Open Up
Mike & The Mechanics Lyrics


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Don't ask me why should it always be
So hard to let my feelings show
I've thought it over a thousand times
Why you didn't leave, I'll never know

Now I assume you can read my mind
I don't understand why you're confused
I know you're making a big misstake
If you really believe you're being used

I've never really let you know just
what you mean to me
But how I wish you'd let me try again

If I could see you now
I'd open up my heart
And tell you everything
I should have all along
If I could see you now

Sometimes I feel I could lose my mind
If you don't believe me when I say
I'll do my best to do right this time
I'm trying to change everyday
I've never really let you know just
what you mean to me
But how I wish you'd let me try again

If I could see you now
I'd open up my heart
And tell you everything
I should have all along
If I could see you now

I'd tell you everything that's in my heart
I only wish that I could see you now
I'd open up my heart
Tell you everything
I should have all along
If I could see you now




I'd open up my heart
If I could see you now

Overall Meaning

In this song, "Open Up," the singer is expressing regret for not being more forthcoming with his emotions towards a person who means a lot to him. He acknowledges that it's always been difficult for him to show his feelings, but now he wishes he had been more expressive because he realizes that he could be losing this person. He admits that he's never really let them know just what they mean to him, but he's trying to change and do better.


The singer is frustrated that the other person doesn't understand his feelings and is making a mistake by thinking they're being used. He wishes he could see them now so he could open up his heart and tell them everything he should have said all along. The song is an appeal to this person to give him another chance, to allow him to express his feelings openly, and to make things right.


The theme of the song is one that many people can relate to, the fear of vulnerability and the regret that comes with not expressing our feelings to those we care about. The lyrics are a reminder that it's important to be honest about our emotions because we never know when we might lose the chance to say what we feel.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't ask me why should it always be
I'm struggling to understand why expressing myself to you is so difficult


So hard to let my feelings show
I find it challenging to reveal my emotions to you


I've thought it over a thousand times
I've considered this situation thoroughly, repeatedly


Why you didn't leave, I'll never know
I'm grateful that you never left, but I don't know why you stayed


Now I assume you can read my mind
I'm hoping you have an idea of what I'm feeling without me having to say it directly


I don't understand why you're confused
I'm confused as to why you're unsure of what I'm trying to say


I know you're making a big misstake
I believe that you're making a grave error in judgment


If you really believe you're being used
If you truly think that I'm taking advantage of you


I've never really let you know just what you mean to me
I haven't conveyed to you the depth of my feelings towards you


But how I wish you'd let me try again
I hope you give me another chance to express myself better


If I could see you now
If only I could be in your presence currently


I'd open up my heart
I would reveal my innermost feelings to you


And tell you everything
I'd convey all the words that I've been holding back


I should have all along
I needed to express these feelings earlier


Sometimes I feel I could lose my mind
I feel like I might go insane at times


If you don't believe me when I say
If you have doubts about my words


I'll do my best to do right this time
I will make every effort to make things better going forward


I'm trying to change everyday
I'm making an active attempt to improve myself constantly


I'd tell you everything that's in my heart
I'd reveal all the feelings that I have in my heart right now


I only wish that I could see you now
I desire greatly to be in your presence at this moment




Contributed by Eliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ciscokmemories9277

The SMOKE ON THE WATER IS FOG
YOUR SMOKE IS HAIR OF THE ODD
DOG'S REVERSE



IS GOD HIS FACILITIES DOMINION
HIS TOOL OF CHOICE THE INVISIBLE TOUCHDOWN HIGH WINDS AND THE BIG BAD 🐺 👈😎☝OF
MOTHER NATURE'S FURY



All comments from YouTube:

@panfyre

The entire album was one of my all time favs! Why this one song didn't get better recognition I will never know.

@johncarroll7500

Troy 👈😎✌

@johncarroll7500

6 Yrs🤔

@johncarroll7500

👑🔮🤔👉{🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟}

@kjzimmerman100

I still don't know why Mike and the Mechanics didn't get more airplay. They are such a great group. Mike Rutherford is brilliant and has been a huge influence on many different types of music for decades. You can't forget his contribution to Genesis.

@benpotter572

What about Paul Carrack? He is the main reason they were as successful as they were

@benpotter572

Paul also sang this song, the living years, silent running, and another cup of coffee, so basically all of their most successful songs

@guzuntai

Please never forget the beauty of Paul Young's voice

@RobertMcGovernTarasis

Took me a while to realise that Paul Young != Paul Young. I used to think they where the same singer, oh how I was wrong :)

@ShelltoonTV1

Their early success can be thanked due to being spun-off of Genesis. Mike Rutherford was a talented man indeed, but due to a shift in demographics and NIRVANA, bands like Genesis and Mike and the Mechanics suffered greatly in the US as a result. Don't take my emphasis as anything against Nirvana, but they were the shift that resulted in bands like this falling to the wayside in the US. That, and Word of Mouth was not their best outing.

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