"Both Sides of the Story" is a song performed by English singer-songwriter, drummer, actor and lead singer of English rock band Genesis, Phil Collins. The song was released in October 1993 by Virgin Records as the lead single from his fifth album, Both Sides (1993). The song reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart, and numbers 25 and 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. It charted the highest in Canada, peaking at number two on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. The single's B-sides vary, as copies of the single include either "Always" or "Rad Dudeski".
Critical reception Billboard characterised "Both Sides of the Story" as a "rumbling, midtempo pop/rocker" with a "prominent, almost militaristic beat" that was "fleshed out with subtle guitar licks and contrasting keyboard lines that are by turns pillowy and reedy". They called "Both Sides of the Story" "one of Collins' stronger lyrical efforts in some time." Cashbox believed that the song carried a strong resemblance to Collins' work with Genesis, saying "it's difficult to tell the difference between Collins' solo work and music by Genesis, the progressive British trio that he's fronted since the late '70s, and never more so than on this majestic song which reminds one of the band's recent output."
Music video The accompanying music video for "Both Sides of the Story", mainly shot in New York, follows the lyrics of the song. The first section cuts between Collins singing and images of a gutter and homeless people. The second section shows Collins inside a house, sitting on the stairs. He watches a married couple arguing, while their children watch. After the chorus, a military unit is shown patrolling a town in Northern Ireland while children spray-paint IRA on the walls. The final section portrays the story of a confrontation with a ghetto kid threatening another man with a gun. (This scene was inspired by the 1991 Lawrence Kasdan film Grand Canyon.)Kot, Greg. "Pop: Phil Collins, Regular Guy: And Like Regular Guys, He's Worried About His Kids," Chicago Tribune (7 November 1993). The video ends with shots of New York and the people, cutting like the first section, again with Collins singing the closing lyrics.
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1993)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100) 11Europe (European Hit Radio) 1Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 13Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 27Italy (Musica e dischi) 6UK Airplay (Music Week) 2US Cash Box Top 100 20Zimbabwe (ZIMA)Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000 7
Year-end charts Chart (1993)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM) 55Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) 75Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 90Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 92UK Airplay (Music Week) 41 Chart (1994)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM) 29Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) 79
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom18 October 1993Virgin25 October 1993CD2AustraliaWEAJapan28 November 1993Mini-CD
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