I think that one line, "I think I caught his spirit later that same year. I'm sure I heard his echo in my babys newborn tears" is one of the most beautiful lines of lyric ever written. Gets me every time.

Many people miss the fact that the song’s first chorus is sung by young children, then the second by sung by older people, while the last is a combination of both.

This Song hit's even harder if you lost your father already, and the relationship was complicated. One of the most emotional Songs ever in my opinion, cannot listen without crying

I WAS there that morning,when my father passed away. I was in a recliner by his hospital bed,holding his hand. Then,for just a moment,I dozed off and yes,that’s when my Dad slipped away. He had been a quiet man and I know he regretted the hurt done by his alcoholism when I was a child. And I believe,even though he was unconscious,that he heard all that I had whispered in his ear throughout that night…about love,forgiveness and my own apology for not being the kind of daughter I felt he deserved. Right after he took his final breath,as I was looking at him one last time…a single tear ran down his face. I believe that tear was just for me,a goodbye for his little girl;an “I love you” from the man who rarely said it. I have had the great fortune in my now 70 years,to have known the end was near for most of the people I loved. So, I did get to say many of those things we often don’t say because we think there’s more time. What an absolute blessing that was! And even now,when a memory I had tucked away pops up or an old hurt is resurrected by a new one, I STILL talk to them. I miss them all so much,but I know I’ll be along soon.❤️❤️

This song is an analogy of generational precipitation of life and death. Young folks think they will live forever as their parents should, while older folks realize time is shorter everyday and closure isn’t always available before the end. Truly an exceptional song, have always loved it!

I'm 73 and the verse, "I wasn't there that morning, when my Father passed away. Didn't get to tell him, all the things I had to say." still brings tears to my eyes. In 1963 (a month before my 13th Birthday) my Father was out of town and died from a heart attack. Sure wish I would have told him more often how much I loved, respected, and admired him. Damn! Tears in my eyes as I'm typing this.

My Mother had just passed away in the hospital, I was there. My Father couldn’t deal with arranging the funeral home, so I went. On the way there, this song played. I lost it.

I see your emotion, and I am 68 years old, I know what you feel.

Hey Nick, you hit the nail on the head. Mike Rutherford, the Mike in Mike & the Mechanics is part of the group Genesis with Phil Collins!

I wasn’t there that morning, when my father passed away. My father died 4 years ago from Covid and sadly was alone. I have peace knowing nothing was left unsaid between us. Our last words were to say I love you to each other ❤️

My father passed away in July 1987. My first child, a son, was born in October 1987. This song was released in the U.S. in December 1988. The first time I heard it, and every time since, I cried. I wasn’t there the morning my father passed and I didn’t get to tell him all the things I had to say. I miss my dad ❤️

This song was written by the drummer of the band after his father died and they hadn't spoken to each other for years.

The lyrics are profound and grab at one’s heart.

Good on you, Randall. The best music is the stuff that makes you FEEL something.

Dad passed away from cancer on Good Friday, April 10th 2020 from Cancer. I was lucky enough to be with Mum in the hospital when he passed, as it was Covid and they were not really letting people visit. Im so glad I was able to tell him I couldnt have asked for a better Dad. He wasnt my biological father, he met my Mum when I was 14, and while we didnt get along until I was in my 20's, he always introduced me as his daughter, he always wished the best for me, and I couldnt have been happier that my Mum met someone who loved her beyond anything else

Brings a tear, EVERY time. Such a beautiful song.

You can listen as well as you hear... Brilliant line

A beautiful, emotional song perfectly performed by the voice of Paul Carrack.

One of the most powerful songs ever written and sung. When it came on the radio, I had to change the station because I’d get too emotional.

I haven’t heard this in a long time, but still know every word. I wasn’t there the day my father passed away. I was only 27. He was 62. He wasn’t around for my wedding or the birth of his only grandchild. It’s been hard. My mom is still here today though. At 88. ❤

I was there with my father when he died. I told him that each one of us, by name, loved him and if he wanted to go be with Jesus, he could go. He died literally within 3 or 4 seconds after I told him that we loved him. I have never seen my father's eyes more blue as he looked up (I think to Heaven) and died. Tell your parents that you love them because you never know when God will take them. We knew my father was close due to the cancer in his brain taking him, but he understood what I said, I know he did because he seemed to be hanging on to life for that reminding of our love for him.

