Can you hear me calling you?
Stay if you wanna stay"
I didn't care if you hung around me
I didn't care if you went away
And I know you were never right
I'll admit I was never wrong
I could never make up my mind
I made it up as I went along
And though I treated you like a child
I'm gonna miss you for the rest of my life
Mike + The Mechanics is the self-titled debut album of pop rock supergroup of the same name. It was released through Atlantic Records on 5 October 1985.
When he sought to begin his second foray into a solo career, Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford connected with producer Christopher Neil, and played several samples of demos that were in varying stages of completion. Neil helped him turn the segments he felt were worth developing into full songs.
The only song that was not co-developed in this manner was "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)", which was co-written with Scottish singer BA Robertson. Another song, "A Call to Arms", while based on a song that was left unused by Genesis, was largely developed by Rutherford, Robertson, and Neil—though Genesis bandmates Phil Collins and Tony Banks would also get writing credit.
The album was effective in giving Rutherford his own voice in music, even if he wasn't the one doing the lead vocals. Retrospectively, Allmusic would conclude that while the next album, Living Years, was more successful commercially, this work featured a more complete sound, and they lauded all members of the band for their strong musical performances. It would ultimately go Gold in the United States.
The album was supported by four singles: "Silent Running", "All I Need Is a Miracle", "Taken In", and "Hanging by a Thread". The first three would all hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, with the first two going Top 10 (respectively, they were #6, #5, and #32). Only "Silent Running" would be a Top 40 hit in the United Kingdom (#21).
In addition, "Par Avion" would be used in an episode of Miami Vice, along with the 1987 John Ritter film The Last Fling.
Tracklist
Side One- "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" (6:10)
- "All I Need Is a Miracle" (4:10)
- "Par Avion" (3:36)
- "Hanging By a Thread" (4:40)
Side Two
- "I Get the Feeling" (4:27)
- "Take the Reins" (4:18)
- "You Are the One" (3:41)
- "A Call to Arms" (4:38)
- "Taken In" (4:17)
Personnel
- Mike Rutherford – guitar, bass
- Paul Carrack – vocals (lead: 1, 5, 8)
- Paul Young – vocals (lead: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9)
- Adrian Lee – keyboards
- Peter Van Hooke – drums
- John Kirby – vocals (lead: 3, 7)
"Caught up in the tropes, left out in the end"
- Anaphora: "All I Need is a Miracle": Changing only the words after "you":I didn't care if you hung around me
I didn't care if you went away - Child Soldier: In "Silent Running":Teach the children quietly,
For someday sons and daughters
Will rise up and fight while we sit still - Crapsack World: The world suggested in "Silent Running" is one where people are fighting just to survive.
- Epic Rocking: "Silent Running" clocks in at 6 minutes 10 seconds.
- Face on the Cover: Mike Rutherford's face appears multiple times on the right side of the front cover while a stylized screaming face image covers the center.
- Fading into the Next Song: "All I Need Is A Miracle" —> "Par Avion"
- Karmic Jackpot: In the video for "All I Need is a Miracle", the fortunes of the band manager turn when he befriends a stray dog.
- Let's Duet: Carrack and Young split lead vocals on "A Call to Arms"
- Ominous Message from the Future: The song "Silent Running" is an admonition of resistance. The music video shows it as a warning from the future of an extraterrestrial threat.
- Record Producer: Christopher Neil
- Self-Titled Album: The first of two albums to carry the band's name as its title.
- Sixth Ranger: Although not a de jure part of the group, John Kirby sang the lead vocals for "Par Avion" and "You Are the One"
- Special Guest: Roy Kinnear (the man who played Mr. Salt in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory) stars as the band's manager in the videos for "All I Need Is A Miracle" and "Taken In".
