Phil Collins vs. The Postal Service - Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)

"Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)" is probably Phil Collins' best-known song, a power ballad to end all competition that was the title track for the 1984 Taylor Hackford movie Against All Odds. You can say many things about Phil Collins, but the fact remains that he is a hell of a singer. "Against All Odds" was initially written by Collins for his debut solo album Face Value after his first wife left him pretty much devastated, but was for some reason not completed. Collins was eventually awarded a Grammy for his performance, and the song has been covered by many, including Westlife and Mariah Carey, neither of whom made very interesting versions. The Postal Service however, the electro-pop indie superduo consisting of Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello, recorded a fabulous version for Paul McGuigan's 2004 film Wicker Park, an understated and subtly quiet version, full of hidden layers and depths you really can't hear at first. Which of the two is the better version? Collins' original, I'm sure, but The Postal Service actually gives him a good run for the money.

Phil Collins version



The Postal Service version