To release the album, Collins signed a solo contract with Virgin Records for UK distribution. He did so to "leave the nest" and to ensure he could maintain full creative control over the music. Collins also felt that releasing the album on Charisma Records, the same label as Genesis, would have harmed its success due to the preconceived notions people have about bands and labels.

Collins, who grew up listening to American R&B as a child in Chiswick, decided to incorporate an R&B horn section, hiring the Phenix Horns, who played backup for Earth, Wind & Fire. Collins had asked a contact who knew the group if they were interested in playing, and upon their agreement their leader Thomas "Tom Tom 84" Washington met with Collins who asked him to sing the sections where the horns were to be placed into a tape recorder. The group recorded their parts the following day. Collins produced the album himself with assistance from Hugh Padgham, who would co-produce several of Collins and Genesis's subsequent albums in the 1980s.

Its lead single "In the Air Tonight", released in January 1981, reached No. 2 on the UK singles chart and became known for its drum arrangement and use of gated reverb.

TRACKLIST

In the Air Tonight
This Must Be Love
Behind the Lines
The Roof is Leaking
Droned
Hand in Hand

I Missed Again
You Know What I Mean
Thunder and Lightning
Im Not Moving
If Leaving Me Is Easy
Tomorrow Never Knows
Over the Rainbow (Unlisted except for the original 1981 cassette release from WEA)