‘Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)’ (also titled ‘Against All Odds’) is a song by English drummer, singer and songwriter Phil Collins. It was recorded for the soundtrack to the 1984 film of the same name. It is a power ballad in which its protagonist implores an ex-lover to "take a look at me now", knowing that reconciliation is "against all odds", but worth the gamble. The single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, the first of seven US No. 1s for Collins in his solo career. ‘Against All Odds (Take a Look At Me Now)’ also topped the charts in Canada, Ireland, and Norway, while peaking at No. 2 in the United Kingdom.
Collins was approached to write the title song to the film Against All Odds while it was still in its preliminary "rough cut form". At the time the soundtrack was being completed, Collins was on tour with Genesis. Director Taylor Hackford flew into Chicago to see one of the band's concerts. Collins watched the movie on a videocassette recorder in his hotel room and agreed to appear on the soundtrack. Originally titled ‘How Can You Just Sit There?’, the song's music was written by Collins during sessions for his debut solo album Face Value (1981), but it fell by the wayside as it was his least favourite of the several ballads he wrote at the time. On episode 339 of This American Life, "Break Up", Collins relays that the song was inspired and written shortly after the breakup between him and his first wife. In the interview he says that the divorce transformed him from being a musician into also being a lyricist.
The song has been covered by several singers, some versions of which have been successful in both the US and UK markets. The song has twice reached No. 1 in the UK singles chart: the pairing of Mariah Carey and boyband Westlife, in September 2000, and then again by Steve Brookstein, the first winner of The X Factor, in January 2005.
Writing for the soundtrack's review, Allmusic editor Heather Phares claimed that the film is best remembered for the inclusion of Collins' "classic theme song". Phares added that the song "remains not only one of Collins' definitive singles, but one of the 1980s' best love songs". Director Hackford also had the same view, stating that it "decidedly" helped the film: people identified the song with the film and came to watch it. When the single reached the top five, it contributed to the increased box office sales of the movie. This won Collins the 1984 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance. It was nominated for a Best Original Song Oscar, but lost to ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You.’
Label – Atlantic
Songwriter – Phil Collins
Producer - Arif Mardin
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]How can I just let you walk away?
Just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking every breath
With you? Ooh, ooh
[Refrain]
You're the only one who really knew me at all
[Verse 2]
How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave?
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears
[Refrain]
You're the only one who really knew me at all
[Chorus]
So, take a look at me now
Well, there's just an empty space
And there's nothin' left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Ooh, take a look at me now
Well, there's just an empty space
And you comin' back to me is against the odds
And that's what I've got to face
[Verse 3]
I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
[Refrain]
You're the only one who really knew me at all
[Chorus]
So, take a look at me now
Well, there's just an empty space
And there's nothin' left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Now, take a look at me now
'Cause there's just an empty space
But to wait for you is all I can do
And that's what I've got to face
Take a good look at me now
'Cause I'll still be standin' here
And you comin' back to me is against all odds
It's the chance I've gotta take
[Outro]
Take a look at me now