Phil Collins Hits No.1 with a Song for the Homeless

✨ On this day, 23 December 1989

On this day in music history, Phil Collins began a four-week run at No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with “Another Day in Paradise,” marking his seventh US solo chart-topper. The single was lifted from his global No.1 album, …But Seriously, a record that saw Collins turn toward more socially conscious themes at the end of the 1980s.

“Another Day in Paradise” is far from a typical chart anthem. Collins wrote the song to spotlight the growing crisis of homelessness and poverty, issues he felt were being ignored in both the UK and the United States despite their increasing visibility on city streets.

The song’s lyrics, which contrast everyday indifference with the harsh realities faced by the homeless, struck a powerful chord with listeners. Its haunting melody and understated arrangement underscored the message rather than overshadowing it a deliberate choice by Collins, who wanted the subject to take centre stage.

The track was a major commercial and critical success worldwide. In 1991, it won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, and it remains one of the most recognisable socially conscious pop songs of its era. It has since been covered by numerous artists and continues to feature prominently in discussions about music’s role in raising awareness of social issues.

On my Rock & Roll Tour of Soho, we explore the venues, clubs, and studios that shaped the careers of bands like Genesis. We will pass by the legendary music venue where Genesis performed a secret concert in 1983 as the "Garden Wall".

📆 Check the Calendar in the main menu for available tour dates and times.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒 For Private and Corporate group bookings please email me direct.