Hubbry Logo
search
logo
Both Sides avatar
Both Sides
Both Sides
current hub
B

Both Sides

logo
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Read side by side
Both Sides
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Both Sides
Studio album by
Phil Collins
Released8 November 1993
Recorded1992–1993
StudioLakers Lodge (Loxwood, West Sussex)
The Farm (Chiddingfold, Surrey, England)
GenreArt rock[1]
Length67:10
LabelVirgin
ProducerPhil Collins
Phil Collins chronology
Serious Hits... Live!
(1990) 		Both Sides
(1993) 		Dance into the Light
(1996)
Singles from Both Sides
  1. "Both Sides of the Story"
    Released: 18 October 1993
  2. "Everyday"
    Released: 3 January 1994[2]
  3. "We Wait and We Wonder"
    Released: 25 April 1994[3]
Alternative cover
2016 reissue cover
Alternative cover
Other Sides cover
Other Sides cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[1]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[4]
GoldmineStarStarStarHalf star[5]
The Irish NewsStarStarStarStar[6]
PopMattersStarStarStarStarStarStar[7]
Powermetal.de9/10[8]
Rolling StoneStarStarHalf star[9]
Scunthorpe Telegraph10/10[10]

Both Sides is the fifth solo studio album by the English singer-songwriter Phil Collins. Featuring an adult-oriented soft rock-based sound, released on 8 November 1993[11] by Virgin in the UK and Atlantic in the US. Collins created the album entirely by himself, without any collaborations from outside songwriters and performers. The record received generally positive critical reviews, with Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stating that the album's "artistically satisfying" songs feature "troubled, haunting tales".[1]

The album achieved commercial success, reaching no. 1 in the United Kingdom, no. 8 in Australia, and no. 13 in the United States. Collins also went on the highly successful Both Sides of the World Tour upon its release.[12] That effort involved over a hundred performances in a tour that went over a year.[13]

A special two-disc edition of the album, featuring the Live from the Board – Official Bootleg EP,[14] as a second disc,[15] titled Far Side... of the World: Gold Souvenir Tour Edition, was released in Southeast Asia and Australia in 1995. It peaked at no. 13 in Australia.[16] A newly remastered, two-disc deluxe edition of the album was released on 29 January 2016, as part of the Take a Look at Me Now series of Collins's studio album reissues.[17]

In a 2016 interview with The Guardian, Collins named Both Sides as his "favourite album from a songwriting and creative perspective". Collins also said: "It was very much a solo album. I played everything, the songs just streamed out of me, and as a writer, that's the kind of thing that you dream of. It was the second divorce! Personal relationships at that time were tangled, is a better way of saying it, and it all came very spontaneously."[18]

Development

[edit]

Both Sides was made by Collins entirely on his own, without usual collaborators producer Hugh Padgham, guitarist Daryl Stuermer, bassist Leland Sklar and the Phenix Horns. After recording demos at home, the album was finished in six weeks at the Farm with the help of producer/engineer Paul Gomersall. It is mistakenly thought that Phil physically played all the instruments on this album but the guitars were computer generated sounds played through a keyboard. As a result, it is seen as his most personal album. "In the end I had 17 songs, and kicked out all those that did not fit that mood. As far as performance is concerned this has more heart and soul than anything I have done before."[19]

In addition, Collins wrote sleeve notes explaining the meaning of each song, another first. Collins expresses both his feelings and personal problems and addresses political issues over the course of the album. He touches on politics and "the daily cloud of terrorism Britain seems to live under" on "We Wait and We Wonder", as well as a maturing disenchantment with the youth culture on "We're Sons of Our Fathers". The overall sound of Both Sides marked a return to the dark and melancholy style of his early albums Face Value and Hello, I Must Be Going!, which were largely grounded on the themes of relationship breakdown and loss. Mirroring the circumstances in which those albums were conceived, Collins' marriage to Jill Tavelman was also failing around the time that Both Sides was written. About the influence of his emotions on his songs, he adds: "I have reached this point. Very intimate, very private songs seem to flow easily. I suddenly felt I had a lot to say."[19]

Critical response

[edit]

Both Sides was initially met with lukewarm reviews, particularly on adult contemporary radio, being criticised for its over-reliance on slow, dark and downbeat songs. The album was preceded by the title track as the first single, reaching no. 7 in the UK and no. 25 in the US (in a disappointing chart performance considering the lead singles from his two previous albums were no. 1 hits in America). The album itself was released weeks later, reaching to no. 13 in the US, though it still went platinum there. Both Sides was a hit in other European countries such as the UK (where it was the 8th biggest-selling album of 1993, despite only being available for the final eight weeks of the year), Germany & Switzerland, reaching no. 1 all over Europe, but with a limited success, due to the lack of hit singles. The ballad "Everyday", released in early 1994, was another Top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at no. 15, and became the biggest hit single from the album in the US, reaching no. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The third and last single, "We Wait and We Wonder" — a political anthem — reached no. 45 in the UK.

