Phil Collins Makes an Emotional Statement About Taylor Swift’s Extraordinary Rise, Explaining Why the World’s Biggest Pop Star Has Truly Earned Her Place at the Top

During an appearance on BBC Radio 2‘s Tracks of My Years with Vernon Kay, Collins, 75, heaped praise on the 36-year-old pop superstar as he recalled first watching her perform her 2008 track “White Horse” at a Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2010.

“I met her, this was way, way back, and Lily [Collins] introduced me, funnily enough, because she knew her,” Collins said of his actress daughter.

“I’d kind of known the name, but she wasn’t anywhere near the star she is today, a very nice lady,” Collins continued. “Then she got up on stage with a guitar and sang ‘White Horse.’ ”

The musician said the performance “blew me away completely, because not only was the song great and the sentiment of the song, it really got me, but she sang it beautifully and it was just so simple, you know, her and the guitar.”

“I’ve always had a soft spot for the song since then,” Collins added.

“I’m so pleased she’s the hugest thing in the world now because it kind of feels like she deserves it,” he continued. “It’s easy to knock someone that’s got so much success, but I think she really deserves it … She’s a good girl.”

The “In the Air Tonight” hitmaker picked “White Horse” as one of the 10 songs that have soundtracked his life. Other picks include The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows.”

In June, Swift made history when she became the youngest woman inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the age of 36. According to the Songwriters Hall of Fame website, Stevie Wonder became the youngest inductee at the age of 32 in 1983.

For the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Swift submitted her tracks “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” “Blank Space,” “Anti-Hero,” “Love Story,” and “The Last Great American Dynasty” for consideration.

Other artists who make up the Songwriters Hall of Fame 2026 class are Walter Afanasieff, Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissette and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart.

Collins is set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in November. But during an interview with the BBC in May, the drummer said he is unlikely to perform at the ceremony, despite feeling better amid his ongoing health issues.

“I can’t really see it happening, but I’m healthier now than I have been for quite a while,” he told the outlet.