Dance into the Light

Dance into the Light is the sixth solo studio album by English drummer and singer-songwriter Phil Collins, released on 8 October 1996 in the United States and on 28 October 1996 in the United Kingdom by Face Value Records. It features guest backing vocalists, including Arnold McCuller, and Amy Keys. It was the first album that Collins released as a full-time solo artist, having left Genesis earlier that year.[1]

Dance into the Light
Studio album by Phil Collins
Released	8 October 1996
Recorded	1995–1996 in France using mobile studio equipment
Genre	Soft rock pop worldbeat
Length	60:33
Label	Atlantic (US) Face Value (UK)
Producer	Phil Collins Hugh Padgham
Phil Collins chronology
Both Sides (1993) Dance into the Light (1996) ...Hits (1998)
Singles from Dance into the Light
"Dance into the Light" Released: 28 September 1996 "It's in Your Eyes" Released: 2 December 1996 "Oughta Know by Now" Released: January 1997 "No Matter Who" Released: 3 February 1997 "Wear My Hat" Released: 27 May 1997 "The Same Moon" Released: 20 October 1997
Alternative cover
2016 reissue cover

The album was received negatively by the majority of music critics, while other reviewers noted good points to the album. It was also a commercial disappointment, and despite hitting No. 23 on the US Billboard 200, the album became Collins' poorest-selling album at the time (only 2002's Testify and 2010's Going Back sold fewer copies and charted lower). Dance into the Light was certified gold in the United States, selling 850,000 copies. The album was Collins' first to not contain any American Top 40 hits, with the title track only reaching No. 45 (although it cracked the top 10 in the UK). Collins would not chart again with an American Top 40 single until 1999's "You'll Be in My Heart", the main single from Disney's animated feature, Tarzan. However, six singles were issued from Dance into the Light: "Dance into the Light", "It's in Your Eyes", "You Ought to Know...", "No Matter Who", "Wear My Hat", and "The Same Moon". The former two singles were the only singles to make the Top 40, in the UK.

Despite the disappointing sales of the album, Collins' subsequent U.S. tour in support of the album, titled The Trip into the Light World Tour, was one of the highest-performing tours of the year, regularly selling out arenas across the country. This album also marked the studio debut of the Vine Street Horns, who had replaced the Phenix Horns on the Both Sides of the World Tour.

Background and writing

In May 1995, Collins wrapped his Both Sides of the World Tour in support of his 1993 album, Both Sides. During the tour he announced his separation from his second wife, Jill Tavelman, and his intention to file for divorce, which finalised in 1996. By this time, Collins's relationship with Orianne Cevey, who later became his third wife, had a positive change in his overall well-being. These events, plus the influence he had from listening to Youssou N'Dour, Bob Dylan, and African music while on tour, influenced ideas for songs that Collins had for a follow-up album. Unlike his recent material, Collins found himself writing more up-tempo and songs focused on rhythm.[2]

After putting down some early ideas while touring, Collins did not revisit the new material until he started work on a new album in his home in Switzerland, at the end of 1995.[2] In a contrast to his usual method of songwriting, Collins deliberately wrote the songs on the album with greater use of the guitar and less on keyboards. Despite not being a guitarist, Collins used guitar samples which dramatically altered the way he approached a song.[2] Before the songs were fully arranged, Collins had decided to bring in a producer so he could take a break from the material and leave them to their duties later. This marked a change as for Both Sides he found himself "living, breathing and sort of dying" with the material and recorded and produced the album himself. For Dance into the Light, Collins hired Hugh Padgham, who had co-produced most of Collins's solo studio output and had worked with him with Genesis.[2]

The album features more musicians as opposed to Both Sides, which saw Collins as the sole performer. Collins wanted them to either play what he had outlined on the demo or build on the original part. His longtime friend Ronnie Caryl, who had played with him in the late 1960s as a member of Flaming Youth, started playing rhythm guitar over the demos which gave it "an edge" because of his "very rough character".[2]

He thought that having the word "Dance" in the title was something different that would make people curious as to what the album might be like. Another title that he liked was Out of the Woods.[2]

In the liner notes, Collins states that he removed all the drum machine parts from the music and performed on a real set of drums. This was following the disappointment he had learned from listeners who were expecting to hear more of his drum work on Both Sides. He said that playing on a real kit made the music more lively as a result.[2][3]

An interview with Collins about the making of the album was recorded in Geneva in August 1996 and released on a separate disc.[2]

