Attack of the Killer Track! is a series that explores tracks from artists from a variety of genres. Some of the tracks were singles, some of them were obscure b-sides or long forgotten album tracks. One thing is certain – all of them are killer tracks.
All of the hype over the latest Black Sabbath album had me thinking about what a drag it is that Phil Collins is still considered so uncool these days. Phil Collins not only backed up Black Sabbath when Bill Ward couldn’t play for the Queen’s Jubilee a decade ago, he also performed on some of the greatest progressive rock records of the 70’s. Hell, I even like some of his solo pop tracks. My favorite solo Phil Collins song is the single I Don’t Care Anymore taken from his 1982 record Hello, I Must Be Going! It features a heavy drum backing and emotional, angry vocals. In fact – this is probably the angriest song of Phil’s solo career. The lyrics are directed at his ex-wife and make it clear that he had grown tired of the non stop gossip and slander about him that he felt she was responsible for. The track peaked at #39 on the US charts and did not chart in the UK. The studio version of the song involved only two people – Phil Collins on keyboards, drums, vocals, bass pedals and Daryl Stuermer on guitars. I’d imagine this song would resonate with anyone who has ever had something said about them that they didn’t agree with. The lyrics are almost punk rock in their direct approach and Phil enunciates certain verses in ways that no one else could get away with (notice how he says “no more”, for instance). Key lyrics:
Well you can tell everyone I’m a down disgrace
Drag my name all over the place.
I don’t care anymore.
You can tell everybody ’bout the state I’m in
You won’t catch me crying ‘cos I just can’t win.
I don’t care anymore I don’t care anymore
I don’t care what you say
I don’t play the same games you play.
‘Cos I’ve been talking to the people that you call your friends
And it seems to me there’s a means to an end.
They don’t care anymore.
And as for me I can sit here and bide my time
I got nothing to lose if I speak my mind.
I don’t care anymore I don’t care no more
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVFku0P7qTA]