Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Collins looked back on the first time he met Swift and witnessed her live performance of her 2008 hit, “White Horse.”
Taylor Swift made a memorable impression on Phil Collins long before she became one of the most successful artists in the world.
During an interview on BBC Radio 2’s Tracks of My Years with Vernon Kay, the 75-year-old music icon reflected on the first time he met Swift and watched her perform her 2008 song “White Horse” at a Songwriters Hall of Fame event in 2010.
Collins shared that his daughter, actress Lily Collins, introduced him to Swift because they already knew each other. At the time, he was only somewhat familiar with Swift’s name, as she had not yet reached the global level of fame she enjoys today.
He recalled being impressed by her warm personality before she took the stage with only her guitar to perform “White Horse.”
According to Collins, the performance had a profound impact on him. He praised both the song’s emotional message and Swift’s heartfelt delivery, noting that the simple arrangement of just her voice and guitar made it even more powerful.
Since that performance, Collins said the song has remained one of his personal favorites.
Looking back, he expressed happiness over Swift’s extraordinary success, saying she has truly earned her place as one of the biggest stars in music. While acknowledging that highly successful artists often face criticism, Collins emphasized that he believes Swift deserves the recognition she has received and described her as a genuinely good person.
Collins selected “White Horse” as one of the ten songs that have shaped his life. His list also included classics such as The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows.”
Earlier this year, Swift reached another milestone by becoming the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at age 36. The overall youngest inductee remains Stevie Wonder, who entered the Hall of Fame at just 32 years old in 1983.
As part of her induction, Swift submitted several of her most celebrated songs for consideration, including “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” “Blank Space,” “Anti-Hero,” “Love Story,” and “The Last Great American Dynasty.”
She joined a distinguished 2026 class of inductees that also featured Walter Afanasieff, Terry Britten, Graham Lyle, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissette, and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart.
