Another Day in Paradise explained

Another Day in Paradise
Cover:Phil_Collins_AnotherDayInParadise.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Phil Collins
Album:...But Seriously
Released:23 October 1989[1]
Recorded:1989
Genre:
Length:
  • 4:47 (single version)
  • 5:22 (album version)
Prev Title:Two Hearts
Prev Year:1988
Next Title:I Wish It Would Rain Down
Next Year:1990

"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;[3] 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.[4] In 2009, Collins' version was listed 86th on Billboards Greatest Songs of All Time.[5] "Another Day in Paradise" has since been covered by several artists, including Brandy and her brother Ray J, Jam Tronik, Axxis, Novecento, Brad Arnold[6] and Hank Marvin.

Chart performance

The song was another hit for Collins. On 23 December 1989, it became his seventh No. 1 single in the U.S.[3] The song was also the final No. 1 song of the 1980s in the U.S., and remained at No. 1 for four weeks, which classifies the song as a hit from the 1990s as well. This song is notable for keeping Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" from reaching No. 1. It also saw out the 1980s and saw in the 1990s at the top of the German singles chart. The song had already reached No. 2 in the UK in November of that year. The single version is slightly different from the album version in that it uses a shorter intro.

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Jim Yukich and produced by Paul Flattery of FYI.[7] The video, shot entirely in black and white, features Collins singing in a dark background, interspersed with images of the homeless, the refugees and the poverty of children in the streets. The music video also features many messages about the homeless, to convey the full message of the song. Collins' part was shot in less than an hour in New York.

Reception

"Another Day in Paradise" provoked controversy upon release and was widely criticised.[8] [9] Some critics found the wealthy Collins unqualified to sing about the poor,[10] while others accused him of profiteering from homelessness.[11] 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."[10] Billboard gave a positive review, calling it a "poignant" track whose "subject matter is complemented nicely by a subdued, ethereal musical context".[12]

Singer-songwriter and political activist Billy Bragg gave a 2000 interview in which he negatively compared Collins to the Clash, stating, "Phil Collins might write a song about the homeless, but if he doesn't have the action to go with it he's just exploiting that for a subject."[13] In 2003, Andrew Collins described the song as a "bland redress" for the subject of homelessness in the New Statesman.[14] In 2007, Blender remarked that Collins "wrote the worst song ever about homelessness",[15] while Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian called it "a song that addressed the issue of homelessness with the same insight as Sporty Spice's 'If That Were Me'".[16] Writing for the BBC in 2010, David Sheppard described the song's lyrics as "cringe-worthy" and gave it as an example of Collins "painting the bull's-eye on his own forehead" when it came to his negative status with music critics.[17]

It was reported that Collins left the UK for Switzerland in 1997, in response to the election of a Labour government;[18] [19] Collins had actually left previously to be with his future wife Orianne Cevey.[20] [19] In 2013, MSN's Hugh Wilson said this relocation led to further accusations of hypocrisy, since Collins "bemoaned the plight of the homeless in the song 'Another Day in Paradise' " then "lugged his estimated £130 million fortune to Switzerland where the tax regime is far less punishing for the super wealthy".[21]

In a 2016 article for The Guardian, Michael Hann wrote, "Collins has been unfairly criticised for many things, but 'Another Day in Paradise' is not one of them. Criticism of that is manifestly fair." Hann argued that the song patronizes the general public, who "almost certainly encounter poverty more often than [Collins]", and chided Collins for "[equating] his material wealth with his listener's by pointing out that both 'you and me' are in paradise".[22] On the other hand, Jamie Wales of Gigwise described the track as a "classic", and said of the hypocrisy allegations levelled at Collins, "The truth is Phil collected money for homeless charities from fans who attended his concerts and then donated double the total takings out of his own money."[23]

Formats and track listings

12" single

  1. "Another Day in Paradise" (album version) – 5:22
  2. "Another Day in Paradise" (radio edit) – 4:40

CD maxi single

  1. "Another Day in Paradise" – 5:15
  2. "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" – 1:25
  3. "Heat on the Street" – 3:59

