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.
Looking Back Over My Shoulder
Mike & The Mechanics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see that look in your eye
I never dreamed it could be over
I never wanted to say goodbye
Looking back over my shoulder
With an aching deep in my heart
I wish we were starting over
Everybody told me you were leaving
Funny I should be the last to know
Baby, please tell me that I'm dreaming
I just never want to let you go
Looking back over my shoulder
I can see that look in your eye
Turning my heart over and over
I never wanted to say goodbye
I don't mind everybody laughing
But it's enough to make a grown man cry
'Cause I can feel you slipping through my fingers
I don't even know the reason why
Looking back over my shoulder
I can see that look in your eye
Turning my heart over and over
I never wanted to say goodbye
Everyday, it's a losing battle
Just to smile and hold my head up high
Could it be that we belong together
Baby, won't you give me one more try, one more try?
Looking back over my shoulder
I can see that look in your eye
I never dreamed it could be over
But I never wanted to say goodbye
Looking back over my shoulder
Oh, with an aching feeling inside
Cutting me up, oh, deeper and deeper
Fills me with a sadness that I can't hide
Looking back, looking back over my shoulder
"Looking Back Over My Shoulder" by Mike & The Mechanics is a song about regret and longing for a past love. The singer looks back over their shoulder and sees the look in their ex-lover's eye and wishes they could start over. They never wanted to say goodbye, but they can feel their former partner slipping away from them. The singer is also the last to know that their partner is leaving them, adding to their pain and confusion. They are struggling to hold their head up and smile despite the sadness they feel.
The song highlights the often difficult and painful process of moving on from a past love. The lyrics express a sense of heartache and loss, as well as a desire to go back in time and change the past. The nostalgic tone of the song is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "looking back over my shoulder."
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, looking back over my shoulder
Reflecting on past events with nostalgia and remorse
I can see that look in your eye
Recalling the expression of sadness and disappointment in the loved one’s face
I never dreamed it could be over
Never thought that a relationship could end so abruptly
I never wanted to say goodbye
Never intended to part ways with the loved one
With an aching deep in my heart
Suffering from intense emotional pain and sadness
I wish we were starting over
Longing for a fresh start in the relationship
Oh, instead of drifting so far apart
Expressing regret over growing distant from each other
Everybody told me you were leaving
Realizing that everyone knew about the breakup except the artist
Funny I should be the last to know
Feeling foolish for not being aware of the situation
Baby, please tell me that I'm dreaming
Desperately hoping that the breakup is just a horrible nightmare
Turning my heart over and over
Feeling heartbroken and full of sorrow
I don't mind everybody laughing
Indicating the artist's acceptance of public ridicule
But it's enough to make a grown man cry
Battling intense sadness and despair
I can feel you slipping through my fingers
Sensing the loved one slipping away despite the singer's attempts to hold on
I don't even know the reason why
Confused and unaware of the reasons for the separation
Everyday, it's a losing battle
Struggling to cope with the grief and emotional pain of losing the loved one
Just to smile and hold my head up high
Pretending to be strong and denying the hurt
Could it be that we belong together
Questioning the possibility of reconciliation and rekindling of the relationship
Baby, won't you give me one more try, one more try?
Appealing to the loved one to reconsider and give their relationship another chance
Cutting me up, oh, deeper and deeper
Experiencing an increasing disconnect with the loved one which is tearing him apart emotionally
Fills me with a sadness that I can't hide
Feeling overwhelmed by sadness that cannot be concealed
Looking back, looking back over my shoulder
Continuing to reflect on past events with deep sorrow
Contributed by Liam G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@albertovasquez1385
Looking back over my shoulder
I can see that look in your eye
I never dreamed it could be over
I never wanted to say goodbye
Looking back over my shoulder
With an aching deep in my heart
I wish that we were starting over
Oh instead of drifting so far apart
Everybody told me you were leaving
Funny I should be the last to know
Baby please tell me that I'm dreaming
I just never want to let you go
Looking back over my shoulder
I can see that look in your eye
Turning my heart over and over
I never wanted to say goodbye
I don't mind everybody laughing
But it's enough to make a grown man cry
Cos I can feel you slipping through my fingers
I don't even know the reason why
Every day it's a losing battle
Just to smile and hold my head up high
Could it be that we belong together
Baby won't you give me one more try
One more try
Looking back over my shoulder
I can see that look in your eye
I never dreamed it could be over
I never wanted to say goodbye
Looking back over my shoulder
Oh with an aching feeling inside
Cutting me up, deeper and deeper
Fills me with a sadness that I can't hide
Looking back over my shoulder
I can see that look in your eye
I never dreamed no no it could be over
I never wanted to say goodbye
Looking back over my shoulder
I can see that look in your eye
@GrafindeKlevemark
I'm 72 and this is still one of my favourite songs - good to know I'm still "high quality vintage" - ha, ha, ha
@fabianheinrich2812
yes mylady u are =))
@davidochieng3197
Lots of love ❤️
@stuckintha90s
❤❤❤
@torfrida6663
And another retired rock chick here still loving the music. Love from remote parts of Lincolnshire.
@GrafindeKlevemark
@@stuckintha90s - never "stuck" anywhere where music is concerned.50's to today, I'm a taker !
@kimberleybrodie8383
I'm here in 2024 .. Will always be one of my favourites ❤
@brandonmoore7497
I’m listening to Mike&The Mechanics Over My Shoulder mid February 2024
2:10
@ratarams
Una Power Ballad🎧🎧🎧
@paularob2829
Yes❤