1986 Hit was SO EERILY Prophetic…this Band HAD to BE Time Travelers! | Professor of Rock

Poll: What is your pick for COOLEST Music Video of the Rock era?

Had a proud parent moment when found my son explaining to a friend ( they're in their late 20's) that the Disturbed version was a remake and proceeded to show him the Genesis video.

Phil is not doing well, and it breaks my heart. He can’t even hold drumsticks any more, I read recently. He has left an immense catalogue of absolute BANGERS, but nobody wants to see him leave. Thoughts and prayers for him and his family.

1985 was a tough year for me as a teen with a very stressful family situation. I spent so much time listening to the radio in the mid-80’s that each sample you played gave me flashbacks of several memories from times I heard those songs. I would sing and dance alone in my room. Love these trips down 80’s memory lane

I love Genesis…Phil Collins…Peter Gabriel…Mike and the Mechanics…such talent in that band.

The puppets in the video were from a weekly political satire television show “Spitting Image”

I never reconciled the status of “Rock Star” with a short, balding drummer who looked more like an accountant than musician. But Phil Collins did it, then broke the mold. Thank you, Prof, the 80’s will definitely be “in the air tonight.”

Where did Phil Collin’s record “No Jacket Required”? In the Stu-Stu-Studio!

Land of Confusion was one of those songs that is timeless. The lyrics still apply in our time.

When living through the era don’t really realize how many hits they really had, it isn’t until you look back on it that you see how great they really are. I say now because music is timeless.

That scene in the pilot episode of Miami vice in 1984, with Crockett and Tubbs in the Ferrari, on their way to take down Calderon, with in the air tonight playing. Man oh man, that still gives me chills. For me, it's the greatest scene in tv history.

I think it’s fantastic that you covered this song. I was in my mid-teens when it came out, I had just lost my grandfather, my parents had just divorced, I was being bullied at school, and we all lived under the radiation that was the Cold War. It truly was an anxiety-ridden time to live through. We all seemed to struggle somewhat with having fun and living carefree, so many of us turned to our diversions: video games, going out with friends, and music. This song, as anxiety-raising as it was for much of the song, ends with hope and a message: DO SOMETHING. Professor of Rock, all of your shows have something you cover with style and grace. And I for one am grateful, because this is OUR history, and your words poignantly spotlight that. Sincerely: thank you. And Rock On!

I have seen Genesis and all the solo projects that came out of Genesis. What a time to be alive with the music a real shows at an affordable price no less. An AMAZING era with OUTSTANDING talent. The Cold War gave us so much music. We will never see anything like it again. This channel helps keep the music alive.

Rutherford’s lyrics are spot on and could be applied from the end of WWII on. I would include the movie, Dr. Strangelove. Kubrick’s over-the-top satire of madness, ego & power & Rutherford’s lyrics are plain to see. Adam, your statement at the end of your review here is absolutely, 100% correct. To paraphrase Peter Gabriel and to your point, “Music is the wine we can all enjoy.” As one who did sit in his room and listened to music and the message, I want to again thank you for exposing a new generation to music I grew up with. I’ll leave you with one final thing - It is easier to hate than to love. Ignorance is not a reason to hate, but to understand. Love is our only hope.

Words can not express this bands amazing legacy of music. Phil is a phenomenon.

I'm 64 and I love watching your videos. I have learned so much about the stories behind songs that I have loved through the years. And my taste in music is very eclectic (probably due to the many years of listening to great music) so I enjoy all of your videos. Thank you.

As a kid, I absolutely LOVED this video. As you say, the lyrics are much more relevant today than ever. 1986 was such an incredible year for music!

When I think of prophetic songs... I think of this lyric... "video killed the radio star...."

Phil was also one the 80's best producers 😮

A lot of people don’t rate eighties Genesis for selling out. To me, along with Yes, they had to survive. Those Prog bands that didn’t go along with the eighties fell by the wayside. The Invisible Touch album had some great songs.