Mike and the Mechanics A call to Arms

[@nathanlamarche1609]

One of the greatest albums ever made. And yes. One of my all time favorites too. Great job Mike & The Mechanics.

[@johnskelton1117]

Kids today should be made to listen to this album and then they would understand what proper music sounds like!

[@kaiploer3904]

@@johnskelton1117 Listen is the right word, not only hearing the music. The lyrics of M+Ms are always worthful. I love the christian meaning of many M+Ms songs

[@cv507]

Dönt sweat id v v

[@PTRMAN]

This one is sooooo inspirational. Need to have a whole movie built around these concepts.

[@astr0al3x]

Prophetic song for today written in the 80's

[@j.m.harris210]

Isnt it though.

[@bouzidikara4263]

One of my best favorite song.

[@julieutley6615]

Most beautiful call to arms I ever knew. Honest. To my fellows I say, Keep the faith. Brings tears. This music is the feeling military and ever so many others who have seen the situations where these things are the reality.

[@julieutley6615]

Say it Brother. Most beautiful call to arms, honest and real. This whole album speaks to the warrior-protector soul of all who served. It's how we feel. Keep the faith.

[@Nightfall95]

Can totally hear the Genesis self title vibe on this song. Even the vocals have a Collins thing to them. Would have loved to have heard this recorded during those sessions

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

So funny you would say the vocals are also reminiscent of Phil’s singing. When first I heard “Silent Running” and didn’t recognize Paul Carrick, I mistook it for one of Phil’s solo tunes. (I was just five years old when Mike + the Mechanics debuted.)

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

@@Shred_The_Weapon No, there were originally four lead singers on the first album. It didn't become the two Pauls until the second album. This album had a singer named John Kirby doing leads on "Par Avion" and "You Are the One". The other lead singer is Gene Stashuck who is doing leads on this song. Not Paul Carrack.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I don’t know, SongsFinallyUploaded. Are you sure he’s not the one singing the counterpart in the pre-chorus? (“Sweet Avalon, the heat is on!”) The lead voice sounds a whole lot like Paul Carrick me.

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

@@Shred_The_Weapon No, it's Gene Stashuk! Mike Rutherford has said so himself. If you listen closely you can tell that it's NOT Paul Carrack. Paul only sings certain parts. As does some female vocalist.

[@KBAFourthtime]

Well, it *was* going to be a Genesis song, and Phil Collins (and Tony Banks) took part in writing this song, but of all of Genesis, only Mike Rutherford liked it, period ("full stop" in the members' origin), so the rest of the group allowed him to use it for *this* group.

[@abrahamjefferson2281]

Awesome song. I would love to pick Mike Rutherford's brain as to what he was thinking when he wrote this. It's not at all commercial, but it's arguably the best song on the CD.

[@ElwoodLightfoot]

The song was written by Genesis but, they never recorded it, when he asked to use it he had to call it "That (or The) song" it hadn't been titled and I agree while the whole album is awesome this is by far the best track. (from an interview, I don't recall the source)

[@daveschultz3471]

Abraham Jefferson Three years + later.... Abraham, you echo my thoughts perfectly, and now in addition to picking Mike’s brain I’d like to pick yours also (on the now-seriously dim chance you might ever read this). I feel the same about “Silent Running.” I have my own thoughts, of course, as you obviously do as well. I think there’s some serious conflict coming our way as the Left and Right are being pitted against each other. Thanks for your comment.

[@Draconus33]

This album was originally put together for a sci fi end times type movie call on silent ground but it never finished filming

[@choppersquonk]

@@daveschultz3471 Silent Running was based on a book.

[@scottschneider7401]

I'd like to sit with him for days and pick his brain about a lot of the songs he has written. He is just AMAZING!!!

[@charlesvaden916]

Love this song too! One of the best on the album with many great songs !

[@systemcenter1]

This song relates to so much that is happening currently in 2020 its freaky....

[@johnskelton1117]

I agree with you..

[@trfesok]

"A Call to Arms" began as an unfinished "bit" from the Genesis album sessions which none of the members liked, aside from Rutherford. Rutherford received permission from Genesis bandmates Phil Collins and Tony Banks to use it for the Mechanics, then developed it into a full song with help from Christopher Neil and B.A. Robertson.

