Paul Carrack: A Retrospective (1974-2024)

Paul Carrack A Retrospective: 1974-2024

Overview: Rock singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Paul Melvyn Carrack was born on April 22, 1951 in Sheffield, England. Record Collector said, “If vocal talent equaled financial success, Paul Carrack would be a bigger name than legends such as Phil Collins or Elton John.” WK In the mid-‘70s, Carrack fronted Ace, singing lead on their 1974 hit How Long (#3). Then he served as the keyboardist for Roxy Music in the late ‘70s before launching a solo career which was occasionally interrupted by stints with Squeeze (Tempted, 1981) and Mike + the Mechanics (Silent Running, 1985; The Living Years, 1988). He found solo success with I Need You, Don’t Shed a Tear, and I Live by the Groove. Resume Ace (1974-1977) Roxy Music (keyboards: 1979) solo (1980-) with Carlene Carter (1981) Squeeze (keyboardist/vocalist: 1981, 1993) Spin 1ne 2wo (1993) Mike + the Mechanics (singer/keyboardist: 1985-2004) Links DMDB encyclopedia entry for Paul Carrack Top 30 Songs PaulCarrack.net (official site) Facebook Wikipedia

Awards

Studio Albums Ace Five-A-Side (1974) Ace Time for Another (1976) Ace No Strings (1977) Nightbird (1980) Carlene Carter Blue Nun (1981) Squeeze East Side Story (1981) Suburban Voodoo (1982) Mike + the Mechanics Mike + the Mechanics (1985) One Good Reason (1987) Mike + the Mechanics The Living Years (1988) Groove Approved (1989) Mike + the Mechanics Word of Mouth (1991) Spin 1ne 2wo Spin 1ne 2wo (1993) Squeeze Some Fantastic Place (1993) Mike + the Mechanics Beggar on a Beach of Gold (1995) Blue Views (1996) Beautiful World (1997) Mike + the Mechanics M6 (1999) Satisfy My Soul (2000) Groovin’ (2001) It Ain’t Over (2003) Mike + the Mechanics Rewired (2004) Winter Wonderland (2005) Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue (2007) I Know That Name (20008) A Different Hat (2010) Good Feeling (2012) Rain or Shine (2013) Soul Shadows (2016) These Days (2018) One on One (2021) Don’t Wait Too Long (2023) Compilations CC The Carrack Collection (covers 1974-85, released 1988) 21 21 Good Reasons (covers 1974-90, released 1994) SF Greatest Hits: The Story So Far (covers 1974-2005, released 2006) CT Collected (box set, covers 1974-2012, released 2012) B The Best of (covers 1974-2014, released 2014) HL How Long Has This Been Going On? (covers 1974-2024, released 2024) Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to charts.

Ace Five-A-Side (1974): Ace’s first album gave them a top-5 hit with How Long and started Paul Carrack on the road to fame. How Long (11/9/74, 3 US, 1 CL, 20 UK, 63 AU, 2 DF) CC, 21, SF, CT, B, HL Rock and Roll Runaway (7/26/75, 71 BB, 63 CB, 40 CL, 35 DF) The Real Feeling 21 Ace Time for Another (1976): Ace’s second album didn’t find the success of their debut. The failure of single, No Future in Your Eyes, to even chart after the success of “How Long” was a definite disappointment. No Future in Your Eyes (48 CL, 37 DF) 21 Ace No Strings (1977): This was Carrack’s third and final album with Ace. You’re All That I Need was released as a single, but didn’t chart. You’re All That I Need (47 CL, 33 DF) 21 Paul Carrack The Rumour (1980): After fronting Ace and working with Roxy Music, this was Paul Carrack’s first solo album. The Rumour 21 Beauty Is Only Skin Deep CT Carlene Carter Blue Nun (1981): Paul Carrack dueted with Carlene Carter on these two cuts from her Blue Nun album. Do Me Lover CC, 21 Oh How Happy 21 Squeeze East Side Story (1981): After one solo album, Paul Carrack joined Squeeze as their keyboardist. He also contributed vocals to what is arguably the group’s best-known song. Read more about this album on its DMDB page. Tempted (6/20/81, 49 US, 8 AR, 3 CL, 41 UK, 45 CN, 85 AU) CC, 21, SF, CT, B, HL Paul Carrack Suburban Voodoo (1982): After fronting Ace, working with Carlene Carter, and working with Roxy Music, this was Paul Carrack’s first solo album. I Need You (9/4/82, 37 BB, 26 CB, 20 RR, 20 AC, 22 AR, 30 AU, 4 DF) CC, 21, SF, CT, HL Lesson in Love (10/16/82, 33 AR, 33 DF) CC Always Better with You (11/16/82, 31 DF) CC, 21, CT A Little Unkind (2/7/83, 37 DF) CC, 21 Mike + the Mechanics Mike + the Mechanics (1985): After another solo album, Carrack returned to a group, this time one led by Genesis’ Mike Rutherford. Carrack and Paul Young shared vocal duties with Carrack singing lead on the top-10 hit Silent Running. Read more about this album on its DMDB page. Silent Running (11/4/85, 6 BB, 5 CB, 5 GR, 5 RR, 1 AR, 7 AC, 21 UK, 8 CN, 23 AU, 1 DF) CC, 21, SF, CT

