Phil Collins Hints at New Music: “I’ve Got Some Things That Are Finished”
Even though more than a decade has passed since his last studio album, Going Back (2010), Phil Collins’ legacy remains as vibrant as ever. Recently, the 75-year-old music icon delivered a reassuring signal to fans around the world, revealing that he hasn’t given up on songwriting and hinting at the possibility of releasing new music in the future.
The Creative Spark Lives On in the Basement Studio
Appearing on the songwriting podcast Sodajerker on Songwriting, the former Genesis frontman and legendary drummer sounded genuinely hopeful about creating music again.
“Oh, I’ve got some things that are finished. Well, a couple of things that are finished,” Collins shared. “I’ve got a lot of ideas. I know what they are, but I haven’t approached them since the health issues.”
Collins’ well-documented health battles began in 2007 with a severe spinal neck injury sustained during a tour. Subsequent nerve damage stripped him of his ability to play the drums—the very instrument that defined his sound and formed his proudest artistic identity. Facing physical pain and functional limitations, stepping back into a recording environment was once a daunting emotional hurdle.
However, his perspective has visibly shifted for the better. “But I’ve got a studio downstairs in my basement. I’m now not taking the long way around to avoid going in it,” he added with a touch of lighthearted candor.
This isn’t the first time the multi-Grammy-winning artist has teased a potential comeback. In a BBC interview earlier this year, Collins similarly noted: “I’ve got some things that are half-formed or were never finished, and a couple of things that were finished which I like. So, you know, maybe life in the old dog yet.”
The Secret Behind a Shelved Masterpiece: “Against All Odds”
Collins’ appearance on Sodajerker comes as part of the promotional push for the upcoming expanded edition of his classic 1981 debut solo album, Face Value (set for release on September 18).
Among the most prized gems included in the box set is a previously unheard demo of his legendary ballad “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now).” Interestingly, the iconic track that would go on to dominate global charts almost never saw the light of day simply because of Collins’ own self-criticism.
Explaining why the song didn’t make the original cut for Face Value, Collins admitted: “Bizarrely, I didn’t think it was kind of good enough.”
It wasn’t until 1984, when director Taylor Hackford sought a theme song for his romantic thriller of the same name, that the track was dusted off and released. That second chance made history: the song became the first of seven #1 hits for Collins on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
In the autumn of his career—having weathered severe health challenges and personal triumphs—Phil Collins’ quiet return to his basement studio is more than just a promise of new melodies. It is a poignant reminder that for a true artist, the music only stops when the heart does.