Entire Body of Work: Phil Collins or Billy Joel

[Pariah]

When did Glass Houses come out? I was under the impression that Joel and Genesis shared roughly the same heyday.

Edit: glass houses came or in 1980, 52nd street in 1978 and songs in the attic in 1981. I think it's safe to say those were some of Joel's biggest records, and roughly coincides with many of the genesis/Phil Collins solo stuff. I don't think age of the board has a lot to do with this. Jmho.

 

[O]

Really? You don't think that people that came of age in the 60's and earlier would be more likely to appreciate the soft pop singer/songwriter style of Joel over Phil Collins? I'm not saying that it's true of every "older" person but I seriously doubt that it would come anywhere near the numbers this poll is showing (70% + in favor of Collins).

Steve

One could say I came of age in the sixties and soft pop was never an influence.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

When did Glass Houses come out? I was under the impression that Joel and Genesis shared roughly the same heyday.

This.

Billy is less than 2 years older than Phil.

Basically the same age.

 

[Pariah]

Not to mention, Collins' solo stuff is softer than Joel, IMO.

And, don't get me wrong--I really like billy Joel.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Yes, they were contemporaries. My point had to do with style of music rather than when they were popular.

Steve

 

[Pariah]

Yes, they were contemporaries. My point had to do with style of music rather than when they were popular.

Steve

I don't think their style of music has been all that different for 30 years or so.

 

[AzStevenCal]

One could say I came of age in the sixties and soft pop was never an influence.

And would you say your musical interests were mainstream? Try this, go to your local senior center and play The Musical Box (from the first Genesis album that included Collins) or even something later such as Invisible Touch and then play Piano Man and see how many people tap their toes to each song. I'd wager Billy will win hands down.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't think their style of music has been all that different for 30 years or so.

I'm not sure I understood you here. Are you saying that the Collins era of Genesis along with his solo stuff of the same era are pretty much the same style as Billy Joel during that same period? If so, I'd say that to someone that loves rap or hard rock they'd pretty much be the same but I still think Joel's music is much more accessible to the 60 + crowd than Phil's is.

Steve

 

[Pariah]

I'm not sure I understood you here. Are you saying that the Collins era of Genesis along with his solo stuff of the same era are pretty much the same style as Billy Joel during that same period? If so, I'd say that to someone that loves rap or hard rock they'd pretty much be the same but I still think Joel's music is much more accessible to the 60 + crowd than Phil's is.

Steve

How about Joel's "pressure" up against collins' "another day in paradise" at the same senior center?

 

[Pariah]

I'm not sure I understood you here. Are you saying that the Collins era of Genesis along with his solo stuff of the same era are pretty much the same style as Billy Joel during that same period? If so, I'd say that to someone that loves rap or hard rock they'd pretty much be the same but I still think Joel's music is much more accessible to the 60 + crowd than Phil's is.

Steve

I'm saying Collins solo stuff since the late 70's isn't all that different from Joel's work around the same time.

 

[AzStevenCal]

How about Joel's "pressure" up against collins' "another day in paradise" at the same senior center?

Are you suggesting I stacked the deck with my choices?

Steve

 

[Pariah]

Anyways, I'm not so sure why this is relevant. If these artists' target audiences aren't able to decide the poll, then who? We could flip this, too and if you're going to poll a sr. Center then I'm going to go poll a rave.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'm saying Collins solo stuff since the late 70's isn't all that different from Joel's work around the same time.

That's true for you, it's probably even true for me. But, as I said, I don't think it's true for those that grew up with Patti Page, The Mills Brothers, The Platters or even the Four Seasons. As a general rule, Joel's music was softer and closer to what the older generations grew up with, especially something like The Stranger which was only a step away from being elevator music.

Steve

 

[AzStevenCal]

Anyways, I'm not so sure why this is relevant. If these artists' target audiences aren't able to decide the poll, then who? We could flip this, too and if you're going to poll a sr. Center then I'm going to go poll a rave.

Good luck polling a rave. I doubt they'll like Billy Collins all that much.

Steve

 

[Pariah]

Good luck polling a rave. I doubt they'll like Billy Collins all that much.

Steve

Early genesis, maybe.

 

[Linderbee]

Plus, Billy Joel was on Christie Brinkley. Phil Collins can't say that.

Billy Joel wins.

Seriously though, I suspect this poll would skew more towards Joel if the voters were a little older. I like both of them but I think people in my age group would tend more towards Joel and people that came of age in the 70's and beyond would lean towards Phil.

Steve

I had thought the same thing, Steve...but at least 9 of the 15 that voted for Phil are 40 or older.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I had thought the same thing, Steve...but at least 9 of the 15 that voted for Phil are 40 or older.

Well, that's actually the age group I'd expect to be most solidly in favor of Phil. My point was that even though they were contemporaries, in their heyday, Billy Joel would have appealed more to an older group of fans than Collins would have. Go back in time to 1980 and Billy Joel already fits in nicely on the Adult Contemporary, Mellow Rock, MOR stations etc. and that was much less true of Phil's music.

I think Phil probably wins this poll even with a more balanced group of responders but I think it's much closer to even if you asked this question to an audience that included as many 65 year olds as it does 45 year olds. It doesn't matter how many 30 year olds you poll as most of those are going to choose the "who cares" option.

Steve

 

[Pariah]

Go back in time to 1980 and Billy Joel already fits in nicely on the Adult Contemporary, Mellow Rock, MOR stations etc. and that was much less true of Phil's music.

This is where I think you're a little off-base. I think they played in the same sandbox in 1980.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

And would you say your musical interests were mainstream? Try this, go to your local senior center and play The Musical Box (from the first Genesis album that included Collins) or even something later such as Invisible Touch and then play Piano Man and see how many people tap their toes to each song. I'd wager Billy will win hands down.

I'd agree.

But I also remember Sophia's classic remark on Golden Girls about not wanting that "pop-eyed boy" in her bed. (That's the first thing I think of when I hear his name. It was a great line.)

Collins' coolness factor is much higher IMO. And I probably have that prejudice because I'm a West-coaster. Joel's New Yorkishness never went over big with me. Or my friends.

 

[Pariah]

Billy Joel in 1980


Phil Collins in 1981




I really do like them both, but they're equally "hard" and "soft" rock depending on the song...and neither is too far on the "hard" side of the scale.

 

[Rivercard]

they're equally "hard" and "soft" rock depending on the song...and neither is too far on the "hard" side of the scale.

Yes, studies show that they both go equally unnoticed when played on the overhead speaker at Kmart.

 

[mojorizen7]

Yes, studies show that they both go equally unnoticed when played on the overhead speaker at Kmart.

LOL yeah...unless you're a musician

 

[mojorizen7]

Not enough music in these music threads.
This is NOT a beer commercial!
This is Phil Collins beasting a song vocally in a live performance. After the middle break especially.

 

[mojorizen7]

Voted Collins but im not dismissing the drive and charge of Mr Billy Joel absolutley driving and pushing his band from a piano tune into a rock n roll gem

 

[Louis]

Spoiler

Patrick Bateman (American Pyscho): Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your *******. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

Immediately thought of this scene when I seen this thread.