Mike & The Mechanics debuted with their stellar eponymous album in 1985 which highlighted Rutherford's innovative guitar work and the vocal talents of the two Pauls, amongst other guest vocalists. Initially, the group's albums were released between Genesis albums, all three Genesis members having solo projects of their own, most notable in the huge chart success of singer/drummer Phil Collins. This ended with the disbanding of Genesis in 1998.
The classic song "The Living Years" from the album of the same name was to be the height of their critical success to date; the #1 single was written by and about the dissension between singer BA Robertson and his father, a situation that was never rectified prior to his father's death, sung with great passion by Carrack. The album also featured the song "Nobody's Perfect" which received considerable airtime as the music to a successful television advertising campaign for Tennants bitter. Their third album "Word of Mouth" followed in 1991 with less commercial and critical success although the lead single, with vocals by Paul Young, reached the Top 20. The fourth album "Beggar On a Beach of Gold" was a high watermark in the quality of their material, with both the album and first single "Over My Shoulder" charting well with many considering the album the band's best work.
After a hiatus following Young's death from a heart attack on July 17, 2000, the band reformed in 2004 as Mike & the Mechanics featuring Paul Carrack releasing the album "Rewired".
A new Mike & the Mechanics album (titled "The Road") was released in the spring of 2011, supported by a 22-date UK tour. Replacing Carrack and Young as vocalists for the group are Andrew Roachford and Canadian actor/singer Tim Hower.
Another Cup of Coffee
Mike & The Mechanics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As she contemplates the stain across the wall
and it's in between the cleaning and the washing
That's when looking back's
The hardest part of all
And she always did her best to try and please him
While he always did his best to make her cry
But he always knew one day he'd say goodbye
Where are your friends
Where are your children
Is this your house
Is this your home
Does nothing ever last forever
Does everybody sleep alone
And he tears the business tags from his old suitcase
As he packs away the pieces of his life
They all love him but they always try to change him
That's what happens when a girl becomes a wife
And she pours herself another cup of coffee
As the pictures leave a clean space on the wall
and it's in between the leaving and the loving
That's when looking back's
The hardest part of all
Where are your friends
Where are your children
Is this your house
Is this your home
Does nothing ever last forever
Does everybody sleep alone
Don't look back
Don't give up
Pour yourself another cup
Mike & The Mechanics's song Another Cup of Coffee can be interpreted in many ways, but the most prominent interpretation is that of a woman who is left alone to deal with the aftermath of a dysfunctional relationship. The woman has poured herself a cup of coffee and is contemplating a stain on the wall, representing the flaws and scars in her relationship. The line "That's when looking back's the hardest part of all" highlights her struggle to move on from her past and come to terms with the reality of her situation.
The second verse shifts focus to the man involved in the relationship, who tears the business tags from his suitcase and packs away the pieces of his life. The line "They all love him but they always try to change him, That's what happens when a girl becomes a wife" suggests that the man could not conform to societal expectations of how a husband "should" be and that ultimately led to the breakdown of the relationship.
The recurring chorus questions the permanence of relationships, family, and homes, and whether anyone truly sleeps alone. The lyrics encourage the singer to not look back but, at the same time, requests them to pour themselves another cup, highlighting the struggle to fight against the pain and emotions that come with heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
And she pours herself another cup of coffee
She prepares another cup of coffee
As she contemplates the stain across the wall
She stares at the stain on the wall and ponders its significance
and it's in between the cleaning and the washing
The stain appears during the process of cleaning and washing
That's when looking back's
At that moment, reflecting on the past is
The hardest part of all
The most difficult thing to do
And she always did her best to try and please him
She exerted effort to make him happy
While he always did his best to make her cry
He made an effort to cause her emotional pain
And she got down on her knees to stop him leaving
She begged him to stay by kneeling down
But he always knew one day he'd say goodbye
He always knew he would leave her eventually
Where are your friends
What happened to your friends
Where are your children
What happened to your children
Is this your house
Do you still consider this your home
Is this your home
Do you still feel like you belong here
Does nothing ever last forever
Do all good things come to an end
Does everybody sleep alone
Is everyone destined to be alone
And he tears the business tags from his old suitcase
He removes the business tags from his old suitcase
As he packs away the pieces of his life
He puts away the items that have been a part of his life
They all love him but they always try to change him
People care for him, but they always attempt to alter him
That's what happens when a girl becomes a wife
It's an experience that women go through when they become a wife
As the pictures leave a clean space on the wall
As the photographs leave blank spots on the wall
and it's in between the leaving and the loving
During the period of separation and affection
That's when looking back's
At that point, reflecting on the past is
The hardest part of all
The most difficult part
Don't look back
Don't focus on the past
Don't give up
Don't lose hope
Pour yourself another cup
Make another cup of coffee and keep going
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Mike Rutherford, Christopher Neil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonydonestevezroque7785
And she pours herself another cup of coffee
As she contemplates the stain across the wall
and it's in between the cleaning and the washing
That's when looking back's
The hardest part of all
And she always did her best to try and please him
While he always did his best to make her cry
And she got down on her knees to stop him leaving
But he always knew one day he'd say goodbye
Where are your friends
Where are your children
Is this your house
Is this your home
Does nothing ever last forever
Does everybody sleep alone
And he tears the business tags from his old suitcase
As he packs away the pieces of his life
They all love him but they always try to change him
That's what happens when a girl becomes a wife
And she pours herself another cup of coffee
As the pictures leave a clean space on the wall
and it's in between the leaving and the loving
That's when looking back's
The hardest part of all
Where are your friends
Where are your children
Is this your house
Is this your home
Does nothing ever last forever
Does everybody sleep alone
Don't look back
Don't give up
Pour yourself another cup
@mxhdroom153
Paul Carrack has to be one of the most underrated vocalists and instrumentalists of all time. His talents are well recognized by those in the music industry, but I wonder how much of the general public who have heard his voice know exactly who they're listening to? Just superb.
@noelstevens2619
I've never underestimated him since I first heard him in the Ace days. Voice as fresh as ever. I'm a musician by the way.
@denisde849
Jesus Christ already has told us. I repeat him: the world hates the good, it rather follows the evil and useless kind. I believe in his words. The son of God was mocked and killed on the cross, believe it.
@marceloalbinati
El Hombre con La Voz de Oro.
@evsv1004
Love there new vocalist too 😍
@Kimboagogo1
I totally concur!!!!!
@emmanuelgordon2641
Masterpiece...grew up on it...and 30 years on still gives me goosebumps
@romalucca9717
Me too
@nikkisalas854
Quite agree!
@ivakazalova3808
The song was released in 1995