Music Metrics Vault

Mike + The Mechanics

Data updated on 2024-10-04 19:18:22 UTC
With its sci-fi theme and spaced-out keyboards, "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)," the first single by longtime Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford's side project, Mike + the Mechanics, hinted at a return to the grainier early days of the prog rock giants. However, the bulk of the long-running band's work, including "All I Need Is a Miracle" and the wistful 1989 number one hit eulogy "The Living Years," revealed a melodic pop band firmly at home in an MTV world. Between the virtuosic riffs of Rutherford and moody, evocative vocals traded off between veterans Paul Carrack and Paul Young, Mike + the Mechanics formed one of the more refined pop acts of their day. The group went on hiatus periodically, and in 2010 returned with a pair of new vocalists, Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar.

While Phil Collins was pursuing his solo career in 1985, Genesis bassist and guitarist Mike Rutherford formed his own band. Featuring Rutherford (bass), former Ace and Squeeze member Paul Carrack (vocals, keyboards), ex-Sad Cafe member Paul Young (vocals), keyboardist Adrian Lee, and drummer Peter Van Hooke, the group released its self-titled first album late in 1985. The record produced two Top Ten hit singles, "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" and "All I Need Is a Miracle," which both peaked on the charts in early 1986. Later that year, Rutherford returned to Genesis and Carrack revived his solo career.

Mike + the Mechanics didn't release another album until 1988's The Living Years. The record was a greater success than the first album, spawning the number one hit single "The Living Years." After its release, the group was inactive for another few years, returning in 1991 with Word of Mouth, which failed to duplicate the success of its first two records. Four years later, Mike + the Mechanics released their fourth record, Beggar on a Beach of Gold, which was a moderate hit in the U.K. In the spring of 1996, Mike + the Mechanics released the greatest-hits collection Hits in Britain; M6 followed three years later. Young died of a heart attack on July 15, 2000. The band re-formed in 2004, releasing the all-new Rewired under the moniker Mike + the Mechanics featuring Paul Carrack.

In 2009, after a hiatus that saw Genesis' induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rutherford began working on a new Mechanics record, this time with new vocalists Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar on board. The Road was released in April 2011 and was followed by a 22-show U.K. tour. In 2014 the group celebrated the 25th anniversary of the release of The Living Years, while also embarking on a North American tour in 2015, their first since the album's original release in 1988. Rutherford returned to the studio in 2016 to record the band's eighth album, Let Me Fly. Joined once again by Roachford and Howar on vocals, the rest of the band was rounded out by guitarist Anthony Drennan, keyboardist Luke Juby, and drummer Gary Wallis. Let Me Fly appeared in March 2017. Mike + the Mechanics revisited their old hits for their ninth album Out of the Blue, which appeared in April 2019. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Total plays

