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In the mid-80s, Phil Collins was going through one of the brightest moments of his career. His songs swept the charts around the world, he filled crowded venues and he had become an essential figure at major events such as Live Aid. He even appeared in iconic productions of the time, such as Corruption in Miami. But, despite his meteoric rise, there was still one recognition that eluded him: the coveted Oscar. When “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” achieved a nomination for Best Original Song, everything indicated that this would be his opportunity… until Stevie Wonder won the victory thanks to “I Just Called to Say I Love You”, leaving Collins once again one step away from winning the statuette.
Collins' disappointment was evident, and his frustration led him to make unfortunate and offensive comments about Wonder's victory, statements that would later be widely criticized.
While 'No jacket required' (1985), his third solo album, became a global success and the second best seller of the year in the United Kingdom (behind Dire Straits' 'Brothers in Arms') Phil Collins received a new boost to his more than consolidated career.
WECB Classic
WECB Classic
Your participation in 'Against All Odds' soundtracka romantic thriller directed by Taylor Hackford, with the title song She was a strong candidate for an Academy Award. in the category Best Original Song. The musician was excited: You could add the prestigious trophy to your display case.
He former Genesis drummer competed with Ray Parker Jr for 'Ghostbusters', Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford for 'Footloose'Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow for 'Let's hear it for the boy' (also from 'Footloose') and Stevie Wonder for 'I just call to say I love you' (from 'The Woman in Red').
The night of March 25, 1985, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, It was Stevie Wonder who collected the statuette for his composition for the Gene Wilder film. For the first time in Oscar history, a blind person collected the award. Also, for the first time, All five nominated songs had been No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
The choice of industry professionals was mostly applauded. She had been the fair winner. But in that majority it was not Phil Collins. He was convinced: his song was the best. When he left the gala, he sat in his hotel room in Hollywood licking his wounds. In addition to losing, there was suffered the humiliation of having his offer to sing the song during the gala rejected. The Academy had decided that made Ann Reinking.
Shortly after the event, the London artist agreed to give an interview to Rolling Stone. Asked about Reinking's playback performance, he said: “It was horrible.”
And about Stevie Wonder's victory? “I'm disappointed because in these things they do not necessarily value merit“Collins said about his opponent. “Stevie Wonder is one of my heroes, but I have serious doubts about whether that song It was actually written expressly for the movie.He also suggested that Wonder was the only one in the race to victory “because he is blind, black, He lives in Los Angeles and does a lot for human rights”.
It was clear that I had not gotten over the loss of the Oscar in California. His statements had been very offensive. And strange. In addition to being one of his heroes, he always said that the creation of Wonder 'Uptight (Everything's alright)' was one of his favorites.
However, in an interview with David Sheff, Phil highlighted his statements saying that They had not been the result of a momentary heat.
In the end, Phil Collins won his Oscar for 'Best Original Song' in 1999 for 'You'll be in my heart', his composition for Tarzan.
