Expert: Ilya Yakovlev - 11/3/2000

Question
Reading the lyrics for "In the Air Tonight" to me it`s pretty obvious that this "drowning" he talks about is more of an example representing his feelings.  According to VH1, the song is about how he had a chance to save someone`s life as a kid and wasn`t able to.  I don`t doubt that that might have happened and inspired the song, but in no way do I see that is what the song is about.  What`s your interpretation on what the song is about, and do you know of any factual information about that story?
thank you,
-chris

Answer
Chris,

The only information I know is that from Phil's interviews and articles about him. He has been working very hard to clear up this particular rumor and has always maintained that it is simply untrue. The song, according to Phil, is about his messy divorce at the time and nothing else. The sad feelings kind of took over and helped put together the widely misinterpreted lyrics.

Hope this helps.