Mike + The Mechanics - The Living Years (Official HD Music Video)

Now in HD! Official video for "The Living Years" by Mike + Mechanics.

Released in 1989, this single reached number 1 in Australia, Canada, Ireland and the US, while it was number 2 in the UK, where it went Silver.

The song has been covered many times including interpretations by Alabama, Chris De Burgh, West End theatre star Michael Ball, Marcia Hines, Engelbert Humperdinck, James Last, The London Symphony Orchestra, Christian artist Russ Lee, Rhydian, John Tesh, Russell Watson, the London Community Gospel Choir, the Newsboys, The Isaacs, The Katinas, Japanese singer Kaho Shimada, Italian band Dik Dik and Michael English.

In 1996 the legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach declared "The Living Years' is one of the finest lyrics of the last 10 years." It was nominated for 4 Grammy awards in 1990 and won the prestigious Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically & Lyrically in 1989.

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 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

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

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

#MikeAndTheMechanics #TheLivingYears #USNumber1

[AwesomeDaysAhead]

Crying. I miss you Dad. You adopted me but YOU were my dad. I’m sorry for our struggles. Jesus has you. I’ll see you soon in Heaven. Thank you Mike for writing this song and helping me grieve. 🛡

[dgpsf]

My Dad was taken from me 10 years ago this year. I never could see eye to eye with him then, but now that I have a son, I have so much more compassion for my Dad looking back, and could not be more grateful for how hard he worked to take care of me the best he could, and to help me grow up to be a good man.

I promise I’ll do my best for your grandson, Dad.

[marcashley]

I called my father one night. I was so stoned. I was crying having listened to this song. I thanked him for everything he had done for me, sobbing like a fool. I asked him what he was doing, I was on speaker phone with my uncles. Haha. I was so humiliated for so long.
Then he passed away two years later. I was so happy I said what I needed to.
Thank God.

[dartcharger]

I woke up Monday 21th of September 1970. I was 7 and my dad was 36. We had breakfast together and taked about his work for the day. I told him I was taking off to school at 7.45. He gave me a big hug as he always did. He took off and that was the last time I saw him. At 8.30 they found him dead in a truck caused by a heart attack. My biggest loss ever in my life. God, what I have missed him over the years.

[rebeccarivera-fgrk]

It was 1988, I was in theJr high school choir when we learned this song. My father was dying from melanoma skin cancer. He was being cared for by Oregon science and health in Portland Oregon. He was at this last concert and I sang this song with every ounce of strength I had. My tears and his flowed freely that night

[BAR-ctti]

Undoubtedly without question, one of the greatest written songs of all time.

[Stevie]

This song will always send shivers down your spine. For anyone reading this if you still have the chance no matter how old you are, never be afraid to tell your dad you love him. Don’t wait till it’s too late. Trust me. Hopefully my dad is watching me write this. Thank you for everything you taught me. Love you.

[LoriZduriencik]

My father passed while this song was becoming number 1 in the US. It describes our relationship perfectly. I really did love you, dad. I only wish I could have told you in your living years.

[lcjr]

Hands down one of the best songs ever written. True masterpiece.

[garyfeenan]

I have terminal cancer less than 4 months to live. Went from a 220 pound ripped bodybuilder who ran half marathons to a 98 pound skeleton. Thought I would live to a good age I am only 42. Everybody live your life to the fullest.

[katiesieboldt]

I cannot listen to this song without bawling my eyes out. I lost my dad when I was 13. He was only 39. Now, I’m almost 37 with three kids of my own. He’s been gone for so long, but I still miss him everyday. If you still have your dad in your life- call him up, go visit him, and tell him you love him. I wish I could.

[godfreymotsumi]

Wonderous masterpiece.

We don't look for old songs, we look for the memories they carry. 2024 🇿🇦🔥🔥🔥.

[miketurner]

I remember thinking as a teenager, one day this song will hurt - I wasn’t wrong.
God I miss my Dad.

[dakotahstr]

I heard this song right after my Dad died. I'm still tear up everytime I hear this. I have no regrets. I was his little girl. Love you dad in Heaven.

[jonnyfrmtheblck]

My Dad loved this song. I dedicate this to you Dad.

[Aaron]

Twenty years ago or so, I said sorry to my Mum for things I'd said to her that were hurtful, and she said that this is just what happens in life - in effect she was saying she forgave me, it was just water under the bridge. Not long after she went downhill with alzheimer's and my Dad cared for her for 15 years until she died. I am so glad I had that conversation.

[buckaroobaizuo]

I was with my father when he died .. I stared into his eyes as the lights went out .. Fortunately, I get to see him reflected in my mirror everyday .. Masterpiece

[nomalangaselenje]

I am the woman I am today because of my father. He'd say to me you're the daughter I prayed for. I'm an extrovert and he was my total opposite. His smile was always a sign of approval whenever I'd say a speech in public. To this day I'm still rooted in his teachings. 7 years later, he's still very much alive in my heart. I'll forever be daddy's little girl.❤

[rosehoward]

My dad was diagnosed with cancer in 2002. I went to visit him every single day for the rest of his life. One year of "I love you's"! And it still wasn't enough. He took a piece of my heart with him. We will meet again. This song says it all.❤ Tell your loved ones you love them! You can never say it too much.🤟

[robbiepoulin]

Yes, I lost my dad when I was 14 in 1978, but reading all of your comments here is making me realize just how similar our lives are. I'm sorry for your loss brothers and sisters. We are all in this together.