Lying, Crying, Dying

Album: Not released on an album (1968)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the first song that Phil Collins ever wrote. He recalled to Prog magazine: "It was in D minor, the saddest of chords [grinning]. No, it really was in D minor. It was a very naïve but heartfelt ballad. This would have been in the late 60s when I was 15, 16 years old. Then I dried up until the mid-'70s."
  • The track was recorded by Phil Collins' band The Freehold in 1968 at Regent Sounds, London. Freehold comprised Phil Collins (vocals), Jeff Slater, Les Mannering and John Hunt.

Comments: 1

  • Adam from MarylandI know in that 2016 interview Collins said the song was in D minor, but if you go listen to it it's actually not - it's in E dorian mode, which is a minor mode that shares notes with the key of D major. Can't blame the guy though for misremembering details about a song he wrote ~50 years ago and probably has never played since.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Eric Clapton

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.

Joe Jackson

Joe JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.