My best friend died 5/3/24. She wasn’t well for about a year, but she slipped away so quickly we feel like a bulldozer ran over us. I just pray she knew how much she was loved, and I’m so glad she didn’t suffer. TLC 1950-2024

Mate, I've been listening to this song since it came out more than 30 years ago and it hits harder and harder as the years go by. It always reminds me to give my dad a call while I still can. Another moving song from Mike + The Mechanics is "Another Cup Of Coffee".

I’ve heard this so many times but seeing you cry had me weeping too.. glad you enjoyed this

Very emotional song. Paul Carrak was the lead vocalist. He's fronted other groups in the past. Emotional rollercoaster

The words are so true for all of us. And his voice is stunning. I love this song. Thank you. ❤❤❤❤

Going to see this fantastic band again in the 🇬🇧 for the 5th time, April 2025. One of the BEST BRITISH bands ever ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

😢I’m 73 now , every time I hear this song , I also cry tears of regret.. I didn’t get to tell my Father how I felt about him and he never told me..the words in this song reads like a personal history of us…

The 80s was a turning point in musical expressions of feelings we normal kept inside. I'm 71 and lived through these awaking times. I love this song because the theme carries through the years. Enjoyed your remarks.

Amongst the things that make this song great is the going from the kids to the adults choir-wise. Showing these things mean just as much no matter your age

I remember my dad tuning to alcoholism in his older years, but he finally gave it up for good after I told him if he couldn't say he loved me while sober, then don't say it. The night he died, I was at the hospital and told him I loved him, then left. Early that morning I got the call that he had passed. Now, 20 years later, I still miss him.

Perfect vocal from Paul Carrack.

It's a beautiful public service announcement as well as a fantastic song. Make things right while you have the chance and save yourself a world of regret! And the brilliant Paul Carrack vocal is, as always, out of this world. A special song.

Its been 47 years since my father passed in his sleep, I remember everything that day. Mum would take my brother and I to Sunday school then to the 11am service. That day dad turned up and went to church with us, after church, we went for a long sunday drive and had a picnic in a park. Then when we got home we had Roast lamb for dinner. Then only being 12 went to bed, that being the last time with Dad. As I am hitting my 60th in a few mouths, and listerning to, The Living Years it could have been alot different if dad had lived a longer life. Maybe we could have had unspoken words that should have been sheared, I still Love my dad after all these years. But the greatest gift was looking after mum for 8 years and being with her when she passed back in 2011, and with all the words that needed to be spoken came to an end, with. I Love you mum - I Love you to Alex.

Funny u compare them to Phil Collins as Mike Rutherford (Guitarist/Guy in the video) is one of the founders and guitarists of Genesis! Paul Carrack (Lead vocalist) has been in many bands, but also has an amazing solo career as well!

I wasn't there when my father passed, but I did spend a few hours interviewing him about his life. He had an amazing life filled with experiences that most people could only dream of. I video taped it, so I can play it whenever I need to hear his voice.

Oh my gosh. I started my adulthood in the 80's. I heard this song so many times. I recall sobbing the first time I heard it. Now I'm entering old age. Both my parents are gone and this is the first time hearing it in my current life chapter. It just hits so much harder than it did when I thought they would be hear forever. Sobbing again.

My Dad had Alzheimers, and he didn't know me anymore. He was taken into hospital a week before Christmas 2022, where he would lie in bed with his eyes closed unresponsive. My Mum and I went in to see him on Christmas day, where we sat his bedside for a few hours. When we left, I said "Bye Dad" to which he startled me when he said "Bye Son" I was so happy knowing he knew it was me and that I was there. Sadly he passed not long after. I'm just glad that he's with God now, where he will be forever young.

I was 14 when my Dad Died, I was trying to get him up out of his chair and into bed but he collapsed on me, he passed right there in my arms, He was a 6ft tall man and while he'd lost weight, for me at 14 he was still heavy. He was my world I miss him so much. Everyday..My own Son looks like him & as he gets older he looks even MORE like him. My son said While looking at Old family photos "Gee Mum, Me & Pop are the same" for me, It's So special. 💜 I always come back to reactions of this song to see How you all React to one of the most beautiful song ever written. To all those who have lost someone My condolences. ❤

This song makes me cry every time. I miss my father.

Great reaction Nick. The lyrics to this song are so powerful

My youngest son cannot to listen to this song. He was away when his father passed and he feels the regret that he did not get to say goodbye to a father he revered and loved deeply.

the singer is the Great Paul Carrack.. he has some hits with 3 diff bands over the 70's 80's and 90's..

