Paul Carrack is a treasure..... he becomes the jewel in everything he touches. Tempted is a great song, but when you mentioned Living Years, it brought tears to my eyes. A good friend and former brother in law lost a life long battle with addiction and that is the song my niece had played at his memorial. He fought for years and had become clean but just got tired of the fight and left us. I will always remember Mike when that song comes on.
My dad loved the song "Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics. He was always moved by the verse about not being there when his father passed away, and he didn't get to tell him all the things he had to say as that verse really rang true with my dad. My grandfather was his hero, just as my dad was mine. In May of last year, my dad had a massive stroke. We were told by the Dr's at his age that there was not much they could do except make sure he was comfortable in his last hours or days. He was moved to hospice house after 2 days in the hospital. On the following Wednesday, my niece was coming in from out of town to see him, as she was the only person who hadn't been able to spend any time with him since his stroke. That morning, as my wife and I were going to hospice house, " Living Years" came on the radio. I knew at that moment that my Dad was going to move on that day as he would be at peace after my niece got to see him. He was just waiting for her to say her goodbyes. Everyone left hospice house around 5 pm. At 5:15 p.m., as my wife and I were pulling in our driveway, I received a call from hospice house that my Dad had passed on about 5 minutes after we all left. " Living Years" always held a special place in my heart, but it now it means so much more to me. I was there when my father passed away, and I did get to tell him all the things I had to say. He was my hero, the man I aspire to be like, and a wonderful father and even greater man. I'm so thankful that I was given those extra moments with him, just so he could know what he meant to me in his living years.
This song is a classic that never gets stale! Squeeze was so hip they glowed in the dark. One of my favorite bands of all time, Paul Carrack is fantastic, and Elvis Costello is a genius.
@@suekoppers1270 Agreed; I love his tone so, so much. But I heard Tilbrook sing Tempted live and must admit: I missed Carrack. Love 'em both. And shoutout to Costello too: "Black Coffee in Bed" features a cameo from him that is so tasty.
So glad that you featured the great Paul Carrick in today’s installment! He’s never got his proper due given the huge musical contributions he’s made over the decades. A lovely guy and an incredible vocalist who’s still touring and still sounds great. Quite the personal spiritual experience you had there, Adam. Wonderful segment!
Benjamin Orr is never mentioned as an excellent lead singer. Many of the beloved songs by the cars are sung by the late great Benjamin Orr. Previously I thought Rick Ocasek sang lead on all Cars songs. Not so. Benjamin Orr was also a wonderful person. A good looking rock star without one jerk bone in his body. Mad respect to Benjamin Orr.
Ben Orr had a beautiful voice. He really made the song Drive work, along with everything else he sang. My favorite pop rock singer ever. Gone way too soon.
@terry boswell Ben was the Rockstar (along with the lead guitarist) but the goofy looking dude was the brains and the songwriter. They were a great band.
Squeeze were criminally underrated ! Gems like " Cool For Cats " , " Annie Get Your Gun " and " Up The Junction " for me cemented them as one of the best groups to emerge in the late 1970s. Awesome work once again PoR !!
In the living years played a HUGE part in my life. I used to always say “I love you” to my parents as a kid but when I got into my teens, a friend of mine overheard me saying it to them. He said I’m too old to say that anymore. I believed him. But when I first heard that song I began telling my parents I loved them everyday all the time. I’m forever grateful for that song. Changed my life for the better.
His version of Love Will Keep Us Alive is excellent too. He was originally supposed to do it for a project with Timothy B. Schmit and Don Felder, but as luck would have it hell froze over lol.
He tours with Clapton now…I saw him play with EC in austin in 2013. It was awesome. They did “How Long”….Doyle Bramhall ll on guitar. Sooooo damn good…
I was in college when I first heard Tempted. I was lying in bed listening to the radio and the song quickly got my attention. After the song finished and the DJ announced the title and the band, I hopped up and drove to the record store and bought my first copy on vinyl. Love. This. Song! Thanks for the great video :) #goodTimes
I loved his first solo album, Suburban Voodoo, so much that I was tempted to buy the sheet music for several of the songs from the album. Turned out I went to a music store and there was a complete sheet music book of the album still sitting on the shelf for 10 years since it was published in 1982. And it was still for sale for $10 even though newer books cost more. I never did learn to play piano like I had hoped.
Paul Carrack is just outright great. Silent Running is one of those gems that many people forget about, and the younger generation seems to have never heard. I think both the song and the video hold up very well in this day and age.
I played the SOB on the radio in 1975 “How Long”. Guy just has a ton of talent. Timothy B Schmidt in comparison with Paul’s version sounds like a cat stuck in a wire fence, can we say wimpy?.
Holy Cow… I knew the name Paul Carrack, and even recognized his face, but had no idea he was the voice behind so many songs I know and admire, including the perfection that is Tempted! ❤️ What an educational video this was!
I was crazy about Squeeze in the very early 80's, when I was a music store manager in Toronto. I loved most of the New Wave music of that era, but Squeeze was neck and neck with the Police for my favourite band. Paul Carrack was fabulous on this album, and particularly on Tempted. His voice is so recognizable, and has such a pure, soulful voice. I love these guys!! Thanks Adam, you bring all of my favourites back to life and remind me again how much I loved them.
The lyric was pure poetry. "Your body gets much closer. I fumble for the clock, alarmed by the seduction. I wish that it would stop." And the delivery was pure soul.
Listen to In Quintessence from same album, imagery abounds. The whole album is so good, Labelled with Love, Messed Around…the is the album that made me a fan
Paul Carrack- so underrated and underappreciated in the 80s... All the bands at the local bar were playing "Tempted" back in '82... "Don't Shed a Tear" is of one of my favorite songs of 1987!
WOW, thank you professor for helping us remember the songs that the radio has forgotten. It's episodes like this that I truly treasure. Peace and love y'all 🤟
I was today years old when I learned that Squeeze's "Tempted" was sung by the same guy who sung Mike and the Mechanic's "The Living Years." Thanks, Professor!
I supported Paul a few years back, I told him ‘singing in front of you is like playing keepy uppy in front of Pele’. Lovey guy.. and yes, a fantastic voice.
