"For a Friend" is a rare Phil Collins song written as a heartfelt tribute to his longtime friend and saxophonist, , who was tragically shot and killed by a police officer in 1993. Though it was recorded during the sessions for the 1993 album Both Sides , it did not make the final tracklist and remained a hidden gem for years. 1. Background and Origin
The song honors Don Myrick, a member of the Phenix Horns who played saxophone on many of Collins' biggest hits. Myrick was killed during a police raid in Los Angeles when an officer mistook a lighter for a weapon. PHIL COLLINS - FOR A FRIEND (RARE SONG)
You can find it on major streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music . "For a Friend" is a rare Phil Collins
The bridge and outro repeat the phrase "We were always laughing," contrasting the tragedy with their shared history. 3. Where to Listen Background and Origin The song honors Don Myrick,
In the third verse, Collins questions the official story of the death, with lines like "What did they know? What did they hide?" and "If they told the truth, he might be here today".
It first surfaced in 1994 as a B-side on the second UK single for "We Wait and We Wonder". 2. Lyrical Themes