Mike + The Mechanics

Mike + The Mechanics' album Living Years was released on October 28, 1988, and reached number 13 on the US Billboard 200 and number 2 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was recorded between April 18 and August 18, 1988, and features the hit single "The Living Years," which was released in December 1988 as the second single from the album. The song, written by Mike Rutherford and BA Robertson, became a worldwide chart success, topping the US Billboard Hot 100 on March 25, 1989, and reaching number one in Australia, Canada, and Ireland, while peaking at number two in the UK. It also spent four weeks at number one on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The Living Years addresses a son's regret over unresolved conflict with his now-deceased father, inspired by the shared experience of Rutherford and Robertson, both of whom had lost their fathers around the same time. The song won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 1989 and was nominated for four Grammy Awards in 1990, including Record and Song of the Year. Paul Carrack provided the lead vocals on the track, a performance that remains a staple of his live shows due to the personal significance of the lyrics, as his father had died in an industrial accident when he was eleven. Lyrics: [Verse 1] Every generation Blames the one before And all of their frustrations Come beating on your door I know that I'm a prisoner to all my father held so dear I know that I'm a hostage, to all his hopes and fears I just wish I could have told him in the living years Crumpled bits of paper Filled with imperfect thought Stilted conversations I'm afraid that's all we've got You say you just don't see it He says it's perfect sense You just can't get agreement In this present tense We all talk a different language Talking in defence [Chorus] Say it loud (say it loud) Say it clear (say it clear) You can listen as well as you hear It's too late (It's too late) When we die (oh, when we die) To admit we don't see eye to eye [Verse 2] So we open up a quarrel Between the present and the past We only sacrifice the future It's the bitterness that lasts So don't yield to the fortunes You sometimes see as fate It may have a new perspective On a different day And if you don't give up, and don't give in You may just be okay [Chorus] Say it loud (say it loud) Say it clear (say it clear) You can listen as well as you hear It's too late (It's too late) When we die (oh, when we die) To admit we don't see eye to eye [Verse 3] I wasn't there that morning When my father passed away I didn't get to tell him All the things I had to say I think I caught his spirit Later that same year I'm sure I heard his echo In my baby's new born tears I just wish I could have told him In the living years [Chorus] Say it loud (say it loud) Say it clear (say it clear) You can listen as well as you hear It's too late (It's too late) When we die (oh, when we die) To admit we don't see eye to eye

Mike and the Mechanics (stylised as Mike + The Mechanics) are an English rock supergroup formed in Dover in 1985 by Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford, initially as a side project during a hiatus period for his other group. They are known for the hit singles "Silent Running", "All I Need Is a Miracle", "Taken In", "The Living Years", "Word of Mouth", and "Over My Shoulder". Initially, the band included Rutherford (the only constant member), vocalists Paul Carrack and Paul Young, keyboardist Adrian Lee, and drummer Peter Van Hooke. After a decade together, Lee and Van Hooke dropped out in 1995 and were not replaced. Following Young's death in 2000, Carrack became the band's sole lead vocalist until 2004 when the band (essentially a duo at this point) dissolved, with Rutherford and Carrack both agreeing the band had "run its course". In 2010, the band was revived with Rutherford headlining a completely new set of musicians, including vocalists Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar. https://mikeandthemechanics.com/ Playlist: All I Need Is A Miracle 00:00 Par Avion 04:12 Silent Running 07:49

"Silent Running" Take the children and yourself And hide out in the cellar By now the fighting will be close at hand Don't believe the church and state And everything they tell you Believe in me, I'm with the high command Can you hear me, can you hear me running? Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you? Can you hear me, can you hear me running? Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you? There's a gun and ammunition Just inside the doorway Use it only in emergency Better you should pray to God The Father and the Spirit Will guide you and protect from up here Can you hear me, can you hear me running? Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you? Can you hear me, can you hear me running? Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you? Swear allegiance to the flag Whatever flag they offer Never hint at what you really feel Teach the children quietly For some day sons and daughters Will rise up and fight while we stood still Can you hear me, can you hear me running? Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you? Can you hear me, can you hear me running? Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you? Can you hear me running (can you hear me calling you?) (Can you hear me) hear me calling you? (Can you hear me running) hear me running babe? (Can you hear me running) hear me running? Calling you, calling you