7" single

  1. "Another Day in Paradise" – 4:48
  2. "Heat on the Street" – 3:59

3" CD single

  1. "Another Day in Paradise" 5:19
  2. "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" 1:26
  3. "Heat on the Street" 4:00

Virgin - VSCD1233 (Martin H)

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1989–1990)Peak
position
Denmark (IFPI)[24] 2
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[25] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[26] 1
Italy (Musica e dischi)[27] 2
Portugal (AFP)[28] 1
Spain (AFYVE)[29] 9
Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[30] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)Position
Belgium (Ultratop)[32] 68
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[33] 78
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[34] 56
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[35] 47
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[36] 22
UK Singles (OCC)[37] 46
Chart (1990)Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[38] 26
Belgium (Ultratop)[39] 69
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[40] 23
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[41] 27
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[42] 23
Germany (Official German Charts)[43] 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[44] 11
US Billboard Hot 100[45] 7
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[46] 11

All-time charts

Jam Tronik version

Another Day in Paradise
Cover:Jam tronik-another day in paradise.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Jam Tronik
B-Side:Get on the Raze
Released:1990
Recorded:1989
Length:4:50
Label:Debut Edge, ZYX
Producer:Charlie Glas
Next Title:Yesterday Once More (Every Sha La La La)
Next Year:1991

Less than six months after the release of the original Phil Collins version, a cover version by German dance act Jam Tronik was released as their debut single. In the United Kingdom, the song first charted in March 1990, reaching a peak of number 19 on the UK Singles Chart in the first week of April. It also charted in Germany and Belgium. Sampled in this version is the drum loop from the 1988 Raze song "Break 4 Love". The B-side, "Get on the Raze", also samples "Break 4 Love".

Charts

Brandy and Ray J version

Another Day in Paradise
Cover:BrandyfeatRayJAnotherDayInParadiseCDSingleCover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Brandy and Ray J
Album:Urban Renewal
Length:4:32
Label:WEA
Producer:Guy Roche
Chronology:Brandy
Prev Title:Never Say Never
Prev Year:2000
Next Title:What About Us?
Next Year:2002

In 2001, siblings Brandy and Ray J covered the song for the Phil Collins tribute album Urban Renewal. Produced by Guy Roche and released as the album's lead single in March 2001, the cover version became a top-10 success in Australia and across Europe, receiving gold certifications in Australia (35,000), France (250,000), Germany (250,000), and Switzerland (20,000). In 2002, this version of the song was included on the European edition of Brandy's Full Moon album.

Critical reception

In their review, Music Week felt that the "US siblings are likely to score a hit with this infectiously familiar track."[48]

Music video

The music video follows a homeless woman wandering the streets being chastised by various people, including a waitress, a businessman, and a police officer. The video is intercut with scenes of Brandy and Ray J singing on a fire escape and along alleyways, while also following the woman and taking photographs of each incident with a camera. The homeless woman then walks into a luxurious shoe boutique, and the receptionist calls the police to escort her out. When she is dropped back to her makeshift shelter in an alleyway, one of the policemen comes across a series of Polaroids depicting all of the previous characters, including himself, in the homeless woman's place. At the end of the video, Brandy and Ray J come to pick up the homeless woman and walk off with her into the distance.

Track listings

CD maxi single

  1. "Another Day in Paradise" (R&B-Version) – 4:32
  2. "Another Day in Paradise" (Stargate Mix) – 4:19
  3. "Another Day in Paradise" (Stargate Classic Club) – 4:22
  4. "Another Day in Paradise" (Knee Deep Remix) – 6:28
  5. "Another Day in Paradise" (Black Legend VS. J-Reverse Club Mix) – 7:54

CD single

  1. "Another Day in Paradise" (R&B-Version) – 4:32
  2. "Another Day in Paradise" (Stargate Mix) – 4:19

The Remixes – 12-inch maxi

  1. "Another Day in Paradise" (Knee Deep Remix) – 6:28
  2. "Another Day in Paradise" (Black Legend vs. J-Reverse Club Mix) – 7:54