Paul Carrack is one of the most underrated singers of all times. People hear Mike + the Mechanics, Squeeze or Ace and immediately recognize some of their favorite songs... but most can't link them to one singer. Most people don't have the ear to recognize a singer's voice just by listening to it. That's why only singers who stayed with the same band (or sang under their own name) for a while enjoy popular recognition.
Hey Adam, Just a quick note to thank you for all the really interesting videos. I recognize it takes a lot of time and passion to create each one. Keep doing what you're doing, okay? You are very much appreciated and I look forward to each new episode.
I saw Glen Tilbrook in concert last year, he performed Tempted solo. Tilbrook is one of the most underrated signers of that era and an amazing guitar player! The solo on Another Nail in my Heart it's one of my faves
Thank you for finally featuring Paul Carrack (misspelled as Carrick on your video) extensively as his vocals are so beautiful. Every time I hear any song where he is singing, my volume control automatically goes way up. When he sings How Long, I sing along with him as I can match his range and inflection on that song. Paul Carrack is a diamond in the musical world and I am thankful for his contribution.
Was a big fan of Paul’s voice for many years without realizing all the different groups he sang for . Wasn’t till the living years that I put Paul with squeeze and Ace .
Paul Carrack is a terrific vocalist. I'm hoping that you could cover The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics. The song gives me chills everytime I listen to it.
Fort Worth TX here and back in the early 90's I worked at a music store (instruments, not records) and got a call just before closing asking for a bag of specific guitar pics. We had them and the guy on the phone said if I would bring them to a club downtown called The Caravan I would be put on the guest list +1. I jumped at the opportunity because it was Squeeze! Great show!
Thank you for this history of Paul Carrack. I've loved his various songs AND DIDN'T KNOW WHO HE WAS OR THEY WERE ALL HIM! Seriously, Ace and Squeeze! Holy F-bomb my mind is blown. THANK YOU
Some work buddies and I went to see Squeeze on a mid-90s tour. First Avenue in Minneapolis. There was a good 20-25 minutes in between the opener band and them, and while the anticipation built, I said hey, I think that that’s Paul Carrack hanging out down there in front of the stage. Sure enough, it was! We went down just to say hi and how much we loved him and were stoked to see he was with them on this tour. He was such a sweet guy, had all the time in the world for us. The show was great, one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to, and you can bet that Tempted brought the house down!
Wow! Thanks for featuring Paul C! It's amazing how many people aren't more familiar with him. Ive been on a deep dive into his work since last September. I lost my mom to cancer the day after her 74th birthday. I found myself drawn to his voice. Something about it was just comforting to me.
Adam, I had no idea it was the same guy singing lead vocals on all those incredible songs. I LOVE "How Long" by Ace, and even had their cassette. And I simply can't believe that "Tempted" wasn't higher on the charts because it was played repeatedly on radio in St. Louis. You literally couldn't go a day without hearing it played several times. Maybe we just had better stations in The Lou (KSHE, anyone?). 😂 Thank you so much for this back story. I love knowing he was the voice behind so many songs I love! Have an excellent day!
Professor...You even bought a novel AND perfume. You're one that lives true to yourself. You listen 👂 to your heart, then acknowledge it by buying a novel and perfume. How awesome.
Thank you so much for featuring Paul Carrack, he's such an underrated musical talent with an amazing voice. . I feel fortunate enough to have seen him live several times and met him briefly too, what an absolutely lovely, humble man.
Paul Carrack has a fantastic and very underrated voice. It's instantly recognisable to me and I remember being happy to hear Mike Rutherford was using him with The Mechanics. He has one of my favourite singing voices out there and Tempted is a great track. As well as those other acts, he can also lay claim to having worked with two Paul Youngs - the Mechanics one and the Wherever I Lay My Hat one.
And we lost the Mike one quite a few years ago...before Mike, he was the lead singer in UK band Sad Cafe, who had a new wave-era hit in "La Di Da"...but big fan of the other Paul Young, another quite underrated UK new wave/soul singer/stylist/occasional writer...saw him live a few years ago on a coheadlining bill with Midge Ure...amazing show...
Paul Carrack, the voice, produced by Elvis Costello with Tilbrook and Dillford is a pretty potent combination. I've got to say Costello was bold to do what he felt needed to be done to make Tempted the classic it is now agreed to be. Great story with a happy ending. I remember MTV giving the song solid exposure to a youthful US audience to whom it clicked. Again, more great content and it's always great when Carrack gets his proper due as one of the great voices of rock and soul.
As a music teacher, I absolutely love your channel. As a gen X, you send me down nostalgia lane. Tempted is a big part of my teenage soundtrack. It was a huge hit in Montreal getting very good airtime on CHOM FM.
I remember hearing these songs back in the day, but didn't know any of the story behind them. I had no idea who Paul Carrack was until now. Great content as usual. Thank you.
This filled in a lasting concert memory for me. Saw Roger Waters on the Radio KAOS tour in the 80s. There was no opening act, but there was a keyboard sitting in the stage. Nearing show time, someone walks out, sits at the keyboard and cranks out Tempted, then leaves the stage. It was obviously the guy who sang it originally. Now thanks to the Professor, and the internets, I know and have confirmed it was Paul Carrack. Thanks for bringing that memory back!
@Mark R I saw Waters at Wembley Arena on the Radio KAOS tour and I remember Carrack doing that! He was a member of Waters’ band on that tour as was Andy Fairweather-Low. That opener of "Tempted" has always stuck in my memory. The rest of the show was bloody good too! Nice one..👍
I'm surprised there was no mention of Paul Carrack's second solo album, released the year after Squeeze's "Eastside Story". It included his first chart hit as a solo artist, "I Need You", which peaked at #37 in the US in October 1982. It was a great collection of soulful pop songs and really showcased his vocal talent. It was also produced by Nick Lowe and even included a song penned by Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. Love your channel.
Paul Carrack definitely tops the list for the soulful sound. What an excellent choice to bring him to your collaboration if the best ever. Thanks for another lunch time listen for me anyway.