However, over time the album's reputation gradually improved, and reviews for the 2016 reissue were considerably more positive, AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated it 4 out of 5 stars and commended Collins' stepping out of big pop hooks and embracing an introspective art rock style for this album, which he saw as "quietly compelling". On Goldmine magazine's review, Patrick Prince gave the album 3.5 stars, praising the melancholic style of the album as a welcome return to material similar to Face Value, although he criticized the ballads "Everyday" and "There's a Place for Us", saying they are "as bad as any sappy movie soundtrack cut ready to be forgotten".[5]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Phil Collins, except where noted.

No.TitleLength
1."Both Sides of the Story"6:42
2."Can't Turn Back the Years"4:40
3."Everyday"5:43
4."I've Forgotten Everything"5:15
5."We're Sons of Our Fathers"6:24
6."Can't Find My Way"5:09
7."Survivors"6:05
8."We Fly So Close"7:33
9."There's a Place for Us"6:52
10."We Wait and We Wonder"7:01
11."Please Come Out Tonight"5:46
Live from the Board – Official Bootleg bonus disc (Disc two of Far Side... of the World: Gold Souvenir Tour Edition 1995)[14]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sussudio" 7:09
2."Easy Lover" (featuring Nathan East and Arnold McCuller)
5:02
3."Separate Lives" (featuring Amy Keys and McCuller)Stephen Bishop6:15
4."My Girl"
3:48
Extra Sides bonus disc (Disc two of 2016 deluxe edition)[17]
No.TitleLength
1."Take Me with You" (B-side)5:22
2."Both Sides of the Story" (live 1994)8:11
3."Can't Turn Back the Years" (live 1994)6:54
4."Survivors" (live 1994)6:42
5."Everyday" (live 1994)6:03
6."We Wait and We Wonder" (live 2005)7:42
7."Can't Find My Way" (demo)4:48
8."I've Been Trying"5:01
9."Both Sides of the Story" (MTV Unplugged 1994)5:20
10."Hero" (demo)4:47

Unreleased tracks

[edit]

Several instrumental tracks were recorded and subsequently released as extra tracks on both singles for "Everyday" and "We Wait and We Wonder". These instrumental tracks include "Rad Dudeski" and "Don't Call Me Ashley". In addition, there were other various B-sides that were released from the Both Sides sessions ("Take Me with You", "For a Friend") and a few cover songs that made it on other various albums. "For a Friend" was written as a tribute to Collins's longtime friend, saxophonist Don Myrick, who was wrongfully killed by a policeman in Los Angeles while Collins was composing the album. Myrick had played sax solos on Collins's songs "If Leaving Me Is Easy", "The West Side", "One More Night" and "All of My Life".

There has been discussion about a song called "Deep Water Town". It is from the Both Sides sessions and did not make the cut, was never released nor widely circulated amongst collectors. A very early "demo" of it was released on the official fanclub website in 2011. It is more of an improvisation from which only a part of the chorus made it to the completed track. This completed track features an atmospheric drum machine, keyboard sounds (no piano) and vocals by Collins telling a story about a disaster at sea and families left behind.

In November 2004, Collins himself commented on the song on the forum of his old official website: "DEEP WATER TOWN...again I scratch my head and ask how did someone get it... I don't think it was ever released, or am I going slowly senile. It was a pretty song about a disaster at sea, and the families left behind. Obviously one of my more cheerful pre-divorce moments. Circa Both Sides...."[20]

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

[edit]

All instruments performed by Phil Collins.

Production

[edit]
  • Produced by Phil Collins
  • Engineered by Paul Gomersall
  • Assistant engineer – Mark Robinson
  • Recorded at home on 12 tk (PC engineering) with additional overdubs recorded at The Farm (Surrey, England).
  • Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine, US).
  • Continuous surveillance by Geoff Callingham and Mike Bowen
  • Cover photography by Trevor Key
  • Artwork – Hills Archer Ink

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[55] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[56] Platinum 50,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[57] Gold 100,000*
Chile[58] Platinum 25,000[58]
France (SNEP)[59] Platinum 300,000*
Germany (BVMI)[60] 3× Platinum 1,500,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[61] Gold 100,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[62] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[63] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[64] Platinum 50,000*
Spain (Promusicae)[65] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Sweden (GLF)[66] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[67] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] 2× Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[69] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Both Sides

