Phil Collins – Face Value

The debut album FACE VALUE was released on 13 February 1981 on the Atlantic in North America. The album topped the UK Album Chart on its initial release and was well-received by critics.

The idea behind the cover for the album was born out of the thought that Collins wanted to show what was going on inside his own head at the time. He felt that a close-up shot of his face would convey the emotion he was going for. Many of the songs were inspired by Collins' first divorce. Collins has stated that he never intended to make a solo record; he was simply attempting to deal with the grief after his wife left him for another man. It wasn't until he played the demo tapes for then Ahmet Ertegun that he was told the songs were good enough to be released as an album.

Other songs on the album are the up tempo Face Value.

The album also features a cover of The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows", which included instruments and vocals playing in reverse while Collins provided multi-layered background vocals and sparse drumming. After the song ends, Collins can be heard quietly singing Over the Rainbow in reference to the recent murder of John Lennon. This final song is unlisted on most releases of the album (the original US cassette version being an exception), and would be the only time Collins used a "hidden" track on one of his own releases.

Released on LP/MC 9-2-81 Reached #1 in the UK Chart

Singles Released:-
Phil Collins - Thunder And Lightning (11-81)