Phil Collins, Sussudio | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 134^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Sussudio” by award-winning musical legend Phil Collins.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 134^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Sussudio” performed by Phil Collins.

“There’s a girl that’s been on my mind / All the time / Su-sussudio, oh-oh.” What does the infectious word, sussudio, mean, exactly 🤔? Well, it is a word that Academy and Grammy Award-winning musician Phil Collins made up. In the context of “Sussudio”, it’s this nameless girl who, “Don’t even know my name / But I think she likes me just the same / Su-sussudio, whoa-oh.” “Sussudio” is the opener from Collins’ diamond-certified (12-times platinum), 1985 album, No Jacket Required. No Jacket Required won the Grammy for Album of the Year at the 28^th Annual Grammy Awards. Collins was also awarded the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, for the songs from the album. “Sussudio” peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Collins’ second number one single from No Jacket Required, following “One More Night”.  Also, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1990.  Collins penned “Sussudio” and produced it with Hugh Padgham.

“Sussudio” is a surefire pop bop from the first time you hear it.  The 80s aesthetic is aesthetic-ing with the boxy, hard-hitting drum programming, colorful keys, exuberant synths, sick rhythm guitar, and a badass, active bass line. Even more badass is the bright, biting, articulated horns (The Phoenix Horns).  Those horns rock! Phil Collins rocks as well, delivering a fun, personality-laden performance.  He sings brilliantly, bringing the tuneful melodies and unforgettable lyrics to life.  “Ooh, give me a chance, give me a sign,” he sings in the second verse, and continues, “I’ll show her anytime / Su-sussudio, oh-oh.” Of course, nothing tops the chorus, where Phil urges, “Just say the word, oh, su-sussudio.” Woo! Sure, the critics criticized “Sussudio”. Why? Because it sounded too much like Prince 😏! Perhaps, but Collins owned it, admitting to being a big fan of The Purple One (who wasn’t). Ultimately, this is one of many iconic songs from Collins’ hit-filled musical catalog. You can’t listen to it and not smile!