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Both Sides is the fifth solo studio album by English singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer Phil Collins, released on 8 November 1993 by Virgin Records in the United Kingdom and Atlantic Records in the United States.[1][2] Recorded during a hiatus from his band Genesis following their We Can't Dance tour, the album features Collins handling nearly all instrumentation, songwriting, and production himself at his home studio in Surrey, England, resulting in a more introspective and adult-oriented soft rock sound compared to his prior pop-driven releases.[3] Key tracks include the lead single "Both Sides of the Story," a socially conscious ballad addressing conflict and misunderstanding that reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart, and "Everyday," which explores themes of routine and emotional stagnation.[4] Despite critical praise for its personal depth—Collins has called it his favorite solo album due to its uncompromised vision—the record marked a commercial downturn, peaking at number one in the UK, number eight in Australia, and number thirteen on the US Billboard 200, with global sales exceeding four million copies.[5] This shift reflected Collins's divorce from his second wife and a deliberate move away from formulaic hits, prioritizing artistic authenticity over mass appeal, though it sparked debates among fans about its departure from the upbeat style of albums like No Jacket Required.[6]

Background and Development

Personal Context

Phil Collins entered the creation of Both Sides amid the breakdown of his second marriage to Jill Tavelman, married since 1984, with separation occurring prior to the album's November 8, 1993 release and formal divorce in 1996.[7] This marital strife prompted a return to raw, confessional songwriting reminiscent of his 1981 debut Face Value, which had similarly arisen from the collapse of his first marriage to Andrea Bertorelli in 1980, though now tempered by over a decade of sustained fame and family responsibilities including three children.[8] The album's introspective tone reflected Collins' accumulated weariness from balancing Genesis commitments—such as the 1992 *We Can't Dance* tour—with solo expectations, fostering a desire for unfiltered personal expression over formulaic success.[9] Seeking autonomy from band dynamics and industry demands for hit-driven polish, as seen in albums like 1985's No Jacket Required, Collins recorded Both Sides entirely alone at his home studio, eschewing external collaborators to prioritize creative integrity and emotional authenticity.[8] This self-reliant approach stemmed from frustration with prior overproduction and a wish to recapture the unadorned vulnerability of his early solo work, amid broader fatigue from relentless touring and multimedia ventures that had defined his 1980s peak. The result emphasized thematic depth over commercial sheen, signaling a deliberate pivot toward maturity in addressing relational and existential conflicts.[10]

Conception and Songwriting

Phil Collins initiated songwriting for Both Sides through home demos recorded in his personal studio setup, beginning around 1992 amid a period of personal transition following Genesis's We Can't Dance tour.[11] This solitary process marked a deliberate return to self-contained creation, with Collins handling all instrumentation and vocals on initial multi-track recordings to capture raw ideas without intermediary input.[12] Rejecting co-writers and producers who had shaped his preceding albums like ...But Seriously (1989), Collins sought to reclaim unfiltered creative authority, viewing collaboration as a potential diluter of authentic expression in an era when pop-rock norms increasingly favored external contributions for commercial appeal.[12] He later described realizing during demos that he had already incorporated every desired element himself, affirming the viability of independent composition over committee-style development.[12] This method echoed his debut Face Value (1981) but emphasized streamlined efficiency, yielding 11 tracks rooted in direct personal authorship.[13] Lyrical conception drew from observed relational dynamics, particularly breakdowns in partnerships, with songs structured to present conflicting viewpoints rather than unilateral accounts—exemplified by the title track's advocacy for examining "both sides of the story" to uncover factual causation amid disputes.[14] Collins composed these amid his separation from second wife Jill Tavelman, prioritizing objective dissection of interpersonal failures over emotive partisanship, as in framing homelessness or marital strife through balanced causal lenses to challenge simplified narratives.[14] This approach informed tracks like "Can't Turn Back the Years," conceived as meditations on irreversible consequences from multiple angles, underscoring accountability without excusing behavioral patterns.[13] Collins has since identified Both Sides as his preferred solo work for its songwriting purity, uncompromised by external revisions.[15]

Recording and Production

Studio Process

The recording of Both Sides commenced with demos captured at Phil Collins' home studio in Geneva, Switzerland, where he engineered the initial multi-track sessions using a 12-track setup.[16] These home recordings formed the core of the basic tracks, allowing Collins to experiment in isolation with layered performances of vocals, drums, guitars, keyboards, and bass, all played by him to foster an organic, unpolished sound.[17] This approach contrasted with the collaborative, producer-heavy sessions of his prior album ...But Seriously (1989), emphasizing self-contained tracking over extended periods to build density through overdubs rather than ensemble interplay.[12] The project advanced to The Farm, Genesis' studio in Surrey, England, in 1993, where basic tracks were refined and overdubs completed in approximately six weeks under the assistance of engineer Paul Gomersall and assistant Mark Robinson.[12][18] Sessions incorporated live drum performances captured with microphones such as the Electro-Voice RE20 and Neumann U47 on bass drum, Shure SM57 on snare, and Beyerdynamic models for additional elements, supplemented by drum machine elements to underpin rhythms without heavy sequencing.[19] Early digital synthesizers facilitated keyboard layers, enabling Collins to multitrack synth parts that contributed to the album's textured yet raw production.[16] This timeline, spanning late 1992 to mid-1993, prioritized empirical trial-and-error in real-time playing to evoke a live-band immediacy, minimizing external gloss through limited personnel involvement.[17]