614.8 million
Updated on 2024-10-04

Country

United Kingdom

Monthly listeners

2,292,459

Followers

699,959

Top Cities

  1. United Kingdom
    38,131 listeners
  2. Chile
    37,475 listeners
  3. Germany
    34,282 listeners
  4. Brazil
    30,306 listeners
  5. Germany
    31,303 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Over My Shoulder
Over My Shoulder
180,108,993 3:37 1995-03-06
The Living Years
The Living Years
141,916,161 5:30 1988-01-01
All I Need Is a Miracle
All I Need Is a Miracle
38,530,385 4:12 1985-10-05
All I Need Is A Miracle
All I Need Is A Miracle
38,530,385 4:10 1985-10-05
Word of Mouth - Edit; 2014 Remaster
Word of Mouth - Edit; 2014 Remaster
31,238,968 3:55 1991-04-02
Word Of Mouth
Word Of Mouth
31,238,968 3:56 1991-04-02
Silent Running
Silent Running
20,018,267 6:14 1985-10-05
Don't Know What Came Over Me
Don't Know What Came Over Me
12,539,385 4:20 2017-04-07
Taken In
Taken In
11,132,334 4:17 1985-10-05
Another Cup of Coffee
Another Cup of Coffee
8,716,055 4:42 1995-03-06
Another Cup Of Coffee
Another Cup Of Coffee
8,716,055 4:42 1995-03-06
Another Cup of Coffee - 2005 Remaster
Another Cup of Coffee - 2005 Remaster
6,095,118 4:19 1996-03-04
Let Me Fly
Let Me Fly
4,229,684 4:42 2017-04-07
Everybody Gets a Second Chance - Edit; 2014 Remaster
Everybody Gets a Second Chance - Edit; 2014 Remaster
3,861,490 3:58 1991-04-02
Everybody Gets A Second Chance
Everybody Gets A Second Chance
3,861,490 3:57 1991-04-02
A Beggar on a Beach of Gold
A Beggar on a Beach of Gold
3,277,634 4:35 1995-03-06
A Beggar On A Beach Of Gold
A Beggar On A Beach Of Gold
3,277,634 4:35 1995-03-06
All I Need Is a Miracle - 1996 Remaster
All I Need Is a Miracle - 1996 Remaster
3,122,588 5:43 1996-03-04
All I Need Is a Miracle '96
All I Need Is a Miracle '96
3,122,588 5:41 2008-04-28
All I Need Is a Miracle (2014 - Remaster)
All I Need Is a Miracle (2014 - Remaster)
3,122,588 5:40 2018-02-23
Par Avion
Par Avion
3,107,250 3:36 1985-10-05
Nobody's Perfect
Nobody's Perfect
2,531,665 4:48 1988-01-01
All The Light I Need
All The Light I Need
1,961,641 4:38 1999-05-31
Wonder
Wonder
1,876,489 4:37 2017-04-07
Save The World
Save The World
1,771,167 4:42 2017-04-07
Whenever I Stop
Whenever I Stop
1,436,969 3:41 1999-05-31
Nobody Knows
Nobody Knows
1,428,416 4:23 1988-01-01
Save My Soul
Save My Soul
1,288,786 4:50 2017-04-07
A Time and Place - Edit; 2014 Remaster
A Time and Place - Edit; 2014 Remaster
1,284,023 4:50 1991-04-02
A Time And Place
A Time And Place
1,284,023 4:51 1991-04-02
Over My Shoulder
Over My Shoulder
1,268,790 4:57 2019-04-05
The Best Is Yet To Come
The Best Is Yet To Come
1,260,576 4:01 2017-04-07
Out Of The Blue
Out Of The Blue
1,161,023 3:38 2019-04-05
Mea Culpa
Mea Culpa
1,075,248 6:20 1995-03-06
Now That You've Gone
Now That You've Gone
1,067,525 4:48 1999-05-31
Are You Ready
Are You Ready
992,482 4:28 2017-04-07
The Ghost of Sex and You
The Ghost of Sex and You
969,425 6:24 1995-03-06
The Ghost Of Sex And You
The Ghost Of Sex And You
969,425 6:24 1995-03-06
A House of Many Rooms
A House of Many Rooms
901,274 5:39 1995-03-06
A House Of Many Rooms
A House Of Many Rooms
901,274 5:39 1995-03-06
I'll Be There For You
I'll Be There For You
897,478 3:32 2017-04-07
Get Up - Edit; 2014 Remaster
Get Up - Edit; 2014 Remaster
849,874 4:22 1991-04-02
The Living Years
The Living Years
728,427 6:25 2019-04-05
Seeing Is Believing
Seeing Is Believing
721,942 3:13 1988-01-01
Background Noise
Background Noise
645,098 4:18 2011-04-18
Try To Save Me
Try To Save Me
638,945 3:48 2011-04-18
One Way
One Way
625,533 4:00 2019-04-05
Web of Lies
Web of Lies
625,102 5:39 1995-03-06
Web Of Lies
Web Of Lies
625,102 5:39 1995-03-06
Not Out Of Love
Not Out Of Love
579,630 4:18 2017-04-07
What Would You Do
What Would You Do
568,434 3:06 2019-04-05
I Don't Do Love
I Don't Do Love
557,366 4:37 2011-04-18
Plain and Simple
Plain and Simple
541,197 3:59 1995-03-06
Plain And Simple
Plain And Simple
541,197 3:59 1995-03-06
You Are the One
You Are the One
530,983 3:45 1985-10-05
You Are The One
You Are The One
530,983 3:46 1985-10-05
Hanging by a Thread
Hanging by a Thread
501,538 4:41 1985-10-05
Hanging By A Thread
Hanging By A Thread
501,538 4:41 1985-10-05
The Letter
The Letter
481,134 4:56 2017-04-07
You've Really Got a Hold on Me
You've Really Got a Hold on Me
478,796 3:29 1995-03-06
You've Really Got A Hold On Me
You've Really Got A Hold On Me
478,796 3:29 1995-03-06
It Only Hurts For A While
It Only Hurts For A While
457,053 4:12 2011-04-18
I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)
I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)
431,703 3:12 1995-03-06
The Road
The Road
416,814 4:22 2011-04-18
Reach Out (Touch The Sun)
Reach Out (Touch The Sun)
416,683 4:04 2011-04-18
High Life
High Life
415,545 2:49 2017-04-07
Why Me?
Why Me?
413,747 6:26 1988-01-01
Someone Always Hates Someone
Someone Always Hates Someone
410,332 3:43 1995-03-06
Silent Running
Silent Running
