What is the story behind Phil Collins' song 'In the Air Tonight'?

Answer 1

I heard this was an urban legend

There have been popular myths surrounding the background to the 1980's classic. Anyone who says that it's to do with Phil Collins' friend/brother drowning/getting shot/ commiting suicide, and no-one tries to save them.....is ignorant. It is acknowledged that Phil was going through a tough divorce at the time. In his own words:

"I don't know what this song is about. When I was writing this I was going through a divorce. And the only thing I can say about it is that it's obviously in anger. It's the angry side, or the bitter side of a separation. So what makes it even more comical is when I hear these stories which started many years ago, particularly in America, of someone come up to me and say, 'Did you really see someone drowning?' I said, 'No, wrong'. And then every time I go back to America the story gets Chinese whispers, it gets more and more elaborate. It's so frustrating, 'cos this is one song out of all the songs probably that I've ever written that I really don't know what it's about, you know."

- Phil Collins

[from YouTube - In the Air Tonight music video]

Answer 2

Phil Collins was sitting on a mountain or a high ledge and he watched this guy drown in a lake. Collins had no way of trying to save the person but there was a person that could have but they didn't . So the song is basically saying if i saw you drowning i would not save you because you didn't save that man. He watched the whole thing happen. Phil Collins says he will never forget about it . Yeah and he invited the man to his concert and looked him in the eye and said" your a foolish barsterd"

Answer 3

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord

I've been waiting for this moment, all my life, Oh Lord

Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord, Oh Lord

Well, if you told me you were drowning

I would not lend a hand

I've seen your face before my friend

But I don't know if you know who I am

Well, I was there and I saw what you did

I saw it with my own two eyes

So you can wipe off the grin, I know where you've been

It's all been a pack of lies

And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord

I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, Oh Lord

I can feel it in the air tonight, Oh Lord, Oh Lord

And I've been waiting for this moment all my life, Oh Lord, Oh Lord

Well I remember, I remember don't worry

How could I ever forget, it's the first time, the last time we ever met

But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, no you don't fool me

The hurt doesn't show; but the pain still grows

It's no stranger to you or me

And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord...

Answer 4

I have heard that Phil wrote it about some guy drowning his buddy when they were kids (threw him out of boat and watched him drown while Phil watched from shore). Years later Phil invited the guy to his concert and had the spotlight shine on him during the song. after the song "the guy" killed himself.

As A Child At Camp, Phil Collins And His Friend Were Set Afloat With A Councilor On A Lake. Collins Was Raped And His Friend Drowned In The Water By The Councilor. After Phil Became Famous, He Hired Police To Find The Ex-Councilor And Give Him Front Row Tickets For His Next Concert, Where Collins First Performed 'In The Air Tonight'. It Was A Song Basically Made For Getting Revenge, And A Message Of Warning.

I heard none of the rumors about him seeing someone drown are true.

Answer 5

In the Air Tonight is featured on the album "Face Value".

Answer 6

In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins was released in 1981 on his album 'Face Value'.

Answer 7

You can find the song on Youtube - complete with on-screen lyrics.