Solo Instrumentation Approach

Phil Collins adopted a solo instrumentation approach for Both Sides, performing drums, keyboards, bass guitar, and guitar on the majority of tracks, a departure from prior reliance on collaborators for guitar and bass.[10] This self-sufficient method enabled him to realize the album's compositions without intermediaries, preserving the unfiltered expression of personal experiences central to the songwriting.[14] By handling nearly all elements himself, Collins exercised direct causal influence over the sonic outcomes, bypassing potential interpretive variances introduced by session players common in pop-rock production.[20] The decision stemmed from the album's intimate themes, which Collins deemed too vulnerable for external dilution; he articulated that the songs' specificity warranted his exclusive involvement to maintain authenticity and emotional immediacy.[21] This contrasted with industry conventions favoring ensemble contributions for polished density, positioning Collins' strategy as a deliberate assertion of independence that prioritized individual vision over collective refinement. Rare exceptions involved brass overdubs by Mark Robinson and Paul Young on the title track "Both Sides of the Story," underscoring otherwise comprehensive self-performance.[9] Such autonomy yielded a leaner production texture, emphasizing percussive drive and keyboard layers to convey unguarded sentiment, though it occasionally risked perceived sparseness absent the layered reinforcements typical of Collins' earlier works.[10] This approach not only critiqued the dilution inherent in outsourced musicianship but also demonstrated how singular control could foster uncompromised realism in recording, aligning with Collins' evolution toward introspective self-determination.[14]

Musical Style and Themes

Genre Elements and Sound

Both Sides exemplifies a fusion of soft rock and adult contemporary styles, with subtle progressive rock influences drawn from Collins' Genesis tenure, manifesting in layered arrangements and dynamic builds on tracks like the title song.[22][23] The sonic palette prioritizes mid-tempo grooves, with track tempos spanning approximately 90 to 130 BPM, enabling a balance between introspective ballads and rhythmic drivers without venturing into high-energy pop.[24] Drums provide a foundational pulse, echoing Collins' signature style, yet the album's self-contained production—wherein Collins performed nearly all instruments—yields a more intimate, organic texture through multi-tracked guitars, keyboards, and percussion, eschewing the synth-dominated excess of his 1980s solo output.[25][26] Distinguishing the record from prior works, heavier guitar tones emerge on selections such as "Can't Turn Back the Years," contrasting softer acoustic elements in ballads like "Everyday," while subtle soul-inflected rhythms nod to Motown-era basslines and phrasing in the rhythmic foundation.[27] This minimalistic rock approach emphasizes live-feel layering over artificial embellishments, fostering a rawer drum tone and spatial dynamics achieved via studio isolation rather than expansive effects processing.[17] Instrumental interplay, including piano-driven progressions and occasional string-like synth swells, underscores the album's evolution toward stripped-back authenticity, with production techniques highlighting acoustic warmth and midrange clarity over the era's polished digital sheen.[22]

Lyrical Content and Personal Reflection

The lyrics across Both Sides emphasize duality in human conflicts, portraying relationships as involving shared responsibility rather than unilateral victimhood. In the title track, Collins depicts vignettes of premature judgment—such as a street confrontation or parental discord—where understanding the opposing perspective could avert escalation, underscoring that "there's always two sides to every story" without excusing wrongdoing but insisting on contextual fairness before condemnation.[28][29] This approach counters tendencies toward one-sided narratives by highlighting how selective viewpoints perpetuate division, a theme extended to romantic failures where both parties bear causal roles in dissolution. Tied to Collins' separation from second wife Jill Tavelman, which preceded their 1995 divorce, tracks like "I Can't Stop Loving You" convey post-breakup realism: enduring emotional attachment amid acknowledged irreconcilability, reflecting self-critique alongside vulnerability rather than evasion of personal shortcomings.[30] Collins framed the album as an outlet for such introspection, drawing from relational regrets without absolving his contributions, as evidenced in broader reflections on his marital history.[31] Supporters praise this as candid accountability, fostering empathy through balanced realism over partisan blame.[8] Detractors, however, view the pervasive regret—such as in meditations on lost years—as veering into self-indulgence, interpreting the inward focus as conservative resistance to narratives prioritizing external or systemic excuses for personal failings.[8][32]

