Legend SANG Made-Up Word as a JOKE--Became A #1 Smash & Now its in the Dictionary!-Professor of Rock
TLDRThe 1985 hit 'Sussudio' by Phil Collins, a made-up word that became a #1 smash, was born from a spontaneous improvisation during the songwriting process. Despite its nonsensical nature, the song resonated with audiences worldwide and achieved massive success, even garnering controversy for its striking similarities to Prince's '1999'. Collins admitted to being influenced by Prince's track but defended his creation, stating it was an attempt to write a dance-oriented song.
Takeaways
- 🎵 The 1985 hit song 'Sussudio' by Phil Collins was based on a made-up word that came out of his mouth during recording.
- 🤔 Even the artist himself didn't initially know the meaning of 'Sussudio', later attributing it to a school boy's crush.
- 🎶 The song's success led to it being added to the dictionary, despite its nonsensical origins.
- 🚫 The song courted controversy due to its similarities with Prince's '1999', released two and a half years prior.
- 🔄 Phil Collins admitted to being influenced by '1999', and said that 'Sussudio' was an attempt to create a dance track.
- 🏆 Despite the controversy, 'Sussudio' was a massive hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and gaining significant airplay internationally.
- 🎤 Phil Collins was already a prominent figure in the music industry, with numerous hits as a solo artist and as part of Genesis.
- 🌟 The album 'No Jacket Required', which featured 'Sussudio', won the 1985 Grammy for Album of the Year and received multiple American Music Award nominations.
- 📈 'Sussudio' achieved crossover success, charting not only on the Hot 100, but also on dance, R&B, rock, and adult contemporary charts.
- 📺 The song has had lasting cultural impact, being covered by other artists and featured in movies and TV shows.
- 👍 Phil Collins' admission of influence and the public's embrace of 'Sussudio' highlight the song's unique place in pop music history.
Q & A
What was the basis of the 1985 number one hit song by Phil Collins?
-The song was based on a made-up word that Phil Collins improvised while recording.
What was the artist's initial intention with the made-up word in the song?
-Phil Collins initially used the made-up word as a placeholder, intending to replace it with a meaningful word later.
Why did Phil Collins ultimately keep the made-up word in the song?
-He couldn't find another word that fit as perfectly with the song's flow, so he decided to keep it and give it a meaning.
What does the word 'susudio' represent in the song?
-In the song, 'susudio' became the name for a girl who is the object of a schoolboy's crush.
How did critics react to the song's similarities with Prince's '1999'?
-Critics noticed the similarities and accused Phil Collins of ripping off Prince's '1999', but Collins admitted to being influenced by the song and defended his work.
What awards and recognition did the album 'No Jacket Required' receive?
-The album won the 1985 Grammy for Album of the Year and was nominated for two American Music Awards in 1986. It also received two awards at the Brit Awards.
Which other hit songs are mentioned as part of Phil Collins' successful career in the 1980s?
-Songs like 'In the Air Tonight', 'Invisible Touch', and 'Against All Odds' are mentioned.
What was Phil Collins' intention behind creating 'Sussudio'?
-He wanted to write a dance-oriented song that was different from his previous more somber songs about relationships.
How did Phil Collins describe the meaning of 'Sussudio' in his own words?
-He described it as a song about everything and nothing, a young man's fantasy for an older woman based on a smile.
What was the original inspiration behind Prince's '1999'?
-It was inspired by a documentary about Nostradamus and his end-of-the-world visions.
How did the public initially respond to '1999' upon its release?
-It was a modest hit on the Hot 100, but its popularity increased after the release of 'Little Red Corvette'.
Outlines
🎶 The Story Behind 'Sussudio' by Phil Collins
This paragraph introduces the story of Phil Collins' hit song 'Sussudio,' a 1985 chart-topping single with a controversial background. The song was born from a made-up word that Collins uttered while recording, without any clear meaning initially. Despite the controversy surrounding its central riff, which was strikingly similar to Prince's '1999,' the song captivated listeners and led to a discussion about plagiarism in the music industry. The paragraph also touches on Collins' rise to fame in the 80s, his struggle with creating a different kind of music, and the success of his album 'No Jacket Required.'