I was a daddy’s girl from a toddler, even mum says that she knew that he was the centre of my world from then. When she made him leave after he had had one too many affairs, I was attached to his leg sobbing begging him not to leave me. He was a good father, we saw him every weekend and he was always very financially responsible for us. I was so close to him for years. When I left my first husband I didn’t go to my mum, I went to my dad. I thought he might be disappointed in me, but he told me he wanted me to be happy and that he would support me in my choice. We stayed so close until he married a narcissist when I was 28 who did not want him to have a close relationship with his daughter, and he gave in to her. It hurt me so badly, I was so angry at him. I went out and bought him this song and I don’t even know if he listened to it. He died in December 2022 aged 87 in another state from us in Australia and we didn’t even know where his body was. I was waking in the night sobbing for him, I was 63 and felt like that 5yr old who’s dad had left her again. He wanted no funeral, he was cremated and she would give us nothing of him. It was like he had never existed. This has made me cry for him. I miss you so much dad. ❤️

I’ve always loved this song. Thank you for your touching reaction. I was just listening to some tape recordings, which I recently digitized, of my father who passed away in 2021. It means the world to be able to hear his voice and his stories now that he’s gone.

What is more moving is to realize that the members of children's choir are in their 50s and the adult choir members are most likely dead.

Back in 1981 my sister gave birth to a little baby boy. Later the same day, our father died suddenly. He just sat down in his arm chair and passed away from a massive heart attack. This song always reminds me of that day.

My father will be 97 in July. We have never had an easy relationship. I have not seen him in 9 years, and it will not change . Not an ideal situation.

This song always makes me tear up when I hear it. My father and I were not estranged or anything and in fact I was still living at home. But I was on vacation in Hawaii when he passed away back in 1990 and I didn't get to say goodbye. The last thing I said to him was that I would see him when I came home.

Brilliant song and Always makes me tear up Just Beautiful

I love their song All I Need is a Miracle.

My father and I had a very tremulous relationship. Hardly spoke in his latter years. He died aged 54 while I was away serving in the Falkland's. I'm 71 now and this song still makes me blub! "I wish I could have told him in the living years"

My father, was my best friend, we worked in the factories together, from me leaving school, him getting me a job, never went anywhere, to the pub, unless i called him, used to go to the club for a few beers every sunday lunch before, we went home for dinner, he passed at 58 years old, im 59 now, lasted year loger, he was the baby boomer era, none of the men in my family made it passed 60, grandparents, uncles, the women all gone into the 90's as we say we blame the generation before, his genration, no health and safety in factories, like to today, face covering, from dust and stuff, they made the money and played hard

This song has encouraged a lot of people to make peace with loved ones. It is a very emotional song but has a message. I was holding my fathers hand when he passed but we had had a difficult relationship for many years. I'm so happy we made amends before he passed.

That line in the last verse "I wasn't there that morning when my father passed away"....? rips my heart out. My father died from lung cancer on a Saturday morning mid-day on the 29th November 2003. I was 2 minutes from his home but I wasn't allowed to see him. This has haunted me since. I never got to say goodbye to hold his hand or kiss him on the fore-head. I can't listen to this song ever....I think about him often and wonder if he thought I didn't want to see him before he past. I was so close but my step-mum said "NO".....

This was such an unexpected hit song. A heartfelt 'message' song like this would seem on the face to be un-commercial, but not this one.

Thank you again Nick for reacting to my request. Great emotional reaction. (Randall)

There's no mystery to this song. It's laid right out there for us to hear. His voice is strong and clear in presenting this most human relationship of children and father. If you don't cry you are not listening.

My mom taught 6 children to love music passionately. My siblings and our kids and grandkids have been given the same gift passed down. We share our songs with ea other but no one has (at all) same traste. BUT... This song, thru 4 generations, since it came out and I played it for my mom, it made her cry, me cry, my kids cry, to this day, every time I hear it. My mom is gone now but it's a masterpiece. THANK YOU NICK AND RANDALL❤ Have a beautiful Sunday!

Im surprised you mentioned Phil Collins! Mike Rutherford was a member of Genesis and formed Mike & the Mechanics while on hiatus. I’ve loved this song from the moment I heard it. By the time this song was played my father had been dead for 25 yrs. I had just turned 14 yrs old. I cry every time I hear this song.

We just can’t get agreement in this present tense we all talk a different language talking in defense… My favorite part of this masterpiece…..

Thanks this song has a lot of meaning to me it always brings tears to my eyes.