Release and Promotion

Marketing and Singles

The lead single "Both Sides of the Story" was released on October 18, 1993, preceding the album's launch to generate anticipation through its emphasis on empathetic perspective-taking in lyrics addressing social divides.[33] The accompanying music video, directed and filmed primarily in New York City, featured aerial night shots of urban landscapes interspersed with scenes of homelessness, domestic violence, and interpersonal conflict, visually underscoring the song's narrative duality to align with the album's thematic core.[14] [34] The album Both Sides followed on November 8, 1993, distributed by Virgin Records in the United Kingdom and Atlantic Records in the United States, with marketing strategies leveraging Collins' established solo brand to target adult contemporary audiences via pre-release single exposure.[35] Subsequent singles included "Everyday" on January 3, 1994, and "We Wait and We Wonder" in April 1994, selected for their melodic accessibility to sustain momentum through sequenced radio and video pushes.[33] Promotion centered on visual media integration, with the lead single's video securing rotations on MTV, including unplugged performances that amplified visibility among cable viewers.[36] This approach causally linked thematic video content to album sales drivers by previewing introspective tracks, while tie-ins to the 1994–1995 Both Sides of the World Tour provided live extensions of studio material, incorporating promotional posters and rehearsal footage to engage fanbases directly.[37]

Album Artwork and Packaging

The original 1993 release of Both Sides was packaged in a standard jewel case for the CD edition and a gatefold sleeve for the double vinyl LP, reflecting a straightforward presentation suited to the album's intimate, self-recorded production.[38] Later editions included a 2016 remastered version and a 2024 30th anniversary deluxe set titled Both Sides (All the Sides), comprising five 180-gram vinyl LPs in picture sleeves housed within a slipcase, accompanied by a 16-page booklet with liner notes by Michael Hann and printed inner bags featuring transcribed interviews.[13][39]

Critical Reception

Contemporary Reviews

AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine commended Both Sides for its introspective depth and Collins' solo performance on most instruments, stating that the album marked a return to the raw emotional territory of Face Value (1981), with Collins sounding "more mature or as assured" than before and delivering "artfully satisfying" songs despite occasional weaker moments.[40] This view highlighted the sincerity in tracks exploring personal vulnerability, such as "Can't Turn Back the Years" and "I've Forgotten Everything," positioning the record as a deliberate break from Collins' polished 1980s pop output.[40] UK outlets offered varied takes, with Q magazine reviewer Phil Sutcliffe in December 1993 acknowledging Collins' adept handling of love-themed material but framing the album within criticisms of his "uncool" image, commercial success, and perceived political endorsements, suggesting a disconnect between the music's intimacy and broader public perception. A Genesis News review from November 17, 1993, praised the album's personal recording process and vocal range, particularly on uptempo cuts like "Both Sides of the Story," lauding it as a fresh departure emphasizing lyrical reflection over formulaic production.[10] Negative assessments focused on the album's ballad-heavy structure and perceived sonic thinness from the multi-instrumentalist approach, with some UK music press implying over-reliance on sentimentality amid shifting 1990s trends favoring grittier rock.[26] These critiques often reflected broader institutional skepticism toward established acts diverging from radio-friendly norms, though empirical aggregations of period scores indicated moderate approval around the 60-70 range out of 100.[41] Overall, reception balanced recognition of authentic emotional core against dismissals of stylistic uniformity, debunking simplifications of the work as solely a "divorce album."[40][10]

Retrospective Evaluations and Criticisms

In the 2010s, music critics and fan analyses began reappraising Both Sides as an underrated effort highlighting Collins' self-reliant production, where he performed all instruments on the original recordings using an Akai 12-track recorder, emphasizing personal introspection over collaborative pop norms prevalent in the industry.[42] This approach yielded raw, demo-like authenticity praised in outlets like Sputnikmusic, which noted the album's ability to "grow on you with every new listening" by evoking melancholic life perspectives through its soft rock ballads and minimalism.[43] However, detractors in blogs such as Fraudsters Almanac criticized its lack of standout tracks and perceived mediocrity, arguing it lacked the hooks of prior works like Face Value, with dated synth tones and a vocal delivery showing strain from Collins' evolving timbre.[32] Commercial underperformance—peaking at No. 13 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 92 on the Billboard 200 upon release—fueled claims of artistic irrelevance amid grunge's dominance, yet retrospective views counter this by pointing to sustained fan loyalty and tour success, where the 1994-1995 outings drew over 2 million attendees globally despite softer sales of around 1.5 million units worldwide.[44] Proponents highlight achievements in uncompromised personal expression, valuing Collins' defiance of session-musician trends for a cohesive, theme-driven narrative on relational duality, as echoed in Pop Rescue's commendation of its "well-conceived" tracks and instrumental prowess.[26] Criticisms persist on ballad-heavy pacing and production quirks, like droning synths, which some analyses attribute to solo constraints limiting sonic variety.[22] The September 20, 2024, release of the Both Sides (All the Sides) 5LP box set, featuring half-speed remastered originals, early demos, and rarities cut at Abbey Road Studios, reignited discussions on its enduring appeal amid Collins' health challenges, including spinal surgery and mobility issues since 2010.[45] Fan forums and reviews frame this as validation of the album's introspective depth, with Collins citing it as a personal favorite for its unfiltered reflection, countering earlier dismissals by underscoring archival material's revelation of creative independence over commercial polish.[46] While not reversing all critiques of vocal fatigue or synth datedness, the reissue affirms a niche legacy for authenticity in an era favoring auteur control against mainstream conformity.[9]

