Both Sides cover art

  Studio Album · No. 5

Both Sides Songwriting Credits by Phil Collins

1993 Virgin / Atlantic 11 tracks 67 min

Produced by Phil Collins  ·  Engineered by Paul Gomersall, Mark Robinson

Virgin / Atlantic Art RockSoft RockPop Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether Phil Collins carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
11 trackswritten by Phil Collins 0 tracksoutside writers
Phil Collins's roles on this album

Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

11
Tracks
1
Lyricists
1
Producers
1993
Released
Data Insight

Both Sides is the most solitary record of Phil Collins's career: he wrote all eleven songs himself and recorded the album largely alone at his home studio, with Paul Gomersall engineering and Mark Robinson assisting at The Farm in Surrey. Although it is often said Collins played every instrument, the guitar parts were keyboard-generated sounds rather than live guitar; the conception, writing and performance were nonetheless overwhelmingly his own. Collins has called it his favourite album from a songwriting and creative standpoint, written during a period of personal and relationship difficulty.

Both Sides is Phil Collins' fifth studio album, released November 8, 1993. A deeply personal record written, performed, and produced entirely by Collins, who played every instrument himself. It reached #1 in the UK and #13 in the US. The album is his most introspective work, dealing with themes of loneliness and failed relationships.

Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Both Sides of the Story #25
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)
2
Can't Turn Back the Years
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)
3
Everyday #24
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)
4
I've Forgotten Everything
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)
5
We're Sons of Our Fathers
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)
6
Can't Find My Way
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)
7
Survivors
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)
8
We Fly So Close
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)
9
There's a Place for Us
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)
10
We Wait and We Wonder
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)
11
Please Come Out Tonight
Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins Phil Collins (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 1 contributor

PC
Phil Collins
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album11 written

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Frequently Asked Questions Both Sides

Did Phil Collins write Both Sides himself?
Yes. Phil Collins wrote all eleven songs on Both Sides entirely by himself, with no outside co-writers. He also recorded the album largely alone at his home studio, making it the most self-contained project of his solo career.
Did Phil Collins play all the instruments on Both Sides?
Almost. Collins performed the album largely solo, but it is a common misconception that he physically played every instrument. The guitar parts were actually keyboard-generated sounds played through a synthesizer rather than a live guitar.
What was the lead single from Both Sides?
The lead single was 'Both Sides of the Story,' released in October 1993. It reached number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the UK Singles Chart.
How did the song Everyday by Phil Collins perform on the charts?
'Everyday' was the album's biggest US single, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was released in early 1994.
Where was Both Sides recorded?
The album was recorded at Phil Collins's home and at The Farm studio in Surrey, England. Paul Gomersall engineered the sessions with Mark Robinson assisting, and Bob Ludwig mastered the record at Gateway Mastering.
Did Both Sides reach number one anywhere?
Yes. Both Sides topped the UK Albums Chart. In the United States it peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200, and it reached number eight in Australia.
Why does Phil Collins consider Both Sides special?
Collins has described Both Sides as his favourite album from a songwriting and creative perspective. He has said it reflected personal and relationship difficulties he was experiencing at the time, which gave the writing a confessional quality.

Sources

Wikipedia: Both Sides Wikipedia: Both Sides of the Story MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Both Sides by Phil Collins