23 March 1985
Ugh. Not another whiny, passive-aggressive Phil Collins song about some contrived no-good woman making nice guys like him suffer. Even the video, with its behind-the-scenes concept, is another vehicle for Collins’ usual cheeky-chappie, down-to-earth-bloke shtick, the cloaking device for his sour misogyny.
Bailey, by contrast, is an actual singer from a decent vocal group—Earth, Wind and Fire—and not just some upwardly-mobile prog-rock drummer craving the limelight. His sweet voice and light delivery make him sound quite intrigued by the spice and smarts that this maligned ‘easy lover’ actually offers; she certainly has good taste in the men she upsets. Find me a version where it’s just Philip Bailey and I’d surely enjoy it. Find me a version where it’s Philip Bailey and the easy lover together having a good laugh at Phil Collins and I’d definitely love it.