Commercial Performance

Chart Achievements

Both Sides debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, holding the top position for one week in November 1993.[47] In the United States, the album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart.[48] It reached number eight on the Australian Albums Chart.[5] The album also topped charts in several European countries, including Germany, and achieved high placements elsewhere in the region. In the UK, it ranked number 11 on the year-end albums chart for 1993.[49]
Country/RegionPeak PositionNational Chart
United Kingdom1UK Albums Chart[47]
United States13Billboard 200[48]
Australia8ARIA Albums Chart[5]
Germany1German Albums Chart[50]

Sales and Certifications

Both Sides has sold an estimated 4.3 million copies worldwide across multiple markets, based on aggregated certification data.[5] This figure reflects shipments rather than pure retail sales and positions the album as a moderate commercial success compared to Phil Collins' prior releases, such as ...But Seriously, which exceeded 15 million units globally.[6] The relatively lower performance has been attributed to a shift toward introspective ballads amid a broader market transition away from adult contemporary pop toward alternative rock in the mid-1990s, though it sustained viability in established adult rock audiences.[9]
CountryCertificationCertified UnitsDate
United States (RIAA)Platinum1,000,000—
United Kingdom (BPI)2× Platinum600,000—
Germany (BVMI)3× Platinum1,500,0001994
France (SNEP)Platinum300,000—
Canada (Music Canada)Gold50,000—
Despite these certifications, the album faced retrospective critique as a commercial underperformer relative to Collins' 1980s peak, with some analysts noting its confinement to niche demographics amid evolving musical tastes.[6]

Content

Track Listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Duration
1"Both Sides of the Story"Phil Collins6:42
2"Can't Turn Back the Years"Phil Collins4:40
3"Everyday"Phil Collins5:43
4"I've Forgotten Everything"Phil Collins5:15
5"We're Sons of Our Fathers"Phil Collins5:24
6"Can't Find My Way"Phil Collins5:09
7"Survivors"Phil Collins5:58
8"Thru' These Walls"Phil Collins5:05
9"We Fly So Close"Phil Collins6:00
10"River So Wide"Phil Collins4:18
11"Hero"Phil Collins4:37

Unreleased and B-Side Material

The singles from Both Sides were accompanied by several B-sides that expanded on the album's themes or showcased experimental elements. For instance, the 1994 CD single for "We Wait and We Wonder" featured "Hero (Demo)" as its B-side, a sparse, vocals-only demo of a track co-written by Collins and David Crosby, highlighting an intimate, unfinished collaboration that did not appear on the album.[51] Similarly, the "Both Sides of the Story" CD single included "Rad Dudeski" and "Both Sides of the Demo (Early Demo)", the latter a rudimentary home recording that previews the title track's structure in a raw, piano-driven form, illustrating early compositional stages.[45] Additional demos and outtakes, such as "Can't Find My Way (Demo)" and "Everyday (Early Demo)", emerged from Collins' solo home sessions, revealing stripped-back arrangements with minimal instrumentation that contrast the polished final versions and suggest paths not pursued, like more acoustic emphases or alternate lyrical phrasings. These pieces, absent from the original 1993 release, surfaced in the 2016 deluxe edition's bonus disc, where they provided empirical evidence of iterative refinements in Collins' self-production approach.[45] Other B-sides, including "Don't Call Me Ashley" from the "Everyday" single and instrumentals like "Stevie's Blues (There's a Place for Us Instrumental)" from "We Wait and We Wonder", further documented discarded instrumental ideas tied to the album's introspective mood.[45] The 2024 Both Sides (All the Sides) box set compiled these and similar extras on vinyl for the first time in many cases, emphasizing their role in tracing causal developments from prototype sketches to the album's cohesive sound without introducing previously unheard material.[45] Such non-album tracks underscore the value of archival releases in illuminating creative discards, offering fans insight into the album's evolution beyond its core 12 songs.

