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Phil Collins – For a Friend (1994) | Track profile | Dork

Tracks
Phil Collins
Other Sides
For a Friend

TRACK

For a Friend

Release date: 29th April 1994

From Other Sides

More on Phil Collins

About This Track

"For a Friend" is a track by Phil Collins, from the album Other Sides, released 29th April 1994. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 1 article about Phil Collins.

About the Artist

Phil Collins

Phil Collins

Lyrics

For a Friend

[Verse 1]

When i saw him last

He had that look in his eyes

I said, "do you need to talk?"

He said, "no."

So i called him up, asked him again and i waited a while

He began to speak, then he started to cry

You know some things are best left unspoken

And some things just never work out

And sometimes, seems you try and you try and whatever you do

There's a fix that you're in, and you just can't get out

[Chorus]

He said, "i need your help, i need it now

Give me the strength to go on"

[Verse 2]

Though i didn't know what

I knew that something was wrong

But he still had his pride

He'd tell me in time

Well this feeling inside

Kept eating at me

I was losing a friend, and i had to know why

When i heard the voice on the phone, i knew it was bad news

So i rushed to be by his side

And we said goodbye for the last time

I gently hugged him, and kissed him goodbye

[Chorus]

[Bridge]

We were always laughing

I just remember laughing, mama

We were always laughing

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]

Though as time goes by, and it all becomes clear

We can see the deceit, we see the lies

So i asked myself, over and over, and over again

What did they know? What did they hide?

Fools, leading the innocent blindly

Fools, turning away

And i know that

When i think of my friend with that look in his eyes

And if they told the truth, he might be here today

[Chorus]

[Outro]

I remember the laughing

We were always laughing

Oh no - it's just strength we need now

Just the strength to go on...

We need the strength to go on

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Other Sides

1994

Listen

Album

Release year

1994

—Around the World in 80 Presets
—The Man with the Horn
—Everyday (Early demo)
—Big Noise (Instrumental)
—Broadway Chorus
—Don't Call Me Ashley
—For a Friend
—Homeless
—I Missed Again (Demo)
—In the Air Tonight (Demo)
—Rad Dudeski
—Stevie's Blues
—If Leaving Me Is Easy (Demo)
—Tears of a Clown
—It's Everywhere
—Both Sides of the Demo
—I Like the Way

More from Phil Collins

Albums & EPs

The Singles (Expanded)

The Singles (Expanded)

The Singles (Deluxe Edition)

The Singles (Deluxe Edition)

Live At Fukuoka Dome

Disneys Musical Tarzan

Brother Bear - An Original Disney Records Soundtrack

Tarzan (An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack)

Tarzan Original Soundtrack

Tarzan Original Soundtrack

Live From The Board - Official Bootleg

...But Seriously (Deluxe Edition)

...But Seriously (Deluxe Edition)

Explore

More tracks by Phil Collins

Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) (Live, 1985)

Don't Lose My Number (Live, 1997)

One More Night (BBC Live Session)

Only You Know And I Know (Live, 1994)

Take Me Home (Demo)

Long Long Way To Go (Live, 1994)

Who Said I Would (Live, 1985)

Only You Know And I Know (Demo)

Long, Long Way To Go (Live Aid, 7/13/1985)

Take Me Home (Live, 1990)

Inside Out (Live, 1990)

Sussudio (A Hot Night In Paris)

One More Night (Live, 1990)

Easy Lover (Live, 1997)

Doesn't Anybody Stay Together Anymore (Live, 1990)

One More Night (Demo)

Sussudio (demo)

One More Night (BBC live, 1985)

Another Day in Paradise (Hendo club edit)

MON FRÈRE OURS

In The Air Tonight - Live 1990

I Don't Care AnymoreAt The Tower

Thunder And LightningAt The Tower

I Cannot Believe It's TrueAt The Tower

This Must Be LoveAt The Tower

Behind The LinesAt The Tower

You Know What I MeanAt The Tower

The Roof Is LeakingAt The Tower

Don't Let Him Steal Your Heart AwayAt The Tower

The West SideAt The Tower

Like ChinaAt The Tower

It Don't Matter To MeAt The Tower

...And So to F...At The Tower

I Missed AgainAt The Tower

If Leaving Me Is EasyAt The Tower

In The Air TonightAt The Tower

Thru These WallsAt The Tower

Sussudio (Extended Remix)

Everyday (Early demo)Other Sides

Broadway ChorusOther Sides

In the Air Tonight ('88 Remix)

I Missed Again (Demo)Other Sides

In the Air Tonight (Demo)Other Sides

If Leaving Me Is Easy (Demo)Other Sides

One More Night（2016 Remastered）

Only You Know And I Know（2016 Remastered）

Sussudio (2016 Remasterred)

View all tracks by Phil Collins →

One More Night (BBC live, 1985)
Sussudio (demo)
...And So to F...At The Tower
8:27
Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) (Live, 1985)
Another Day in Paradise (Hendo club edit)
Behind The LinesAt The Tower
4:06
Big Noise
Broadway ChorusOther Sides
Cry Me A River
Doesn't Anybody Stay Together Anymore (Live, 1990)

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READ MORE ABOUT PHIL COLLINS

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The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have revealed their 2026 class including Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, Iron Maiden and Joy Division / New Order

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have revealed their 2026 class including Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, Iron Maiden and Joy Division / New Order

A record six British acts are honoured, surpassing 2019's haul of five.

14 Apr 2026 • 7:42 am

Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer: Phil Collins
Producer: Phil Collins