Mike + The Mechanics? Never heard of Them! The Living Years Reaction

My father was an abusive alcoholic. With all his faults, I still loved him. He passed away when he was 57 and I was 20. The last time I saw him, he asked me to drive him to his brother's house, my uncle, 4 hours away. I told him I couldn't because I had to be at work in 4 hours. He asked me to take him to the Greyhound bus station which I did. I waited until his bus left and I remember him waving goodbye as the bus pulled away and I smiled and waved back. That was the last time I saw him alive. He died 2 days later in his sleep. Hands folded across his chest as told by my Uncle who found him. Driving to the funeral.,,,, this song came on the radio. I was alone in my car driving south on Interstate 55. I had to pull over. I was crying too hard to drive. Right turn signal on, sitting on the shoulder of the road and a Hiway Patrolman pulled in behind me and came up to my car. I told him the story. That I was to broken up to drive. I just needed a few minutes to gather myself. He then ask where was the funeral. I told him about 30 more miles ahead. He told me to follow him that he would give me an escort to the funeral home as he knew exactly where it was. A great man that had just lost his father 1 month before. As we approached the funeral home, he pulled over and me following stopped behind him. He came back to my car and told me the funeral home was 1 block ahead, be proud, be strong and you will make it through this. I did. But every time I hear this song, it reminds me of that evening. Following a State Patrol with lights , and getting an escort to the funeral. I wish I could talk to my father now. When I turned 57. I realized that I had outlived my father.

This song creeps up on you and then slaps you in the face with a rude awakening.

If someone you loved has 'passed', this song will make you cry

Paul Carrack's lead vocals are just wonderful, and I love that they used a middle aged and older choir, to represent and emphasise the age group of the people the song was written about. 🙋‍♂

I’m a boomer and proud.this was made in 1989.

" i wasn't there that morning when my father passed away" hits me hard every time

I think about my dad every time I hear this song. He's been gone nearly 20 years and I still miss him.

If you don't tear up for this song you have no soul

A brilliant, emotional song. Superbly well sung by Paul Carrack. Wonderful.

I'm 67 and this song always touches my heart and brings me to tears! To me it is the most beautiful song! It's all about the words!

I wasn't there that morning,when my father passed away,I didn't get to tell him,all the things I had to say....I think I caught his spirit, later that same year,I'm sure I heard his echo,in my baby's newborn tears,I just wish I could have told him,IN THE LIVING YEARS!😭

When songs actually told a story

Paul Carrack is one of the best vocalists, criminally underrated

When I was a surly, sullen teen, my father and I got into a bad fight. Things were said, doors slammed and music turned up so I couldn't hear him anymore. Living Years came on within one or two songs, and it hit me like a truck; I bawled a while, went and apologized. Mike, of the ,,,,and the Mechanics, is Mike Rutherford, formerly of Genesis with Phil Collins.

This song was played at Dad’s graveside as my younger brother insisted. The lyrics explain the kind of relationship he and Dad had. I have four siblings but was really close to my father and was the only one with him when he passed away in hospital. Dad’s 20th anniversary will be on 24 May. This is the first time I have listened to this song all the way through since the funeral. Thank you for sharing your reaction 😢💔🙏🕊️.

The 80's was probably the most diverse period of music that I've ever heard. In the UK we had new bands like OMD, Duran Duran, The Human league, Soft Cell, New Order, Bronski beat, The Christians, Madness, The Specials, The Cure, layered on top of that we had the older bands still releasing stuff Like David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Genesis, Pink Floyd/Roger Waters, Queen, ELO. There were litterally 100's of bands releasing stuff from multiple genre's it was a special period in the UK. Yes some of it was heavily produced using drum machines etc but so much of it was Brilliant!

So funny hearing 1988 called "that far back." Damn, I'm old.

they didnt have "fake " music as is today

Hi from London England. This was my Dads favourite song, he loved it. It was played at his funeral last year, it was tough. It breaks my heart now listening to this beautiful song but I can't resist it because it brings my Dad back to me. I wasn't with my Dad when he passed either, I was out of town.

The last 8 years of my sisters life i stopped talking to her because she was doing reaally bad on drugs and not doing right by her children and she would just tell me lies and i was fed up with her. She was killed in a car accident 3 years ago. Hearing this song that ive heard since it came out makes me just feel so guilty now about her. I should have kept trying to help her no matter what. I was on drugs before and without my family i would still be there. This aong just hit me hard. Sorry for venting. Good reaction. I thought you had changed the name of your channel so i was surprised to see this notification!