...But Seriously

"...But Seriously" is the fourth solo studio album by English drummer and singer-songwriter Phil Collins, released on November 20, 1989. After completing his touring commitments with the rock band Genesis in 1987, Collins embarked on a four-year hiatus, during which he starred in the film Buster (1988). By spring 1989, he had written new material for a solo album that would tackle more serious themes, including socio-economic and political issues, as opposed to the dance-oriented style of his previous album, No Jacket Required (1985).

The album was a massive commercial success, topping charts worldwide. It reached No. 1 in both the UK and the US, staying at the top of the UK charts for 15 weeks and the US charts for 4 non-consecutive weeks. It became the best-selling album of 1990 in the UK, eventually selling 2.75 million copies there and 4 million in the US. The lead single, "Another Day in Paradise," won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year. To support the album, Collins launched the Seriously, Live! World Tour in 1990. In 2016, ...But Seriously was remastered with additional studio, live, and demo tracks, along with updated artwork.

Collins had been riding a wave of success with both his solo work and his contributions to Genesis during the 1980s. After the release of No Jacket Required and Genesis' Invisible Touch, he recognized that the constant radio airplay of his songs had created a sense of overexposure. To avoid burnout, Collins took a break from music and focused on acting, accepting the lead role in Buster, which led him to write songs for the movie's soundtrack, including "Two Hearts" and "A Groovy Kind of Love."

However, after this period, Collins felt that his music had become too light and commercial, and he wanted his next solo album to be more substantive. He decided to tackle heavier, more introspective subject matter, moving away from the dance-oriented pop sound of his previous work. Some of the musical ideas for the album even dated back to 1978, indicating a long period of gestation before ...But Seriously took shape.

The album marked a significant shift in Collins' style, embracing deeper and more socially conscious themes while still retaining his signature melodic sensibility. This shift resonated with both critics and audiences, solidifying Collins as one of the most successful solo artists of the late 1980s and early 1990s.