379,051 4:56 2019-04-05
A Call to Arms
A Call to Arms
375,548 4:42 1985-10-05
A Call To Arms
A Call To Arms
375,548 4:42 1985-10-05
The Way You Look at Me
The Way You Look at Me
372,478 5:08 1991-04-02
The Way You Look At Me
The Way You Look At Me
372,478 5:08 1991-04-02
I Don't Want It All
I Don't Want It All
361,588 5:06 2005-09-13
Love Left Over
Love Left Over
353,291 3:28 2017-04-07
Poor Boy Down
Poor Boy Down
348,388 4:34 1988-01-01
Going Going.....Home
Going Going.....Home
327,712 4:30 1995-03-06
Going Going Home
Going Going Home
327,712 4:30 1995-03-06
If I Were You
If I Were You
316,486 4:21 2005-09-13
Stop Baby
Stop Baby
312,842 3:54 1991-04-02
Beautiful Day
Beautiful Day
308,872 3:39 1988-01-01
The Living Years - Acoustic
The Living Years - Acoustic
292,876 5:32 2019-04-05
Something to Believe In
Something to Believe In
280,344 4:19 1995-03-06
Something To Believe In
Something To Believe In
280,344 4:19 1995-03-06
I Get the Feeling
I Get the Feeling
267,238 4:31 1985-10-05
I Get The Feeling
I Get The Feeling
267,238 4:31 1985-10-05
Get Up
Get Up
266,046 4:21 2019-04-05
Don't
Don't
265,331 5:45 1988-01-01
Over My Shoulder - Acoustic
Over My Shoulder - Acoustic
265,034 3:46 2019-04-05
Blame
Blame
261,347 5:24 1988-01-01
Take the Reins
Take the Reins
258,862 4:18 1985-10-05
Take The Reins
Take The Reins
258,862 4:18 1985-10-05
Word Of Mouth
Word Of Mouth
252,930 4:04 2019-04-05
Walking On Water
Walking On Water
252,341 3:43 2011-04-18
Oh No
Oh No
249,895 4:19 2011-04-18
All I Need Is A Miracle
All I Need Is A Miracle
249,649 6:38 2019-04-05
Another Cup Of Coffee
Another Cup Of Coffee
245,079 4:26 2019-04-05
My Crime of Passion
My Crime of Passion
215,143 4:55 1991-04-02
My Crime Of Passion
My Crime Of Passion
215,143 4:55 1991-04-02
Black & Blue
Black & Blue
203,573 3:27 1988-01-01
Black And Blue
Black And Blue
203,573 3:27 1988-10-28
Beggar On A Beach Of Gold
Beggar On A Beach Of Gold
202,759 4:10 2019-04-05
When I Get Over You
When I Get Over You
201,520 4:13 1999-05-31
What Will You Do When I'm Gone
What Will You Do When I'm Gone
199,072 3:15 1999-05-31
If Only
If Only
188,502 4:43 1999-05-31
Heaven Doesn't Care
Heaven Doesn't Care
187,950 3:39 2011-04-18
Don't Know What Came Over Me - Acoustic
Don't Know What Came Over Me - Acoustic
173,573 3:59 2019-04-05
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
171,854 4:37 1991-04-02
Yesterday Today Tomorrow
Yesterday Today Tomorrow
171,854 4:37 1991-04-02
Open Up
Open Up
157,576 4:05 1999-05-31
Look Across At Dreamland
Look Across At Dreamland
149,014 4:15 1999-05-31
Let's Pretend It Didn't Happen
Let's Pretend It Didn't Happen
148,338 5:33 1991-04-02
Somewhere Along the Line
Somewhere Along the Line
143,360 3:52 2005-09-13
One Left Standing
One Left Standing
136,771 5:11 2005-09-13
Silent Running - Live / Remastered 2014
Silent Running - Live / Remastered 2014
133,181 6:10 1988-10-28
The Best Is Yet To Come - Acoustic
The Best Is Yet To Come - Acoustic
132,369 4:20 2019-04-05
My Little Island
My Little Island
127,083 4:06 1999-05-31
How Can I?
How Can I?
125,694 4:44 2005-09-13
Before (The Next Heartache Falls)
Before (The Next Heartache Falls)
124,635 6:37 1991-04-02
Hunt You Down
Hunt You Down
119,974 3:47 2011-04-18
You Can Be The Rock
You Can Be The Rock
118,830 5:18 2011-04-18
Perfect Child
Perfect Child
112,080 5:11 2005-09-13
The Living Years 2014 - Remastered 2014
The Living Years 2014 - Remastered 2014
107,184 5:17 1988-10-28
Ordinary Girl
Ordinary Girl
105,439 3:52 1999-05-31
Another Cup Of Coffee - Acoustic
Another Cup Of Coffee - Acoustic
104,894 4:39 2019-04-05
Beggar On A Beach Of Gold - Acoustic
Beggar On A Beach Of Gold - Acoustic
97,783 3:54 2019-04-05
Did You See Me Coming
Did You See Me Coming
88,080 4:07 1999-05-31
Rewired
Rewired
82,923 5:31 2005-09-13
Falling
Falling
80,805 5:17 2005-09-13
Asking (For The Last Time)
Asking (For The Last Time)
75,242 4:17 1999-05-31
Underscore
Underscore
68,021 5:09 2005-09-13
Always Listen To Your Heart
Always Listen To Your Heart
64,580 4:17 1999-05-31
Par Avion - Live / Remastered 2014
Par Avion - Live / Remastered 2014
58,568 4:51 1988-10-28
Don't - Live / Remastered 2014
Don't - Live / Remastered 2014
42,583 6:40 1988-10-28
Nobody's Perfect - Live / Remastered 2014
Nobody's Perfect - Live / Remastered 2014
42,417 4:48 1988-10-28
Seeing Is Believing - Live / Remastered 2014
Seeing Is Believing - Live / Remastered 2014
41,148 3:54 1988-10-28
A Call To Arms - Live / Remastered 2014
A Call To Arms - Live / Remastered 2014
36,269 5:57 1988-10-28
Take The Reins - Live / Remastered 2014
Take The Reins - Live / Remastered 2014
36,018 4:08 1988-10-28
Black & Blue - Live / Remastered 2014
Black & Blue - Live / Remastered 2014
35,311 4:23 1988-10-28
Beautiful Day - Live / Remastered 2014
Beautiful Day - Live / Remastered 2014
32,472 4:42 1988-10-28
Hanging By A Thread - Live / Remastered 2014
Hanging By A Thread - Live / Remastered 2014
32,119 5:18 1988-10-28

