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.
Why Me
Mike & The Mechanics Lyrics
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These are dangerous times
that were living in
and there are dangerous signs
that were giving in to fear
late one night, I'm lying here
I thought I heard a sound.
Tell the mothers and the babes
tell the old, tell the sick they will be safe
get the young males. Tell them to be brave
I was so concerned with saving live
I never saw you pull the knife.
High on the mountains
across seven seas
All of the people
why me, why me?
Do you feel so frustrated
Frightened and feared
answer my question
Why me, why me, why me
why me, why me, why me?
You're such an angry young man
with all your grievances
people don't understand,
they just can't understand
what you must do to stay alive.
So you try to justify
all the violence and hate, before your eyes.
Through the ages better men than you have tried
to give what is not theirs to give
to take the land where others live.
High on the mountains
across seven seas
all of the people why me, why me?
Do you feel so frustrated
frightened and feared
answer my question
why here, why now,
why here, why now, hey here,
why now, why me?
Oh, for now you have the power
the guns and all the swords
but nature has a nasty habit
of balancing her flaws.
Now you may try to break my body
lock me up and throw away the key
but you'll never break my spirit
I'm free!
The song "Why Me" by Mike & The Mechanics is a reflection on the dangerous times in which we are living. The singer is lying awake at night, hearing dangerous signs and noises. He feels a responsibility to protect people, especially those who are vulnerable. However, even when trying to help others, he realizes that he was not aware of the danger that was lurking nearby. In essence, the song is about how people often operate from a place of good intentions, but cannot control all circumstances.
The lyrics also delve into the themes of anger, violence, and power. The singer addresses an angry young man who is trying to justify violence and hate. He feels that others do not understand his grievances and what he must do to survive. However, the singer challenges this way of thinking, pointing out that history has shown that those who try to take what is not theirs end up failing. In the end, the singer believes that even though people may have power and weapons, they can never truly break someone's spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
These are dangerous times that we're living in
The current times are unsafe and risky to live in.
And there are dangerous signs that we're giving in to fear
Fear is causing us to overlook the dangerous signs around us.
Late one night, I'm lying here, I thought I heard a sound
The singer is anxious and paranoid, thinking he heard something at night.
Tell the mothers and the babes, tell the old, tell the sick they will be safe
Assure everyone, particularly the vulnerable, that they will be protected.
Get the young males, tell them to be brave
Encouraging the young males to be courageous and tough.
I was so concerned with saving lives, I never saw you pull the knife
The singer was so preoccupied with helping others that he didn't notice someone was about to harm him.
High on the mountains, Across seven seas, All of the people - Why me, why me?
People everywhere are asking why they are suffering and being victimized.
Do you feel so frustrated, Frightened and feared? Answer my question - Why me, why me, why me?
The artist is asking people if they are frustrated and scared, and why they are suffering.
You're such an angry young man, With all your grievances
The artist is addressing an angry person with many complaints and issues.
People don't understand, They just can't understand, What you must do to stay alive.
Others are ignorant to the struggles that the angry person faces just to survive.
So you try to justify, All the violence and hate, before your eyes.
The angry person is rationalizing their violent and hateful actions.
Through the ages better men than you have tried, To give what is not theirs to give, To take the land where others live
The artist cautions the angry person that many have tried to take what isn't rightfully theirs, and it never ends well.
Oh, for now you have the power, The guns and all the swords, But nature has a nasty habit, Of balancing her flaws
The angry person may have weapons and authority, but nature will eventually level things out.
Now you may try to break my body, Lock me up and throw away the key, But you'll never break my spirit, I'm free
Even if the angry person tries to physically harm the singer, they can't control his spirit or freedom.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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