...But Seriously

...But Seriously
Studio album by Phil Collins
Released 20 November 1989 (1989-11-20)[1]
Recorded 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
Buster
(1988)		 ...But Seriously
(1989)		 Serious Hits... Live!
(1990)
Singles from ...But Seriously
  1. "Another Day in Paradise"
    Released: 23 October 1989
  2. "I Wish It Would Rain Down"
    Released: 20 January 1990
  3. "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven"
    Released: 28 April 1990
  4. "That's Just the Way It Is"
    Released: 28 July 1990
  5. "Hang in Long Enough"
    Released: 16 September 1990
  6. "Do You Remember?"
    Released: 5 November 1990
2016 reissue cover
2016 reissue cover with updated photograph
Recreated cover photograph, as part of Collins' 2016 studio album reissues
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
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 20 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.

It reached number one in the UK for 15 nonconsecutive weeks including the whole competitive Christmas season and was the last of the 1980s and the first of the 1990s. And three nonconsecutive weeks in the US and where it was the first of the 1990s. The album produced 5 top forty singles in the US including the number one and UK number two Record of the Year single Another Day in Paradise and was certified 4 times platinum.In the UK it produced five top forty singles and has sold more than two million copies making it one of the best selling albums in British history List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom.In Germany it reached number one and is the second best selling album in its history and the best selling album by a foreigner List of best-selling albums in Germany. A 2-disc remastered version of the album was released on 10 June 2016 and contains live songs and demos.[4][5]

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.
"Another Day in Paradise", from Collins' ...But Seriously
Collins' last of seven American number one songs, "Another Day in Paradise" and its theme regarding the homeless won Collins a Grammy for Record of the Year.
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Themes

The tone of the album is serious, as the title suggests. Instead of focusing entirely on personal relationships, dark psychedelics and fun, Collins expands his focus to the exploration of socio-economic and political themes. There is 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.[6] 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), "Colours" 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 tracks written 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

2016 reissue bonus disc

No. Title Length
1. "Hang in Long Enough (live 1997)"   4:52
2. "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven (live 2004)"   5:26
3. "Colours (live 1990)"   11:20
4. "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (live 1990)"   1:54
5. "Always (live 1990)"   4:30
6. "Find a Way to My Heart (live 1994)"   5:40
7. "That's How I Feel (B-side)"   5:05
8. "You've Been in Love (That Little Bit Too Long) (B-side)"   4:49
9. "Another Day in Paradise (demo)"   5:21
10. "That's Just the Way It Is (demo)"   4:54
11. "I Wish It Would Rain Down (demo)"   5:30
12. "Hang in Long Enough (demo)"   4:34
13. "Do You Remember? (demo)"   4:43

Working titles

B-sides

  1. "That's How I Feel"
  2. "You've Been in Love (That Little Bit Too Long)"
  3. "Around the World in 80 Presets"

Personnel

Musicians

Guest musicians

Production

Chart positions

Chart (1989–2016) Peak
position		 Total
weeks
Australian Albums Chart[7] 1 45
Austrian Albums Chart[8] 1 44
Canadian Albums Chart[9] 1 66
Danish Albums Chart[10] 1 30
Dutch Albums Chart[11] 1 77
Finnish Albums Chart[12] 1 N/A
French Albums Chart[13] 1 77
German Albums Chart[14] 1 80
New Zealand Albums Chart[15] 1 63
Norwegian Albums Chart[16] 1 27
Spanish Albums Chart[17] 1 52
Swedish Albums Chart[18] 1 14
Swiss Albums Chart[19] 1 52
UK Albums Chart[20] 1 71
US Billboard 200[21] 1 90

