British musician Phil Collins did not often touch upon acute social topics during his solo career. But there is a super popular song in his creative baggage, with the help of which he managed to make many people reconsider their attitude towards the homeless and their problems. This is the composition Another Day in Paradise (“Another day in paradise”), which sounded on all music radio stations in the nineties.
Agree, we show almost no mercy towards the homeless. We are annoyed by their attempts to spend the night at the entrance. We prefer to throw away unnecessary products rather than give them to vagabonds, because we do not want to approach them and offend the senses with a bad sight and smell. At best, we leave old clothes near the garbage cans, and even then, as a rule, only because they need to be put somewhere.
History of Another Day in Paradise – Phil Collins
Phil Collins dedicated the song Another Day in Paradise to the lack of sincere mercy for the homeless. Thematically, it is partly related to the composition Man on the Corner (“The Man on the Corner”), which he wrote for the rock band Genesis.
The story of the song Another Day in Paradise began during Collins’ trip to Washington, where he saw a huge number of people living on the street. The spectacle amazed Phil, and he set to work on the lyrics and music.
Release and achievements
The composition was released as the first single from the album …But Seriously (1989). It became the biggest success of Collins’ solo career.
In the United States, Another Day in Paradise topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. In the UK, it peaked at number two on the chart.
Another Day in Paradise won Brit Awards (“Best British Single of the Year”) and a Grammy (“Best Record of the Year”). Billboard listed it as one of the greatest songs of all time, ranking it at number 82.
Another Day in Paradise video
Next, you can watch the online music video of Another Day in Paradise performed by Phil Collins. The video makes it clear what the song is about.
Interesting Facts
- Another Day in Paradise was the last song to top the Billboard Hot 100 in the 1980s.
- The single differs from the album version of the song by having a shorter intro.
Phil Collins Lyrics
She calls out to the man on the street
Sir, can you help me?
It’s cold, and I’ve nowhere to sleep.
Is there somewhere you can tell me?’
He walks on, doesn’t look back
He pretends he can’t hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there.
Oh think twice, it’s another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it’s just another day for you,
You and me in paradise
She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she’s been crying
She’s got blisters on the soles of her feet
She can’t walk, but she’s trying
Oh think twice…
Oh Lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh Lord, there must be something you can say
You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that she’s been there
Probably been moved on from every place
‘Cos she didn’t fit in there
Oh think twice…
Phil Collins Lyrics to Another Day in Paradise Lyrics
She addresses a man on the street:
“Excuse me, can you help me?
It’s cold and I have nowhere to sleep
Can you tell me where I can stay for the night?”
He walks on without looking back
He pretends not to hear her
Starts whistling as he crosses the street
And he doesn’t seem to understand how he got there.
Oh think twice, it’s just another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it’s just another day for you
You and me in paradise
She addresses a man in the street
He sees that she is crying
She has blisters on her feet
She can’t walk but still tries
Oh think twice…
Oh Lord, ain’t nobody else can do
Oh Lord, surely you have something to say
You can tell by the wrinkles on her face
You can see that she is there
Perhaps because she was driven from everywhere,
After all, she was out of place there
Oh think twice
Song quote
I wrote it after visiting Washington DC where I was amazed at the number of people living in boxes.
Phil Collins
