All I Need Is a Miracle
Encyclopedia
"All I Need Is a Miracle" is a pop rock
song performed by 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, where it reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100
in 1986.
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."
", which also reached the top ten. "All I Need Is a Miracle" featured lead vocals by former Sad Café
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.
" ends with footage of Mike + The Mechanics performing the song at a restaurant, and segue
s 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's 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 as collateral until he is paid £500.
The bulk of the video than 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. He attains his goal when he finds a lost dog and the grateful owner hands him some money. Thinking nothing of this encounter, the manager eventually glances at the money and realizes that the man handed him a thousand-pound note by mistake. He tries to return the money, but the dog owner is already gone. He then returns to the restaurant, pays the owner the £500, and gives the change to Rutherford, telling him to split it among the band.
Both the greenhorn tour manager and the closing quip "That's an easy way of making a living" would make return appearances in the video for "Taken In
".
.
name="allmusicTinaAnn">
In May 2005 the song was covered by dance artist Red Kult.
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
song performed by Mike + The Mechanics. Written by guitarist Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford
Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
and producer Christopher Neil
Christopher Neil
Christopher Neil is a British record producer, songwriter, singer and actor.He has worked with Celine Dion, a-ha, Dollar, Paul Nicholas, Kim Criswell, Morten Harket, Mike + The Mechanics, Johnny Logan, Marillion, The Moody Blues, The Other Ones, Paul Carrack, Rod Stewart, Gerry Rafferty, Cher,...
, it was first included on their 1985 self-titled debut album, and later released as a single, where it reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 1986.
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."
Details
"All I Need Is a Miracle" was the second single released by Mike + The Mechanics, following "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)
"Silent Running " is a pop rock song performed by Mike + The Mechanics. Written by Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson, it was the first track from their 1985 self-titled debut album...
", which also reached the top ten. "All I Need Is a Miracle" featured lead vocals by former Sad Café
Sad Café
Sad Café can refer to:* "Sad Café", a song by The Eagles, featured on their 1979 album The Long Run* Sad Café , a band featuring Paul Young - see also Mike + The Mechanics...
vocalist Paul Young
Paul Young (Sad Café)
Paul Young was an English singer and percussionist who worked with several successful bands. He initially came to prominence as the lead singer of chart band Sad Café, and later enjoyed further chart success sharing lead vocal duties with Paul Carrack in Mike + The Mechanics.-Career:Young was born...
.
The cover of the single was twice recycled for Mike + The Mechanics albums, first for their greatest hits package Hits
Hits (Mike + The Mechanics album)
Hits is a compilation album by Mike + The Mechanics, released in 1996 except in the USA and Canada, where it was released in 2005.-Track listing:#"All I Need Is a Miracle '96" ...
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.
Video
The music video for "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)
"Silent Running " is a pop rock song performed by Mike + The Mechanics. Written by Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson, it was the first track from their 1985 self-titled debut album...
" ends with footage of Mike + The Mechanics performing the song at a restaurant, and segue
Segue
A segue is a smooth transition from one topic or section to the next.-In music:In music, segue is a direction to the performer. It means continue without a pause. It comes from the Italian "it follows". The term attacca is also used in classical music.For written music it implies a transition...
s 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's tour manager (played by Roy Kinnear
Roy Kinnear
Roy Mitchell Kinnear was an English character actor. He is best remembered for playing Veruca Salt's father, Mr. Salt, in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.-Early life:...
) attempts to settle up with the restaurant owner (played by Victor Spinetti
Victor Spinetti
Victor Spinetti is a Welsh comic actor.-Early life:Spinetti was born in Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Wales of Welsh and Italian heritage from a grandfather who was said to have walked from Italy to Wales to work as a coal miner...
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 as collateral until he is paid £500.
The bulk of the video than 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. He attains his goal when he finds a lost dog and the grateful owner hands him some money. Thinking nothing of this encounter, the manager eventually glances at the money and realizes that the man handed him a thousand-pound note by mistake. He tries to return the money, but the dog owner is already gone. He then returns to the restaurant, pays the owner the £500, and gives the change to Rutherford, telling him to split it among the band.
Both the greenhorn tour manager and the closing quip "That's an easy way of making a living" would make return appearances in the video for "Taken In
Taken In
"Taken In" is a pop rock song performed by Mike + The Mechanics. Written by guitarist Mike Rutherford and producer Christopher Neil, it was the third single released in June 1986 from their 1985 self-titled debut album, and the third to become a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100...
".
Covers
In 2003, the song was covered by classically-trained vocalist Tina AnnTina Ann
Tina Ann Amato is a classically trained vocalist from Long Island, New York who has had success on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance Airplay charts....
.
name="allmusicTinaAnn">
In May 2005 the song was covered by dance artist Red Kult.
Chart performance
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 10 |
| German Singles Chart | 26 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 31 |
| UK Singles Chart | 53 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 5 |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 7 |
| US Billboard Dance Play Singles | 24 |
| US Billboard Top Rock Tracks | 6 |