Personnel

Musicians and Contributors

Phil Collins performed all lead and backing vocals, drums, percussion, keyboards, bass guitar, guitar, and other instruments across the album's eleven tracks, utilizing a drum machine for programming on select songs.[16] This self-contained approach extended to the recording process, where Collins captured initial demos at his home studio before overdubs at The Farm in Surrey, England, resulting in a sparse, unadorned sound reflective of the album's minimalist ethos.[16] No guest musicians appear on the original release, distinguishing Both Sides from Collins' earlier solo works that featured collaborators such as Daryl Stuermer on guitar and Leland Sklar on bass.[16] The absence of external performers aligns with Collins' intent to present raw, personal compositions without augmentation, as he played everything live apart from the drum machine elements.[52] This solo execution contributed to the album's intimate character, eschewing horn sections or ensemble arrangements present in prior efforts like ...But Seriously.[53]

Production Team

Both Sides was produced entirely by Phil Collins, without involvement from external producers, allowing him to exercise full creative control over the recording process.[10] Engineering for the album was led by Paul Gomersall, who handled recording and mixing duties, supported by assistant engineer Mark Robinson.[54] Overdubs were completed at The Farm studio in Surrey, England, where the technical team focused on refining Collins' home-recorded demos without introducing additional musical performers.[16] This backend production setup emphasized Collins' solo vision by prioritizing engineering precision over collaborative input, ensuring the final sound aligned directly with his artistic intentions.[10] Mastering was conducted by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Studios, completing the technical chain with a polished, consistent sonic profile across the tracks.[54] The absence of co-producers or overlapping performer roles in production underscored a streamlined workflow dedicated to technical fidelity rather than performative expansion.

Legacy and Reissues

Long-Term Impact

Despite achieving modest commercial success upon release, Both Sides has maintained a limited presence in mainstream narratives of Phil Collins' career, often overshadowed by his 1980s hits, yet it receives sustained praise in progressive rock and dedicated rock communities for its unpolished authenticity and emphasis on personal narrative over polished production.[53] Collins' decision to play all instruments and handle production solo underscored a DIY ethos, influencing subsequent self-reliant indie artists who prioritize introspective songcraft amid industry pressures.[9] This approach, evident in tracks like "Can't Turn Back the Years," exemplifies a shift toward vulnerability, resonating with fans who value its raw emotional core as a counterpoint to Collins' earlier pop accessibility.[17] The album's enduring footprint includes sparse but notable musical citations, such as covers of "Can't Turn Back the Years" in later Collins works, though it lacks the widespread sampling seen in his prior catalog—contrasting with over 20 hip-hop interpolations of "In the Air Tonight" from earlier albums.[55] Fan-driven reappraisals, particularly in online forums and retrospective reviews, have elevated its status as an underappreciated gem, with enthusiasts citing its lyrical depth on themes of aging and relationships as evidence of Collins' songwriting maturity.[26] These discussions counter initial dismissals by highlighting how the record's atmospheric layers and self-contained creation process prefigured lo-fi indie trends.[22] Criticisms tied to Collins' public persona, including his vocal support for Margaret Thatcher—expressed through endorsements and a 1997 pledge to relocate if Labour won power—fueled media backlash that tainted perceptions of his 1990s output, including Both Sides, by associating it with perceived conservative excess amid cultural shifts.[56] Such politically motivated scrutiny, often amplified in left-leaning outlets, unfairly conflated personal views with artistic output; independent assessments affirm the album's merits through its introspective triumphs, like the title track's balanced exploration of conflict, independent of biographical controversies.[57] Proponents frame it as a pivotal personal victory in reclaiming creative control, while detractors regard it as a transitional nadir marked by overly subdued tones signaling pre-retirement fatigue.[32] This duality underscores its polarizing yet resilient niche legacy.[58]

Recent Editions and Remasters

A deluxe two-disc edition of Both Sides was released on January 29, 2016, as part of Phil Collins's "Take a Look at Me Now" reissue series, featuring remastered audio of the original album alongside bonus content including early demos and B-sides.[59] The remaster aimed to enhance audio clarity and dynamics, though some observers noted it retained the original's close-miked production characteristics without significant sonic overhaul.[59] Marking the album's 30th anniversary, Rhino Records issued Both Sides (All the Sides) on September 20, 2024, as a limited-edition five-LP vinyl box set pressed on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl.[45] This collection includes the original album remastered at half-speed by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios for improved fidelity, early work-in-progress demos, B-sides from singles, previously unreleased studio outtakes, and live recordings from Collins's 1994–1995 tour.[60][61] The set provides expanded access to alternate versions and archival material, facilitating deeper analysis of the album's creative evolution.[3]