The Carrack Collection Paul Carrack

Recorded: 1974-1985 Released: 1988 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Genre: pop rock Rating: 3.809 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks: (1) How Long (2) Tempted (3) Do Me Lover (with Carlene Carter) (4) A Little Unkind (5) Silent Running (6) Lesson in Love (7) I Need You (8) Always Better with You About the Album: Although released in 1988, this compilation doesn’t include Carrack’s solo top-10 “Don’t Shed a Tear” (1987) or his chart-topping song, “The Living Years,” with Mike + the Mechanics (1988). Instead this too-slim retrospective stops at 1985. Still, that does mean one gets How Long, Tempted, I Need You, and Silent Running all in one collection.

Paul Carrack One Good Reason (1987): After the success of Mike + the Mechanics, Carrack’s next solo album gave him the biggest solo hit of his career with the top-10 Don’t Shed a Tear. When You Walk in the Room (5/16/87, 90 BB, 91 CB, 48 UK, 7 AU, 18 DF) 21, SF, CT Don’t Shed a Tear (10/24/87, 9 BB, 9 CB, 9 RR, 36 AC, 5 AR, 60 UK, 33 AU, 6 DF) 21, SF, CT, HL One Good Reason (3/12/88, 28 BB, 33 CB, 24 RR, 20 AR, 38 AU, 23 DF) 21, CT Button Off My Shirt (9/10/88, 91 BB, 12 DF) 21 Mike + the Mechanics The Living Years (1988): Back with Mike + the Mechanics for their second album, Carrack sang lead on this song which went all the way to the top of the charts in the U.S. Read more about this album on its DMDB page. The Living Years (12/27/88, 1 BB, 1 CB, 2 GR, 2 RR, 5 AR, 1 AC, 2 UK, 1 CN, 1 AU, 1 DF) 21, SF, CT, B, HL Nobody Knows (7/22/89, 41 AC, 21 DF) Paul Carrack Groove Approved (1989): Back with another solo effort. I Live by the Groove (18/30/89, 31 BB, 27 CB, 25 RR, 22 AC, 23 DF) 21 Battlefield (1/27/90, 27 DF) 21, SF, CT Loveless (28 DF) 21 Only My Heart Can Tell (35 DF) 21 Dedicated (39 DF) SF, HL, CT

21 Good Reasons Paul Carrack

Recorded: 1974-1990 Released: January 25, 1994 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Genre: pop rock Rating: 3.527 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks: (1) How Long (2) The Real Feeling (3) No Future in Your Eyes (4) You’re All That I Need (5) Tempted (6) Do Me Lover (with Carlene Carter) (7) Oh How Happy (with Carlene Carter) (8) The Rumour (9) I Need You (10) Always Better with You (11) A Little Unkind (12) One Good Reason (13) Don’t Shed a Tear (14) Button Off My Shirt (15) When You Walk in the Room (16) I Live by the Groove (17) Only My Heart Can Tell (18) Battlefield (19) Loveless (20) Silent Running (21) The Living Years About the Album: This update to The Carrack Collection adds classic songs like Don’t Shed a Tear and The Living Years. Somewhere between this overly-hefty compilation and the too-light Carrack Collection lies the perfect Paul Carrack compilation.

