Introduction
Collins Hopes Celeb Fans Bring in New Listeners
For decades, Phil Collins has been one of the most distinctive voices and drummers in popular music. From his work with Genesis to his solo hits like In the Air Tonight, Against All Odds, and Another Day in Paradise, Collins shaped the sound of the 1980s and beyond. But in recent years, with streaming platforms and social media changing how people discover music, Collins is hoping that his music will find its way to younger generations — with the help of some high-profile fans.
In a recent interview, Collins opened up about how he feels a surprising wave of appreciation from modern celebrities and artists who grew up listening to his music. “It’s strange but very gratifying,” he said. “You never know who’s listening — and then suddenly someone you’ve never met is talking about how much your songs meant to them.”
From Kanye West sampling In the Air Tonight to Alicia Keys covering If Leaving Me Is Easy, artists across genres have paid tribute to Collins’s emotionally honest songwriting and innovative production style. Even rappers like Drake and Travis Scott have cited his influence, and countless TikTok creators have revived his classic drum solo, introducing it to millions of new fans.
“Music doesn’t have an expiration date,” Collins said. “When someone with a platform shares a song or mentions a memory connected to it, it can open the door for a whole new group of people to discover it for the first time.”
This renewed attention isn’t just nostalgic — it’s reshaping Collins’s listener base. According to Spotify, streams of his solo catalog have doubled over the past five years, with a noticeable spike among listeners aged 18 to 30. His iconic 1981 single In the Air Tonight has found a second life thanks to everything from YouTube reaction videos to pop culture references in TV shows and films.
Collins, who has faced health struggles in recent years and retired from touring, says he’s not chasing charts or planning a comeback. But he is grateful that the songs he poured his heart into are still being heard. “If someone connects to a lyric or a melody and it helps them through something, that’s more important than any hit single,” he said.
He also praised the artists who continue to mention him in interviews and share their admiration on social media. “They don’t have to say anything, but they do. That’s a huge compliment. And if it helps someone discover my music who wouldn’t have otherwise, then I’m all for it.”
At a time when so many legends are being rediscovered by a generation born long after their peak, Collins’s enduring relevance proves the power of great music — and how a new listener can be just one celebrity endorsement away.