There is something intoxicating about the Phil Collins song "In the Air Tonight." At least for adults. I didn't get it when I was younger, and Phil Collins was the sole representative of Adult Contemporary music to me, a genre I loathed even if I didn't know it had a name at the time. It was dentist office music, and it all sounded the same to me—may as well have been performed by any adult in the Peanuts universe. But since then, "In the Air Tonight" has won me over countless times, and particularly clicked for me when I was in my 30s—friends nearby, after a few drinks, you know, the sweet spot to really feel that build-up of excitement washing over you while awaiting that drum break. That dramatic, thunderous drum break that brings us all together. Have you ever met anyone who didn't turn into a human goosebump when that song really hits its stride?


These young men—spotted spreading joy in the East Village on Saturday night by EV Grieve—get it.

The video shows two men in front of a flashy automobile, blasting the tune, and dancing in the crosswalk as people pull out their phones to capture the magic moment.

The anonymous blogger behind EV Grieve (who does a wonderful job documenting the neighborhood) told Gothamist, "This was my first 'In the Air Tonight' mobile sighting in the East Village or anywhere! I was at a friend's apartment when we suddenly heard Phil Collins coming from somewhere REALLY LOUDLY... thought it was coming from behind the building, where there had been a SantaCon party earlier in the day. We thought it was a solitary Santa back home and cranking 'In the Air Tonight' as a nightcap. Then we realized it was coming from the street..."

I've been waiting for this drum break for all my life, oh lord!:

This may not be their first time, either. "A few people who responded mentioned seeing them around in Brooklyn," EV Grieve noted to us. "Do they play other songs? I was thinking something by Duran Duran might sound nice. Or maybe Wham." But as fictional murderer Patrick Bateman would have pointed out, this is likely the perfect tune for the masses: "Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way, especially songs like 'In the Air Tonight'."

In conclusion, bring back Phil Collins Day, and ban all cars except this car. Thank you.

Important update: This video was taken 90 minutes before the above video, in Williamsburg.

Sirs, please email me, I'd like to discuss a ride-a-long.