Paul sings lead on so many songs that I love. Tempted is on regular rotation in my house as are Don’t Shed a Tear, When You Walk in the Room and Silent Running. He just draws you in like he is telling a story. Would be great to do a one on one with him 🤞
Silent running is an absolute classic. Not sure why it isn’t acknowledged as a classic but for me, it just hits me every time I hear it. Don’t shed a tear 👌
While it didn't go very high on the pop charts, "Tempted" became a classic, memorable, 80's song thanks to heavy airplay on MTV. "How Long" is a terrific pop/rock song from the 70's. Love both songs. Didn't know the same guy sang lead on both songs. Paul Carrack is an excellent singer and deserves more recognition for his outstanding work.
To me it's kinda weird that Paul's career lasted as long as it has because the Ace stuff seems like a whole other era and a long period in between that & his 80s stuff...he must have been really young in Ace, 20s, while in his 30s in the 80s, which would make him in his 70s now...what a great long career!!
I’ve been waiting for this one! As a fan of the band, I have always wondered how this collaboration came about. Paul Carrack and Elvis Costello are two of my favorite “blue-eyed soul” singers along with Van Morrison.
A friend introduced me to Squeeze in 1980. He was working in a record shop and the drummers mom came by and said her son was in the band. I bought all the early albums and played songs for our parties. Finally got to see Squeeze in Houston in 1992 in a bar. Love the band. As a critic wrote; they could nail down daily life in their lyrics. Still love listening to Frank and Eastside Story.
Tempted was/is a great song. I remember when this was first being played on M-TV. It wasn't my typical genre but the powerful, soulful vocals grabbed you and it had a great rhythm.
Kudo's for placing the spotlight on one of the best vocalists. Paul's work with Mike & the Mechanics is unmatched & his solo 1989 album Groove Approved release, is one of the most overlooked and underrated albums of the latter 80's. Fantastic from start to finish. Keep the great videos coming!
Great episode! I love Squeeze. My favorites are Black Coffee in Bed, Another Nail in my Heart, and Piccadilly. I remember rewinding the tape over and over to try to figure out the lyrics for Piccadilly. The British slang and accent made it so hard to understand, but the song is so catchy.
I've known all of those songs for years and had no idea it was the same guy. Thanks, Professor. Great classic songs. Mr. Carrack is one of those underrated great vocalists.
Paul Carrack is just such a natural musician. So much soul in his vocals and his playing on Hammond B3 is a master class in chord voicing. I had played "How Long" in my band back when it first came out and then a few years later when I heard Tempted I had to work out those chords on the B3. The chord progression in the verses and how they are voiced is sheer genius!
I was lucky enough to see Glenn Tilbrook in a small theatre last year, and he did an amazing acoustic version of Tempted. Chris Difford's lyrics are just pure genius, there are so many layers to his story telling. Difford does a yearly songwriting weekend in the UK at a small hotel, and this year I'm so tempted to go as Dean Friedman will be his sidekick with them headlining on Saturday and Sunday. Carrack has such a sweet voice. I don't think any other band can muster such a massive melting pot of talent than Squeeze. Thanks for this amazing and knowledgeable video!
Woot!!! Huge fan of Squeeze (I've seen them live... four, five times? Apparently I've lost count), and East Side Story is my favorite album of theirs, mostly because of Carrack's vocals. Love his voice. Even went out and bought one of his compilations, Twenty-One Good Reasons, which include not just his solo works, but also songs from Ace, Mike + The Mechanics, and duets with Carlene Carter... plus Tempted, of course.
Thanks for this. I first heard Squeeze on the radio in '80, living in a small town with no great record stores. Moved to Vancouver a few months later, and one day walked into a funky store only to hear them playing. Ran up to the counter and asked who it was and the girl pointed to the album playing at the time, Argybargy. Loved these guys ever since. Got to see them live before Joolz left! Tilbrook tends to play a London pub and every so often the old bandmates join him. Damn, that would be a cool evening, even cool for cats...
A lot to love about Squeeze, Carrick and Tempted. The pace of the story being told fits the music and changes..... perfectly. I would love to hear Darius Rucker cover Tempted.
A friend at MSU in ‘87 tried to teach me the definition of “head voice” on the line “HOOOOO! Tempted…”. You don’t want to attempt this song vocally until you are thoroughly warmed up. Carrack’s head voice is my favorite in all of rock.
I discovered Paul when I heard Don’t Shed a Tear on the radio and bought the single. Over time, I discovered how many other songs he performed vocals on and was really surprised. One of them I was wondering if you’d have mentioned is the song ‘Romance’ from a movie called Sing (from 1989, not the newer animated movie) that didn’t do too well at the box office, but did feature Lorraine Bracco who went on to have a role in The Sopranos. Romance is a duet with Paul and Terri Nunn from the group Berlin; definitely worth a listen! For a movie that most people have never heard of, I was surprised the soundtrack included vocals by Paul and Terri, Mickey Thomas, Kevin Cronin, Michael Bolton, Patti Labelle, and Art Garfunkel. The song that came closest to popularity was Birthday Suit by Johnny Kemp.
Love Paul Carrack. Speaking of songs at the center of impactful life events, for me that would be Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel. He sings it to a girl, but for me it was very different listening where the lyrics became a personal message from God. I was at a very low point in my life and feeling like a huge failure. I was eating alone in a restaurant and that song came on. That opening line "Don't go changing to try and please me. You never let me down before". I'm sitting there crying through the whole song, especially the line at the end of the bridge, "What will it take till you believe in me the way that I believe in you". I can never hear that song as intended again.
A song that stops me in my tracks every time I hear it, for parallels in my own life, but mostly because it came on the radio as my family drove home from a Manhattan burn center where my father passed away after a horrific traffic accident. A bittersweet ballad, forever.
Tempted is a true classic from the era! Paul Carrack has always been an under appreciated singer and I had the pleasure of meeting him once. A truly nice person.
It’s amazing how timing and luck is so important when a song (even a movie or book for that matter) is released. I’m trying to decide if the generation who grows up on current music will believe in their music’s sheer depth and breadth, like we do. I did love this ep, since I can’t believe I didn’t know it was Paul Carrack who sang not only How Long, but also Tempted. Geez. I loved him in Mike and the Mechanics as well as ventures beyond. I can see why you said he was one of the most underrated singer/musicians of our time.
