© Columbia/CBS 1984/1985
"Easy Lover" is a song written by Philip Bailey, Phil Collins, and Nathan East, and accredited to both singers Bailey and Collins when released as a single. The song appeared on Bailey's solo album Chinese Wall. Collins has also performed the song in his live shows and it appears on his 1990 album Serious Hits... Live!, as well as his 1998 compilation album, ...Hits.
The song was a smash hit in the UK, reaching #1 and staying there for four weeks and also reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. However, it was never released as a single in Australia due to the fact that the record companies considered it would be a commercial over-flood of Phil Collins given his then rising popularity in that country.
The lighthearted video for the song was filmed in London and features Bailey travelling by helicopter to meet Collins in a television studio. The original clip was also littered with frequent voice over's frequent dropping in & out of audio volume. This (like many other clips of it's time) was of particular concern to resident VJ's wanting to use this classic as part of their repertoire thus with the use of modern technology we were able to provide them with such.
The song was used as a theme song to the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985. The song also featured in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories as part of its soundtrack in the fictional pop radio station, Flash FM. The song was also used in the TV advertisements for the game in the United States and the United Kingdom. In 1994 it was sampled by Chris Morris for "Uzi Lover", a parody of gangsta rap (with Morris portraying its fictitious performer "Fur-Q") in an episode of The Day Today. The song was also covered by R&B/Gospel singer, Cheryl Gamble of SWV in 2001.
For more information about Philip & Phil visit:
http://www.philipbailey.com/
http://www.philcollins.co.uk/
* Note: It has been commented upon that this unique version may have been sped up. We would like to point out that this is not the case and to prove the point we recently beat analysed this version as well as the original "voice over version" ripped from Phil Collin's Farewell concert DVD (both registering in at exactly 134 BPM). However, the possible reason for most people's misconception is the fact that the actual original album (audio only) version is actually slightly slower (registering at 129 BPM). Thus there in lies the solution, as one would assume that the album/single version is the one the majority of people would be familiar with. And if it is of such deep seeded concern for people we could always upload a slowed down version of the video.
* Please also note that all videos uploaded to YouTube are format shifted by the host website from the original files. This can often cause picture & sound deterioration (i.e. mono audio) as well as the occasional video/audio synchronization issue. The files are also deliberately layered with logos &/or promotions on our end, in order to help prevent YouTube recycling by lazy up-loaders who like to take credit for other peoples hard work!
Edited @ "The Bunyip Farm" 2008 ©
thebunyipfarm@gmail.com
Tags: Earth Wind And Fire Genesis Mike Rutherford VideoClipRevival VHS2DVDTas Chinese Wall 80's Pop Classic