Credits and personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2001)Peak
position
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[49] 8
Hungary (Mahasz)[50] 5
Poland (Music & Media)[51] 6
Poland (Polish Airplay Chart)[52] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (2001)Position
Australia (ARIA)[53] 76
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[54] 54
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[55] 46
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[56] 48
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[57] 34
France (SNEP)[58] 61
Germany (Official German Charts)[59] 31
Ireland (IRMA)[60] 40
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[61] 47
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[62] 47
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[63] 22
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[64] 26
UK Singles (OCC)[65] 64

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
GermanyCDWEA
Australia[66]
United Kingdom[67]

Notable covers

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BPI > Certified Awards > Search results for Phil Collins (page 3). British Phonographic Industry. 16 February 2016.
  2. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/phil-collins/another-day-in-paradise/
  3. Book: Rock N' Roll Gold Rush . registration . Maury Dean . 2003 . Algora . 0-87586-207-1 . 60.
  4. Web site: Grammy's Greatest Moments, Volume 1: Various Artists . Amazon . 13 May 1994 . 21 November 2011.
  5. Billboard's Greatest Songs of All Time . Billboard . 1 May 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090425025152/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-90.shtml. 25 April 2009 . dead.
  6. Web site: 3 Doors Down - Another Day In Paradise (live in Manchester 11.03.12) . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/zq46rZ-9SKM . 21 December 2021 . live . . 12 March 2012 . 22 September 2021.
  7. Web site: Phil Collins: Another Day in Paradise (Video 1989) - IMDb. IMDb.
  8. Web site: Phil Collins takes issues but not criticism seriously . Heim . Chris . 8 June 1990 . . 20 October 2020.
  9. Book: Larkin, Colin. Colin Larkin (writer). 14 September 2007. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music: Concise. Omnibus Press. 263. 978-1846098567. 21 August 2014. 5th. "...the widely criticised 'Another Day in Paradise'.".
  10. Another Day in Paradise. Rolling Stone. 2 July 2020. dead. https://archive.today/20140726192710/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/song-stories/another-day-in-paradise-phil-collins. 26 July 2014.
  11. Web site: Is Phil Collins really such a bad dad?. Donaldson. Sophie. 12 March 2017. Irish Independent. 2 July 2020.
  12. Single reviews. Billboard. 4 November 1989. 79.
  13. Bragg-ing Rites . Entertainment Weekly . Rob . Brunner . 30 June 2000 . 9 February 2014.
  14. Web site: Give music a chance . New Statesman . Andrew . Collins . 24 February 2003 . 14 April 2024.
  15. The 40 Worst Lyricists in Rock. Blender. November 2007. 2 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20071011013235/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=2884. 11 October 2007.
  16. Web site: I wish I'd never heard of Phil Collins ... . The Guardian . Caroline . Sullivan . 19 September 2007 . 9 February 2014.
  17. Web site: Phil Collins Going Back Review . BBC . David . Sheppard . 16 April 2014.
  18. Web site: The ten right-wing rockers . Bainbridge . Luke . 14 October 2007 . The Guardian . 28 October 2020.
  19. News: I'm too sensitive. I don't like being thought of as middle of the road . Hodgkinson . Will . Will Hodgkinson . 28 January 2016 . The Times . 28 October 2020.
  20. News: Phil Collins: Genesis to an Heiress . The Washington Post . Richard . Harrington . 28 February 1997 . 24 August 2023.
  21. Web site: Famous men and their misunderstood politics . MSN . Hugh . Wilson . 3 April 2013 . 16 April 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222225551/http://him.uk.msn.com/in-the-know/famous-men-and-their-misunderstood-politics-di-canio-fascist-row?page=7 . 22 February 2014.
  22. Web site: From tax bills to endangered elephants: 10 subjects songwriters should avoid . Hann . Michael . 14 October 2016 . The Guardian . 18 October 2020.
  23. Web site: 5 reasons why Phil Collins is actually a legend. Wales. Jamie. 27 February 2016. Gigwise. 2 July 2020.
  24. Top 10 Denmark. Music & Media. 6. 48. 11. 2 December 1989. 22 March 2018.
  25. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 7. 2. IV. 13 January 1990. 13 July 2020.
  26. Book: Nyman, Jake. 2005. Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja. 1st. Tammi. Helsinki. 951-31-2503-3. fi.
  27. Top 3 Singles in Europe. Music & Media. 6. 50. 11. 16 December 1989. 21 November 2019.
  28. Top 3 Singles in Europe. Music & Media. 17. 10. VII. 10 March 1990.
