"One More Night" by Phil Collins

#1 Alert!

Gold Record Alert!

Song#:  2214
Date:  02/09/1985
Debut:  50
Peak:  1 (2 weeks)
Weeks:  18
Genre:  Soft Rock



Pop Bits:  Collins was certainly on a roll. He had released two multi-platinum albums, got his first solo #1 hit ("Against All Odds"), and was on the verge of winning his first Grammy. With his third album, No Jacket Required, set to go, this introductory single was released and it debuted on the chart just as his hit duet with Philip Bailey, "Easy Lover," was peaking at #2. The plaintive ballad quickly found fans and the single easily found its way to the #1 spot at both Pop and AC. Even Rock radio couldn't resist the tune and it topped out at #4. The album would reach its peak of popularity later in the late spring/early summer and would spend seven (non-consecutive) weeks atop the chart. It would be Collins' most successful album in the US selling over 12 million copies and winning the Grammy for Album of the Year.

ReduxReview:  I have to admit that this is not among my favorite Collins songs. The low-key ballad was certainly an easy listen, but it didn't really grab my attention. It sounds like a pretty tune that should be the closing track on an album, not become a lead-off single. I never understood it's appeal and why it was chosen as the first single. I was a fan of Collins, but I didn't rush out to buy this record. I waited and bought the album hoping for better tunes (which there was). The best part of it for me is the final sax solo (see below). That's about the only part of the song that does it for me. While I don't dislike the song, I don't love it either. Luckily for Collins many people loved it and it became his second #1 hit.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) Collins would often find inspiration for songs when just improvising. In the case of this tune, Collins was tinkering with a drum machine and before long he began to sing a melody with the words "one more night." What he had seemed great for a chorus and he quickly turned the improv into an actual song.  2) Many folks are quick to recognize the sax solo that happens at the end of the song. That solo came courtesy of Don Myrick, who had been a member of Earth, Wind & Fire's horn section that became known as The Phenix Horns. Collins had used The Phenix Horns on his previous solo albums, so when he needed a sax solo for this song he turned to Myrick. Myrick was unfortunately killed in 1993.  Police officers went to Myrick's home with a search warrant that was part of a narcotics investigation. As the cops began to surround the house, an officer knocked on Myrick's front door. Myrick opened the door and was fatally shot when the officer thought that Myrick was holding a gun. He wasn't. He just had a lighter in his hand. Myrick's family later settled a wrongful death case with the Santa Monica police department for $400,000. Myrick was 53 years old.
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