Sussudio: A Catchy Pop Anthem About Infatuation and Desire
Ah, the mid-1980s. A time of big hair, neon colors, and synthesizers. A time when music videos truly began to dominate the airwaves, shaping not just what we heard, but what we saw. And at the heart of much of that era’s sound, carving out a space for himself as both a drumming powerhouse and a distinctive vocalist, was none other than Phil Collins. While he had already established a formidable career with Genesis and found solo success with more melancholic and introspective tracks, 1985 saw him unleash something decidedly different, something that would become an absolute earworm, a song that defined a particular moment in pop history: “Sussudio.”
When “Sussudio” burst onto the scene, it did so with an undeniable swagger. Released as the lead single from his monumental album, “No Jacket Required,” it quickly ascended the charts, reaching a triumphant No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It was a testament to its immediate appeal, a track that felt tailor-made for radio, for dance floors, and for those nascent music video channels. But beyond its chart-topping success, what exactly is “Sussudio”?
The story behind “Sussudio” is as charmingly simple as the song itself is infectious. Phil Collins has often recounted how the word “Sussudio” was initially just a placeholder, a made-up word he hummed along with a drum machine during the songwriting process. He was experimenting with a new LinnDrum machine, playing around with sounds and rhythms, and this nonsensical syllable just…stuck. It wasn’t meant to have any inherent meaning, yet it became the very hook, the enigmatic title that gave the song its unique identity. It’s a wonderful example of how sometimes the most spontaneous and unplanned elements can become the very foundation of something iconic. Imagine, a global hit born from a sonic doodle!
Despite its somewhat whimsical origin, the meaning of “Sussudio” is quite clear and relatable: it’s a song about infatuation, about that intoxicating feeling of seeing someone new and being completely captivated. The lyrics paint a picture of a protagonist utterly smitten, watching a girl from across the room, feeling an irresistible pull. Lines like “There’s a girl that’s been on my mind / All the time, Sussudio” perfectly capture that all-consuming crush. It’s the thrill of the chase, the hope of connection, and the almost giddy anticipation of a potential new romance. For many of us, especially those of a certain vintage, it evokes memories of those first powerful attractions, the butterflies in the stomach, and the daring leap of faith it often takes to approach someone who has caught your eye.
The song’s upbeat tempo, the prominent use of synthesizers, the driving drums (a signature of Collins‘s style), and the lively horn section all contribute to this feeling of exhilaration and youthful exuberance. It’s a sound that’s unmistakably 80s, yet it retains a timeless quality in its celebration of human connection and desire. It’s a snapshot of a moment, but the emotion it conveys is universal. For those who grew up with this song, it’s not just a track; it’s a time machine, instantly transporting them back to a period of their lives filled with possibilities, burgeoning feelings, and the soundtrack of Phil Collins echoing from every radio. It reminds us that sometimes, the simplest songs are the most profound, capturing the essence of our human experience with an irresistible beat and a word that, despite its arbitrary origin, has come to mean so much.