Genesis mainstay and founding member Mike Rutherford may have intended for Mike + the Mechanics to be a mere side project for him during his primary band's off times, but the latter group eventually became a sturdy and successful pop act. Much of this probably has to do with the strength of the band's twin Pauls as lead vocalists, namely soulful legend Paul Carrack and the late Paul Young, a fine rock singer who just happened to have a namesake active as a solo artist at the same time. While Rutherford provided the group with some gripping personal songwriting, these two singers interpreted his material with an enormous amount of feeling and aplomb.
"Taken In" is a great example of one of those soft rock ballads you know well once you hear it again but that unfortunately slipped through the cracks upon initial release. Sliding only into the lower half of Billboard's Top 40 in 1986 may have kept the tune from becoming a bona fide '80s classic, but its melodies stand the test of time beautifully. This track is a wonderful find for '80s music fans in general and especially listeners fond of tuneful, Foreigner-style ballads.
- Sample or download "Taken In" here.
- Compare prices on Mike + the Mechanics CDs here.
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- Top Genesis Songs of the '80s
Album Cover Image Courtesy of Atlantic/WEA
Comments
You’re completely right on this one. I love the astmospheric sound of “Taken In” and even though reached #32 on the Hot 100 and #7 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Singles chart in 1986 in your country, here in Dominican Republic had certain impact.
You are right on target! I am a large Paul Carrack fan, but, Paul Young nailed Taken In. The entire disc was the best, but that may well have been “THE” track. Forget charts, Taken In is well deserved for recognition. Thanks for bringing it up!
Great song!