Mike & The Mechanics – The Living Years lyrics

Mike & The Mechanics – The Living Years lyrics

Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door

I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thoughts
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got

You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talkin' in defense

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts

So Don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different date
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be O. K.

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

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 new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

Say it loud, say it clear
Say it loud
Don't give up
Don't give in
And don't know what you can do next

Lyrics taken from /lyrics/m/mike_the_mechanics/the_living_years.html

Songwriters: B.A. Robertson, Mike Rutherford

The Living Years lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

hot lyrics

The Living Years meanings Post my meaning

Best
Recent
6 meanings

m

+ 4
Michael Mertz 2013-11-05 09:09:53

I lost my father in 2004 I heard this song before but it was another song. But when my father died this song came to mean so much more to me. We were estranged for years and only had closed the divide between us in the last year of his life. I never got to say I love you one last time, so every time I hear this song it reminds me of my father.

Add your reply
U

+ 3
Unregistered 2012-05-17 17:42:57

When my dad died I wish I could have had that real father to son relationship. He was never a father to me.
I just wish I could have told him how I felt about the way he brought me up, I tried to ask why, I sent a letter but no repy.
This song along with no son of mine reminds me of him. Guess that's just the way it is.

Add your reply
U

+ 2
Unregistered 2012-08-14 07:10:35

I lost my parents when I was young, and then my godparents, an aunt and uncle, became my parents. My relationship with my uncle, a military officer who died almost 10 years ago. This song reminds me of our relationship to a T. I think what this song says is that we have to conquer the chaos left behind from our relationships in the past before we can truly be whole in the present, and move into a better future, for ourselves as well as our children, and everyone else around us. Therefore, I pray that my past may now remain in the past, and I also pray that all of us, both the living and the dead, can then rest or be in peace. Xo.

Add your reply
U

+ 2
Unregistered 2012-03-17 16:46:25

I love this song but it never fails to make me cry as it reminds me of my late parents, especially my father because it was at times a rocky relationship. I believe it is about regrets you have after a loved one (mostly parents) die. You feel guilty for the bad feelings and let's face it, relationships are never clear cut and simple. It also is about forgiveness. Lately, 9 years after my father's death, I am wondering if all his anger and sometimes verbal abuse could be attributed to undiagnosed post-traumatic stress from world war ii, as these veterans never were encouraged to speak about the horrors they witnessed. Now I wish I could have a conversation and ask him about this although I think he still would not speak about this.

Add your reply
h

+ 2
hollie 2008-12-20 20:07:59

I love it and I wish I could justy join in. I know this is a meaning but I love this song. And I can't believe I didn't get that song to sing at my comcert. I mean my daddy is looking over me and I'm scared. But he is justy whacting my every move. But the only thing about this song I hate is. Well nothing really. Sorry I spell some words wrong beause I'm not good at spellings.
From Miley Cyras.

Add your reply
U

+ 1
Unregistered 2016-10-08 01:02:25

The words in this song takes me back to my childhood and adulthood years, I never had a relationship with my dad until I became an adult. However when he got sick I took care of him but I never got to tell him I forgive him for past mistakes. When he passed I felt empty.

Add your reply

Write about your feelings and thoughts about The Living Years

Know what this song is about? Does it mean anything special hidden between the lines to you? Share your meaning with community, make it interesting and valuable. Make sure you've read our simple .

U

or log in with

Min 50 words

Not bad

Good

Awesome!

View 10 more explanations

Add your explanation

Write an explanation

20 words

Good

Cool

Awesome!

Explanation guidelines:

Describe what artist is trying to say in a certain line, whether it's personal feelings, strong statement or something else.
Provide song facts, names, places and other worthy info that may give readers a perfect insight on the song's meaning.
Add links, pictures and videos to make your explanation more appealing. Provide quotes to support the facts you mention.

Before you get started, be sure to check out these explanations created by our users: good, very good, great.

Request explanation

Ask us or our community about the part of the song that interests you
We will try to respond as soon as possible

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z