3 Songs Phil Collins Collaborated on With Motown Songwriting Legend Lamont Dozier for the 1988 Comedy ‘Buster’

The 1988 British crime drama, Buster, starring Phil Collins and Julie Walters, is loosely based on the Great Train Robbery of 1963. In the film, Collins stars as small-time crook Buster Edwards, who takes on a train heist for millions, then struggles with the aftermath of being a rich man.

For the soundtrack to the film, which peaked at No. 6 in the UK, Collins sang three of the tracks, including his cover of the British beat group the Mindbenders’ 1965 hit “A Groovy Kind of Love,” which was written by Carole Bayer Sager and Toni Wine, and nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance.

He also teamed up with Lamont Dozier of the legendary Motown songwriting and production trio, Holland-Dozier-Holland (brothers Brian and Eddie Holland and Dozier), who co-wrote two songs and co-produced and composed a No. 1 for Collins on the soundtrack.

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“I grew up with Lamont’s music,” said Collins. “He’s written some of the best songs, and to have my name next to his at the bottom of the song credit means an awful lot to me.”

[RELATED: The Genesis Song That Made Phil Collins Want to Leave the Band]

“Big Noise,” Phil Collins

Written by Phil Collins and Lamont Dozier

The uptempo pop song “Big Noise” was one of two tracks written by Collins and Dozier for the film and sends the message of going for what you want and making big noise along the way.

Just set your sight high, look
‘Em right in the eye and take it
And make a big big big noise
Don’t ask why
Just take it wise and making it
Make that a big, big, big, big noise

You can feel it in the air
Feel it everywhere
There’s a spirit moving
At just look, it’s all around you
Just take a look around you people stars to lose it
‘Cause if you wanted you gotta go get it
Just to listen up
if there’s something that you need
You better believe

“Loco in Acapulco,” The Four Tops

Written by Phil Collins and Lamont Dozier

Holland-Dozier-Holland had already written some of the iconic hits that helped define The Four Tops during the 1960s, including “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” When Dozier was working with Collins on Buster, they co-wrote another song for the Four Tops, “Loco in Acapulco.” The track, about partying in the Mexican city of Acapulco, also features Collins on drums and backing vocals. The song was also released on the Four Tops’ 1988 album Indestructible.

Going loco down in Acapulco
If you stay too long
Yes, you’ll be going loco down in Acapulco
The magic down there is so strong

Feel the pressure
Your back’s against the wall
Love is gaining on you
You’re just about to fall
If you’re afraid to love
Afraid to take a chance
You better hide your feelings
Get out while you can

“Two Hearts,” Phil Collins

Written by Phil Collins; Composed and co-produced by Lamont Dozier

One of two tracks on the soundtrack released by Collins as a single, “Two Hearts” charted in 19 countries and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also earned Collins a Grammy for Best Song Written specifically for a Motion Picture or Television and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. ‘Two Hearts’ plays during the end credits of the film.

“’Two Hearts’ is about these lovers, this train robber and his love for this girl,” said Dozier in a 2018 interview. “It just spoke of two people in love, and they didn’t want to break up. It was like two hearts but one heart. They were in love so tight that their romance, their feeling for each other, was like one person. So it was two hearts being of one mind because of their love. The love story they had was so deep.”

‘Cause it hurts, you never let go
Don’t look down, just look up
‘Cause she’s always there behind you
Just to remind you

Two hearts
Living in just one mind
You know we’re two hearts
Living in just one mind

Photo: Lester Cohen