Mike + the Mechanics Word of Mouth (1991): Everybody Gets a Second Chance (6/15/91, 24 AC, 56 UK, 21 CN, 20 DF) CT A Time and Place (6/15/91, 58 UK, 37 DF) CT Get Up (single, 24 DF) Spin 1ne 2wo Spin 1ne 2wo (1993): This one-time collaboration with Tony Levin found Carrack interpreting rock classics from Blind Faith (“Can’t Find My Way Home”), Cream (“White Room”), Jimi Hendrix (“All Along the Watchtower”), Led Zeppelin (“Black Dog”), and others. Can’t Find My Way Home CT <’ul> Squeeze Some Fantastic Place (1993): Loving You Tonight (10/18/93, 4 DF) CT Mike + the Mechanics Beggar on a Beach of Gold (1995): Over My Shoulder (2/25/95, 12 UK, 22 CN, 11 DF) SF, CT, B, HL Another Cup of Coffee (6/17/95, 51 UK, 53 CN, 38 DF) CT A Beggar on a Beach of Gold (June 1995, 33 UK, 27 DF) CT Paul Carrack Blue Views (1996): Carrack’s first solo album in seven years features “Love Will Keep Us Alive,” a song he wrote with Timothy B. Schmit that was first recorded by the Eagles. Eyes of Blue (1/6/96, 24 AC, 40 UK) SF,CT, B, HL Love Will Keep Us Alive (21 UK) SF, CT, B, HL For Once in Our Lives (6/28/97, 72 BA, 3 AC) Paul Carrack Beautiful World (1997): Beautiful World (single, --) SF The Way I’m Feeling Tonight (single, --) CT Mike + the Mechanics M6 (1999): Now That You’re Gone (6/5/99, 35 UK, 19 DF) CT Whenever I Stop (8/28/99, 73 UK, 20 DF) CT Paul Carrack Satisfy My Soul (2000): Satisfy My Soul (single, --) SF, CT, B, HL Better Than Nothing CT Paul Carrack Groovin’ (2001): This collection of covers featured Carrack’s take on songs made famous by the Four Tops (“Baby I Need Your Loving”), Marvin Gaye (“Too Busy Thinking About My Baby”), Ronnie Milsap (“Any Day Now”), Van Morrison (“Crazy Love”), the Rascals (“Groovin’”), James Taylor (“You’ve Got a Friend”), Dionne Warwick (“Walk on By”), Bill Withers (“Ain’t No Sunshine”), and more. Groovin’ (single, --) SF, CT, B, HL Any Day Now (single, --) SF Walk on By B Paul Carrack It Ain’t Over (2003): It Ain’t Over (single, --) SF, CT Where Did I Go Wrong? (single, --) SF, CT Empty Space CT Mike + the Mechanics Rewired (2004): If I Were You CT Paul Carrack Winter Wonderland (2005): Carrack’s first Christmas album featured his take on Christmas classics such as “White Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “The Christmas Song,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Let It Snow” and the title cut alongside the non-Christmas classic “What a Wonderful World.” What a Wonderful World (30 DF) SF

Greatest Hits: The Story So Far Paul Carrack

Recorded: 1974-2005 Released: October 23, 2006 Peak: -- US, 146 UK Sales (in millions): -- Genre: pop rock Rating: 2.778 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks: (1) How Long (2) Tempted (3) I Need You (4) Silent Running (5) Don’t Shed a Tear (6) When You Walk in the Room (7) The Living Years (8) Battlefield (9) Dedicated (10) Over My Shoulder (11) Love Will Keep Us Alive (12) Eyes of Blue (13) Beautiful World (14) Satisfy My Soul (15) Groovin’ (16) Any Day Now (17) Where Did I Go Wrong? (18) It Ain’t Over (19) What a Wonderful World About the Album: This update to The Carrack Collection adds classic songs like Don’t Shed a Tear and The Living Years. Somewhere between this overly-hefty compilation and the too-light Carrack Collection lies the perfect Paul Carrack compilation.

