Both Sides

Both Sides is the fifth solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Phil Collins. Featuring an adult-oriented soft rock based sound, the release came out in November 1993. Collins notably created the album entirely by himself without any collaborations from outside songwriters and performers, and he picked up mixed to positive critical reviews with the release, with Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stating that the album's "artistically satisfying" songs feature "troubled, haunting tales".[4]

This article is about a music album. For the media bias also called "bothsidesism", see false balance.

Both Sides
Studio album by
Phil Collins
Released8 November 1993[1]
Recorded1992–1993
StudioCollins' home studio, England
GenreArt rock[2]
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: 27 January 1994
  3. "We Wait and We Wonder"
    Released: 29 April 1994
  4. "Can't Turn Back the Years"
    Released: 1994 (promo)[3]
Alternative cover
2016 reissue cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Entertainment WeeklyB− link
Goldmine link
The Irish News link
PopMatters link
Powermetal.de9/10 link
Rolling Stone link
Scunthorpe Telegraph10/10[5]

The album achieved commercial success, reaching No.  1 in the U.K., No.  8 in Australia, and No.  13 in the U.S. Collins also went on the highly successful Both Sides of the World Tour upon its release. That effort involved over a hundred performances in a tour that went over a year,[6] and it showed that he remained a very popular live performer worldwide, despite the shifts in the Anglo-American musical landscape taking place.

A special two-disc edition of the album featuring the Live from the Board – Official Bootleg EP[7] as a second disc,[8] titled Far Side... of the World: Gold Souvenir Tour Edition after the final leg of the Both Sides tour, was released in Southeast Asia and Australia in 1995. It peaked at No.  13 in Australia.[9]

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.[10]

Development

Both Sides was notable for the fact that Collins made it 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 just six weeks at the Farm with the help of producer/engineer Paul Gomersall. For the first and only time in his career, Collins played all the instruments himself as well as taking care of the primary production duties. In addition, Collins wrote sleeve notes explaining the meaning of each song, another first.

Collins claims this album to be his favorite. "Both Sides is my favorite album, from a songwriting and creative perspective. 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," said Collins in 2016.[11] It was also written in response to the failure of his marriage to second wife Jill Tavelman. "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," he said.[11] 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."[12]

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."[12]

Critical response

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 only No. 25 in the U.S. (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 only reaching to No. 13 in the U.S., 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 or 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 U..S, 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 on which Collins plays bagpipes — reached only No. 45 in the UK.

However, over time the album's reputation 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".

Track listing

All songs written, performed and produced by Phil Collins.

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)[7]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sussudio"Collins7:09
2."Easy Lover" (featuring Nathan East and Arnold McCuller)Collins, Philip Bailey, East5:02
3."Separate Lives" (featuring Amy Keys and Arnold McCuller)Stephen Bishop6:15
4."My Girl"Smokey Robinson, Ronald White3:48
Extra Sides bonus disc (Disc two of 2016 deluxe edition)[10]
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" (Unplugged)5:20
10."Hero" (demo)4:47

Unreleased tracks

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 Phil's longtime friend, saxophonist Don Myrick, who was accidentally killed in Los Angeles while Phil was composing the album. Myrick had played sax solos on Phil'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. It was never released or widely circulated amongst collectors. A very early "demo" of it was released on the official fanclub in 2011. In fact, this is more of an improvisation from which only a bit of the chorus will make 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...."[13]

The Both Sides of the World Tour
Main article: Both Sides of the World Tour

Although Both Sides failed to reach the same heights as ...But Seriously and No Jacket Required, the supporting tour was a huge success. A mammoth 13-month tour, which saw over 150 performances over 6 continents, The Both Sides of the World Tour proved Collins to still be one of the most popular artists in the World.

Personnel

Musicians

All instruments performed by Phil Collins.

