The Living Years (song)

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“The Living Years”
Single by Mike + The Mechanics from the album The Living Years
B-side	"Too Many Friends"
Released	August 7, 1988
Recorded	The Farm, Surrey, April 18 - August 18, 1988
Length	5:30
Writer(s)	Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson
Producer	Christopher Neil and Mike Rutherford
Mike + The Mechanics singles chronology
"Nobody's Perfect" "The Living Years" "Seeing Is Believing"

"The Living Years" is the only number one song recorded by Mike + The Mechanics. It peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 25, 1989. It also reached number two in the UK Singles Chart. Co-written by Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson, the song was inspired by the recent deaths of both men's fathers, and combine elements of both relationships. The lyrics describe the disagreements between Rutherford and his father, in addition to the profound impact of regret about things left unsaid between them. Also, they allude to the birth of Robertson's son three months after his father's death.

Band member Paul Carrack performed the lead vocal.

The song was covered by the country rock group Alabama in 2003 on their album In the Mood: The Love Songs.

Preceded by "Lost In Your Eyes" by Debbie Gibson

Billboard Hot 100 number one single March 25, 1989

Succeeded by "Eternal Flame" by Bangles