Tracklist
In The Air Tonight | 5:27 | ||
This Must Be Love | 3:55 | ||
Behind The Lines | 3:54 | ||
The Roof Is Leaking | 3:15 | ||
Droned | 2:49 | ||
Hand In Hand | 5:20 | ||
I Missed Again | 3:40 | ||
You Know What I Mean | 2:33 | ||
Thunder And Lightning | 4:11 | ||
I'm Not Moving | 2:30 | ||
If Leaving Me Is Easy | 4:54 | ||
Tomorrow Never Knows | 4:18 | ||
Over The Rainbow |
Credits (29)
- Tom Tom 84Arranged By [Horns]
- Alphonso JohnsonBass
- John GiblinBass
- Tony Pleeth*Cello
- Clive AnsteeCello
- Nigel Warren-GreenCello
Notes
The debut album FACE VALUE was released on 13 February 1981 on the Virgin label internationally and 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 Atlantic owner 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 I Missed Again, and the much sadder If Leaving Me Is Easy featuring Eric Clapton on guitar. Eric Clapton was also featured on slide guitar on an early demo of the track The Roof Is Leaking, but Collins writes in his autobiography that he was never satisfied with the outcome of that song at the time. Upon reflection, Collins stated that he "should have just let Eric be Eric", rather than try to force his will upon him. The song was ultimately re-recorded with guitarist Jo Partridge, but the original demo can be found on the compact disc version of the 2015 remaster 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 - In The Air Tonight (5-1-81) #2
Phil Collins - I Missed Again (23-2-81) #14
Phil Collins - If Leaving Me Is Easy (18-5-81) #17
Phil Collins - Thunder And Lightning (11-81)
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 Atlantic owner 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 I Missed Again, and the much sadder If Leaving Me Is Easy featuring Eric Clapton on guitar. Eric Clapton was also featured on slide guitar on an early demo of the track The Roof Is Leaking, but Collins writes in his autobiography that he was never satisfied with the outcome of that song at the time. Upon reflection, Collins stated that he "should have just let Eric be Eric", rather than try to force his will upon him. The song was ultimately re-recorded with guitarist Jo Partridge, but the original demo can be found on the compact disc version of the 2015 remaster 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 - In The Air Tonight (5-1-81) #2
Phil Collins - I Missed Again (23-2-81) #14
Phil Collins - If Leaving Me Is Easy (18-5-81) #17
Phil Collins - Thunder And Lightning (11-81)
Versions
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364 versions
Image | , | – | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory | Version Details | Data Quality | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold | Atlantic – WEA 99 143 | Europe | 1981 | Europe — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold | Virgin – V2185 | UK | 1981 | UK — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Monarch Pressing, Gatefold | Atlantic – SD 16029, Atlantic – SD-16029 | US | 1981 | US — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold | Atlantic – WEA 99 143 | Netherlands | 1981 | Netherlands — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value Cassette, Album | Atlantic – K 499 143 | Germany | 1981 | Germany — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold | Atlantic – XSD 16029, Atlantic – XSD-16029 | Canada | 1981 | Canada — 1981 | ||||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Gatefold | Atlantic – WEA 99 143 | Europe | 1981 | Europe — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold | Atlantic – WEA 99 143 | Germany | 1981 | Germany — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Gatefold | Atlantic – K 99 143 | Scandinavia | 1981 | Scandinavia — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Gatefold | Atlantic – U 99143 | Italy | 1981 | Italy — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value Cassette, Album | Virgin – TCV 2185 | UK | 1981 | UK — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold | Atlantic – WEA 99 143 | Germany | 1981 | Germany — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Strawberry, Gatefold | Atlantic – WEA 99 143 | Germany | 1981 | Germany — 1981 | ||||
![]() | Face Value Cassette, Album | Atlantic – 499 143 | Germany | 1981 | Germany — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Club Edition, Carrollton Pressing | Atlantic – SD-16029, Atlantic – SD 16029 | US | 1981 | US — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold | WEA – WEA 99143, WEA – 99143 | Greece | 1981 | Greece — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold | Atlantic – U 99143 | Italy | 1981 | Italy — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Gatefold Sleeve | Atlantic – WEA 99 143, WEA – WEA 99 143 | Europe | 1981 | Europe — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Gatefold | Atlantic – S 90.359 | Spain | 1981 | Spain — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value