I had a similar (and spooky) experience while driving away from my workplace after being laid off from a job that I had loved when I first started it 11 years earlier. The song on the radio was "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." I felt less alone when I listened to the lyrics, and it helped me start the next chapter in my life.
Paul Carrack is one of my most favorite male singers in music.. Often so underrated.. I have been lucky to see him live in the late 80s his live performance is even better then recordings. So glad someones giving him the credit he really deserves..
I ❤ the band Squeeze. My cousin in England introduced me to thier music. I been a fan of Paul Carrack in the 80s as a Genesis fan listening to Mike and the Mechanics, and his solo record in 1987.. Don't Shed A Tear is a favorite single. Paul's a great singer and keyboardist. Tempted is a brilliant song.
I am that "average person," and am using my senior years to educate myself on the musicians and singers who enriched my youth. You are aptly called "Professor Rock." Love your classes-all enjoyable, and no term papers!
Man, I never knew! Always thought Tempted was AWESOME, and loved how it was used in the game GTA- Vice City, a soundtrack that is killer IMO. That is what I LOVE about POR, I learn new things almost daily. Thank you Adam- ALWAYS a great time here!
So glad you did this show on Squeeze. LOVE Tempted! Stiff competition at the top, but the cream always rises. Love the opening keyboard nite, the lyrics, the bluesy sound. Thanks Adam!
I saw Squeeze live at Canada's Wonderland, just north of Toronto, when Jools Holland was still with them in the 80's. He had a great boogie-woogie style of piano, and a lot of their humour! I love these guys as much now, 40 years later. Great music, and Paul Carrick is the man! Love him with all the bands he's played with, and his solo's. Thanks for keeping the legends in our minds Adam!
If you ever do a show about great songs that have no chorus, the Squeeze song Up The Junction needs to make the list. It is my favorite song that has present tense jumps. "This morning at 4:50... Within a year a walker... and now she's two years older"
Poll: Speaking of Paul Carrack...Who is your pick for the most under appreciated singer of the rock era?
Andy Bell- Erasure
Jim Kerr- Simple Minds
Burton Cummings. So.damn.good.
Paul Rodgers
Colin Moulding From XTC ..
Tony Lewis
Paul Carrack is a treasure..... he becomes the jewel in everything he touches. Tempted is a great song, but when you mentioned Living Years, it brought tears to my eyes. A good friend and former brother in law lost a life long battle with addiction and that is the song my niece had played at his memorial. He fought for years and had become clean but just got tired of the fight and left us. I will always remember Mike when that song comes on.
Wow! Thanks for sharing Bud.
@@ProfessorofRock Thanks for bringing Mike back a bit today. After the tears came a few smiles and memories.
@@TheSlowoldman Awesome.
Loved this segment Adam!
My underrated singer is Brad Delp.
My condolences for your loss, Bud. May music be filling his soul now.
Dude! I never realized he sang all these songs....I am blown away and now hear them so very differently.
No wonder you are the Professor!
My dad loved the song "Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics. He was always moved by the verse about not being there when his father passed away, and he didn't get to tell him all the things he had to say as that verse really rang true with my dad. My grandfather was his hero, just as my dad was mine. In May of last year, my dad had a massive stroke. We were told by the Dr's at his age that there was not much they could do except make sure he was comfortable in his last hours or days. He was moved to hospice house after 2 days in the hospital. On the following Wednesday, my niece was coming in from out of town to see him, as she was the only person who hadn't been able to spend any time with him since his stroke. That morning, as my wife and I were going to hospice house, " Living Years" came on the radio. I knew at that moment that my Dad was going to move on that day as he would be at peace after my niece got to see him. He was just waiting for her to say her goodbyes. Everyone left hospice house around 5 pm. At 5:15 p.m., as my wife and I were pulling in our driveway, I received a call from hospice house that my Dad had passed on about 5 minutes after we all left. " Living Years" always held a special place in my heart, but it now it means so much more to me. I was there when my father passed away, and I did get to tell him all the things I had to say. He was my hero, the man I aspire to be like, and a wonderful father and even greater man. I'm so thankful that I was given those extra moments with him, just so he could know what he meant to me in his living years.
Beautifully said.
I saw Mike and the mechanics in 2011, excellent, never listened to them before.
This song is a classic that never gets stale! Squeeze was so hip they glowed in the dark. One of my favorite bands of all time, Paul Carrack is fantastic, and Elvis Costello is a genius.
Glenn Tillbrook is the best Squeeze vocalist
@@suekoppers1270 Agreed; I love his tone so, so much. But I heard Tilbrook sing Tempted live and must admit: I missed Carrack. Love 'em both. And shoutout to Costello too: "Black Coffee in Bed" features a cameo from him that is so tasty.
So glad that you featured the great Paul Carrick in today’s installment! He’s never got his proper due given the huge musical contributions he’s made over the decades. A lovely guy and an incredible vocalist who’s still touring and still sounds great. Quite the personal spiritual experience you had there, Adam. Wonderful segment!
Thanks Robster! Always great hearing from you!
@@ProfessorofRock Seen this PC performance? ua-cam.com/video/nJX_VRr4F2M/v-deo.html
I’d love to meet him someday. Or at least I’d love Professor to meet and interview him.
Benjamin Orr is never mentioned as an excellent lead singer. Many of the beloved songs by the cars are sung by the late great Benjamin Orr. Previously I thought Rick Ocasek sang lead on all Cars songs. Not so. Benjamin Orr was also a wonderful person. A good looking rock star without one jerk bone in his body. Mad respect to Benjamin Orr.
I bought his solo album too. Loved Ben!
Ocasek actually said whenever they had a song needing a REAL singer, they gave it to Ben.
Ben Orr had a beautiful voice. He really made the song Drive work, along with everything else he sang. My favorite pop rock singer ever. Gone way too soon.
@terry boswell Ben was the Rockstar (along with the lead guitarist) but the goofy looking dude was the brains and the songwriter. They were a great band.
Not happy respect?
Don't Shed a Tear! One of my all time favorite songs. That's the reason I always remember him.
