Here’s a look back at Phil Collins’ iconic 1984 hit ‘Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)’, covering its inspiration, the film it came from, and its numerous cover versions.
The song was featured in the movie Against All Odds, directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Rachel Ward, Jeff Bridges, and James Woods, along with Jane Greer, who had appeared in Out of the Past. The plot centers around an aging American football player hired by a mobster to locate his missing girlfriend.
The film’s soundtrack also included contributions from Phil’s Genesis bandmates, Peter Gabriel and Mike Rutherford.
‘Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)’ plays during the movie’s closing credits.
Originally called ‘How Can You Just Sit There?’, the song was initially written during the sessions for Phil’s debut solo album, Face Value (1981).
In episode 339 of This American Life, Phil shared that the song was inspired by the emotional aftermath of his first divorce. He explained that the breakup not only shaped him as a musician but also transformed him into a lyricist.
“It was written during my first divorce. My wife and kids had left, and I was alone. The song came from personal experience rather than being a ‘what if’ scenario,” he said.