I wasn’t there but I knew the end was near the last time I was with him. My sister and I were in his hospital room telling him how proud we were of him and how much we loved him. He had dementia and couldn’t really comprehend but he did manage to smile as we were talking to him. That smile was on his face when I left the room.

My Dad passed away while on holiday with my Mum in Malta and I found out when someone who was arranging to bring him home phoned and told me. It was the most awful shock and I wasn't there for him. I am 79 now and whenever I here this song I cry. Can't help it. I was and always will be my Daddies little girl❤❤❤Love to everyone who has lost not just Dads but Mums as well. Parents are precious😊😊😊😊😊

Handsome Carrack with great voice and emotional song!

I was so lucky. I spent as much time as I could with my parents. I was living in Alberta still in 2015. But I came home to Tx as often as possible. I had been home that summer. I asked them if I could go ahead & move home sooner than when one of them died. Which was the plan for 100 years. They said we are fine. Blah blah blah. I had plans anyway of coming back for the holidays. In October, I was talking to them on the phone. My car was making a noise so mom put dad on so I could tell him about it, he said what sound is it making. I made the sound! We both cracked up laughing! I had been making car noise to him, my whole damn life. He told me the possibilities. Not motor, he thought brakes, something in that area. The last thing he ever said to me was don't try to come home without having your vehicle serviced. We told each other we loved each other. He passed the phone back to mom. The next morning he was gone. He was right about putting it in the shop. The nut that holds the axle to the wheel was stripped. I miss my parents. They definitely knew how much I loved them!

My father knew I loved him when he died because I told him so before he left for the summer at the beach. We hugged and told each other that we loved each other. 3 months later he was gone.

At the end they are on the White Cliffs of Dover. I have written to both my parents, who I am blessed to still have. They live minutes away but I wrote anyway, both individually and joint letters. They were overwhelmed but also overjoyed and both have a package of letters/photos being put in with them when they are gone. I absolutely adore mine and told my dad he could spend all my inheritance on mum. Diamonds on the soles of her shoes? Fine with me. For various reasons they are my heroes.

66 uears old, my father is 88 .. people are saying here that you feel this song more if you have lost your father ... I gave my father a hug so hard he couldnt' breathe. I don't even live in the same country as him now. Eye to Eye ... yeah, he doesn't see eyes too much anymeore. My stepson, his chidlren ... they will say the same thing abut me. Picture 2000 years ago ... our ancestors must have been there or we would not. Even if you were disturbed ... thank you.

This is such a beautiful song such a underrated group always brings me to tears thank you for your beautiful reaction x x

Paul the lead singer was in his 1st band called "ACE" in 1975. He sang " How Long Has This Been going On" Then his second band was " Squeeze" 1981. He sang a bunch of songs a couple of hits. Then he hooked up with " Mike and the Mechanics" and he sang the song we just listened to. Paul had one of the best vocal's around.

Me and Dad didn't always see Eye to Eye but he was still my Dad, so when he went into hospital ill I didn't see him for few days... Then I was called in and seeing my Dad who used be a builder sat in a chair scared look on face and now only weighed about 8 stone, his Cancer had come back and was going into theatre just to check how bad....... He never woke up... I sat with him for nearly a day with him breathing then stopping.... Then gasping another breath, this lasted hours, my aunt his sister couldn't cope and left, my mum had go another room but me and my cousin stayed holding his hands telling him to please go to his mum n dad they waiting for you and after hours of this he went and like song says I got to tell him nothing as never woke again. Love You Dad rest in peace. He was 56yr

Tears and goosebumps. A very touching song. This song taught me to speak to my parents before it was too late. I was 30 when i wrote them and told them they had done a great job raising 4 children. That they should be proud of what they had wrought with us. I am so glad now I did. I don't think I would ever of thought to without this.

I cried when I heard this after my Dad died. I was in the middle seperating from my husband and had met him that night and it was horrible after doing 12 hr shift in ICU. I was to upset to see how sick my Dad looked as he helped me through dealing with the drama from meeting the idiot and he was dead in the morning. When I heard this I felt my Dad was letting me know it was OK.

Thank you, Nick for posting this video. 😏 Hadn't heard this song in a long while... Much appreciated, Sir. 🙂 With very best wishes to you, from Scotland.

I wasn't there that morning when my father passed away. But I'd been there just a few hours before, and my mother and brother were with him. I was able to talk to him a lot as he lay sleeping.