Squeeze were criminally underrated ! Gems like " Cool For Cats " , " Annie Get Your Gun " and " Up The Junction " for me cemented them as one of the best groups to emerge in the late 1970s. Awesome work once again PoR !!
Thanks David!
Love “Annie”. But my favorite has to be “ Pulling Mussels From The Shell”. Great memories!
@@markglabinski526 pulling mussels....oer...i wonder what they were inferring?
Love these songs.
Another favorite Squeeze song for me is Black Coffee in Bed.
In the living years played a HUGE part in my life.
I used to always say “I love you” to my parents as a kid but when I got into my teens, a friend of mine overheard me saying it to them. He said I’m too old to say that anymore. I believed him.
But when I first heard that song I began telling my parents I loved them everyday all the time. I’m forever grateful for that song. Changed my life for the better.
I’m 17 and I will always tell people “I love you” until the day I die.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 awesome!
Loved everything Carrack did. With Squeeze, Ace, solo and of course, Mike + the Mechanics. Just fantastic singer.
One of my top 5 most underrated voices ever.
His version of Love Will Keep Us Alive is excellent too. He was originally supposed to do it for a project with Timothy B. Schmit and Don Felder, but as luck would have it hell froze over lol.
He tours with Clapton now…I saw him play with EC in austin in 2013. It was awesome. They did “How Long”….Doyle Bramhall ll on guitar. Sooooo damn good…
This is like a version if rock family trees! Many thanks Prof! Please do some stuff on the late great Terry Hall....much missed.
I was in college when I first heard Tempted. I was lying in bed listening to the radio and the song quickly got my attention. After the song finished and the DJ announced the title and the band, I hopped up and drove to the record store and bought my first copy on vinyl.
Love. This. Song!
Thanks for the great video :) #goodTimes
Paul Carrack's 80's solo album, One Good Reason, is one of my favorites of the era. A truly under-rated vocalist! Great story, Adam.
Thanks David!
Totally agree!! Button off my Shirt stays in my head, even to this day
I loved his first solo album, Suburban Voodoo, so much that I was tempted to buy the sheet music for several of the songs from the album. Turned out I went to a music store and there was a complete sheet music book of the album still sitting on the shelf for 10 years since it was published in 1982. And it was still for sale for $10 even though newer books cost more. I never did learn to play piano like I had hoped.
What a profound and legendary career. Adapting and going off of so much material in those decades makes for a timeless musician.
Agreed RC32!
@@ProfessorofRock Cheers!
He’s such a great singer.
Paul Carrack is just outright great. Silent Running is one of those gems that many people forget about, and the younger generation seems to have never heard. I think both the song and the video hold up very well in this day and age.
Silent Running is an 80's master.
Well said
I played the SOB on the radio in 1975 “How Long”. Guy just has a ton of talent. Timothy B Schmidt in comparison with Paul’s version sounds like a cat stuck in a wire fence, can we say wimpy?.
Your on the money and about ace
The Indians send signals from the rocks above the park
Holy Cow… I knew the name Paul Carrack, and even recognized his face, but had no idea he was the voice behind so many songs I know and admire, including the perfection that is Tempted! ❤️ What an educational video this was!
I was crazy about Squeeze in the very early 80's, when I was a music store manager in Toronto. I loved most of the New Wave music of that era, but Squeeze was neck and neck with the Police for my favourite band. Paul Carrack was fabulous on this album, and particularly on Tempted. His voice is so recognizable, and has such a pure, soulful voice. I love these guys!! Thanks Adam, you bring all of my favourites back to life and remind me again how much I loved them.
AMEN! Thrilled that Paul is getting a little love.
The lyric was pure poetry. "Your body gets much closer. I fumble for the clock, alarmed by the seduction. I wish that it would stop." And the delivery was pure soul.
So true.
Difford was a brilliant lyricist. Bloody brilliant. That kind of storytelling lyric is so hard to write.
It’s a SMOOTH line.
Exactly the lyrics that always stuck the most with me. Just a great song.
Listen to In Quintessence from same album, imagery abounds. The whole album is so good, Labelled with Love, Messed Around…the is the album that made me a fan
Paul Carrack- so underrated and underappreciated in the 80s... All the bands at the local bar were playing "Tempted" back in '82... "Don't Shed a Tear" is of one of my favorite songs of 1987!
Same here. Need to track him down for a long interview.
He’s a great dude.
@@ProfessorofRock Yes you do. He's a legend in my book.
WOW, thank you professor for helping us remember the songs that the radio has forgotten. It's episodes like this that I truly treasure. Peace and love y'all 🤟
Very cool. Thanks Floyd!
I was today years old when I learned that Squeeze's "Tempted" was sung by the same guy who sung Mike and the Mechanic's "The Living Years." Thanks, Professor!
Paul Carrack nails everything he sings!
Squeeze are o. Of my favs!
Paul Carrack- The Man with the Golden Voice!😍 One of my favorites!🥰
I supported Paul a few years back, I told him ‘singing in front of you is like playing keepy uppy in front of Pele’. Lovey guy.. and yes, a fantastic voice.
Paul Carrack is one of the most underrated singers of all times. People hear Mike + the Mechanics, Squeeze or Ace and immediately recognize some of their favorite songs... but most can't link them to one singer. Most people don't have the ear to recognize a singer's voice just by listening to it. That's why only singers who stayed with the same band (or sang under their own name) for a while enjoy popular recognition.
Hey Adam, Just a quick note to thank you for all the really interesting videos. I recognize it takes a lot of time and passion to create each one. Keep doing what you're doing, okay? You are very much appreciated and I look forward to each new episode.
Well said.
I saw Glen Tilbrook in concert last year, he performed Tempted solo. Tilbrook is one of the most underrated signers of that era and an amazing guitar player! The solo on Another Nail in my Heart it's one of my faves
Has Paul Carrack ever been featured on "Live From Daryl's House"? Now that would be a hell of a show!
Yes
Thank you for finally featuring Paul Carrack (misspelled as Carrick on your video) extensively as his vocals are so beautiful. Every time I hear any song where he is singing, my volume control automatically goes way up. When he sings How Long, I sing along with him as I can match his range and inflection on that song. Paul Carrack is a diamond in the musical world and I am thankful for his contribution.
