 |
Portugal (AFP)[32] | 2× Platinum | 80,000 |
Sweden (GLF)[33] | Gold | 50,000 |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[34] | 7× Platinum | 700,000 |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[35] | 5× Platinum | 250,000 |
United Kingdom (BPI)[36] | 8× Platinum | 2,740,590[37] |
United States (RIAA)[38] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000 |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
- In the UK, the success of ...But Seriously was impressive. It spent 15 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1, including the whole competitive Christmas season, and at the end of 1989 became the third best-selling album of the year in the country. ...But Seriously became the best-selling album of 1990 in the UK.
- ...But Seriously also peaked No. 1 on the Billboard 200 during four weeks. It became the second best-selling album of 1990, according to Billboard.
- In Germany, ...But Seriously is the second best-selling album in the chart history of certified albums, and the best-selling album within the foreign repertoire.[39]
- At the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards "Another Day in Paradise" won the award for Record of the Year. ...But Seriously received further nominations for Album of the Year, Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) and Best Engineered Recording – Non-Classical. "Another Day in Paradise" was further nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, while the instrumental piece "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. ...But Seriously received two American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist. At the Brit Awards in 1990 "Another Day in Paradise" received the award for Best British Single, while Collins was named British Male Artist. In 1991 Collins received a further nomination for British Male Artist.
Singles
In the US, ...But Seriously contained five singles, all of which reached the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. In terms of the number of hit singles from one release, ...But Seriously remains the most successful album by Phil Collins.
- "Another Day in Paradise" reached No. 1 (1989)[4]
- "I Wish It Would Rain Down" reached No. 3 (1990)
- "Do You Remember?" reached No. 4 (1990)
- "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" reached No. 4 (1990)
- "Hang in Long Enough" reached No. 23 (1990)
In Canada, "Another Day in Paradise", "I Wish It Would Rain Down", "Do You Remember?" and "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" all reached No. 1, with Phil Collins achieving four number one hits in the same calendar year, 1990.
Tour
In support of the album, Collins' embarked on a world wide tour, called Seriously Live!. In total, there were 113 shows over 3 continents and it led to the release of a live album and video Serious Hits... Live!.
See also
- List of best-selling albums in France
- List of best-selling albums in Germany
- List of best-selling albums in Spain
- List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 PHIL COLLINS - But Seriously - Amazon.com Music
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter Phil Collins in the field Interpret. Enter But Seriously ......... in the field Titel. Select album in the field Format. Click Suchen
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; name "FinlandPhil_CollinsBut_SeriouslyalbumCertRef" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select PHIL COLLINS and click OK
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select Album e Compilation in the field Sezione. Enter Phil Collins in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select the "Chart", enter 1990 in the field "Year". Select '' in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts"
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter But Seriously in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Preceded by | Billboard 200 number-one album 30 December 1989 – 12 January 1990 20 January – 2 February 1990 |
Succeeded by Girl You Know It's True by Milli Vanilli Forever Your Girl by Paula Abdul |
Preceded by | UK number one album 2 December 1989 – 26 January 1990 3 February – 23 March 1990 |
Succeeded by Colour by The Christians I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got by Sinéad O'Connor |
Preceded by | Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album 2–17 December 1989 |
Succeeded by The Album by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers |
- Pages with reference errors
- Cite certification used with missing parameters
- EngvarB from September 2013
- Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters
- Certification Table Entry usages for Argentina
- Certification Table Entry usages for Australia
- Certification Table Entry usages for Austria
- Certification Table Entry usages for Brazil
- Certification Table Entry usages for Canada
- Certification Table Entry usages for Finland
- Certification Table Entry usages for France
- Certification Table Entry usages for Germany
- Certification Table Entry usages for Hong Kong
- Certification Table Entry usages for Italy
- Certification Table Entry usages for Japan
- Certification Table Entry usages for Netherlands
- Certification Table Entry usages for New Zealand
- Certification Table Entry usages for Portugal
- Certification Table Entry usages for Sweden
- Certification Table Entry usages for Spain
- Certification Table Entry usages for Switzerland
- Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom
- Certification Table Entry usages for United States
- Use dmy dates from September 2013
- 1989 albums
- Phil Collins albums
- Atlantic Records albums
- Albums produced by Phil Collins
- Albums produced by Hugh Padgham
- Virgin Records albums
- Warner Music Group albums