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Paul Carrack Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue (2007): This is a bit of a mish-mash, gathering covers (Marvin Gaye’s “What's Going On” and “Ain’t That Peculiar,” Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” the Beatles’ “Girl”) alongside re-recordings (“Love Will Keep Us Alive,” “I Live on a Battlefield”). What's Going On B Don’t Dream It’s Over CT, B, HL Paul Carrack I Know That Name (2008): I Don’t Want Your Love (I Need Your Love) (single, --) B I Don’t Want to Hear Any More (single, --) CT, HL Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City (single, --) CT No Doubt About It (single, --) CT Soul to Soul (with the London Community Gospel Choir) CT He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother CT Paul Carrack A Different Hat (2010): Once again, Carrack delivers a collection of covers and re-recordings. Moon River B, HL Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying (single, --) CT, B Paul Carrack Good Feeling (2012): When My Little Girl Is Smiling (single, --) CT, B Good Feelin’ About It (single, --) CT Time to Move On (single, --) CT Long Ago CT

Collected Paul Carrack

Recorded: 1974-2012 Released: September 11, 2012 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Genre: pop rock Rating: 2.681 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks, Disc 1: (1) How Long (2) Tempted (3) Don’t Shed a Tear (4) The Living Years (5) Love Will Keep Us Alive (6) Groovin’ (7) When You Walk in the Room (8) Empty Space (9) Over My Shoulder (10) When My Little Girl Is Smiling (11) Satisfy My Soul (12) Eyes of Blue (13) Always Better with You (14) The Way I’m Feeling Tonight (15) A Time and Place (16) It Ain’t Over (17) Long Ago (18) Everybody Gets a Second Chance Tracks, Disc 2: (1) Dedicated (2) Loving You Tonight (3) Where Did I Go Wrong (4) Silent Running (5) I Need You (6) I Live on a Battlefield (7) Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City (8) Now That You’re Gone (9) I Don’t Want to Hear Anymore (10) Time to Move On (11) One Good Reason (12) Another Cup of Coffee (13) Better Than Nothing (14) Beauty’s Only Skin Deep (15) No Doubt About It (16) Whenever I Stop (17) Good Feelin’ About It (18) Don’t Let the Sun Catch You crying Tracks, Disc 3: (1) She’s Soulful (2) Don’t Dream It’s Over (3) Burning Love (4) Your Own Special Way (5) Love Me As Hard As You Hurt Me (6) If You Believe in Me (7) Too Late (8) Ride On (9) Wish You Were Here (10) Can’t Find My Way Home (10) Soul to Soul (12) He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (13) Beggar on a Beach of Gold (14) If I Were You Songs Not Featured on Previously Noted Albums: Wish You Were Here (with Nick Lowe, 1983) CT She’s Soulful (1/27/90) CT Burning Love (with Snowy White, 1995) CT Love Me As Hard As You Hurt Me (1996) CT Your Own Special Way (with Steve Hackett, 1996) CT Ride On (with Gare du Nord, 2007) CT If You Believe in Me (from the movie Beautiful Joe,2008) CT Too Late (with Bill Wyman & the Rhythm Kings, 2012) CT About the Album: Box set. Would have been benefited from a chronological presentation and more material from early in Carrack’s career.

Paul Carrack Rain or Shine (2013): Stepping Stone B I’m Losing You (single, --) B One in a Million B Come Rain or Come Shine B

The Best of Paul Carrack

Recorded: 1974-2013 Released: September 7, 2014 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Genre: pop rock Rating: 2.695 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks: (1) The Living Years (2) How Long (3) Love Will Keep Us Alive (4) Eyes of Blue (5) Over My Shoulder (5) Tempted (6) Satisfy My Soul (7) Groovin’ (8) Walk on By (9) What's Going On (10) I Don’t Want Your Love (I Need Your Love) (11) Don’t Dream It’s Over (12) Moon River (13) Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying (14) When My Little Girl Is Smiling (15) I’m Losing You (17) Stepping Stone (18) One in a Million (19) Come Rain or Come Shine About the Album: This collection strangely ignores Carrack’s early solo years (“I Need You,” “Don’t Shed a Tear,” “I Live by the Groove”), omits one of his biggest hits (Mike + the Mechanics’ “Silent Running”), and substitutes re-recordings of “The Living Years,” “How Long,” and “Tempted” instead of the originals. This appears to be a case of trying to assemble a compilation without having the rights to all of the material.