Was a big fan of Paul’s voice for many years without realizing all the different groups he sang for . Wasn’t till the living years that I put Paul with squeeze and Ace .
I would have never known that until I discovered the Living Years as well.
Paul Carrack is a terrific vocalist. I'm hoping that you could cover The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics. The song gives me chills everytime I listen to it.
It’s a MASTERPIECE.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 it truly is a masterpiece!
Can’t listen to it without getting choked up- a masterpiece!
The Living Years makes me cry every time I hear it. Our brother had it for his funeral - that totally crushed me. Beautiful song.
Fort Worth TX here and back in the early 90's I worked at a music store (instruments, not records) and got a call just before closing asking for a bag of specific guitar pics. We had them and the guy on the phone said if I would bring them to a club downtown called The Caravan I would be put on the guest list +1. I jumped at the opportunity because it was Squeeze! Great show!
I love Mike + The Mechanics. I never knew he was the singer of so many other great songs
Silent Running... Classic.
I recommend checking his other stuff out if you like his voice.
He was the miracle that they needed.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I see what you did there. ;-)
He and the late Paul Young (not the Every time you go away singer) shared lead vocals for Mike and the Mechanics
Living Years. O man, that song hit me so hard. My dad had just died, and that song, with Carrack’s vocal, nailed the feelings roiling inside me.
best concert I ever seen, Elvis and Squeeze together..electric
this is one of my all-time favorite songs, thanks for sharing the history of how it came together. You rock, Professor!
Rock on!
Thank you for this history of Paul Carrack. I've loved his various songs AND DIDN'T KNOW WHO HE WAS OR THEY WERE ALL HIM! Seriously, Ace and Squeeze! Holy F-bomb my mind is blown. THANK YOU
If there was ever a perfect song, this is it. I always tell people that Paul Carrack is everyone's favorite singer and don't even realize it.
That's a cool way of saying it. So true. Thanks Dranet!
No.
Haha, I feel you there!
I didn’t realize, I’m stunned that I didn’t.
Some work buddies and I went to see Squeeze on a mid-90s tour. First Avenue in Minneapolis. There was a good 20-25 minutes in between the opener band and them, and while the anticipation built, I said hey, I think that that’s Paul Carrack hanging out down there in front of the stage. Sure enough, it was! We went down just to say hi and how much we loved him and were stoked to see he was with them on this tour.
He was such a sweet guy, had all the time in the world for us.
The show was great, one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to, and you can bet that Tempted brought the house down!
Man you are so good at these song / musician analysis. You always make it so interesting. Great job.
Blown away that you can riff all that detail without cue cards or a teleprompter. Just straight from the heart. Impressive!
Every time I play one of your videos, I end up adding song after song and band after band to my playlists.
Great stories, and great music! Many thanks
Wow! Thanks for featuring Paul C! It's amazing how many people aren't more familiar with him. Ive been on a deep dive into his work since last September. I lost my mom to cancer the day after her 74th birthday. I found myself drawn to his voice. Something about it was just comforting to me.
Sorry for your loss. His voice has so much power!
My mom passed just a week after her 80th birthday, sorry for your loss as well....
@@andrewpersac897 Thank you all very much
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 thank you very much
Adam, I had no idea it was the same guy singing lead vocals on all those incredible songs. I LOVE "How Long" by Ace, and even had their cassette. And I simply can't believe that "Tempted" wasn't higher on the charts because it was played repeatedly on radio in St. Louis. You literally couldn't go a day without hearing it played several times. Maybe we just had better stations in The Lou (KSHE, anyone?). 😂 Thank you so much for this back story. I love knowing he was the voice behind so many songs I love! Have an excellent day!
Right? Paul Carrack has done so much in the past four decades.
Professor...You even bought a novel AND perfume. You're one that lives true to yourself. You listen 👂 to your heart, then acknowledge it by buying a novel and perfume. How awesome.
Thank you so much for featuring Paul Carrack, he's such an underrated musical talent with an amazing voice. . I feel fortunate enough to have seen him live several times and met him briefly too, what an absolutely lovely, humble man.
Paul Carrack has a fantastic and very underrated voice. It's instantly recognisable to me and I remember being happy to hear Mike Rutherford was using him with The Mechanics. He has one of my favourite singing voices out there and Tempted is a great track.
As well as those other acts, he can also lay claim to having worked with two Paul Youngs - the Mechanics one and the Wherever I Lay My Hat one.
That's right. A lot of people think they're the same person. Thanks Elwaves!
@@ProfessorofRock So did I until I heard Paul of The Mechanics sing.
I always get confused whenever someone says Paul Young, and I immediately sing to them “Come Back and Stay.”
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Great song. I hope Adam can get around to covering him, he had one of the great voices, very soulful.
And we lost the Mike one quite a few years ago...before Mike, he was the lead singer in UK band Sad Cafe, who had a new wave-era hit in "La Di Da"...but big fan of the other Paul Young, another quite underrated UK new wave/soul singer/stylist/occasional writer...saw him live a few years ago on a coheadlining bill with Midge Ure...amazing show...
The living years rips my heart out..I lost my dad at 19... that was over 30 years ago and it describes our relationship so perfectly
Paul Carrack, the voice, produced by Elvis Costello with Tilbrook and Dillford is a pretty potent combination. I've got to say Costello was bold to do what he felt needed to be done to make Tempted the classic it is now agreed to be. Great story with a happy ending. I remember MTV giving the song solid exposure to a youthful US audience to whom it clicked. Again, more great content and it's always great when Carrack gets his proper due as one of the great voices of rock and soul.
As a music teacher, I absolutely love your channel. As a gen X, you send me down nostalgia lane. Tempted is a big part of my teenage soundtrack. It was a huge hit in Montreal getting very good airtime on CHOM FM.
I remember hearing these songs back in the day, but didn't know any of the story behind them. I had no idea who Paul Carrack was until now. Great content as usual. Thank you.
One of the best voices ever. Thank you POR for all you do. Love this channel.
Tempted is such a great song and it doesn’t get old. Everything about it I like.
