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.
Over My Shoulder
Mike & The Mechanics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
'Cause I can feel you slipping through my fingers
I don't even know the reason why
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?
one more try
Looking back over my shoulder
I can see that look in your eye (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 (looking back)
Oh, with an aching (there's an ache 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
Mike & The Mechanics's song "Over My Shoulder" is a poignant ballad about the pain and regret of a failed relationship. The song's narrator is looking back on the end of a romantic relationship with a sense of despair and longing, wishing they could start over instead of drifting so far apart. The lyrics are filled with images of heartache, from the singer's deep sense of sadness to their feeling of being cut up inside. The lines "I don't even know the reason why" and "Everyday, it's a losing battle" capture the singer's confusion and struggle to come to terms with what went wrong.
The song's recurring chorus, "Looking back over my shoulder," is a powerful metaphor for the ways in which we reflect on our past and try to understand our present. The singer is literally looking back over their shoulder at a past relationship, but the image also suggests that our past experiences are always with us, influencing how we think and feel in the present.
"Over My Shoulder" was a popular hit for Mike & The Mechanics in 1995, and remains a well-loved song among fans of the band and fans of 90s pop rock in general. Its haunting melody, emotive vocals, and relatable lyrics make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
An expression of acknowledgement and affirmation.
looking back over my shoulder
Recalling the past or memories.
I can see that look in your eye
Observing a specific expression that suggests something.
I never dreamed it could be over
Never expected or imagined the end.
I never wanted to say goodbye
Never desired or intended to bid farewell.
With an aching deep in my heart
Feeling pain or sorrow in the emotional core of oneself.
I wish we were starting over
Regretting past mistakes and hoping for a new beginning.
Oh, instead of drifting so far apart
Ideally, should be closer and heading in the same direction.
Everybody told me you were leaving
Others shared the news before the artist was informed.
Funny I should be the last to know
Ironically, the artist found out last.
Baby, please tell me that I'm dreaming
Hoping that the current reality is actually a dream.
I just never want to let you go
Strong desire to retain the person or connection.
Turning my heart over and over
Causing repeated internal reflection and thoughts.
I don't mind everybody laughing
Unconcerned about others' reactions or opinions.
But it's enough to make a grown man cry
Emotionally difficult or painful enough for anyone to be moved to tears.
'Cause I can feel you slipping through my fingers
Sensing that a person or opportunity is being lost or missed.
I don't even know the reason why
Uncertain about the cause or explanation.
Everyday, it's a losing battle
Continuously struggling to overcome or accept the loss.
Just to smile and hold my head up high
Trying to appear and behave confidently and positively.
Could it be that we belong together
Wondering if the connection is meant to continue.
Baby, won't you give me one more try, one more try?
Requesting a second chance to make the relationship work.
Cutting me up, oh, deeper and deeper
Causing more and more internal pain and turmoil.
Fills me with a sadness that I can't hide
Overwhelms the singer with an emotion that cannot be concealed.
Looking back, looking back over my shoulder
Reflecting on the past or one's own actions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Michael Rutherford, Paul Melvin Carrack
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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❤