Phil Collins names Bob Dylan-featuring band as one of his favourites: ‘A little bit of magic’

The legendary drummer and chart-topping singer Phil Collins has selected a song by The Traveling Wilburys as one of his ten favourites. The Bob Dylan-featuring band, which was also comprised of Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, and Jeff Lynne, would release two albums in their time together. The Traveling Wilburys appears to be a favourite of Collins, with the Genesis member sharing his love for one song in particular.

While the five-piece would never tour together their impact is clear. Collins would name Handle With Care one of his favourite songs alongside The Beatles‘ I Wanna Hold Your Hand and Taylor Swift‘s White Horse when speaking with the BBC. His sit-down with presenter Veron Kay also revealed what made the song so special.

He said: “Yeah, great band [The Traveling Wilburys]. I remember I didn’t really know much about the Wilburys until I heard and saw that track on some MTV, some music television thing and the way everybody takes their little cameos, all the vocals, I just think it’s a little bit of magic.”

Phil Collins’ 10 favourite songs

• The Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand
• Martha and the Vandellas – Dancing In The Street
• Dusty Springfield – Some Of Your Lovin’
• Stevie Wonder – Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
• The Beach Boys – God Only Knows
• The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again
• Phil Collins – Tomorrow Never Knows
• Traveling Wilburys – Handle With Care
• Bruce Hornsby – Barren Ground
• Taylor Swift – White Horse

Despite releasing two albums, one without Orbison who died in 1988, The Traveling Wilburys could have been “better” according to fans of the individual artists. A post to the Bob Dylan subreddit saw users suggest the band were well off the mark when it came to memorable songs. One user wrote: “I love every member of the Wilburys (Bob, George and Jeff most). But, is it a hot take to think we could have maybe gotten better music from them as a unit?

“I don’t know any of the history or backstory so I’m probably talking out of my ass just based on going through their songs. I obviously love End of the Line.” Fans did not disagree with the suggestions made by the original user, but did say the point of the group was fun and humour, rather than a desire for perfection.

One fan wrote: “The Wilburys worked because all the material was delivered with a sense of humour. It’s best listened to with the same spirit. It was no one’s best work but with that level of talent and egos, they did something near impossible!”

Another added: “Very good point. It’s a bunch of legends willing to laugh at themselves.” A third wrote: “They also weren’t trying to make anything mind-blowing. They just wanted to get together and put together a quick, solid, cool album while hanging out with each other. Mission accomplished.”