This filled in a lasting concert memory for me. Saw Roger Waters on the Radio KAOS tour in the 80s. There was no opening act, but there was a keyboard sitting in the stage. Nearing show time, someone walks out, sits at the keyboard and cranks out Tempted, then leaves the stage. It was obviously the guy who sang it originally. Now thanks to the Professor, and the internets, I know and have confirmed it was Paul Carrack. Thanks for bringing that memory back!
@Mark R
I saw Waters at Wembley Arena on the Radio KAOS tour and I remember Carrack doing that! He was a member of Waters’ band on that tour as was Andy Fairweather-Low. That opener of "Tempted" has always stuck in my memory. The rest of the show was bloody good too! Nice one..👍
I'm surprised there was no mention of Paul Carrack's second solo album, released the year after Squeeze's "Eastside Story". It included his first chart hit as a solo artist, "I Need You", which peaked at #37 in the US in October 1982. It was a great collection of soulful pop songs and really showcased his vocal talent. It was also produced by Nick Lowe and even included a song penned by Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. Love your channel.
"I need you" is the song I mostly associate with Paul Carrack. Love that song!
Great fact!
Paul Carrack definitely tops the list for the soulful sound. What an excellent choice to bring him to your collaboration if the best ever. Thanks for another lunch time listen for me anyway.
Thanks for listening Jeffrey!
Paul sings lead on so many songs that I love. Tempted is on regular rotation in my house as are Don’t Shed a Tear, When You Walk in the Room and Silent Running. He just draws you in like he is telling a story. Would be great to do a one on one with him 🤞
Don’t Shed a Tear is one of the best songs of the 80s. Sometimes I don’t realize I am listening to it so much! 🤣
Silent running is an absolute classic. Not sure why it isn’t acknowledged as a classic but for me, it just hits me every time I hear it. Don’t shed a tear 👌
I agree with you totally!
While it didn't go very high on the pop charts, "Tempted" became a classic, memorable, 80's song thanks to heavy airplay on MTV. "How Long" is a terrific pop/rock song from the 70's. Love both songs. Didn't know the same guy sang lead on both songs. Paul Carrack is an excellent singer and deserves more recognition for his outstanding work.
To me it's kinda weird that Paul's career lasted as long as it has because the Ace stuff seems like a whole other era and a long period in between that & his 80s stuff...he must have been really young in Ace, 20s, while in his 30s in the 80s, which would make him in his 70s now...what a great long career!!
More people should say his name out loud. Seriously, most people don’t realize he has the chops.
One of my favorites, and most underrated from the 80’s. Thanks for recognizing this one!
I’ve been waiting for this one! As a fan of the band, I have always wondered how this collaboration came about. Paul Carrack and Elvis Costello are two of my favorite “blue-eyed soul” singers along with Van Morrison.
A friend introduced me to Squeeze in 1980. He was working in a record shop and the drummers mom came by and said her son was in the band. I bought all the early albums and played songs for our parties. Finally got to see Squeeze in Houston in 1992 in a bar. Love the band. As a critic wrote; they could nail down daily life in their lyrics. Still love listening to Frank and Eastside Story.
Tempted was/is a great song. I remember when this was first being played on M-TV. It wasn't my typical genre but the powerful, soulful vocals grabbed you and it had a great rhythm.
Kudo's for placing the spotlight on one of the best vocalists. Paul's work with Mike & the Mechanics is unmatched & his solo 1989 album Groove Approved release, is one of the most overlooked and underrated albums of the latter 80's. Fantastic from start to finish.
Keep the great videos coming!
Great episode! I love Squeeze. My favorites are Black Coffee in Bed, Another Nail in my Heart, and Piccadilly. I remember rewinding the tape over and over to try to figure out the lyrics for Piccadilly. The British slang and accent made it so hard to understand, but the song is so catchy.
Like Adam said, these songs are so fun to listen to.
I've known all of those songs for years and had no idea it was the same guy. Thanks, Professor.
Great classic songs. Mr. Carrack is one of those underrated great vocalists.
Paul Carrack is just such a natural musician. So much soul in his vocals and his playing on Hammond B3 is a master class in chord voicing. I had played "How Long" in my band back when it first came out and then a few years later when I heard Tempted I had to work out those chords on the B3. The chord progression in the verses and how they are voiced is sheer genius!
I was lucky enough to see Glenn Tilbrook in a small theatre last year, and he did an amazing acoustic version of Tempted.
Chris Difford's lyrics are just pure genius, there are so many layers to his story telling.
Difford does a yearly songwriting weekend in the UK at a small hotel, and this year I'm so tempted to go as Dean Friedman will be his sidekick with them headlining on Saturday and Sunday.
Carrack has such a sweet voice. I don't think any other band can muster such a massive melting pot of talent than Squeeze.
Thanks for this amazing and knowledgeable video!
Woot!!! Huge fan of Squeeze (I've seen them live... four, five times? Apparently I've lost count), and East Side Story is my favorite album of theirs, mostly because of Carrack's vocals. Love his voice. Even went out and bought one of his compilations, Twenty-One Good Reasons, which include not just his solo works, but also songs from Ace, Mike + The Mechanics, and duets with Carlene Carter... plus Tempted, of course.
Love that record! I have it too.
So many legendary musicians have worked with him.
Thanks for this. I first heard Squeeze on the radio in '80, living in a small town with no great record stores. Moved to Vancouver a few months later, and one day walked into a funky store only to hear them playing. Ran up to the counter and asked who it was and the girl pointed to the album playing at the time, Argybargy. Loved these guys ever since. Got to see them live before Joolz left! Tilbrook tends to play a London pub and every so often the old bandmates join him. Damn, that would be a cool evening, even cool for cats...
A lot to love about Squeeze, Carrick and Tempted. The pace of the story being told fits the music and changes..... perfectly. I would love to hear Darius Rucker cover Tempted.
That's would be cool. Thanks David!
I’d pay tickets to see that.
Love this story! Tempted and Black Coffee in Bed were staples in my dorm in the early 80s. Didn’t know the back story. Thank you as always Adam!
A friend at MSU in ‘87 tried to teach me the definition of “head voice” on the line “HOOOOO! Tempted…”. You don’t want to attempt this song vocally until you are thoroughly warmed up. Carrack’s head voice is my favorite in all of rock.