Cassette, Album | Atlantic – XCS-16029 | Canada | 1981 | Canada — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Gatefold | Atlantic – SD 16029 | Australia | 1981 | Australia — 1981 | ||||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album | WEA – GM-200.2864, WEA – 2185, WEA – LPS-200.2864 | Venezuela | 1981 | Venezuela — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value Cassette, Album | Atlantic – CS 16029 | US | 1981 | US — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value Cassette, Album | Atlantic – CS 16029 | US | 1981 | US — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo | Atlantic – P-10984A | Japan | 1981 | Japan — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, White Label | WEA – WEA 99 143-U, Atlantic – WEA 99 143 | Germany | 1981 | Germany — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Gatefold | Atlantic – WEA 99 143 | Scandinavia | 1981 | Scandinavia — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Gatefold | Atlantic – XSD 16029, Atlantic – XSD-16029 | Canada | 1981 | Canada — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value 8-Track Cartridge, Album, Club Edition | Atlantic – TP 16029 | US | 1981 | US — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value Cassette, Album, Club Edition | Atlantic – CS 16029 | US | 1981 | US — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo | Atlantic – ATX 2 | South Africa | 1981 | South Africa — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold | Atlantic – WEA 99 143 | France | 1981 | France — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Gatefold sleeve | Atlantic – CAN 99143 | Israel | 1981 | Israel — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value Cassette, Album | Hispavox – C 90.359 | Spain | 1981 | Spain — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Club Edition | Atlantic – 32233 9 | Germany | 1981 | Germany — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Gatefold sleeve | Atlantic – ATL U 99143 | Portugal | 1981 | Portugal — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold | Atlantic – WEA 99 143 | Europe | 1981 | Europe — 1981 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo | Atlantic – LBWI-6030 | Mexico | 1981 | Mexico — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Club Edition, Gatefold | Atlantic – SD 16029 | Canada | 1981 | Canada — 1981 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Face Value LP, Album, Stereo | Atlantic – ATC(X) 9770, Atlantic – ATC 9770, Atlantic – Wea 99143 | South Africa | 1981 | South Africa — 1981 | New Submission |
Recommendations
Reviews
- Sounds incredible. The full record is a pleasure to listen to.
Also, my labels are on the wrong side of the record, not sure if anyone else has seen that. - Edited 3 months ago
referencing Face Value (LP, Album, Gatefold) S 90.359
This is, in my opinion, the best version of this album. And I mean the version mastered by Marta Alvear, meaning the matrices have her signature etching ww. The drum sound is really good and punchy, the bass is solid, and there’s an excellent balance between all the instruments and vocals. I’ve compared this to the original UK version, the George Piros-mastered US version, as well as the 45 RPM version by Analogue Productions - Both LPs and replacements I asked for are warped! How many replacements will it take to get flat copies!! :(
- Edited 5 months ago
referencing Face Value (LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Gatefold, 180g) 081227953935 PCLP 81
This was an extremely important album for me when it came out. It's deeply etched in my mind. I was looking forward to this remaster to discover or rediscover things I may have missed. And, sadly, I found nothing. Yes, the sound is clean and clear, and that's about all as it resembles exactly the original release. As the reviewer REENO says, this should have been put out on double discs. Opportunity missed. Disappointing remaster. referencing Face Value (LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold) V2185
This 1st uk pressing is amazing punchy drums clear and focused this album never sounded better- Edited 6 months agoI've had many versions of this album, and most recently, I compared it to the Analogue Productions Atlantic 75 series 45 RPM version. That version might have a slightly tighter and bigger sound, but since I prefer to listen to my albums as a single-disc version, this one holds up really well in comparison. It has a very nice warm analog sound and still delivers plenty of impact. Highly recommended!
- Edited 7 months agoThis 24-bit 96kHz remaster, coming 35 years after its debut, sounds amazing. The soundstage is very wide and deep, making speakers nearly disappear. The sound can be as smooth as glass or as sharp as a razor, as the music dictates. If you could play the master tape at home any time you wanted this is likely what you'd hear.
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