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.
You've Really Got a Hold on Me
Mike & The Mechanics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems that I'm always thinking of you.
Oh, you treat me badly I love you madly;
You really got a hold on me,
You really got a hold on me, baby.
I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me,
Hold me, hold me, hold me.
Don't want to kiss you but I need to.
Oh, you do me wrong now my love is strong now;
You really got a hold on me,
You really got a hold on me, baby.
I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me,
Hold me, hold me, hold me.
You tighter,
Tighter I want to leave you don't want to stay here,
Don't want to spend another day here.
Oh, I want to split now;
I can't quit now.
You really got a hold on me,
You really got a hold on me.
Baby really got a hold on me,
I said you really got a hold on me
The lyrics in Mike & The Mechanics's song "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" are about a complicated and emotionally charged relationship between two people. The singer confesses that they don't like the person they are singing about, but they also can't stop thinking about them. The person treats the singer badly, but despite that, the singer loves them madly. The person seems to have a hold on the singer, and they can't seem to let go.
The singer also reveals that they don't want the person, but they need them. The person's wrongdoings have made the love between them stronger. The singer is torn between wanting to leave and wanting to stay. Even though the person has a hold on them, the singer can't quit, and they can't seem to get away.
Overall, the lyrics convey the emotional turmoil and complexity of a relationship that is both irresistible and toxic. The singer is stuck, and they can't seem to break free from the hold that the person has on them.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't like you but I love you,
Despite my dislike towards you, I have found myself loving you.
Seems that I'm always thinking of you.
My thoughts are constantly consumed by you.
Oh, you treat me badly I love you madly;
Even though you mistreat or neglect me, I still love you deeply.
You really got a hold on me,
You have established a powerful emotional and mental influence over me.
You really got a hold on me, baby.
Your hold on me is especially strong, my dear.
I love you and all I want you to do is just hold me,
My love for you is such that I desire nothing more than to be held by you.
Hold me, hold me, hold me.
This desire for your embrace is intense and persistent.
I don't want you but I need you,
Though I may not desire you, I require you to fulfill my emotional needs.
Don't want to kiss you but I need to.
Although I may not be physically attracted to you, I crave your affection.
Oh, you do me wrong now my love is strong now;
Despite the harm you may cause me, my love for you remains undiminished.
You tighter,
Your grasp on me grows ever stronger.
Tighter I want to leave you don't want to stay here,
As your grip on me tightens, I have a desire to leave you and not remain in your hold.
Don't want to spend another day here.
I am tired of being trapped in this situation.
Oh, I want to split now;
I have a strong urge to separate from you immediately.
I can't quit now.
Despite this urge to leave, I am unable to let go of my emotional attachment to you.
Baby really got a hold on me,
My dear, your hold on me is truly profound.
I said you really got a hold on me
Once again, I express the depth and strength of the hold you have on me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: William Robinson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind