Phil Collins is praising Taylor Swift, saying the pop star deserved to become “the hugest thing in the world” after he was stunned by one of her early performances, according to Billboard.
Speaking with Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2’s Tracks of My Years, Collins said he first saw Swift perform about 15 years ago at a Songwriters Hall of Fame event. He recalled her performing “White Horse” with just a guitar and said the performance impressed him right away.
“It blew me away completely,” Collins said, explaining that he loved both the song and the way Swift delivered it. He added that he has “always had a soft spot” for the track and said he thinks Swift has earned the success she has now.
Collins also talked about his own work in the interview, saying his hit “In the Air Tonight” was largely improvised. The comments come as Collins prepares to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2026, while Swift continues to hold records on the Billboard charts.