In his 2016 autobiography Not Dead Yet, Collins stated that he was inspired by the new at the time Britpop scene to write "guitar songs". After the album's release Collins and his wife Orianne Cevey met Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher who had slagged Collins off previously[4] and referred to him as the "anti-christ of music".[5] Gallagher and his then wife had seen the music video for "It's in Your Eyes", in which Collins played a guitar he borrowed from Paul McCartney, criticised Collins for posing as a guitarist: they informed him that he "wasn't fooling anyone", though Collins stated it wasn't his intention and that it just felt good.[6] On television show Room 101 in 2005, Collins spoke about Oasis, describing the Gallagher brothers as "horrible guys", "rude" and "not as talented as they think they are", but praised the band itself for their music, claiming to have heard the music before he found out what they were like as people.[5]

Recording

The album was recorded in a chateau in France that Collins rented during the off season. He wished to return home while making the album, so a mobile studio owned by Sting was used to allow recording on location.[2]

Songs

"Dance into the Light" was the only song from the album to appear on Collins' ...Hits collection.

"The Times They Are a-Changin'" is a cover of the Bob Dylan song.

2016 reissue

In 2016, Dance into the Light was reissued as a Deluxe Edition as part of Collins's remastered album campaign. Each album features updated artwork with Collins adopting the same poses and expressions that he did on the originals. He maintained that the new artwork for Dance into the Light was in fact real, "so spot on that people will think it's Photoshopped." The booklet and artwork includes a strip film of Collins attempting the various positions to prove it was genuine.[7]

Release

Dance into the Light was released on 8 October 1996 in the US by Face Value Records, Collins's imprint that was licensed to Atlantic Records, his former label.[8] Its UK release followed on 28 October.[9]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[10]
Entertainment Weekly	C+[11]
PopMatters	[12]

Reviewing for AllMusic, critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote of the album "his polyrhythms are surprisingly stiff for a drummer, which sinks all of the more experimental tracks. The remainder of the album is pleasant, but offers no distinctive melodies, which means that the albums sounds fine while it's on, but leaves nothing behind once it's finished."

Entertainment Weekly critic David Browne wrote, "Despite the sonic overhaul, the music feels less experimental than it does derivative. The world-music tracks are, ironically, watered-down versions of the work of his former band mate Peter Gabriel, and 'Wear My Hat' is an outright Xerox of Paul Simon's 'I Know What I Know', but with cutesy lyrics about groupies."

Track listing

All tracks are written by Phil Collins, except where noted.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Dance into the Light"		4:23
2.	"That's What You Said"		4:22
3.	"Lorenzo"	lyrics: Michaela Odone	5:52
4.	"Just Another Story"		6:24
5.	"Love Police"		4:08
6.	"Wear My Hat"		4:33
7.	"It's in Your Eyes"		3:01
8.	"Oughta Know by Now"		5:27
9.	"Take Me Down"		3:21
10.	"The Same Moon"		4:13
11.	"River So Wide"		4:55
12.	"No Matter Who"		4:47
13.	"The Times They Are a-Changin' "	Bob Dylan	5:07

Extra Moves bonus disc (Disc two of 2016 deluxe edition)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Dance into the Light" (live 2004)	4:41
2.	"Just Another Story" (live 1997)	6:20
3.	"Wear My Hat" (live 2004)	4:59
4.	"River So Wide" (live 1997)	4:58
5.	"Take Me Down" (live 1997)	3:37
6.	"Lorenzo" (demo)	4:47
7.	"That's What You Said" (demo)	4:17
8.	"Another Time" (B-side)	5:34
9.	"It's Over" (B-side)	4:24
10.	"I Don't Want to Go" (B-side)	2:56

Personnel

Credits adapted from the CD's liner notes.[3]

Musicians

• Phil Collins – vocals, drums, percussion, kalimba (1), lead guitar (2, 5, 7, 10), rhythm guitar (2, 5, 7, 12), keyboards (5, 7–10, 12), slide guitar (12), piano (13), bagpipes (13)
• Brad Cole – keyboards (1, 3, 4, 6, 11), strings (8), organ (9, 10, 13)
• Daryl Stuermer – lead guitar (1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 13), rhythm guitar (2, 5, 7, 9, 10), guitars (11)
• Ronnie Caryl – rhythm guitar (1–10, 13), lead guitar solo (12)
• Nathan East – bass guitar
• Amy Keys – backing vocals (1, 3, 6, 8–11)
• Arnold McCuller – backing vocals (1, 3, 6, 8–11)
• Vine Street Horns (1, 4, 6, 8, 9)
  • Andrew Woolfolk – saxophones
  • Arturo Velasco – trombone
  • Harry Kim – trumpet
  • Daniel Fornero – trumpet

