Ever wondered what the heck that artist was trying to say with their muddled lyrics? Or perhaps a song’s metaphors have you completely confused? As listeners to music, it’s nearly impossible to get inside the musician’s head and figure out what they are actually talking about in his songs. That’s why every week I will examine a song that meets the above criteria and attempt to clear the confusion, either with factual information or my own glorious musings.
First up is a classically misinterpreted song, Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” whose lyrics have earned the song its own urban legend. I think it’s a combination of my cheesy love for the ‘80s and the fact I am sick of arguing about this bogus story (it’s been ongoing since its debut), that encouraged me to set the record straight.
The lyrics:
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 that grin,
I know where you've been
It's all been a pack of lies
The (mis)interpretation:
The lyrics tell of Collins watching one man drown another man, not doing anything about it, and continuing through life, amassing regret and anger. The story has an additional twist that only makes for better drama—the perpetrator whose face Collins can’t get out his head shows up at his concert, and while “In the Air Tonight” plays, the man is simultaneously spotlighted and stared down by Collins, eventually leading to a murder confession.
Because that totally makes sense. Obviously some think so, as Eminem found the legend appropriate to rehash in his song “Stan.”
The real meaning of the song? “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',” said Collins in a BBC World Service interview.
That’s all I needed. But if you are a true Collins’ fan (or not), and you still aren’t convinced, it’s a real shame you don’t have more faith in your beloved and innocent musician.
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