Instagram/@officialphilcollins
Phil Collins, the former Genesis lead vocalist, is celebrating the 21st anniversary of his single “Look Through My Eyes.” The song was part of the Disney movie Brother Bear soundtrack, and he released it this week in 2003. Collins reminded his fans of the anniversary and they shared their memories of the song and the beloved cartoon.
Advertisement
Initially, the post was just a simple reminder of the anniversary, but the listeners’ feedback revealed how profoundly the music has become a part of personal histories in different countries. Collins, who has been more reclusive and suffered health problems in recent years, still remains a major icon in the music industry, his Disney-soundtrack work being the point of contact for completely new generations to hear about him.
A fan from Brazil described the song as “Poetry in the form of music,” and indeed this was the sentiment of many who appreciated the writing of Collins. Another person remarked, “Every song is a milestone in my history,” and this was a reflection of how Collins’ music has become everyone’s life and major events especially through his work with Disney.
The association of the animation and the music by Collins was very successful. One user was very enthusiastic about Brother Bear and said it was “the most beautiful movie in the world” adding that “the music….” The reactions to this comment indicated that people were sharing their childhood memories connected to the movie, suggesting that the works of Collins had created bonds of attachment that were hard to dissolve among the audience.
The comments posted by the viewers also illustrated how broad the appeal was for Collins. There were replies in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. A Spanish-speaking fan in his message told, “This song brings back the most beautiful times,” while another simply stated, “Phil Collins, the most beautiful.”
The most significant comment was likely the one from a person who directly mentioned the current Disney soundtracks: “They need to let him write more Disney movie soundtracks.” This was a sentiment shared by many who viewed Collins’ work for Brother Bear and Tarzan as a golden era in Disney’s musical history, the melding of the finest animators from the animation industry with the most vocally gifted performer of the rock genre.
The strong reactions were not restricted to the music but were also directed at the artist. A lot of people were concerned about Collins’ health and one of them asked, “Dear Phil Collins, how are you?” while another was sending his “love and laughter” to this part of his life. Such a connection indicates the closeness that Collins has built with his audience over the years.
Even though there were some negative comments, there was still love in them as one fan remarked, “Love you Phil. Sold your beautiful voice to DISNEY,” meaning that there were some mixed feelings about the financial aspect of the collaboration but the artistic product was still appreciated.
The comments turned out to be like a digital scrapbook where users were sharing their life stories at the time they first heard “Look Through My Eyes” and how it still influences them. One fan wrote, “My childhood’s singing voice,” while another called Collins their “platonic love,” showcasing the variety and yet the constant deep connections people have made with his art.
What we gather from all these reactions is not simply congratulations on the anniversary but rather proofs of how the music from Collins’ Disney era, particularly the soundtrack of Brother Bear, identified the emotional spots that could be reached in one’s life. The music does not just bring back memories of a movie; it does so by recalling certain points in one’s life, the magic of youth, and the fact that music can transcend language and culture in bringing people closer.
Advertisement
Even after 21 years since its release, “Look Through My Eyes” is still doing the task that its title suggests, allowing the audience to see things from Collins’ perspective while their own memories are being reflected back through his music. In the era of transient streaming, such a lasting connection means something very rare and precious in the domain of mainstream culture. Fans also recently learned more about One More Night from the artist himself. The celebration of this anniversary coincides with the 40th anniversary of No Jacket Required, another major milestone. Reflecting on his career, Phil Collins and Hugh Padgham recently discussed the making of that iconic album. The artist also took a moment to honor his longtime collaborator, Arnold McCuller, on his birthday.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