  29. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st. September 2005. Fundación Autor-SGAE. Spain. 84-8048-639-2.
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  30. Web site: SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart. slotop50.si. 15 November 2019. 7 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200807064106/https://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Tedenske-lestvice/?year=2019&week=44. dead.
  31. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1989. Ultratop. nl. 9 April 2019.
  32. Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1989. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 22 March 2019.
  33. Eurochart Hot 100 1989. Music & Media. 6. 23 December 1989. 17 January 2020. 6. 51. 29800226. World Radio History.
  34. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1989. Dutch Top 40. 9 June 2020.
  35. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989. MegaCharts. nl. 9 April 2019.
  36. Year End Singles . . 27 January 1990 . 44 . 0144-5804 . World Radio History . 25 October 2023.
  37. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 1990. de. 9 April 2019.
  38. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1990. Ultratop. nl. 9 April 2019.
  39. Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 22 March 2019.
  40. Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1990. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 9 April 2019.
  41. Eurochart Hot 100 of 1990. Music & Media. 7. 51. 22 December 1990. 60. 29800226. 15 January 2020. World Radio History.
  42. Web site: Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1990. GfK Entertainment. de. 9 April 2019.
  43. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1990. de. Schweizer Hitparade. 15 September 2013.
  44. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 1990. 15 September 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090706053853/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1990. 6 July 2009.
  45. Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 1990. Billboard. 9 March 2021.
  46. Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart. Billboard. 14 February 2020.
  47. Single Reviews. May 26, 2001. Music Week. 12. August 28, 2023.
  48. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 19. 26. 12. 23 June 2001. 7 January 2018.
  49. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 19. 26. 14. 23 June 2001. 4 November 2019.
  50. Major Market Airplay – Week 28/2001. Music & Media. 19. 28. 27. July 7, 2001. January 17, 2024.
  51. Web site: Nielsen Music Control. 23 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020108051639/http://pifpaf.com.pl/airplay/lista_16_2001.html. 8 January 2002.
  52. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001. ARIA. 9 February 2021.
  53. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 2001. de. 9 April 2019.
  54. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2001. Ultratop. nl. 23 January 2018.
  55. Web site: Rapports Annuels 2001. Ultratop. nl. 23 January 2018.
  56. Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2001. Music & Media. 18. 52. 14. 22 December 2001. 9 February 2020.
  57. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 2001. SNEP. fr. 9 February 2021.
  58. Web site: Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2001. GfK Entertainment. de. 23 January 2018.
  59. Web site: Ireland-Top Singles for 2001 . C&R . September 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120505011812/http://allcharts.org/music/years/ireland-singles-2001.htm . 5 May 2012 . dead.
  60. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2001. Dutch Top 40. 8 February 2020.
  61. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2001. MegaCharts. nl. 23 January 2018.
  62. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2001. Sverigetopplistan. sv. 9 February 2021.
  63. Web site: Hitparade.ch – Jahreshitparade 2001. Swiss Music Charts. de. 23 January 2018.
  64. Web site: ChartsPlus Year-End 2001. UKChartsPlus. 23 January 2018.
  65. Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 30th April 2001. ARIA. 24. 30 April 2001. dead. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue583.PDF. 20 February 2002. 21 November 2021.
  66. New Releases – For Week Starting June 4, 2001: Singles. Music Week. 23. 2 June 2001.
  67. Web site: Casa & Nova – official nomination for the Hollywood Music In Media Awards. casa-and-nova. 19 May 2017.
  68. Web site: November 20, 2020. Another Day In Paradise (feat. Sevda B) DJ Jack Smith. AppleMusic.
  69. Web site: November 20, 2020. Another Day In Paradise (feat. Sevda B) DJ Jack Smith. Youtube.
  70. Web site: December 21, 2020. ADJ Jack Smith – "Another Day In Paradise" and "Electric Shock" ft. Sevda B – powerful, warm, all-embracing sounds!. Jamsphere.