If you listened to the radio in the ‘80s, you probably remember emotional duets like “Endless Love” and “Almost Paradise.” One of the most moving was “Separate Lives” by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin.
The song was written by Stephen Bishop after a breakup with actress Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark). When Allen called to see how he was doing, it inspired the lyric: “You have no right to ask me how I feel.” Bishop later shared the song with the director of White Nights, who chose Collins to sing it.
At first, Collins recorded it solo, but it was later turned into a duet. Instead of picking a famous singer, the producers gave the opportunity to Marilyn Martin, a young backup vocalist. Her emotional performance matched Collins’ perfectly.
“Separate Lives” is about the pain of staying connected to someone you’ve lost and trying to move on. It ends with a bittersweet truth: even if they cross paths again, for now, they must live separate lives.
It became one of the most touching duets of the decade—raw, honest, and unforgettable.