Production
  • 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, USA).
  • Continuous surveillance by Geoff Callingham and Mike Bowen
  • Cover photography by Trevor Key
  • Artwork – Hills Archer Ink

Charts

Weekly
Chart (1993) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[14] 8
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[15] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[16] 3
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[17] 3
Canadian Albums (RPM)[18] 6
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[19] 6
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[20] 1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[21] 6
French Albums (SNEP)[22] 1
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[23] 1
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[24] 23
Italian Albums (FIMI)[25] 1
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[26] 21
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[27] 7
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[28] 4
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[29] 1
Spanish Albums (AFYVE)[30] 3
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 3
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 1
UK Albums (OCC)[33] 1
US Billboard 200[34] 13

Year-end
Chart (1993) Position
Canadian Albums (RPM)[35] 64
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[36] 29
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[37] 37
Italian Albums (FIMI)[25] 10
UK Albums (OCC)[38] 8
Chart (1994) Position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[39] 31
Canadian Albums (RPM)[40] 81
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[41] 43
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[42] 5
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 10
US Billboard 200[44] 85

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[45] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[46] Platinum 50,000*
Belgium (BEA)[47] Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP)[48] Platinum 300,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[49] Gold 100,000*
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[47] Gold 50,000^
France (SNEP)[48] Platinum 300,000*
Germany (BVMI)[50] 3× Platinum 1,500,000^
Italy (FIMI)[47] Platinum 200,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[51] Gold 100,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[52] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[53] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[54] Platinum 50,000*
Portugal (AFP)[47] Gold 20,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[55] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Sweden (GLF)[56] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[57] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] 2× Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[59] Platinum 1,000,000^

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

References
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  2. https://www.allmusic.com/album/both-sides-mw0000621417. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. Phil Collins "Can't Turn Back the Years" at Discogs
  4. Both Sides at AllMusic. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  5. F, Nigel (25 January 2016). "CD REVIEWS: Phil Collins, Old Dominion, Sarah Blasko, Frokedal & Balsamo Deighton". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  6. Paul Cashmere (13 May 2015). "Phil Collins Starts Work On Catalogue Remasters". Noise11.com. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  7. "Phil Collins – Live From The Board – Official Bootleg (CD)". Discogs. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  8. "Phil Collins Far Side Of The World Tour '95 Australian 2 CD album set (Double CD) (42406)". eil.com. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  9. "australian-charts.com – Phil Collins – Far Side... Of The World". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  10. Sinclair, Paul. "Phil Collins / Face Value and Both Sides deluxe reissue details". Super Deluxe Edition. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  11. "Phil Collins webchat – your questions answered on prog rock, self-doubt and Miami Vice | Music". The Guardian. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  12. Genesis News Com [it]: Phil Collins – Both Sides – CD review. Genesis-news.com. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  13. "Turn it on Again- A Genesis Forum – PC's Forum Messages 2004 to 2006". Genesisgts.conforums.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
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  15. "Austriancharts.at – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
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  17. "Ultratop.be – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  18. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Library and Archives Canada. 31 March 2004. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  19. "BILLBOARD MAGAZINE: 1936 to 2010 Searchable". Americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  20. "Dutchcharts.nl – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  21. source: Pennanen, Timo: Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava, 2006. ISBN 9789511210535. page: 280
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  25. "Gli album più venduti del 1993" (in Italian). Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  26. "ORICON NEWS｜最新情報を発信する総合トレンドメディア". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
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  28. "Norwegiancharts.com – Phil Collins – Both Sides". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
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  39. "Jahreshitparade Alben 1994". Austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 17 December 2020.
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  42. "Top 100 Album-Jahrecharts". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  43. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1994". Hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 17 December 2020.
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  45. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
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  47. https://www.americanradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-04-02.pdf
  48. "French album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in French). InfoDisc. Select PHIL COLLINS and click OK. 
  49. "Brazilian album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
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  52. "Dutch album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 5 October 2012. Enter Both Sides in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  53. "New Zealand album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides". Recorded Music NZ.
  54. "Norwegian album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
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  56. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden.
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  58. "British album certifications – Both Sides of the Story". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Both Sides of the Story in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  59. "American album certifications – Both Sides". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 

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