by Harry Keogh

Created on: September 22, 2010   Last Updated: September 23, 2010

Love him or hate him, there is just no denying that Phil came up with a winner of a first single with “In the Air Tonight.” Although at the time of its release the song never did make it to the number one spot in the UK or Stateside. The song has become a great part of popular culture today, as that infamous drum section that kicks in halfway through the song can get even the most conservative amongst flailing our arms around like some demented monkey trying to air drum in time to the beat.

This song is really a combination of two parts brought together with a true mastery that only Phil could produce. Beginning with just a simple drum machine beat gently running interjected by the odd occasional keyboard and guitar note playing, Phil's calm, yet strikingly powerful lyrics come brushing past us with no real sense of urgency. Once we hit that half way mark of the song though, all musical hell breaks loose with that famous do-dum, do-dum, do-dum rolling in, elevating the song to another level.

Though the studio version is the one to own, this is one of those examples of a song where the live performance far out strips the original. There are, in fact, two very different versions of this song live, the first being the rather sombre and mellow version which Phil first used in his performance on The Secret Policeman's Ball, though this version lacks the powerful drumming section towards the end, the overall feel of the track has a much more personal and heartfelt mood to it. This was also the version that he played during the Live-Aid concert all those many moons ago, and it really played out well in those surroundings.

The second and best version of this song live, is the take with Phil's genius drumming in full flow, the moment when Phil has finished walking over to his kit and takes the throne behind his drums is a musical moment that truly is a spine-chilling four seconds of sound. Although Phil has not really got the greatest voice in the world, his lyrical genius is absolutely brought to the front in this song, and shows just how good a writer as well as drummer he is. This song has a very real life all of its own, and there is so much passion contained within its music and lyrics that it seems to be literally bursting at the seams.

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