"Don't Lose My Number" is a song by Phil Collins from his third solo album ''

No Jacket Required ''No Jacket Required'' is the third solo studio album by English drummer and singer-songwriter Phil Collins. It was originally released on 25 January 1985 or 18 February 1985 on Virgin (UK and Ireland), Atlantic (US and Canada) and WEA (rest o ...

''. The single was not released in the UK, though it peaked at No. 4 in the U.S. in September 1985. The B-side, "We Said Hello Goodbye" was released as a bonus track on the CD for ''No Jacket Required''. In Australia, the single was released with the title "(Billy) Don't Lose My Number".

History

Collins has stated that the lyrics to "Don't Lose My Number" were improvised, and that he himself does not fully understand what they mean. Stephen Holden of the ''The New York Times'' also agreed that the lyrics were very "vague, sketching the outlines of a melodrama but withholding the full story". The song prominently features Collins' signature

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drum sound.

Reception

'' Cashbox'' said that the song "merges a Motown drive with the singer/songwriter’s own it charm and vocal urgency." '' Billboard'' said that it was a "slightly mysterious DOR tune."

Music video

Collins did not know what to use as a theme for the song's music video, so he decided that it would show his decision process in selecting a theme for it. In the video, Collins talks to various "directors", who all give him ill-fitting ideas for the video. Their suggestions allow Collins to parody several other music videos of the time, including videos by David Lee Roth ("

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"), Elton John ("

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"),

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"), and

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"), as well as movies such as ''

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'' and various samurai movies and

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. His wife at the time, Jill Tavelman, makes a cameo in the beach scene as the model who smiles at him.

Track listing

7": Atlantic / 7-89536 (US)

#"Don't Lose My Number" (4:46) #"We Said Hello Goodbye" (4:15)

7": WEA / 7-259001 (Australia)

#"(Billy) Don't Lose My Number" (4:46) #"We Said Hello Goodbye" (4:15)

12": Atlantic / 0-86863 (US)

#"Don't Lose My Number" (Extended Mix) (6:36) #"Don't Lose My Number" (LP Version) (4:46) #"We Said Hello Goodbye" (4:15)

12": WEA / 0-259001 (Australia)

#"(Billy) Don't Lose My Number" (Extended Mix) (6:36) #"We Said Hello Goodbye" (4:15)

CD: WEA International / WPCR 2063 (Japan)

#"Don't Lose My Number (Edit)" (4:11) #"We Said Hello Goodbye" (4:15)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Personnel

* Phil Collins – vocals, keyboards, drums,

LinnDrum The LinnDrum, also referred to as the LM-2, is a drum machine manufactured by Linn Electronics between 1982 and 1985. About 5,000 units were sold. Its high-quality samples, flexibility and affordability made the LinnDrum popular; it sold far m ...

* David Frank – additional keyboards *

Daryl Stuermer Daryl Mark Stuermer (born November 27, 1952) is an American musician, songwriter, and producer best known for playing the guitar and bass for Genesis during live shows, and lead guitar for Phil Collins during most solo tours and albums. He has ...

– guitars *

Leland Sklar Leland Bruce Sklar (born May 28, 1947) is an American bassist and session musician. Sklar rose to prominence as a member of James Taylor's backing band, which coaleced into a group in its own right, The Section. This group of musicians so frequ ...

– bass guitar

References

External links

* {{authority control 1985 singles Atlantic Records singles Phil Collins songs Song recordings produced by Hugh Padgham Song recordings produced by Phil Collins Virgin Records singles 1985 songs Songs written by Phil Collins