“Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” (also titled “Against All Odds”) is a song by English drummer, singer and songwriter Phil Collins. It was recorded for the soundtrack to the 1984 film of the same name. It is a power ballad in which its protagonist implores an ex-lover to “take a look at me now”, knowing that reconciliation is “against all odds” while considering it worth trying. The single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, the first of seven US No. 1’s for Collins in his solo career. “Against All Odds (Take a Look At Me Now)” also topped the charts in Canada, Ireland, and Norway, while peaking at No. 2 in the United Kingdom.
“Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)” came together quickly. Collins co-produced the track with Arif Mardin, the legendary producer and Atlantic Records label guy. Collins and Mardin recorded in two different cities, with Collins tracking the drums and vocals in Los Angeles while Mardin arranged and recorded the orchestra in New York. Collins was actually one of three Genesis members who ended up on the Against All Odds soundtrack. Former frontman Peter Gabriel had a song on there, and so did guitarist Mike Rutherford, who will appear in this column both with Genesis and with his side project Mike + The Mechanics.
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