Testify (Phil Collins album)

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Testify
Studio album by
Phil Collins
Released11 November 2002 (UK) [1]
Recorded2000–2002 (Switzerland and United States)
GenrePop rock
Length57:16
Label
Producer
Phil Collins chronology
Tarzan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
(1999) 		Testify
(2002) 		Brother Bear: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
(2003)
Singles from Testify
  1. "Can't Stop Loving You"
    Released: 28 October 2002
  2. "The Least You Can Do"
    Released: 14 February 2003 [2]
  3. "Wake Up Call"
    Released: 24 March 2003 [3] [A]
Alternative cover
2016 reissue cover with updated photograph
2016 reissue cover

Testify is the seventh solo studio album by English musician Phil Collins. Released in 2002, the album debuted at No. 30 on the American Billboard 200 albums chart, which was also the album's peak position. It was also the second Phil Collins studio album where no track peaked within the American top 40 singles chart. It was also his lowest charting album in the UK, becoming his only solo effort not to reach the Top 5. However, the album achieved success in some countries of Continental Europe. It is his second album not to be co-produced by Hugh Padgham, who co-produced Collins' most successful albums.

Despite the shortage of success the album achieved, his subsequent First Final Farewell Tour proved to be very popular.[citation needed][4]

The album was reissued as a deluxe edition on CD, vinyl and digital on 15 April 2016, including a new second disc with bonus tracks.[5]

Production[edit]

Testify was crafted over a two-year period at Collins' home in Switzerland and was recorded in France and Los Angeles. Most of the album's twelve tracks are derived from demos Collins made in his bedroom studio and finished off with the help of producers Rob Cavallo and James Sanger, engineer Allen Sides, guitarist Tim Pierce, and bassist Paul Bushnell. Collins worked extensively with computers during production, work that can be seen throughout the album. After Collins made Dance into the Light without any drum machine, he returned to the device for Testify.[6]

The album begins with an up-tempo "Wake Up Call". It was based on a 16-bar doodle Collins wrote, and only began to formalise when he brought it into studio. The title track, the longest and most complex sounding song on the album, is according to Collins "one of the most direct and most personal love songs I have ever written". Another up-tempo song, "Don't Get Me Started" follows a tradition of critical statements about politics and society Collins began with "That's Just the Way It Is", "Another Day in Paradise", and "Both Sides of the Story" in his previous albums and songs such as "Tell Me Why" with Genesis.[6]

The soulful "It's Not Too Late" refers to lost faith in dreams – "It's never too late to make your dreams come true. We all should try it". "Driving Me Crazy" is another upbeat track. Collins said the song is about the narrow path between love and dangerous obsession.[6]

Songs such as the aforementioned "Testify" and "This Love This Heart" were inspired by Collins' then-wife, Orianne, while their first child, Nicholas, was the main inspiration for tracks "Come with Me" and "Swing Low", and "You Touch My Heart". "Come with Me" was originally a lullaby Collins sang to his daughter Lily when she was a baby when on tour in 1990, Seriously Live! and the lyrics were developed when Nicholas was born.[6]

Collins collaborated with his longtime associate Daryl Stuermer for "The Least You Can Do", Stuermer providing the music and lead guitar and Collins the lyrics and arrangement. Stuermer also plays guitar on the next track, "Can't Stop Loving You", a cover of Leo Sayer's 1978 country hit. Collins heard the song on the radio and brought a modern feel to the country song. "I heard Leo Sayer's version of 'Can’t Stop Loving You' on vacation and I was impressed by the fantastic melody. I have attempted to breathe new life into this song and change its feel." It was the first single off the album, hitting No. 1 in the Adult Contemporary Charts. The album ends with "Thru My Eyes" and "You Touch My Heart", another song inspired by his son. ("Thru My Eyes" is not to be confused with "Look Through My Eyes", a song recorded by Collins for the Brother Bear soundtrack in 2003).[6]

Reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic34/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Blender[8]
E! OnlineC[8]
Mojo[8]
People(mixed)[9]
Q[8]
Rolling Stone[10][11]
Uncut[8]
USA Today[12]

The album was panned by critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 34, based on 7 reviews, making it the worst-reviewed album of 2002.[8] The album debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard charts, which was also the album's peak position. To date, the album has peaked the lowest of his seven solo efforts. Following Dance into the Light it was the second Phil Collins studio album where no track cracked the American Top 40 singles chart.

In the United Kingdom, it peaked at No. 15, his only solo album not to make the Top 5. It was, however, a much greater success in Continental Europe.

In France, the album even peaked at No. 2 in early 2003 and remained at that position for three weeks. It became his biggest-selling album since ...But Seriously.