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[22] 3× Platinum 180,000*
Australia (ARIA)[23] 5× Platinum 350,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[24] 2× Platinum 100,000*
Brazil (ABPD)[25] Gold 100,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[26] 7× Platinum 700,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[27] Platinum 74,715[27]
France (SNEP)[28] Diamond 1,711,100[29]
Germany (BVMI)[30] 6× Platinum 3,000,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[31] Platinum 15,000*
Italy (FIMI)[32] 3× Platinum 300,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[33] Platinum 200,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[34] 2× Platinum 200,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[35] Platinum 15,000^
Portugal (AFP)[36] 2× Platinum 80,000^
Sweden (GLF)[37] Gold 50,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[38] 7× Platinum 700,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[39] 5× Platinum 250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] 9× Platinum 2,700,000^
United States (RIAA)[41] 4× Platinum 4,000,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Singles

In the UK and the US, ...But Seriously contained five Top 40 singles. In terms of the number of hit singles from one release, ...But Seriously remains the most successful album by Phil Collins.

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 worldwide 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

References

  1. 1 2 "BPI > Certified Awards > Search results for Phil Collins (page 1)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  2. ↑ Geoff Orens. "...But Seriously". allmusic. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  3. ↑ J.D. Considine (11 January 1990). "But Seriously". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  4. ↑ "Hang In Long Enough: "…But Seriously," Revised "Going Back" Complete Phil Collins Reissue Campaign". Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Phil Collins – Take A Look At Me Now". Genesis News. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  6. 1 2 Dean, Maury (2003). Rock N' Roll Gold Rush. Algora. p. 60. ISBN 0-87586-207-1.
  7. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Australian charts portal". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  8. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Austria Top 40 – Hitparade Österreich". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  9. ↑ "Bienvenue au site Web BIBLIOTHÈQUE ET ARCHIVES CANADA | Welcome to the LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA website". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  10. ↑ "Phil Collins – ...But Seriously". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  11. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Phil Collins – ...But Seriously". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  12. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 263. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  13. ↑ French chart run 1 (76 weeks): "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste" (in French). InfoDisc.fr. Retrieved 20 November 2016., French chart run 2 (1 week): "Phil Collins – ...But Seriously" (in French). Steffen Hung. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  14. ↑ "Charts-Surfer". Charts-surfer.de. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  15. ↑ Steffen Hung. "New Zealand charts portal". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  16. ↑ Steffen Hung (15 June 2006). "Norwegian charts portal". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  17. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  18. ↑ Steffen Hung (3 February 2012). "Swedish Charts Portal". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  19. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  20. ↑ "UK Singles & Albums Chart Archive". Chart Stats. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  21. ↑ "Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music". Billboard. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  22. ↑ "Discos de oro y platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  23. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  24. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously ........." (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 5 October 2012. Enter Phil Collins in the field Interpret. Enter But Seriously ......... in the field Titel. Select album in the field Format. Click Suchen
  25. ↑ "Brazilian album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  26. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Phil Collins – ...But Seriously". Music Canada. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  27. 1 2 "Phil Collins" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  28. ↑ "French album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously" (in French). InfoDisc. Select PHIL COLLINS and click OK
  29. ↑ "Les Albums Diamant :" (in French). Infodisc.fr. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  30. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Phil Collins; 'But Seriously')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  31. ↑ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1990". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  32. ↑ "Italian album certifications – Phil Collins – ...But Seriously" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 25 July 2012. Select Album e Compilation in the field Sezione. Enter Phil Collins in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically
  33. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – Phil Collins – ...But Seriously" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  34. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  35. ↑ THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
  36. ↑ "Portuguese album certifications – Phil Collins – ... But Seriously" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  37. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  38. ↑ "Spanish album certifications – Phil Collins – ... But Seriously" (PDF) (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 5 October 2012. Select the "Chart", enter 1990 in the field "Year". Select '' in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts"
  39. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Phil Collins; '... But Seriously')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  40. ↑ "British album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 October 2012. 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
  41. ↑ "American album certifications – Phil Collins – But Seriously". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 5 October 2012. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  42. ↑ "Highes Gold Platinum certifications" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
Preceded by
Girl You Know It's True by Milli Vanilli		 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
The Road to Hell by Chris Rea
Colour by The Christians		 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
Heart of Stone by Cher		 Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album
2–17 December 1989 		Succeeded by
The Album
by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers
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