The Living Years (song)

Infobox Single
Name =The Living Years


Cover size =
Caption =
Artist = Mike + The Mechanics
Album = The Living Years
A-side =
B-side = "Too Many Friends"
Released = December 27 1988
Format = Cassette Single
Recorded = 1987
Genre = Ballad
Length = 5:32
Label = Atlantic Records
WEA Records
Writer = Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson
Producer = Christopher Neil and Mike Rutherford
Certification = Platinum (US)
Last single = "Nobody's Perfect"
This single = "The Living Years"
Next single = "Seeing Is Believing"
Misc ="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. The song also spent four weeks atop the U.S. adult contemporary chart. In addition, "The Living Years" reached number two on 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". Russell Watson also recorded a version of this song in 2003 on his album "Reprise".