Sir Phil Collins

The universe works in mysterious ways. First, at a party a few weeks ago, I was inexplicably pulled into a conversation defending the musical talent of Phil Collins. I was never a fan of Genesis, but I'll admit to having liked a few Phil Collins songs in my day. But a friend – who is a musician himself, and someone whose musical tastes and opinions I generally respect – dedicated a large portion of the evening extolling the merits of Sir Collins (and his drumming talent), and explaining why we all should stop overlooking his work.

Two days later as a I sat in a plane waiting out a weather delay on the runway, I found NPR on the satelite radio (I heart JetBlue) and was excited to find that This American Life had just started. The topic – break-ups – was a good one, made even better by the first segment by Starlee Kine (of Flight of the Conchords and Daily Show fame). On her quest to write the perfect break-up song, Kine consults heartbreak-song expert Phil Collins himself. The interview is remarkably candid and entertaining, and gave me a newfound respect for the man and his music.

And the culmination of all things Phil Collins: Today at work, someone introduced me to this YouTube Video. I am speechless. And can't get "In the Air Tonight" out of my head.

I'll admit it, two weeks ago I was thoroughly ambivalent about Sir Collins and his work. But the universe clearly has big plans for the man. And truth be told, I do really dig some of his songs. The man clearly has a talent for transforming heartbreak into melancholic musical bliss.

Too bad I discovered all of this about 5 months after he officially announced his retirement from the music biz. Timing is everything, my friends.