About The Song
“Another Day in Paradise” is a song written and recorded by English drummer and singer Phil Collins. Produced by Collins along with Hugh Padgham, it was released as the first single from his number-one album …But Seriously (1989). As with his song for Genesis, “Man on the Corner”, the track has as its subject the problem of homelessness and paradise;[2] as such, the song was a substantial departure from the dance-pop music of his previous album, No Jacket Required (1985).
Collins sings the song from a third-person perspective, as he observes a man crossing the street to ignore a homeless woman, and he implores listeners not to turn a blind eye to homelessness because, by drawing a religious allusion, “it’s just another day for you and me in paradise”. Collins also appeals directly to God by singing: “Oh Lord, is there nothing more anybody can do? Oh Lord, there must be something you can say.”
The song was Collins’ seventh and final Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single, the last No. 1 single of the 1980s and the first No. 1 single of the 1990s. It was a worldwide success, eventually becoming one of the most successful songs of his solo career. It won Collins and Padgham the Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 1991 awards ceremony, while it was also nominated for Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male and Best Music Video, Short Form. “Another Day in Paradise” also won an award for British Single at the 1990 Brit Awards. Despite the awards gained following its release, the song also generated controversy over its subject matter and has received a largely unfavourable reaction from music critics.
The live performance of the song at the 1991 Grammy Awards by Collins and David Crosby, who provided backing vocals on the track, was released on the 1994 album Grammy’s Greatest Moments Volume I. In 2009, Collins’ version was listed 86th on Billboard’s Greatest Songs of All Time. “Another Day in Paradise” has since been covered by several artists, including Brandy and her brother Ray J, Jam Tronik, Axxis, Novecento, Brad Arnold and Hank Marvin.
“Another Day in Paradise” provoked controversy upon release and was widely criticised. Some critics found the wealthy Collins unqualified to sing about the poor, while others accused him of profiteering from homelessness. Collins responded, “When I drive down the street, I see the same things everyone else sees. It’s a misconception that if you have a lot of money you’re somehow out of touch with reality.” Billboard gave a positive review, calling it a “poignant” track whose “subject matter is complemented nicely by a subdued, ethereal musical context”.
Video
Lyrics
She calls out the man on the street
“Sir can you help me ?”
It’s cold and I’ve no where to sleep
is there some where you can tell me ?
He walks on, doesn’t look back
he pretends he can’t hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street seems embarrassed to
be there;
Oh think twice
’cause it’s an another day for you and me in paradise
Oh, think twice
’cause it’s an another day for you,you and me in paradise
Think about it
She calls out to the man in the street
he can see she’s been crying
She’s got blisters on the soles of her feet
she can’t walk, but she’s trying
Oh think twice
’cause it’s an other day for you and me in paradise
Oh, think twice
’cause it’s another day for you, you and me in paradise
Think about it
You can tell from the lines on her face
you can see that she’s been there
Probably been move don from every place
‘cos she didn’t fit in there
Oh, think twice
’cause it’s an another day for you and me in paradise
:Oh, think twice
’cause it’s an another day for you and me in paradise.