Honestly, if you grew up anywhere near a radio in the '80s or '90s, Phil Collins wasn't just a singer. He was the atmosphere. You couldn’t go to the grocery store, get a haircut, or sit in a dentist's chair without hearing that gated reverb drum fill or a heart-wrenching ballad about a breakup you were too young to actually understand.
But here’s the thing. For a long time, if you wanted a definitive collection of his work, you were stuck with the 1998 ...Hits album. It was fine, sure, but it was basically just a "greatest hits" sampler that skipped over the weird, dark, and experimental corners of his career. That changed in 2016. When Phil Collins The Singles dropped, it wasn't just another cash-grab compilation. It was a massive, chronological deep dive that finally put his legacy in order.
Whether you're spinning the 2-CD standard version or the 3-CD deluxe set, this collection is basically a masterclass in how to dominate the pop charts for three decades straight without losing your soul.
The Problem with Just Being a "Hits" Artist
People love to rag on Phil. Critics in the '90s were brutal. They acted like he was the king of "Middle of the Road" pop. But when you actually listen to Phil Collins The Singles from start to finish, you realize how much variety is actually there.
Take a track like "Thru These Walls." It’s creepy. It’s dark. It’s about a guy eavesdropping on his neighbors. It’s definitely not "A Groovy Kind of Love." By putting these songs in order, the 2016 collection shows the transition from the raw, divorce-fueled anger of Face Value to the polished, invincible pop-machine era of No Jacket Required.
What’s actually in the box?
The 2016 release came out alongside his autobiography, Not Dead Yet. It wasn't just about the chart-toppers. The deluxe edition (the one you actually want) packs 45 tracks.
- The Early Years: You get the heavy hitters like "In the Air Tonight" and "I Missed Again," but you also get the jazzy, brass-heavy stuff that showed off his love for The Phenix Horns.
- The Soundtrack Era: This is where Phil became a titan. "Against All Odds," "Separate Lives," and "Two Hearts." These weren't just songs; they were cultural events.
- The Later Stuff: A lot of people tuned out after 1993’s Both Sides, but this collection makes a case for his later work, including the Tarzan hits and his Motown covers from Going Back.
Why the 2016 Remastering Matters
If you're an audiophile, you've probably heard the debates. "The remasters are too loud!" "The dynamic range is gone!"
Well, sorta.
The 2016 versions, remastered by Nick Davis (who has handled the Genesis catalog for years), definitely have a more modern "punch." They’re brighter. On a cheap pair of earbuds, they sound incredible. If you’re a purist with a $10,000 turntable setup, you might miss the softer edges of the original 1980s pressings. But for most of us? Hearing the drum snap on "Sussudio" with this level of clarity is a treat.
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The "In the Air Tonight" Factor
We have to talk about it. The drum fill. You know the one.
When you listen to Phil Collins The Singles, you start with "Easy Lover" (on the standard edition) or "In the Air Tonight" (on the chronological deluxe). It’s amazing how well that track has aged. It doesn't sound like 1981; it sounds like a mood that exists outside of time. It’s the anchor of his entire solo career.
Interestingly, the 2016 collection reminds us that Phil wasn't just a singer who played drums. He was a drummer who happened to become one of the biggest singers on Earth. That rhythmic DNA is in everything, from the programmed loops of "Take Me Home" to the frantic pace of "Hang In Long Enough."
What Most People Get Wrong About This Collection
One of the biggest misconceptions is that Phil Collins The Singles is just a repackaged version of ...Hits. It's not.
...Hits was 16 tracks. It was a "best of."
The Singles is a biography in audio form.
It includes songs that weren't on his studio albums, like "Easy Lover" with Philip Bailey. For years, if you wanted that song, you had to buy Philip Bailey's album Chinese Wall or a specific soundtrack. Having it all in one place, alongside movie themes like "Separate Lives," makes this the definitive version of his story.
The Actionable Insight: How to Listen
If you’re just diving back into Phil’s world, don't just hit shuffle. There is a specific way to appreciate what’s happening here.
- Get the 3-CD Deluxe Edition: The 2-CD version is fine, but it cuts out the "meat." You miss the weird stuff that makes Phil interesting.
- Watch the Evolution: Listen to the first five tracks and then skip to the last five. The change in his voice—from the high, raspy tenor of the early '80s to the deeper, more soulful croon of his later years—is fascinating.
- Focus on the Bass: Phil always hired incredible bass players (like Nathan East and Leland Sklar). On the 2016 remasters, the low end is much more defined. Listen to the groove on "I Missed Again." It’s basically a funk track disguised as a pop song.
Is It Still Relevant in 2026?
Actually, yeah. More than ever.
We’re seeing a huge resurgence in '80s production styles. Modern artists are obsessed with that "Phil Collins sound." Whether it’s the gated reverb or the melodic simplicity, his influence is everywhere. Phil Collins The Singles isn't just a nostalgia trip; it’s a blueprint for how to write a hook that stays in someone's head for forty years.
He might have been "omnipresent" to the point of annoyance back in the day, but looking back now, the quality control was insane. Almost every track on this collection was a legitimate hit. That doesn't happen by accident.
If you want to understand the history of pop music, you have to understand Phil. This collection is the easiest—and honestly, the best—way to do that.
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Next Step: Check your streaming service for the "Deluxe" version specifically; the 19-track "Single" version often defaults in search results but misses the essential deep cuts.