“The Living Years” (1988) by Mike + The Mechanics

MIKE + THE MECHANICS

The Living Years

written by B.A. Robertson and Mike Rutherford

produced by Christopher Neil and Mike Rutherford

Mike Rutherford took a break from Genesis in 1985, but still

worked with Phil and the lads on their album Invisible Touch the

following year—a fortunate move for Mike, an incredibly huge

success as the album became. But in the meantime, he formed

Mike + The Mechanics. Mike had dabbled in some solo album work, which didn’t perform as well as he’d have liked, and he decided his best work was done in collaboration with friends and partners. So still in contract with (Genesis label) Atlantic Records, Mike got together The Mechanics and put out their self-titled debut in fall ’85.

Originally, the Mechanics lineup included Squeeze’s Paul Carrack on vocals (plus several instruments), Peter Van Hooke on percussion, Adrian Lee on keyboard and Paul Young on backing vocals, guitar and bass—although not the Paul Young I was thinking of at first. This isn’t the same Paul Young who had such hits with his covers of “Every Time You Go Away,” “Oh Girl” and so forth—though both happen to hail from England, and right around this time, both were enjoying pop success. Shortly after the first album was released, four singles followed. The first two, “Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)” and “All I Need Is A Miracle” were giant hits, especially in America.

Once the Mechanics were laid to temporary rest, as mentioned, Mike reunited with Genesis for the Invisible Touch album and tour. As Genesis had earned themselves some time off, Mike started penning more material for the next Mechanics record, which the band recorded during the spring and summer of ’88. Finally, in October of the same year, Living Years hit the record shops. Just like with the debut album, four singles were squeezed out. Single two, the title track, dropped just in time for New Year’s 1989, and eventually climbed the whole way to #1 in the US, Canada, Australia and Ireland.

This song’s always been greatly significant to me. Not only is it a beautiful—almost tear-jerkingly—moving ballad, exquisitely written and executed, I believe it has the power to strengthen the relationships of listeners with their fathers (something I think is important to maintain when possible). The lyrics tell the story of a protagonist who struggles with unresolved issues with his father, who is no longer alive. In fact, I’ve chosen to make this entry today because as of building it, it’s June 20th, 2021, which this year is June’s third Sunday—a.k.a. Father’s Day, in America. The last several days—and today—I’ve been making pages for various artists’/singers’ birthdays. Similarly, this one is a holiday tribute. While the final call is yours—no pun intended—consider yourselves encouraged to give your Dads a call and tell them you love them. If this song doesn’t make you want to do it, nothing will.

Have notes to add? Let me know!

YT:

full version

music video

M+tM’s official website

1988

Lyrics

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 defense / (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) whoa, when we die / To admit we don’t see eye to eye / 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 / So say it, say it, say it loud, (say it loud, say it clear) whoa, say it clear / You can listen as well as you hear / Because it’s too late, it’s too late, (it’s too late, when we die) whoa, when we die / To admit we don’t see eye to eye / 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 newborn tears / I just wish I could have told him in the living years / So say it, say it, say it loud, (say it loud, say it clear) come on, say it clear / You can listen as well as you hear / (It’s too late) It’s too late, (when we die) it’s too late when we die / To admit we don’t see eye to eye / Hey, so say it, say it loud, (say it loud) say it loud, (say it clear) come on, say it clear / (Say it loud) Don’t give up, don’t give in, (say it clear) And don’t look back till it’s too late / Come on, say it, say it loud (say it loud, say it clear)

first release: Living Years (1988/10/28)

THE LIVING YEARS {Single}—Mike + The Mechanics.jpg

audio treated sample

This page was originally made on June 20th, 2021 and last edited on July 27th, 2021