I'm a sound engineer and I've been using Tempted as a guide track to tune PA systems for about 20 years. I never get bored of it
I discovered Paul when I heard Don’t Shed a Tear on the radio and bought the single. Over time, I discovered how many other songs he performed vocals on and was really surprised. One of them I was wondering if you’d have mentioned is the song ‘Romance’ from a movie called Sing (from 1989, not the newer animated movie) that didn’t do too well at the box office, but did feature Lorraine Bracco who went on to have a role in The Sopranos. Romance is a duet with Paul and Terri Nunn from the group Berlin; definitely worth a listen! For a movie that most people have never heard of, I was surprised the soundtrack included vocals by Paul and Terri, Mickey Thomas, Kevin Cronin, Michael Bolton, Patti Labelle, and Art Garfunkel. The song that came closest to popularity was Birthday Suit by Johnny Kemp.
Enjoyed this episode dedicated to Mr. Paul Carrack. I have been listening to his wonderful voice for years. Thanks Professor ❤
Love Paul Carrack. Speaking of songs at the center of impactful life events, for me that would be Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel. He sings it to a girl, but for me it was very different listening where the lyrics became a personal message from God. I was at a very low point in my life and feeling like a huge failure. I was eating alone in a restaurant and that song came on. That opening line "Don't go changing to try and please me. You never let me down before". I'm sitting there crying through the whole song, especially the line at the end of the bridge, "What will it take till you believe in me the way that I believe in you". I can never hear that song as intended again.
I did not realize Paul sang Tempted. You weave these songs together so well. Thank you
My favorite Paul Carrack song you missed is "I Need You". Such soulful vocals on that song!
Great tune!
I was surprised that "Tempted" wasn't a bigger hit-It's still awesome all these years later.
I’ve often wondered why Glenn Tilbrook did not sing that song. He is one of my favorite all-time vocalists.
Now I know the rest of the story!
It is New Wave, where anything went and anything goes. Costello is a genius and Squeeze is a treasure. Great vid!!!!
A song that stops me in my tracks every time I hear it, for parallels in my own life, but mostly because it came on the radio as my family drove home from a Manhattan burn center where my father passed away after a horrific traffic accident. A bittersweet ballad, forever.
Tempted is a true classic from the era! Paul Carrack has always been an under appreciated singer and I had the pleasure of meeting him once. A truly nice person.
Very cool. I want to interview him badly.
You’re so lucky!
Squeeze should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
As usual, well done Prof. Thanks for all the research and little gems you dig up.
It’s amazing how timing and luck is so important when a song (even a movie or book for that matter) is released. I’m trying to decide if the generation who grows up on current music will believe in their music’s sheer depth and breadth, like we do. I did love this ep, since I can’t believe I didn’t know it was Paul Carrack who sang not only How Long, but also Tempted. Geez. I loved him in Mike and the Mechanics as well as ventures beyond. I can see why you said he was one of the most underrated singer/musicians of our time.
So true, I would always say “I really like that group’s lead singer (he sounds a little like Paul Carrack)” never knowing it was him every time.
One of my favorite 80's songs! Loved all the stuff all the people involved did in the 80's!
I had a similar (and spooky) experience while driving away from my workplace after being laid off from a job that I had loved when I first started it 11 years earlier. The song on the radio was "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." I felt less alone when I listened to the lyrics, and it helped me start the next chapter in my life.
That’s amazing to hear.
Paul Carrack is one of my most favorite male singers in music.. Often so underrated.. I have been lucky to see him live in the late 80s his live performance is even better then recordings. So glad someones giving him the credit he really deserves..
I ❤ the band Squeeze. My cousin in England introduced me to thier music.
I been a fan of Paul Carrack in the 80s as a Genesis fan listening to Mike and the Mechanics, and his solo record in 1987.. Don't Shed A Tear is a favorite single. Paul's a great singer and keyboardist. Tempted is a brilliant song.
Love Don't Shed a Tear! Thanks Catherine!
Squeeze is such a cool band. I have always loved Don’t Shed a Tear, the chorus is so full of energy and passion.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Hourglass by Sqeeze is a fun song. I ❤️ the chorus.
@@catherine6653 Yes, I love Hourglass. Great song. Another fave is Black Coffee In Bed.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 ☕️in 🛏 🥰
I am that "average person," and am using my senior years to educate myself on the musicians and singers who enriched my youth. You are aptly called "Professor Rock." Love your classes-all enjoyable, and no term papers!
Man, I never knew! Always thought Tempted was AWESOME, and loved how it was used in the game GTA- Vice City, a soundtrack that is killer IMO. That is what I LOVE about POR, I learn new things almost daily. Thank you Adam- ALWAYS a great time here!
Thanks my friend. Appreciate you watching!
That Squeeze album hits me in the heart. Whole era of my young life. Coffee in Bed ♥️
This and Black Coffee In Bed are 80s classics.
What a wonderful breakdown on the tune, Squeeze and Carrack. Thank you so much!
How long and Tempted are sung by the same person???? AND he was the lead singer in Mike and the Mechanics???? My mind is blown!! 😮
And Elvis Costello is singing in the background? I’ve heard this song a million times. I love it! I had no idea! You have outdone yourself this time!
So glad you did this show on Squeeze. LOVE Tempted! Stiff competition at the top, but the cream always rises. Love the opening keyboard nite, the lyrics, the bluesy sound. Thanks Adam!
There is a version of How Long recorded live at Air Studios on UA-cam. The band is amazingly tight, and Dino kills it on drums.
I saw Squeeze live at Canada's Wonderland, just north of Toronto, when Jools Holland was still with them in the 80's. He had a great boogie-woogie style of piano, and a lot of their humour! I love these guys as much now, 40 years later. Great music, and Paul Carrick is the man! Love him with all the bands he's played with, and his solo's. Thanks for keeping the legends in our minds Adam!
If you ever do a show about great songs that have no chorus, the Squeeze song Up The Junction needs to make the list. It is my favorite song that has present tense jumps. "This morning at 4:50... Within a year a walker... and now she's two years older"
Good call!
I love that song.
You can add The Verve-"Bittersweet Symphony" to that list.