Paul Carrack Soul Shadows (2016): Sleep on It HL Let Me Love Again HL Paul Carrack These Days (2018): none Paul Carrack One on One (2021): You’re Not Alone HL Paul Carrack Don’t Wait Too Long (2023): Don’t Wait Too Long HL

How Long Has This Been Going On Paul Carrack

Covers: 1974-2024 Released: August 23, 2024 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Genre: pop rock

Tracks: (1) How Long (2) Groovin’ (3) Eyes of Blue (4) Satisfy My Soul (5) Don’t Shed a Tear (6) Dedicated (7) The Living Years (8) Moon River (9) Don’t Wait Too Long (10) Love Will Keep Us Alive (11) Sleep on It (12) Let Me Love Again (13) Tempted (14) I Don’t Want to Hear Any More (15) You’re Not Alone (16) I Need You (17) Over My Shoulder (18) Don’t Dream It’s Over (19) Raining in My Heart About the Album: This is another odd attempt at pretending to be a career retrospective but substituting some of Carrack’s earlier works with re-recorded versions. Not Featured on a Previously Noted Album: Raining in My Heart HL

Resources/References: PaulCarrack.net (official website) WK Wikipedia page for Paul Carrack Related DMDB Links: First posted 10/12/2020; last updated 4/9/2026.

The Top 100 Genesis et al Songs

Genesis et al Top 100 Songs

Progressive-rock group Genesis formed in 1966. Original frontman Peter Gabriel went solo in 1975 and was replaced on vocals by the band’s drummer Phil Collins, who stayed with the group until 1992, maintaining a simultaneous solo career from 1981 on. Guitarist/bassist Mike Rutherford formed the side project Mike + the Mechanics in 1985 and keyboardist Tony Banks released solo material along the way. This list focuses on the material they created within and outside of Genesis. Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers.

Awards (for Genesis):

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Awards (for Phil Collins):

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Awards (for Peter Gabriel):

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Awards (for Mike + the Mechanics):