New releases

Looking Back – Living The Years
Looking Back – Living The Years
2024-05-01
[UME - Global Clearing House]
Out Of The Blue
Out Of The Blue
2019-04-05
[Craft Recordings]
Let Me Fly
Let Me Fly
2017-04-07
[Craft Recordings]
The Road
The Road
2011-04-18
[Craft Recordings]
Rewired
Rewired
2005-09-13
[Rhino Atlantic]
Mike & The Mechanics
Mike & The Mechanics
1999-05-31
[Craft Recordings]
Hits
Hits
1996-03-04
[Rhino Atlantic]
Beggar on a Beach of Gold
Beggar on a Beach of Gold
1995-03-06
[Rhino Atlantic]
Beggar On A Beach Of Gold
Beggar On A Beach Of Gold
1995-03-06
[Craft Recordings]
Word of Mouth
Word of Mouth
1991-04-02
[Rhino Atlantic]
Word Of Mouth
Word Of Mouth
1991-04-02
[Craft Recordings]
Living Years
Living Years
1988-10-28
[Craft Recordings]
Living Years - Deluxe Anniversary Edition
Living Years - Deluxe Anniversary Edition
1988-10-28
[Craft Recordings]
Living Years
Living Years
1988-01-01
[Rhino Atlantic]
Mike + The Mechanics
Mike + The Mechanics
1985-10-05
[Rhino Atlantic]
Mike + The Mechanics
Mike + The Mechanics
1985-10-05
[Craft Recordings]