In the 80's, Phil Collins split time between his work with Genesis and a burgeoning solo career. In 1988, Collins covered the Mindbenders' "Groovy Kind of Love" on the soundtrack to his movie, "Buster". Yes, Collins made a movie. It would be his only starring gig, though, as the film didn't win over audiences at the box office. 3 years later, Collins would have a significantly smaller role as a police detective in Steven Spielberg's "Hook", with Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, & Dustin Hoffman.
When most people think of "Groovy Kind of Love" today, they think of Collins' version, rather than the original that preceded it more than 20 years earlier. Sometimes, it happens that way.
I prefer the original version of the tune but Collins' version is still very listenable. It's just an alternate take. They are almost two different songs when you get right down to it.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I always admired about Collins was that he was great as both part of Genesis and as a solo performer. It was rare back then for a person to have so many hits apart from a group and to still remain together to record. Usually the breakout star would leave his old band far behind.
I did have affection for his other song from the soundtrack - "Two Hearts" which was co-written by Lamont Dozier (who used to write some of the biggest Motown hits with the Holland Brothers).
Two Hearts was another one of those deals where Collins used trick photography to put multiple images of himself in the video (see also "I Missed Again" and his cover of "You Can't Hurry Love", which would explain the Dozier link-up). Funny stuff, really.
ReplyDeleteHis version of "Groovy" would be more likely for slow dances than the original, though. Today's kids wouldn't know who the Mindbenders were, thinking the band took their name from a GI Joe villain........