This song addresses the consequences of ignoring the needy and homeless. It's a rare Phil Collins hit with a socially conscious message.
Collins told The New York Times how the song came together:
"It was begun at the piano. I started playing and put it down on a tape so I wouldn't forget it. Then I decided to see what would happen when I started singing. When I began, the words just came out, 'She calls out to the man on the street.' I didn't set out to write a song about the homeless. Those were just the words I happened to sing. It was only then that I decided that was what the song would be about."
"'Another Day in Paradise' was chosen because it was a bit different from what had gone on before. It would bring people back to the starting line of remembering what I'm about. I write 'In the Air.' I'm quite capable of writing a 'Two Hearts,' but let's not forget I'm also doing this kind of stuff."
Lyrics
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, my 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
Just 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
It's just another day for you and me in paradise
Just think about it
Comments