Face Value Songs Ranked

Face Value is the debut solo studio album by English drummer, singer-songwriter and Genesis lead singer Phil Collins, released on 13 February 1981 by Virgin Records in the UK and Atlantic Records in the US and abroad. After his first wife filed for divorce in 1979, Collins began to write songs during a break in activity from Genesis with much of the material concerning his personal life. The album was recorded from mid-1980 to early 1981 with Collins and Hugh Padgham as producers. Additional musicians include the Phenix Horns, Alphonso Johnson, and Eric Clapton. Here are all of Face Value songs ranked

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12. The Roof is Leaking

“The Roof is Leaking” is a great country blues number with some killer slide guitar from Joe Partridge (interesting that Eric Clapton did play on an earlier take with the dobro but was scrapped) and banjo from Daryl.”

11. Droned

“This early Phil Collins release has an interesting energy flow to it… intense instrumentation songs, then slow introspective ones, and vice versa. Yet, he is one of my favorite drummers and musicians… and this early solo recording is one that grows on you… ripening nicely with maturity.”

10. Hand in Hand

“The production of this album, by Collins and assisted by Hugh Padgham, is masterful and supremely tasteful, and in the end, this album is truly timeless. Phil puts himself into the recording, and he ends up with an album that is oozing with deep feeling and is all the better for it–“Face Value” is a brilliant album from one of the finest artists the so-called ‘rock era’ (I’d even go as far to say, of all time).”

9. Thunder and Lightning

“A jazzy song that uses the power of a thunderstorm to paint an amazing picture in your mind. a very underrated and often forgotten song in the Phil Collins portfolio.

8. I’m Not Moving

“Another divorce song that can show the conflict of love and hate. The stubbornness of not wanting to move on, even though it would be the best choice to make. ‘m Not Moving” – with touches of psychedelica brings that happy, upbeat Phil Collins sound that also would be a staple of his career over the next decade..”

See more: Phil Collins Albums Ranked

7. You Know What I Mean

“A song that will rip your heart out. The lyrics are very powerful. Anyone who has ever been in love can relate to how painful it is to break up, yet still have feelings for the significant other. Pure torture.”

6. This Must Be Love

 “This Must Be Love” is an optimistic song about Phil rebounding from the demise of his first marriage to find peace with a new love in his life (whom would be his second wife Jill). One of Phil’s divorce songs. The lyrics tell the story of how bad the pain can be of being in love. We’ve all been there and we all can relate.”

5. Tomorrow Never Knows

“He then gets psychedelic for “Tomorrow Never Knows”, which he does in a slower rendition than the Beatles version. Phil has explained he wanted to perform this song in a more melodic manner than the Beatles original, and it also has ominous, cathartic looping drums, and punchy Collins vocals.”

See more; Phil Collins Songs Ranked

4. If Leaving Me is Easy

“Arguably, the best ballad ever written. The song paints a perfect picture of the love Phil had for his wife. It turns your heart to jelly, but then, towards the end, the song literally STABS with pure emotion that pours like blood from a bleeding heart. You can actually feel the pain in Phil’s voice. Like a 5 minute feature film…unbelievable.”

3. I Missed Again

“The first song on `side 2′ didn’t hurt either though. “I Missed Again” was also a hit, and it’s a hook-heavy song that brilliantly ‘updates’ the sound of ’60s Motown for the ’80s, with bright-sounding horns and uncanny, sophisticated chord changes. Again, this tune just absolutely never gets old for me. I’m hard-pressed to keep from singing along everytime I happen to hear it come on the radio.”

2. Behind the Lines

“A sped up version of the Genesis version of the same name. The horns add another dimension to an already amazing song. I’m not saying it’s better or worse than the Genesis version. I’m saying it’s different.”

1. In the Air Tonight

“The crème al la crème of all Phil Collins. Arguably, Phil’s best vocal recording ever. The songs starts off slow and haunting with the relentless sound of the drum machine (necessary for the mood), then builds into an explosion of drums and emotion. The energy released is like an atomic bomb. Just unforgettable. Lyrics like “If you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand”, even though they are fictional, still send chills up the spine. A true masterpiece.”