Source: YouTube

Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” has one of the most iconic drum fills in the history of rock.  He recently explained why it’s so effective.  He said most of the song is mellow, and then BOOM, the drums assault you.

Quote, “You’re lulling people in, and then suddenly punching them in the face with it.”  He was free to punch hard because the song was on his debut solo album . . . so he could make the drums as loud as he wanted.

One more thing:  He and his mates nicknamed it “the face-hugger” sound.  It reminded them of the “chestburster scene” in the movie “Alien”.

(He said this on “The Big Interview with Dan Rather”.  Skip to 1:01 in the video for the drum fill talk.)