🤔 The Meaning Behind 'Sussudio' and its Creation
In this paragraph, the focus shifts to the creation of 'Sussudio' and the meaning behind its nonsensical title. Phil Collins revealed that 'Sussudio' was an improvised, nonsensical word that fit the song's flow perfectly. Initially intended as a placeholder, Collins couldn't find a better word to replace it and decided to give it a backstory. He described the song as about a schoolboy's crush, turning 'Sussudio' into the name of the girl he fantasized about. The paragraph also explores Collins' explanation of the song's meaning on various platforms and the public's reaction to its nonsensical nature.
🏆 'Sussudio' and its Impact on Pop Culture and Charts
This paragraph delves into the widespread success of 'Sussudio,' highlighting its impact on pop culture and music charts worldwide. The song became a crossover hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving high rankings in various music charts across different genres. 'Sussudio' also received gold certification and garnered millions of streams on platforms like YouTube and Spotify. The paragraph mentions the song's appearances in movies and TV shows, emphasizing its lasting footprint in 80s pop culture. However, the paragraph also notes the controversy surrounding the song's similarities to Prince's '1999,' which led to critical discussions about the song's originality.
🌟 The Influence of '1999' on 'Sussudio' and Collins' Response
The final paragraph discusses the acknowledged influence of Prince's '1999' on the creation of 'Sussudio.' Phil Collins admitted to being inspired by '1999' and incorporating its tempo and synthesizer riff into his song. The paragraph outlines the origins of '1999,' its initial release, and its resurgence after the release of 'Little Red Corvette.' It also presents Collins' defense against accusations of plagiarism, emphasizing his respect for Prince's work and his attempt to create a dance track. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on Collins' immense popularity in 1985 and his relatability as an artist, despite the controversy surrounding 'Sussudio.'
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Legend
💡Made-Up Word
💡Number One Smash
💡Dictionary
💡Professor of Rock
💡Controversy
💡Ripoff Job
💡Plagiarism
💡Phil Collins
💡Prince
💡No Jacket Required
Highlights
The story of a 1985 number one smash hit based on a made-up word that became a dictionary entry.
The artist who sang the song had no idea what the made-up word meant and created a meaning for it later.
The song sparked controversy due to its central riff being nearly identical to another hit from a few years earlier.
The legendary artist confessed to the ripoff but the question remained about the degree of plagiarism.
The artist intentionally took risks with his music, leading to a mix of successful hits and career-defining moments.
The artist's third studio album became a high water mark of his solo career, achieving international success.
The album received prestigious awards, including a Grammy for album of the year in 1985.
The artist's creative process involved writing dance-oriented songs to diversify his typically more somber themes.
The nonsensical word from the song's title was improvised during the songwriting process and ended up being kept due to its perfect fit.
The artist explained the meaning behind the song, describing it as about a schoolboy crush and a young man's fantasy.
The song's success led to it being covered by other artists and appearing in movies and TV shows, further cementing its pop culture footprint.
The song's production and sound bore a resemblance to Prince's '1999', leading to accusations of the artist ripping off the earlier hit.
The artist admitted to being influenced by '1999' and incorporating its tempo and synthesizer riff into his own song.
Despite the controversy, the artist's popularity and success continued, with the song becoming a defining hit of the 1980s.
The artist's candid discussion about the song's creation and influences offers insight into the creative process in the music industry.
The song's impact extended beyond music charts, becoming a part of everyday culture and sparking conversations about the nature of originality in music.
The artist's willingness to take risks and push boundaries in his music led to the creation of a unique and memorable hit.
The song's legacy includes a lasting influence on popular music and a continued relevance in discussions about the intersection of creativity and imitation.
