I thought you’d always be there/
I almost believed you…

Genesis’ “In Too Deep” can be interpreted several ways and you couldn’t be faulted for any number of different reads. Essentially, the song is about a romantic relationship that is coming to a head. There are actually two narrators: let’s call them the guy and the girl. The guy seems to be uncertain about making a commitment—though he does make promises with his words. The woman is just starting to realize that his actions are not matching up.

The guy wants to stay together; he thinks they have a good thing going. However, the woman has come to a realization: she loves him, but she can’t take his lack of commitment anymore. She knows what she wants now. She loves him and needs him, but she’s in too deep. It is time to let go.

He is not ready to let go as he pleads, and admits things are his fault. He is getting concerned because she is no longer looking at him lovingly…she is looking right through him. But she has made up her mind. They both feel disappointment about the promises they made to each other. She believed him, but not anymore.

The song’s vocal and sound are filled with sadness and desperation, followed by resignation. It is quite a journey. The melody of the verse and chorus don’t feel like the most natural fit, but sound so great together. Note the excellent use of synthesizer– used as a background instrument to add depth of sound. A lot of 80s songs get that wrong: “In Too Deep” does it right.

Phil Collins voice is distinct and quite beautiful here. He uses falsetto sparingly for emphasis, and he transitions into it quite nicely. He has one of the most recognizable male voices in rock. The irregular fills of the drums add great color.

In Too Deep Lyrics

All that time I was searching with nowhere to run to
It started me thinking
Wondering what I could make of my life
And who’d be waiting
Asking all kinds of questions to myself
But never finding the answers

Crying at the top of my voice
And no one listening
All this time, I still remember everything you said, oho
There’s so much you promised, how could I ever forget

Listen, you know I love you, but I just can’t take this
You know I love you, but I’m playing for keeps
Although I need you, I’m not gonna make this
You know I want to, but I’m in too deep

So listen, listen to me
Ooh, you must believe me
I can feel your eyes go through me
But I don’t know why

Ooh, I know you’re going but I can’t believe
It’s the way that you’re leaving
It’s like we never knew each other at all
It may be my fault
I gave you too many reasons, being alone
When I didn’t want to

I thought you’d always be there
I almost believed you
All this time, I still remember everything you said, oho oh
Ooh there’s so much you promised, how could I ever forget

Listen, you know I love you, but I just can’t take this
You know I love you, but I’m playing for keeps
Although I need you, I’m not gonna make this
You know I want to, but I’m in too deep
So listen, listen to me
I can feel your eyes go through me

It seems I’ve spent too long
Only thinking about myself, oho
Now I want to spend my life
Just caring ’bout somebody else

Listen, you know I love you, but I just can’t take this
You know I love you, but I’m playing for keeps
Although I need you, I’m not gonna make this
You know I want to, but I’m in too deep
You know I love you, but I just can’t take this
You know I love you, but I’m playing for keeps
Although I need you, I’m not gonna make this
You know I want to, but I’m in too deep
You know I love you, but I just can’t take this
You know I love you, but I’m playing for keeps (you know I love you)
Although I need you, I’m not gonna make this (you know I love you)
You know I want to, but I’m in too deep
You know I love you, but I just can’t take this (I can’t take this)
You know I love you, but I’m playing for keeps.

written by Genesis: Phil Collins, Tony Banks, Phil Rutherford