I wanted to be with my Dear DAD when he passed but I never got the opportunity so this song has a lot of meaning to me I really wanted to tell him what a great DAD he was and how much I loved him and still do.

My dad and I had an incredible relationship the last eight years of his life, starting a couple of years after the death of my next older brother. After that Dad faced down alcoholism, never drinking again until he died at 92. I was his counselor starting at the of 15, so he shared alot of his past, his fears, and the pain and loneliness he felt after my mom died when she was 44. I’m the youngest of seven kids, but my brothers and sisters either moved away or had turned their backs on him years before, so after all his friends died I became his only friend. I wish I could have been more open to him about my life, but I felt it would have ruined our relationship so I never came out to him, even though I’m fairly certain he suspected. We just never talked about it. I was the only person with him as he was dying, even spending the night in a chair next to his bed in the nursing home that he was sent to by his doctors, because they wouldn’t prescribe hospice for him to die at home in his own bed. Having been with him for nearly twenty years-four hours straight I went home for an hour to shower, change clothes, and grab something to eat. And even though I raced back to the nursing home at 80 miles an hour in a 35 mph to be there at the end he died with only a nurse to hold his hand. It’s been fourteen years since he fell asleep and everyone who knew him still thinks I was there with him at the end. I know they’d understand why I left and wouldn’t judge me, especially since none of them were there even though they knew he wouldn’t make it through the day, but I don’t want them condemning themselves if they ever found out that he died alone. I’m glad I had intentionally moved back home twenty-three years before his death to be with him and re-build our friendship, but to this day it still haunts me that he didn’t know all of me and that I kept a big part of my life locked up inside me.

I’ve always loved this song, I appreciate your remarks ~ very insightful 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Not only you, I always cry when I hear this song and as I age the lyrics bring back memories and each time different than the one before. I was around when it was first release and it has a total different meaning for me now than then. Love light and healing to ALL.

You are so right. This is so very emotional. I just love it but cannot listen to it without tearing up. Can see that you are really emotional as well. Loved your reaction.

I was not there when my Dad died of a heart attack in 1986. I had joined the U.S. Air Force the year before. Our daughter was born in 1988 so this song hits hard. Especially the one line about, " hearing his echo in my baby's newborn tears".

Remember, THIS was “pop music “ back then. Now listen to the shit in last 20 years

Brings tears to my eyes every time... I wasn't there.....

.. For your eyes 🧻.. It's not just the lyric, it's also the way Poul Carrack's voice tells the story..

God what a beautiful song.I cry every time I hear it!

This song was popular when my Dad was fighting cancer in 1988. I had leave a place if it came on! Luckily, we had a great relationship, but I heeded the words of this song and made sure I said it all before I finally lost him 22 years later. No regrets, and I can now listen to this song. ❤

Great reaction, what you said is so very true. You never know when that day will come and your parents will no longer be with you.

Such a beautiful song! Brings back memories!❤❤ My father passed away 6 years ago, this makes me think about him, he passed while napping in a chair while watching TV, thankfully not suffering.❤❤ My father’s voice is still the one on my parent’s answering machine. I know it won’t be there forever, but I hope it is there for a long time! I miss him, so much!!😢 Thanks Nick, brings back memories!!❤❤❤

Beautiful display of humanity brother ❤

I love your reactions. The emotion of a song always comes to life in your eyes. Beautiful.

My dad was from a generation that didnt say 'I love you' easily. I was too focused on my own life to tell him how I felt. He had a massive stroke and died 24 hours later. I had the chance to say things to him during that time even though he was unconscious but i just couldn't. I regret that to this day.

Paul Carrack on Lead Vocals and the late great Paul Young on backing vocals (playing keyboards in this video). They shared/alternated Lead Vocals on most of the songs, until Paul's untimely death in July 2000. A brilliant, classic and moving song. I hadn't realised that it actually topped the Billboard Hot 100 until I checked the other day; all the way back in March 1989.

Great song that always hits hard. I was there the day my Dad died. Thanks for reviewing mate.

It was shot at Porlock on the coast in the county of a Somerset

One of the most emotional songs I've ever heard. Forgiveness is what it's all about. I've always loved this song and it still makes me tear up even after all these years. God Bless!

This is an incredible song. I was not there when my dad died, so this song holds a lot of meaning to me, the song came out after my dad passed away. Love your reaction!

One of my all time favorites ❤

I cry every time I listen to this song ❤️‍🔥

This has always been one of my all time favorite songs. Thanks for reacting to this!! 🩷