Album: ...But Seriously (1989)

Charted: 2 1

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• She calls out to the man on the street
  "Sir, can you help me?
  It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep
  Is there somewhere you can tell me?"
  
  He walks on, doesn't look back
  He pretends he can't hear her
  Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
  Seems embarrassed to be there
  
  Oh, think twice, 'cause it's another day for you and me in paradise
  Oh, think twice, 'cause it's another day for you
  You and me in paradise
  
  Think about it
  
  She calls out to the man on the street
  He can see she's been crying
  She's got blisters on the soles of her feet
  She can't walk but she's trying
  
  Oh, think twice, 'cause it's another day for you and me in paradise
  Oh, think twice, it's just another day for you
  You and me in paradise
  
  Just think about it
  
  Oh Lord, is there nothing more anybody can do?
  Oh Lord, there must be something you can say
  
  You can tell from the lines on her face
  You can see that she's been there
  Probably been moved on from every place
  'Cause she didn't fit in there
  
  Oh, think twice, 'cause it's another day for you and me in paradise
  Oh, think twice, it's just another day for you
  You and me in paradise
  
  Just think about it
  Mhm
  Think about it
  
  It's just another day for you and me in paradise
  It's just another day for you and me in paradise (para-paradise)
  Paradise
  Ooh, just think about it
  Paradise
  Just think about it (para-paradise)
  Paradise
  Mhm, paradise
  Paradise
  Just another day Writer/s: Phil Collins
  Publisher: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 22

• Matt Schwind from IowaI remember hearing a version of this song that some call "the George Bush edit" that has Bush Sr. quotes dropped into the song. It was really poignent, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. I'm wondering if it was an unauthorized version and possibly removed from circulation by a cease and desist from the music publisher? Or is it still out there somewhere?
• Tom Livanos from Sydney, AustraliaI have read all the comments (mine is the 21st). Cindy from Sydney, United States (towards the end or the beginning... I cannot tell) writes: "i love how this song is about one of lifes problems". I agree Cindy, whoever you may be. Naysayers, which include commenters here, argue that Phil Collins being a multi-millionnaire means he is a hypocrite. On this very songfacts web page, one point is a direct quote from Phil Collins, "What (the song) deals with is people's awkwardness with it. When it happened to me, I just walked straight past. I thought, I'm doing the same thing as everybody else... I felt awkward. I didn't ignore her but at the same time I didn't stop and give her some money... That's what the song deals with, people just sort of starting to pretend it's not happening." So yes, okay, a hypocrite. Rhetorical question: is this the totality of what may be said about it?
  