Production

• Produced and mixed by Phil Collins and Hugh Padgham
• Engineered by Hugh Padgham
• Assistant engineer – Simon Osborne
• Horns arranged by Harry Kim and Phil Collins
• Art direction – David Costa and Dan Einzig
• Artwork – Wherefore Art?
• Photography – Gered Mankowitz
• Michaela Odone – poem for "Lorenzo"

Charts and certifications

Chart (1996) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[13] 8 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[14] 2 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[15] 15 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[16] 2 Canadian Albums (RPM)[17] 9 Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[18] 5 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[19] 4 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[20] 8 French Albums (SNEP)[21] 1 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[22] 1 Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[23] 27 Italian Albums (FIMI)[24] 4 Japanese Albums (Oricon) 33 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[25] 33 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[26] 12 Polish Albums (ZPAV)[27] 5 Portuguese Albums (AFP)[28] 1 Scottish Albums (OCC)[29] 9 Spanish Albums (AFYVE)[30] 3 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 2 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 1 UK Albums (OCC)[33] 4 US Billboard 200[34] 23 Year-end charts Chart (1996) Position German Albums Chart[35] 29 Chart (1997) Position German Albums Chart[36] 71

Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA)[37] Gold 35,000^^ Austria (IFPI Austria)[38] Gold 25,000^* Canada (Music Canada)[39] Platinum 100,000^^ France (SNEP)[40] 2× Gold 200,000^* Germany (BVMI)[41] Platinum 500,000^^ Norway (IFPI Norway)[42] Gold 25,000^* Poland (ZPAV)[43] Gold 50,000^* Spain (PROMUSICAE)[44] Platinum 100,000^^ Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[45] 2× Platinum 100,000^^ United Kingdom (BPI)[46] Gold 100,000^^ United States (RIAA)[47] Gold 500,000^^ Summaries Europe (IFPI)[48] Platinum 1,000,000^* ^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Official Genesis Website". Genesis-music.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
2. "Dance into the Light: Interview Disc". Face Value Records. 1996. Retrieved 30 June 2019 – via The Genesis Archive.
3. Dance into the Light (Media notes). Phil Collins. Face Value Records. 1996. 0630-16000-2 – via Discogs.CS1 maint: others (link)
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ayzYCm0rRs
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biL-cxLhcO4
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23fyY-2psCs
7. Blackard, Cap (16 February 2016). "Take a Look at Phil Now: An Interview with Phil Collins". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
8. "Gold & Platinum search – "Dance into the Light"". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
9. "BRIT Certified – Certified Awards Search – "Dance into the Light"". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
10. "Dance into the Light". Allmusic. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
11. David Browne (1 November 1996). "Dance into the Light Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
12. "Phil Collins: 2016 Rhino Reissues (Part One)". PopMatters.com. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
13. "Australiancharts.com – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
14. "Austriancharts.at – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
15. "Ultratop.be – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
16. "Ultratop.be – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
17. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Library and Archives Canada. 31 March 2004. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
18. "BILLBOARD MAGAZINE: 1936 to 2010 Searchable". Americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
19. "Dutchcharts.nl – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
20. "Phil Collins: Dance into the Light" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
21. "Hits of the World". Billboard. 11 February 1996. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
22. "Officialcharts.de – Top 100 Longplay". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
24. "Gli album più venduti del 1996" (in Italian). Retrieved 9 February 2012.
25. "Charts.nz – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
26. "Norwegiancharts.com – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
27. "Polish Album Chart". Retrieved 13 October 2012.
28. "Hits of the World". Billboard. 16 November 1996. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
29. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
30. Hits of the World - Spain. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 9 November 1996. p. 50.
31. "Swedishcharts.com – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
32. "Swisscharts.com – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
33. November 1996/7502/ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
34. "Phil Collins Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
35. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
36. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
37. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
38. "Austrian album certifications – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light" (in German). IFPI Austria.
39. "Canadian album certifications – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light". Music Canada.
40. "French album certifications – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
41. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Phil Collins; 'Dance into the Light')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
42. "Norwegian album certifications – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
43. "Polish album certifications – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
44. Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 944. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
45. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Phil Collins; 'Dance into the Light')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
46. "British album certifications – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Dance into the Light in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
47. "American album certifications – Phil Collins – Dance into the Light". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
48. "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1996". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.