Top 100 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. This one combines songs by Genesis along with solo material from Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, and Tony Banks as well as Mike Rutherford’s side project Mike + the Mechanics. DMDB Top 1%: 1. Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel, 1986) 2. In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins, 1981) 3. Another Day in Paradise (Phil Collins, 1989) 4. Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) (Phil Collins, 1984) 5. In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel, 1986) DMDB Top 2%: 6. A Groovy Kind of Love (Phil Collins, 1988) 7. Solsbury Hill (Peter Gabriel, 1977) DMDB Top 5%: 8. The Living Years (Mike + the Mechanics, 1988) 9. Invisible Touch (Genesis, 1986) 10. Sussudio (Phil Collins, 1985) 11. One More Night (Phil Collins, 1985) 12. Easy Lover (Phil Collins with Philip Bailey, 1984) 13. You’ll Be in My Heart (Phil Collins, 1999) 14. Biko (Peter Gabriel, 1980) 15. Two Hearts (Phil Collins, 1988) 16. Separate Lives (Phil Collins with Marily Martin, 1985) 17. In Too Deep (Genesis, 1986) 18. You Can’t Hurry Love (Phil Collins, 1982) DMDB Top 10%: 19. Throwing It All Away (Genesis, 1986) 20. Land of Confusion (Genesis, 1986) 21. That’s All (Genesis, 1983) 22. Follow You, Follow Me (Genesis, 1978) 23. Games Without Frontiers (Peter Gabriel, 1980) 24. Mama (Genesis, 1983) 25. Don’t Give Up (Peter Gabriel with Kate Bush, 1986) 26. Tonight, Tonight, Tonight (Genesis, 1986) 27. I Wish It Would Rain Down (Phil Collins, 1989) 28. Shock the Monkey (Peter Gabriel, 1982) 29. Abacab (Genesis, 1981) 30. Hold on My Heart (Genesis, 1991) 31. Silent Running (Mike + the Mechanics, 1985) 32. Misunderstanding (Genesis, 1980) 33. Something Happened on the Way to Heaven (Phil Collins, 1989) 34. No Son of Mine (Genesis, (1991) 35. I Can’t Dance (Genesis, 1991) 36. Steam (Peter Gabriel, 1992) 37. Turn It on Again (Genesis, 1980) 38. Big Time (Peter Gabriel, 1986) 39. All I Need Is a Miracle (Mike + the Mechanics, 1985) 40. Digging in the Dirt (Peter Gabriel, 1992) 41. Take Me Home (Phil Collins, 1985) 42. Jesus He Knows Me (Genesis, 1991) 43. Do You Remember? (Phil Collins, 1989) 44. No Reply at All (Genesis, 1981) DMDB Top 20%: 45. Both Sides of the Story (Phil Collins, 1993) 46. Man on the Corner (Genesis, 1981) 47. Illegal Alien (Genesis, 1983) 48. Home by the Sea (Genesis, 1983) 49. Don’t Lose My Number (Phil Collins, 1985) 50. I Missed Again (Phil Collins, 1981) 51. Paperlate (Genesis, 1982) 52. Word of Mouth (Mike + the Mechanics, 1991) 53. Everyday (Phil Collins, 1993) 54. Dance into the Light (Phil Collins, 1996) 55. Hero (Phil Collins with David Crosby, 1993) 56. Taken In (Mike + the Mechanics, 1985) 57. Red Rain (Peter Gabriel, 1986) 58. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (Genesis, 1974) 59. Nobody’s Perfect (Mike + the Mechanics, 1988) 60. Taking It All Too Hard (Genesis, 1983) 61. Hang in Long Enough (Phil Collins, 1989) 62. I Know What I Like in Your Wardrobe (Genesis, 1973) 63. The Carpet Crawlers (Genesis, 1974) 64. Summertime (Peter Gabriel, 1994) 65. I Don’t Care Anymore (Phil Collins, 1982) 66. Seeing Is Believing (Mike + the Mechanics, 1988) 67. Shortcut to Somewhere (Tony Banks with Fish, 1986) 68. I Don’t Remember (Peter Gabriel, 1980) 69. Over My Shoulder (Mike + the Mechanics, 1995) 70. Everybody Gets a Second Chance (Mike + the Mechanics, 1991) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 71. I Go Swimming (Peter Gabriel, 1983) 72. Your Own Special Way (Genesis, 1976) 73. Kiss That Frog (Peter Gabriel, 1992) 74. When You’re Falling (Peter Gabriel with Afro-Celt Sound System, 2001) 75. Supper’s Ready (Genesis, 1972) 76. Never a Time (Genesis, 1991) 77. True Colors (Phil Collins, 1998) 78. We Said Hello Goodbye (Phil Collins, 1985) 79. I Have the Touch (Peter Gabriel, 1982) 80. That Voice Again (Peter Gabriel, 1986) 81. Can’t Stop Loving You (Phil Collins, 2002) 82. Domino, Part 1: The Last Domino (Genesis, 1986) 83. Just a Job to Do (Genesis, 1983) 84. Family Snapshot (Peter Gabriel, 1980) 85. Keep It Dark (Genesis, 1981) 86. It’s in Your Eyes (Phil Collins, 1996) 87. It’s Gonna Get Better (Genesis, 1983) 88. Blood of Eden (Peter Gabriel with Sinéad O’Connor, 1992) 89. No Self Control (Peter Gabriel, 1980) 90. Inside Out (Phil Collins, 1985) 91. More Than This (Peter Gabriel, 2002) 92. Lovetown (Peter Gabriel, 1994) 93. Shaking the Tree (Peter Gabriel with Youssou N’Dour, 1989) 94. Duchess (Genesis, 1980) 95. Another Murder of a Day (Tony Banks with Fish, 1991) 96. I Grieve (Peter Gabriel, 1998) 97. Congo (Genesis, 1997) 98. Now That You’re Gone (Mike + the Mechanics, 1999) 99. Nobody Knows (Mike + the Mechanics, 1988) 100. Firth of Fifth (Genesis, 1973) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Genesis DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Phil Collins DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Peter Gabriel DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Mike + the Mechanics Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Performers” Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Songwriters and/or Producers First posted 1/31/2012; updated 9/22/2021.

Paul Carrack - Happy 70th birthday! His Top 30 Songs

Paul Carrack Top 30 Songs

The pop/rock singer and keyboardist Paul Carrack was born April 22, 1951 in Sheffield, England. Fronted the band Ace, offered guest vocals for Squeeze, and worked with Mike + the Mechanics. Also worked as a solo singer. For a complete list of this act’s DMDB honors, check out the DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entry. Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.

Awards:

