Phil Collins has given his own reaction to that viral reaction video of hearing “In the Air Tonight” for the first time.
During a recent interview with BBC Breakfast, Collins expressed gratitude for YouTube creators TwinsthenewTrend’s 2021 video, which has racked up more than 10 million views to date. He also explained why “In the Air Tonight” is so distinctive after all these years.
“I’m just flattered that people are still discovering it,” he said. “To see that there’s some things, it’s got a little bit of legs. ‘In the Air,” the sound has been replicated on different records and many times, but when you hear it for the first time, in the way it was invented, then it’s got something special about it.”
Collins continued, “I had that discovered, it was really flattering, and I’m really pleased.”
In case you haven’t seen it, the beginning of TwinsthenewTrend’s video sees the two nodding their heads to the opening drums and guitar, describing it as sounding like a pro wrestling ring entrance. Once the synth begins, one of them correctly predicts that Collins was “finna go crazy,” while the other says the Face Value cover looks like “he’s staring at my soul.”
“This is like a WWE entrance. I could see somebody walking down to the ring to this, bro,” a twin says, as Collins begins singing. After the infamous drum solo kicks in, his brother adds, “I ain’t never seen nobody drama be three minutes in a song.”
The video concludes with the appreciative twins saying, “Shout out to the person who kept on requesting this song.”
Words can hardly suffice when describing their enthusiasm for the song, so you’ll have to watch TwinsthenewTrend’s full reaction video to “In the Air Tonight” below.
Elsewhere in the sitdown, Collins revealed he won’t play at his solo induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but he didn’t rule out performing live again entirely.
