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All I Need Is a Miracle
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Wikipedia article
"'All I Need Is a Miracle'" is a song performed by English pop rock band Mike + The Mechanics. Written by guitarist Mike Rutherford and producer Christopher Neil, it was first included on their 1985 self-titled debut album, and later released as a single in early 1986 in the USA, where it reached number 5 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. The song was sung by Paul Young on both the original recording and the 1996 re-recording for the band's 'Hits' compilation album.
In an interview prior to the song's release as a single, Rutherford commented, "The thing that makes 'Miracle' different, to me, is that it's a happy song or it's 'primarily' a happy song. It's 'up'. And I don't do that very often. ...It may not be optimistic, but it's a positive attitude to life."Neer, Dan (1985). 'Mike on Mike' [interview LP], Atlantic Recording Corporation.
Details
"All I Need Is a Miracle" was the second single released by Mike + The Mechanics, following "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)", which also reached the top 10. "All I Need Is a Miracle" featured lead vocals by former Sad Caf vocalist Paul Young.
The cover of the single was twice recycled for Mike + The Mechanics albums, first for their greatest hits package 'Hits' in 1996, and then for 'Mike & the Mechanics' in 1999.
A new version of the song, titled "All I Need Is a Miracle '96", was included on 'Hits'.
In 1987, the song was nominated for "Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group" at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony.
Reception
'Cash Box' said that "it has a clean, lively sound reminiscent of Alan Parsons." 'Billboard' said it is "upbeat and danceable."
Music video
The music video for "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" ends with footage of Mike + The Mechanics performing the song at a restaurant, and segues into the video for "Miracle". In the video, "All I Need is a Miracle" is the final song in the band's fictional set, so Mike + The Mechanics' tour manager (played by Roy Kinnear) attempts to settle up with the restaurant owner (played by Victor Spinetti) for the agreed sum of 250. However, the owner points out that due to the gig being arranged at the last minute, the restaurant is more than half empty, and refuses to pay. Moreover, he threatens to hold all the band's equipment (and "the guitarist's right arm" the early airings) as collateral until he is paid 500.
The bulk of the video then alternates between the band's performance (with Paul Carrack acting as the bassist) and the manager's adventures in trying to acquire the necessary 500. The manager's conflicts get worse when a Chinese hoodlum swipes his money while riding a bike. The manager runs after the thief and follows him to the basement of a restaurant in Chinatown where his money is being gambled away. There he attempts to gamble his money back by playing mah-jong. However, as he is winning, the thief and his cronies kick him out of the building. As he sits in despair, he is consoled by a stray dog, which is soon whisked away by its owner. His luck changes when the grateful Rolls-Royce-driving owner hands him a large amount of money for "finding" the dog. The manager returns to the restaurant, pays the owner the 500, and gives the change to Rutherford, telling him to split it amongst the band. The blissfully unaware Rutherford quips the video's punch line, "That's an easy way to make a living."
Personnel
'Mike + The Mechanics'
* Mike Rutherford electric guitars, bass, backing vocals
* Paul Young lead vocals
* Paul Carrack backing vocals
* Adrian Lee keyboards
* Peter Van Hooke drums
'Additional personnel'
* Dereck Austin keyboards
* Ian Wherry keyboards
* Alan Carvel backing vocals
* Christopher Neil backing vocals
* Linda Taylor backing vocals
Chart performance
Covers
In 1988, Rutherford's other band Genesis performed a section of the song as part of a solo career medley on the 1988 Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert. It is the only Mike + The Mechanics song to have been played live by the band. Genesis vocalist Phil Collins covered the song at the picnic by the lake in 1989. It was also referenced by him often during Genesis concerts, especially during the "Turn It On Again" medley.
In 2003, the song was covered by classically trained vocalist Tina Ann.
References
Category:1985 songs
Category:1986 singles
Category:Mike + The Mechanics songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Christopher Neil
Category:Songs written by Mike Rutherford
Category:Songs written by Christopher Neil
Category:Atlantic Records singles
Category:Rock ballads
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