  Let me now turn purely to myself. I was 13 when this song came out. As such, I was not in any position to give money to a homeless person... let alone upon the first time I heard this song; nor every subsequent time I heard this song. For whatever it may be worth I have given to homeless people, as well as others less fortunate than I am. Even this, though, is beside the point. This song raises awareness that homelessness is a problem. It invokes emotions with respect to homelessness - and for me at least it includes awkwardness and embarrassment but is way more than that. It cannot be measured.. not in monetary terms nor any other way.. how much of a practical impact that translates to. Ever. But are we going to ignore something merely because it cannot be measured? I, at least for one, say no. So.. again at least for me.. ***this*** is the value of this song. At 2:27 of the music video one person is seen holding something out for another person, who is accepting it. It is in front of the Capitol building in Washington D.C. That image is singed into my mind. I am welling up again now just writing this. Anyway I think.. or at least hope.. I have made my point. Thank-you.
• Lisa from North CarolinaTo Annabelle in Eugene, OR:
  It’s proven, and it’s findable on Google, that many more homeless share what they have with each other than use it on addiction. Many folks do, no doubt. But if that’s a concern, find a place that works with stabilizing their circumstances—which is the most effective way to help.
• Annabelle from Eugene, OrI used to be in Key Club, which is all about helping those less fortunate, and I still plan to help the less fortunate folks of the world. However, my American mom says I should be careful how I would help them, since she says that giving them money could lead to trouble as they would probably spend it on things they shouldn't, like drugs and alcohol, or even prostitution! Scary stuff!
• Mark from United StatesI remember when this single came out. I was 8y old, and my dad bought the album. This song is amazing.
• Ryan from Us Is there not a popular movie that has that keyboard intro in it?? It’s stumping me but I swear there is.
• Steve from Tweed Heads Nsw Australia Roger, not only does Phil do a lot for charities, when I saw him in concert many years ago he told the audience "don't buy any of the merchandise, I've got enough money. Put some money in the buckets on your way out". There were people at every door with buckets collecting money for homeless and needy. He practices what he preaches. This song reminds me of the Good Samaritan parable that Jesus told.
• Electric926 from Unknown, NjIf you love this song, you should listen to the demo version,"Homeless". It's on Youtube.
• Federico from Unknown, ArgentinaBrandy ruined the song. ITs commercial pop, and it doesn't keep the feeling of sorry for the homeless... you like her voice, its very acted with Ray-J.
  Phil made an excelent work with this song, though we haven't done a lot of things fro changing this world.
• Brian from Vancouver, Canadanext time your sitting around with a full stomach and friends and family enjoying your life, your partners and your money. just remember theres people out there who have NOTHING, and they never chose it that way. Some poeple out there end up in those circumstances from Abuse, disabilities and everything. and by the way a lot of people who are asking for one whole big dollar may just be DYING for a donut or something, and do they get help. no they die. while everyones enjoying theyre day in paradise.
• Hajra from New York City, Nyi hate this... wat if the person u were ignoring just turns to be u.. i kno u wouldnt like it if they did the same to u..
  
  BTW i still loved the song... i started to cry
• Ben from Gosford, AustraliaI remember hearing this song back in 1989 when it came out. I was only 4 years old and in pre-school, mind you, but I do remember it.
• Kye from Tullahoma, Tn"Another Day in Paradise" was the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single from December 23, 1989 to January 13, 1990, making it the last number-one of the 80s and the first of the 90s.
• Edward from Aberystyth, WalesRoger, subtle attempt to turn a social problem into a partisan issue, which it isn't.
  
  In fact, Phil gives generously to charities for the homeless, which he can clearly aford to do.
  
  Oh, and to the point, thats the incorrect use of the word "liberal".
• Tommy from Dacula, GaI am going to have to go with Dave on this one, Brandy and for that matter everybody else who covers this song just make it look bad> Phil was the only one meant to sing this song!
• Dave from Cardiff, WalesJam Tronik (1990) and Brandy (2001) have both released abysmal covers of this song since...
• Kelli from Cedar Rapids, IaThe saddest part is, lots of people who approach you on the street, begging for money, are con artists. It puts people who really do need help in a bad light.
• Roger from Los Angeles, CaSo...Phil, what have you done about the homelessness problem in America? The multi millionaire limousine liberals love talking about all the problems in America, but what have they done and what is his solution?
• Rene from Hamburg, GermanyPhil said in an interview couple of years ago, that he wrote this song after having visited Washington DC, with so many homeless and poor people close to the Central of Politics and Finance. In the lyrics the woman asks a businessman or a politician if he could help her, but he seems to be embarassed that he might be responsible for her situation in some way.
• Cindy from Sydney, United Statesi love how this song is about one of lifes problems
• Takashi from Tokyo, JapanThis was played at my school when I was in grade 7- It was a music video for this and it showed the life of a girl who was poor and has no money. she only has 3 things in the fridge and her mom is gone. she has to look after her and While she's at school, she stays out in gym because she is sick. while at lunch, she has nothing to eat, but a guy with a broken arm tosses his sandwhich into the garbage. She then sneaks the sandwhich out of the garbage can and goes to the bathroom, goes into a stall and eats it. she then breaks down. The rest i cant remember. but anywasy, great song and video and great song, itself.
• Justin from Felts Mills, NyThis is one of the best songs he has ever written, and I believe that besides "Take Me Home," this one is a masterpiece. What a powerful song, and a heart-breaking message to go with it.

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