References

  1. Both Sides (Remastered) - Album by Phil Collins - Apple Music
  2. Both Sides - Album by Phil Collins | Spotify
  3. https://store.rhino.com/en/rhino-store/artists/phil-collins/both-sides-all-the-sides-5lp/603497825905.html
  4. BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY – PHIL COLLINS - Official Charts
  5. BOTH SIDES by PHIL COLLINS sales and awards
  6. Phil Collins albums and songs sales - ChartMasters
  7. Phil Collins returns: 'I got letters from nurses saying, “That's it, I'm not ...
  8. Phil Collins reveals 'Both Sides' in quest for respect ... - Baltimore Sun
  9. Phil Collins – 20 years of Both Sides – A look back
  10. Phil Collins – Both Sides – CD review - Genesis News Com [it]
  11. Phil Collins Recording Compendium, Part 7: 1992 - 1995
  12. Phil Collins > Albums > Both Sides
  13. Phil Collins Details BOTH SIDES (ALL THE SIDES) 5-LP Vinyl Boxset
  14. Both Sides Of The Story by Phil Collins - Songfacts
  15. Phil Collins - The Both Sides (All The Sides) 5-LP box set... | Facebook
  16. Phil Collins - Both Sides
  17. The Phil Collins Albums Part 5 - 'Both Sides' - 'LP' by Ian Paul Sharp
  18. Both Sides - The Genesis Archive
  19. Phil Collins Both Sides equipment | Genesis: a gear revelation Wiki
  20. Phil Collins: Playing all the instruments - Both Sides (All The Sides)
  21. Phil Collins - Facebook
  22. Phil Collins' "Both Sides" is worth the reissue - Goldmine Magazine
  23. Phil Collins | Music Hub | Fandom
  24. Both Sides (Phil Collins) - GetSongBPM
  25. Both Sides - Rolling Stone
  26. Review: “Both Sides” by Phil Collins (CD, 1993) - Pop Rescue
  27. Long Long Way To Go: #83 Both Sides - Phil Collins : r/Genesis
  28. Phil Collins – Both Sides of the Story Lyrics - Genius
  29. Phil Collins - Both Sides of the Story - 2015 Remaster lyrics
  30. Phil Collins - Both Sides Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius
  31. Phil Collins Responds to the Rumor He Divorced Wife by Fax
  32. Reevaluating PHIL COLLINS – Part 5: Both Sides
  33. Both Sides | Phil Collins Wiki - Fandom
  34. Phil Collins: Both Sides of the Story (Music Video 1993) - IMDb
  35. Release group “Both Sides” by Phil Collins - MusicBrainz
  36. Phil Collins MTV 1993 - Unplugged Both Sides of the Story - YouTube
  37. Phil Collins Concert Map: Both Sides of the World Tour - Setlist.fm
  38. Phil Collins - Both Sides
  39. Phil Collins' 'Both Sides' gets 30th anniversary box set
  40. Both Sides - Phil Collins | Album | AllMusic
  41. Phil Collins - Both Sides - Reviews - Album of The Year
  42. Phil Collins on Both Sides, Face Value remasters | Digital Trends
  43. Phil Collins - Both Sides (album review ) | Sputnikmusic
  44. Take a Look at Them Now: Phil Collins Kicks Off Reissue Series with ...
  45. Phil Collins / Both Sides (All The Sides) 5LP box set
  46. PHIL COLLINS: FACE VALUE (1981) and BOTH SIDES (1993 ...
  47. PHIL COLLINS songs and albums | full Official Chart history
  48. Phil Collins Album and Singles Chart History
  49. Top UK Albums - Year-end 1993 - BestSellingAlbums.org
  50. [PDF] Chart-Chronology PHIL COLLINS
  51. Phil Collins' album 'Both Sides' to be re-issued for 30th anniversary
  52. https://www.discogs.com/release/531986-Phil-Collins-Both-Sides-Of-The-Story
  53. https://www.discogs.com/release/19890679-Phil-Collins-Both-Sides
  54. Both Sides: Phil Collins' overlooked masterpiece?
  55. https://www.discogs.com/release/3005001-Phil-Collins-Both-Sides
  56. Both Sides by Phil Collins - Album by - WhoSampled
  57. The ten right-wing rockers | Pop and rock | The Guardian
  58. An Artist's View of Conflict: Phil Collins's “Both Sides of the Story”
  59. r/philcollins on Reddit: Question about ...But Seriously and Both Sides
  60. Phil Collins – Both Sides (2016 Deluxe Edition 2CD) – review
  61. Phil Collins Announces 'Both Sides' 30th Anniversary Box Set
  62. Phil Collins announces Both Sides 30th anniversary box set
User Avatar
No comments yet.