In Australia, it peaked at No. 96 in November 2002 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

The lead single from the album, "Can't Stop Loving You", had success on the Adult Contemporary charts and minor airplay overall. The single peaked at No. 76 on the Billboard charts while hitting No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary charts. Other singles, "Wake Up Call", "Come with Me" and "The Least You Can Do" also enjoyed their most success on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Collins said at the time that this was to be his last studio album, but has since recorded a new album entitled Going Back, a collection of covers of Motown and other soul songs. It was released on 13 September 2010. However, he has since announced that he is out of retirement and has been working on another album.[13]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks are written by Phil Collins, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Wake Up Call" 5:15
2."Come with Me" 4:34
3."Testify" 6:31
4."Don't Get Me Started" 4:41
5."Swing Low" 5:08
6."It's Not Too Late" 3:59
7."This Love This Heart" 4:04
8."Driving Me Crazy" 4:37
9."The Least You Can Do"lyrics: Phil Collins, music: Daryl Stuermer4:21
10."Can't Stop Loving You"Billy Nicholls4:17
11."Thru My Eyes" 5:07
12."You Touch My Heart" 4:42
Japanese and Australian editions
No.TitleLength
13."High Flying Angel"4:44
Additional Testimony bonus disc (Disc two of 2016 deluxe edition)
No.TitleLength
1."High Flying Angel" (B-side)4:43
2."Crystal Clear" (B-side)3:05
3."Hey Now Sunshine" (B-side)5:02
4."TV Story" (B-side)4:05
5."True Colors" (live rehearsal 2004)5:31
6."Come with Me" (live 2004)5:13
7."It's Not Too Late" (live 2004)4:03
8."Can't Stop Loving You" (live 2004)4:33
9."It's Only Loving" (demo)5:22
10."Tearing and Breaking (Re-recorded for Love Songs in 2004)" (demo)5:43

B-sides[edit]

  • "Hey Now Sunshine"
  • "Tears of a Clown" (Re-recorded for Going Back in 2010)

Personnel[edit]

Musicians[edit]

Production[edit]

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

‹See Tfd›‹See Tfd›
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[50] Gold 15,000*
Belgium (BEA)[51] Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP)[52] 2× Platinum 600,000*
Germany (BVMI)[53] 3× Gold 450,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[54] Platinum 80,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[55] Gold 50,000^
Sweden (GLF)[56] Gold 30,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[57] Platinum 40,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Gold 100,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[59] Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ UK Double A-side with "The Least You Can Do"
  1. ^ "BPI > Certified Awards > Search results for Phil Collins (page 2)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  2. ^ "Phil Collins singles".
  3. ^ "Phil Collins singles".
  4. ^ "Phil Collins Testify Deluxe Edition". Google Play. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  5. ^ Sinclair, Paul. "Phil Collins / No Jacket Required and Testify deluxe editions". Super Deluxe Edition. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Phil Collins - Testify (CD Review)". www.genesis-news.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  7. ^ Allmusic review
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "Critic Reviews for Testify". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  9. ^ People review
  10. ^ "Testify". Rolling Stone. 5 November 2002. p. 92. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  11. ^ Rolling Stone review at CD Universe
  12. ^ USA Today review
  13. ^ Rollingstone
  14. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  15. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Phil Collins – Testify" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Ultratop.be – Phil Collins – Testify" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Ultratop.be – Phil Collins – Testify" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Phil Collins – Testify". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Phil Collins – Testify" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  20. ^ "Phil Collins: Testify" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  21. ^ "Lescharts.com – Phil Collins – Testify". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Phil Collins – Testify" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1996. 46. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  24. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Phil Collins". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Phil Collins – Testify". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  26. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  27. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Phil Collins – Testify". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  29. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  30. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  31. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Phil Collins – Testify". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  32. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Phil Collins – Testify". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  33. ^ "Phil Collins | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Phil Collins Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  35. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2002". Ultratop. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  36. ^ "Top 200 Albums of 2002 (based on sales)". Jam!. Archived from the original on 6 September 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  37. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2002". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  38. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2002" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  39. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  40. ^ "Årslista Album – År 2002" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  41. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2002". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  42. ^ "UK Year-End Charts 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  43. ^ "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2002" (PDF). IFPI. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 November 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  44. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2003". Ultratop. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  45. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2003". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  46. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2003" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  47. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  48. ^ "Årslista Album – År 2003" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  49. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  50. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Phil Collins – Testify" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  51. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2002". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  52. ^ "French album certifications – Phil Collins – Testify" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  53. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Phil Collins; 'Testify')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  54. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Phil Collins – Testify" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 15 July 2012. Enter Testify in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2002 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  55. ^ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 964. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  56. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2002" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  57. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Testify')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  58. ^ "British album certifications – Phil Collins – Testify". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  59. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2002". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

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