During a memorable night in Houston, Texas, on September 24, 2019, music legend Phil Collins left thousands of fans teary-eyed when he performed “You Know What I Mean” for the first time with his son, Nic Collins, who accompanied him on piano with heartfelt emotion. The rare and moving moment was captured in the video “Phil Collins Live 2019 ⬘ 4K 🡆 You Know What I Mean ⬘ Phil Humor!! ⬘ Nic Collins 🡄 9/24 ⬘ Houston, TX”, which has since garnered millions of views on YouTube, becoming one of the most beloved performances from his recent tours.
Before the song began, Phil delighted the crowd with his trademark humor, sharing funny stories about touring, Sting, and his own experiences. At one point, a fan shouted, “We love you, Sting!”, sparking laughter throughout the stadium. But the real emotional high came when Nic suddenly stepped onto the stage while Phil was chatting and said, “Let’s get started, Dad!” — a spontaneous and heartfelt invitation that wasn’t part of the original setlist.
“You Know What I Mean”, a tender ballad from Phil Collins’ 1981 debut solo album Face Value, is the only song Nic has openly admitted to loving from his father’s extensive discography. That detail made the performance even more special and meaningful. Filmed from the fourth row, center stage, the footage captures the intimate and emotional connection between father and son — something rare to witness at large-scale concerts.
This duet wasn’t just a musical performance — it was a powerful symbol of fatherly love and the passing of artistic legacy between generations. Fans were treated not only to a beautiful piece of music, but also to an authentic and deeply human moment that transcended the stage.
You can watch the full performance on YouTube — and be sure to have some tissues ready, because it’s sure to tug at your heartstrings.
