Going Back
Phil Collins · 2010
77 min · 25 tracks · jazz fusion
A nostalgic homage to classic Motown and soul, infused with Collins' signature melodic sensibility.
Top tracks — play these first
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Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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(Love Is Like a) Heatwave — This track captures the vibrant energy of Motown with an upbeat arrangement that showcases Collins' vocal prowess and playful instrumentation.
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Ain’t Too Proud to Beg — Collins delivers a passionate rendition of this classic, bringing a modern touch while honoring its soulful roots, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Dancing in the Street — A communal anthem reimagined by Collins, this track highlights his ability to breathe new life into familiar classics while maintaining their joyous spirit.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Collins' covers showcase his melodic sensibility but lack significant originality or depth.
What we noticed
- The album consists entirely of cover songs, each reinterpreted with Collins' distinct melodic style.
- Tracks are arranged to maintain a consistent mid-tempo feel, with little variation in energy throughout.
- Several tracks feature lush instrumental arrangements that highlight brass and string sections typical of Motown.
- The last three tracks slow down the pace, creating a reflective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic sing-alongs with friends
- wave-like pacing for easy listening
- for afternoon gatherings
- short bursts of joyful energy
- soulful reflections on love
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer cohesive albums
- seek high-energy instant tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a return to the studio with a focus on nostalgia and classic soul.
- Themes
- Motown nostalgia· soulful reinterpretation
- Career context
- Released in 2010, 'Going Back' marks Phil Collins' return to music after a six-year hiatus, following his last studio album 'Testify' in 2002. This album is a collection of cover songs that reflect his longstanding admiration for the Motown sound, showcasing a more personal direction in his career as he revisits the music that inspired him early on.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Peter Gabriel· Genesis· Steely Dan
Tracklist
- 1 Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) Start here 2:33
- 2 (Love Is Like a) Heatwave 2:53
- 3 Uptight (Everything’s Alright) 3:03
- 4 Some of Your Lovin’ 3:18
- 5 Ain’t Too Proud to Beg 2:41
- 6 In My Lonely Room 2:25
- 7 Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me for a Little While) 2:59
- 8 Blame It on the Sun 3:26
- 9 Papa Was a Rolling Stone 6:43
- 10 Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer 2:59
- 11 Standing in the Shadows of Love 2:41
- 12 You’ve Been Cheatin’ 2:34
- 13 Don’t Look Back 3:06
- 14 You Really Got a Hold on Me 3:07
- 15 Do I Love You 2:50
- 16 Jimmy Mack 2:56
- 17 Something About You 2:47
- 18 Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone 2:40
- 19 Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever 2:48
- 20 Ain’t That Peculiar 3:04
- 21 Going to a Go-Go 2:48
- 22 Nowhere to Run 3:06
- 23 Talkin About My Baby 2:47
- 24 Dancing in the Street 2:44
- 25 Going Back 4:37
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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