In the Air Tonite
Lil' Kim, Phil Collins
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What we gonna do right here is go back (go back) Way back (way back)- back into time (into time) [Chorus] I can feel it coming in the air tonight Oh Lord And I've been waiting for this moment For all my life Oh Lord, Oh Lord [Lil' Kim] Keep stealing the shit Killing the rhyme The Queen stay poppin' the wine and cockin' the nine For those who think they stoppin' my doe want to copy my show, wha I'm switchin' my flow, can't take it no mo' Oh you think I'm playin' around I'm layin ya down Album drop, new millennium shuttin' it down Better off givin' it up, I'm rippin' it up Spendin' money, livin' it up, not giving a f*ck Hotter than toast, Runnin' the coast Makin' niggas catch the Holy Ghost I'm realer than most, wha The trendsetter, the Brooklyn repper You know the routine Smoke you like a ciggarette-are You've been out in a bit why'all still talkin' shit Ain't that a bitch? What part of the game was this? [Lil' Kim singing] Millions I'm holdin' Drop tops rollin' Diamonds on my neck And Bentley ballin' Me and my niggas gettin' high all day Straight to the top, 'cause we on our way [Lil' Kim rapping] Comin' for why'all, comin' for why'all That's right I got something for why'all Something for why'all, wha God bless me, look at all I've been through It's my time, I can feel it, can't you? [Chorus] Can you feel it coming in the air tonight? Oh Lord, Oh Lord [DJ Clark Kent] JM, JM Lil' Kim, Lil' Kim PC, PC Clark [Phil Collins] Well I remember.. [Lil' Kim] ... back when it used to be the eighties Said the world gon' end in 2000 (that's crazy) I'm the only thing to fear For the new year New year, and if BIG was here (woo) Get the fans, we the ones to talk We die real on the streets So watch where you walk And you can find me, usually Talkin' dirty to a cat thugged out Or even kinda nerdy Lil' Kim, Lil' Cease and JM Taking over like a plague on a town All why'all can do is pray and watch it go down Like when the ball drop My fam's all I got, we keep it gangsta Comin' for why'all, comin' for why'all That's right I got something for why'all Something for why'all, wha God bless me, look at all I've been through It's my time, I can feel it, can't you? [Phil Collins] Well, if you told me, you were drowning I would not a lend a hand I've seen your face before my friend But I don't know if you know who I am Well I was there and I saw what you did Saw it with my own two eyes So you can wipe off that grin I know where you've been It's all been a pack of lies [Phil Collins] I can feel it coming in the air tonight Oh Lord And I've been waiting for this moment For all my life Oh Lord, Oh Lord I can feel it coming in the air tonight Oh Lord And I've been waiting for this moment All my life Oh Lord, Oh Lord [Clark Kent] Lil' Kim, Lil' Kim JM, JM
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Written by: Phil Collins
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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17 facts about this song
Release & Reception"In the Air Tonight" was released internationally on 5th January 1981.
- The song received positive reviews from music critics, with many praising its haunting lyrical and musical composition.
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Chart PerformanceThe song peaked at No. 19 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in the United States.
- In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
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Song Composition & Inspiration"In the Air Tonight" was composed and produced by Phil Collins himself.
- Written during Phil Collins' divorce from his wife, the song’s lyrics provide a dark, intense cryptic narrative that resonate with themes of betrayal and anger.
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Music Video & Visual ConceptThe music video for the song comes with eerie visuals which capture the song's brooding energy.
- It features Collins alone in a room with a strange, ghost-like presence moving behind him.
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Live PerformancesCollins usually performs "In the Air Tonight" at his concerts using a drum machine for the iconic drum intro.
- During the live performances, the audience anticipates and often cheers for the distinctive drum break.
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Urban Legends & MisinterpretationsAn urban legend arose around "In the Air Tonight" claiming that Collins wrote the song about a man who watched another man drown and didn't help.
- Although many believe this, Collins has always maintained that the song was about his anger and frustration during his divorce and doesn't have any specific story behind it.
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Cover Versions & Pop Culture ReferencesNumerous artists have covered "In the Air Tonight," including Joe Cocker, Nonpoint, and Lil' Kim.
- The song has made its way into popular culture as well, featured in various TV shows, movies, and commercials – including the Miami Vice pilot episode and in a Cadbury's Dairy Milk advertisement.
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Legacy"In the Air Tonight" is often considered Collins' signature song.
- The track is best known for its drum break towards the end, which has been described as "the most startling pop percussion break of all time."
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Song Production"In the Air Tonight" was released as the lead single from Phil Collins' debut solo album, "Face Value," in 1981.
- It is arguably Phil Collins' most well-known song, given its significant airplay and inclusion in numerous film and television soundtracks over the years.
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Chart SuccessDespite its unnerving ambiance and lack of a traditional pop chorus, the song was a commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
- It remains one of Collins's best-loved tracks and still receives regular airplay today.
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Song Lyric ControversyThere have been numerous interpretations and rumors surrounding the lyrics to "In the Air Tonight." Many believed that it was about a drowning incident that Phil Collins witnessed, which the artist himself has debunked.
- The haunting lyrics are actually about the anger and pain Collins felt during his divorce from his wife, Andrea Bertorelli.
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Iconic Drum BreakPerhaps the most distinctive element of "In The Air Tonight" is its haunting, sudden drum break. This memorable drum sequence comes just under four minutes into the song, surprising the listener.
- The drum break has been heavily sampled in other songs, most notably in the rap genre.
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Live PerformancesDuring live performances, the song is generally played with dark and dramatic lighting effects to enhance its atmospheric quality.
- It is a staple in Phil Collins's live shows and is often used to open his concerts.
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Music VideoThe music video, just as the song, is dark and moody. It shows Collins against dark backgrounds and intermittently with shining light, emphasizing the song's dramatic feel.
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Use in Media"In the Air Tonight" is a pop culture staple having been used in numerous movies and TV shows, the most famous probably being the premiere episode of the 1980s TV series Miami Vice.
- It has also been used in commercials, including a notable Cadbury’s chocolate advertisement featuring a gorilla playing the song's iconic drum break.
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Cover VersionsSeveral artists have covered "In the Air Tonight," including heavy metal band Nonpoint for the movie Miami Vice and R&B artist Brandy for the TV show Empire.
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AchievementsIn 2007, Mike Tyson's rendition of "In the Air Tonight" in the film "The Hangover" led to a resurgence in the song's popularity and its re-entry into the UK Singles Chart.
- In 2016, "In the Air Tonight" was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry, signifying sales of over 600,000 copies in the UK.
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