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My bias comes through in this opinion as well: the choice to have Phil Collins sing his songs on the soundtrack and in the movie was a VERY GOOD one. No one sings a Phil Collins song like Phil Collins can. And not only has he given us a collection of songs on par with the soundtrack to the Lion King, he has produced what I believe to be some of his best work ever.

If you forgive my long-windedness, I will comment on each of the tracks:

1. Two Worlds - Phil Collins' signature drum style opens the film. Most of the tracks on the soundtrack are a delicious blend of Phils lyrical and percussive style and Mark Mancina's orchestration. The "Two Worlds" theme is really the main theme of the film.
2. You'll be in My Heart - the film version, a short but touching rendition of the song sung by Glen Close and Phil, accompanied by soft whispers, deep bass backing vocals and ethnic woodwinds. If the "Two Worlds" theme is where the soul of the film is, "You'll be In My Heart" is where the heart of the film is
3. Son of Man - Ahhhhh Phil at some of his finest. This version is one of the songs on the film entirely orchestrated by Phil. The pulsing rhythms we've come to expect from him along with Phil's simple-yet-touching lyrics ("oh the power to be strong, and the wisdom to be wise, all these things will come to you in time..." Everything about this song is perfect
4. Trashin the Camp - the film version of the song, includes Rosie O'Donnell on the vocals... yes that is Phil on the percussion on this one too... though the percussion here consists of trash cans, pots, dishes and the like
5. Strangers Like Me - in my opinion, this song is the true jewel of the film. Phil can utilize a rhythm to its fullness with so little volume. This song keeps itself wrapped up in a beautifully simple "pulse on the downbeat, pulse on the offbeat" pattern for the whole song and builds itself on simple accompaniment and the beauty of the lyrics, ("Every gesture, every move that she makes, makes me feel like never before... Why do I have this growing need to be beside her?...")
6. Two Worlds Reprise - this reprise is separated by five tracks from the first movement of "Two Worlds" on the soundtrack, but only by minutes in the film.
7. Trashin the Camp (Phil with N'SYNC) Okay... I don't like N'SYNC, never really have... but even I have to admit they sound darn good on this track with Phil as their "sixth" member
8. You'll be in My Heart (Phil Version) Phil wrote this song for his daughters... the emotion fits not only where he comes from but where Tarzan's mother comes from... this song won the Oscar for Best Original Song
9. Two Worlds (Phil Version) - Phil takes off and has fun with his "Two Worlds" theme... it may be the least impressive of the tracks musically, but it is fun to listen to the audio effects Phil likes to add
10 - 13 The "Score" tracks - Mark Mancina gets a place to shine... His strengths as a composer here are in the slower, more emotionally sensitive tracks ("One Family" is my favorite, a tear-jerker with the emotion packed into it), and when he echos the themes introduced by Phil, the soundtrack comes full circle.
14. Two Worlds Finale - we come back to the main theme of the film, ending the film where it began ("Two Worlds, One Family")

(One more note: The "Strangers Like Me" music video appears on the VHS and DVD editions of Tarzan and also appears on the latest Disney compilation, "Disney's Superstar Hits".. this is the "Phil Version" of this song also)

Phil Collins fans, this is some of his best work... grab it. Disney fans, this is the best soundtrack to come out since "The Lion King"... grab it.

Need I say more? (I think I've talked long enough actually!)


Captures Just The Right Tribal Atmosphere!   December 26, 1999
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

You know it's hard to believe that Phil Collins, as more of a pop musician, could handle the percussions so professionally in this soundtrack! I mean it's odd, but I simply LOVE the way he deals with drums and other tribal woodwind instruments to deliver the perfect mix of ambience and modern-day jungle tunes! I wouldn't rate it so much as somewhat a new-age album - after all, it does somehow bring together pop catchiness and forest moods. But even so, even if you've never watched the movie, listen to the music on this CD. In fact, the jumpy tunes and captivating lyrics already tell a story of their own! So go swing along with Tarzan on this powerful musical adventure! AW-YEE-AW-YEE-AW!


Phil & The Ape Man   July 2, 2004
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

1999's "Tarzan" movie soundrack isn't really a "proper" Phil Collins album, per se, but Phil does contribute some wonderful tunes to the soundtrack, as well as some killer tribal rhythms & beats that perfectly fit this animated Disney hit about the legendary ape man. Of course there's the gorgeous "You'll Be In My Heart," for which Phil won his well-deserved Oscar for Best Song, but also the equally-powerful "Two Worlds," the fun "Trashin' The Camp," and the skillful pop of "Son Of Man" and "Strangers Like Me." There's also incredible orchestral music that makes up the album's second-half, written by Mark Mancina, which Phil contributes drums to.Okay, so I could've done without NSync's guest duet with Phil on the second version of "Trashin' The Camp," but otherwise, this is a marvelous soundtrack album, with some classic Phil Collins music. The "Tarzan" movie soundtrack is a very swingin' disc in my book.