Top 30 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists, appearances on compilations and live albums by the featured act, and songs’ chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. This list includes songs by Ace, Squeeze, and Mike + the Mechanics which featured Carrack on lead vocals. Unless otherwise noted, songs are by Paul Carrack as a solo artist. Songs which hit #1 on the following charts are noted: Billboard Hot 100 (US), Cashbox (CB), Billboard adult contemporary chart (AC), Billboard album rock track chart (AR), Canadian pop chart (CN), and Australian pop chart (AU). DMDB Top 5%: 1. The Living Years (Mike + the Mechanics, 1988) #1 US, CB, AC, CN, AU 2. Tempted (Squeeze, 1981) 3. How Long (Ace, 1974) #1 CB DMDB Top 10%: 4. Silent Running (Mike + the Mechanics, 1985) #1 AR 5. Don’t Shed a Tear (1987) DMDB Top 20%: 6. I Need You (1982) 7. One Good Reason (1987) 8. I Live by the Groove (1989) 9. Everybody Gets a Second Chance (Mike + the Mechanics, 1991) 10. Over My Shoulder (Mike + the Mechanics, 1995) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 11. When You Walk in the Room (1987) 12. Button Off My Shirt (1987) 13. Rock and Roll Runaway (Ace, 1974) 14. Now That You’re Gone (Mike + the Mechanics, 1999) 15. Nobody Knows (Mike + the Mechanics, 1988) 16. Loving You Tonight (Squeeze, 1993) 17. Whenever I Stop (Mike + the Mechanics, 1999) 18. Romance (Paul Carrack with Terri Nunn, 1989) 19. Another Cup of Coffee (Mike + the Mechanics, 1995) 20. Eyes of Blue (1996) 21. Lesson in Love (1982) 22. Revolution (Mike + the Mechanics, 1989) 23. Battlefield (1989) 24. For Once in Our Lives (1997) 25. A Time and a Place (Mike + the Mechanics, 1991) 26. Love Will Keep Us Alive (1997) 27. Do Me Lover (Carlene Carter with Paul Carrack, 1981) 28. Beggar on a Beach of Gold (Mike + the Mechanics, 1995) 29. A Call to Arms (Mike + the Mechanics, 1985) 30. Oh How Happy (Carlene Carter with Paul Carrack, 1981) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Paul Carrack DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Mike + the Mechanics DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Squeeze Dave’s Music Database: “Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists” First posted 12/23/2019; updated 6/5/2022.

Mike + the Mechanics “The Living Years” hit #1

The Living Years Mike + the Mechanics

Writer(s): Brian Robertson, Mike Rutherford (see lyrics here) Released: December 27, 1988 First Charted: December 31, 1988 Peak: 11 US, 12 CB, 2 GR, 2 RR, 14 AC, 5 AR, 2 UK, 12 CN, 11 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.4 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 23.6 video, 79.63 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Guitarist, bassist, and songwriter Mike Rutherford made his name with Genesis, but at the height of their success formed Mike + the Mechanics as a side project. Their 1985 self-titled debut produced the top-ten hits “Silent Running” and “All I Need Is a Miracle.” Rutherford returned to Genesis and they peeled off five top-ten hits from their 1986 Invisible Touch album. Another Mechanics album followed in 1988 and produced an unlikely chart-topper about “losing one’s father before having the chance to say what is in one’s heart.” FB Rutherford’s father, William, had been in the Navy and served in World War II as well as the Korean War. He and Mike didn’t get along well. William even tried to ban his son from playing guitar, but eventually came around when Mike joined Genesis and even bought some equipment for him and let the band stay at his house. SG Still, the two never had a close relationship. Mike said, “Fathers and sons of my generation just didn’t say things like ‘I love you’ to each other.” SG Mike was on tour with Genesis when his father died. He flew home for the funeral and then back to America in time for the next Genesis show. Rutherford’s third child was born a year later. In a weird coincidence, B.A. Robertson, with whom Rutherford had written “Silent Running,” also experienced the death of his father in 1986 and the birth of his son soon after. Between them, they crafted “The Living Years.” Paul Carrack sang lead, as he had on “Silent Running.” He previously reached the top ten in the 1970s with Ace and the song “How Long.” He also sang “Tempted” for Squeeze in 1981. Carrack could relate to the song’s theme about losing one’s father as his own dad had died when Paul was 11. Carrack sings “in a sort of soulful bleat, but he never goes too crazy with it…The song’s chorus is a big, booming thing with a whole kids’ choir…But the quieter verses are what give the song its power.” SG Author Steve Sullivan calls it Carrack’s “finest performance ever.” SS The song has “a sleek sort of calm to it.”SG It “expresses important truths in an eloquent, moving way without succumbing to mawkishness.” SS Resources: FB Fred Bronson (2007). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (4th edition). Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 723. SG Stereogum (6/30/2021). “The Number Ones” by Tom Breihan SS Steve Sullivan (2013). Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings (Volumes I & II). Scarecrow Press: Lanham, Maryland. Page 574. Related Links: First posted 12/26/2022; last updated 1/13/2023.