"Going Back" is the eighth solo studio album by English singer-songwriter and drummer Phil Collins, released on September 13, 2010, by Atlantic Records. This album, Collins's first solo effort in eight years, features covers of classic 1960s Motown and soul standards.
The album achieved significant commercial success, reaching the top five in 16 countries and becoming Collins's first UK number one studio album since Both Sides in 1993. It was released in two editions: a standard edition with 18 tracks and a limited Ultimate Edition with 25 tracks and a DVD containing bonus content. Exclusive versions were also available on Amazon and iTunes.
To promote the album, Collins undertook a seven-date tour in the summer of 2010. Although he announced his retirement in 2011, stating that Going Back would be his final project, he resumed his career in 2015. In 2016, Going Back was reissued as The Essential Going Back, featuring fewer studio tracks but including additional live recordings and updated artwork.
In October 2007, Phil Collins wrapped up his work with Genesis following the Turn It On Again Tour. During the tour, he suffered a neck injury from drumming, which led to diminished hand functionality. Despite a successful surgery, Collins struggled to regain full use of his hands, affecting his ability to play drums or piano. In September 2009, Collins announced a new studio album focused on covering 1960s Motown and soul standards. He aimed to recreate the original sounds and feelings of these tracks, rather than adding anything new. This project, inspired by his experiences watching The Action perform at The Marquee club, was intended as his final solo album and marked the end of his record deal with Atlantic Records.
The album's creation began in 2008, with Collins selecting lesser-known Motown songs and producing demos at his home studio in Geneva. Swiss audio engineer Yvan Bing, who had worked with Collins on the musical Tarzan, co-produced the album. Despite his injury, Collins recorded drums for the album using a kit he had owned since 1964, though he had to tape his left hand to the drumstick. The recording took place in Geneva, Shalford, Surrey, and New York City. Collins used digital audio workstations and analogue equipment to recreate the songs' original sounds. He also enlisted members of The Funk Brothers for the project, which Collins described as a deeply gratifying experience. The album's overdubs were completed in January 2010, with Collins involving his sons in the recording process.