[@kaveman1021]

If only there was a vocal take with Phil.......

[@trfesok]

@@kaveman1021 I don't think that it had lyrics before it was handed over to the Mechanics.

[@dondonmollaneda]

i agree. their first album is a masterpiece

[@marychurch8615]

Got this cd from Amazon today. I used to have it on cassette. So missed this forgotten but totally relevant song

[@julieutley6615]

Hey,man. I have it on VINYL, and on disk.

[@susannaadelman2557]

Yes it is one best.. My first love gave me this tape.. I still have it.. Lol. 33 yrs later

[@oldschool5539]

♥️ The BASS , Well Engineered and Produced. Todays CRAP that's called MUSIC will NEVER COME CLOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@johnskelton1117]

Just a fantastic song from one of the best Genesis solo albums!

[@jackhydrazine1376]

Pass the word, it's a call to arms Midnight man at your door Blackened faces run in the night Daybreak under the floor Bring my bow Fill my head with flame, and we must Let them know that the torch is lit again Crystalize the pain behind your eyes Are you ready to fight? (You hear the drum and) run for your life (Sweet Avalon the heat is on) In other words, I hope and pray That time and tide wash the hate away A simple man with simple thoughts Who turned to force as a last resort All around us, chaos rings Buildings crumbling down Silhouettes in the fiery rain Timbers crash to the ground Bring my spear, invested with my youth Bring the children near, they must now be told the truth Old and young and those of foreign tongue Are you ready to fight? (You hear the drum and) run for your life (Sweet Avalon the heat is on) In other words, I hope and pray That time and tide wash the hate away A simple man with simple thoughts Who turned to force as a last resort In other words, I hope and pray That time and tide keep the day away When simple men with simple thoughts Will turn to force as a last recourse

[@MrZlodeus]

I think what he actually sings is "a simple man with _sensible_ thoughts".

[@jackhydrazine1376]

@@MrZlodeus To me it sounds like, "simple."

[@KBAFourthtime]

@@MrZlodeus Well, overlaps will do that.

[@marcossepulveda8791]

Nostalgia big 80 MTV 😊

[@NigelFortune]

Such a great song...

[@MsCheckers2000]

a song more people should have known about... words make me cry

[@wayneburbage8900]

Love this song. A pick up. Love the whole album.par avion

[@jeroenvuyk5035]

Masterpiece

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

The MAIN lead singer on THIS song/track IS Mr. Gene Stashuck! NOT Mr. Paul Carrack who IS secondary singer on this with the late GREAT Mr. Paul Young in the doing minor vocaling here.

[@ColettaHughes]

This song is what voting in 2020 really means to me. It's so surreal, like we're all taking up arms to save our nation from a horrible malignant cancer of hate.

[@kennyblackburn3819]

My thoughts exactly. Unfortunately. In house terrorists born and raised in the USA.

[@PeterCamberwick]

Really. How's that workin out for ya? LOL

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

It can be said that there is not one substandard song on the Mike + the Mechanics debut. I often think of this song as the tour de force composition on the album.

[@macbeavers6938]

Lyrics Pass the word, it's a call to arms Midnight man at your door Blackened faces run in the night Daybreak under the floor Bring my bow Fill my head with flame, and we must Let them know that the torch is lit again Crystalize the pain behind your eyes Are you ready to fight? run for your life (Sweet Avalon the heat is on) In other words, I hope and pray That time and tide wash the hate away A simple man with simple thoughts Who turned to force as a last resort All around us, chaos rings Buildings crumbling down Silhouettes in the fiery rain Timbers crash to the ground Bring my spear, invested with my youth Bring the children near, they must now be told the truth Old and young and those of foreign tongue Are you ready to fight? run for your life (Sweet Avalon the heat is on) In other words, I hope and pray That time and tide wash the hate away A simple man with simple thoughts Who turned to force as a last resort In other words, I hope and pray That time and tide keep the day away When simple men with simple thoughts Will turn to force as a last recourse Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Anthony Banks / Phil Collins / Michael Rutherford / Christopher Neil / B Robertson A Call to Arms lyrics © 63 Songs L

[@monex5]

I went to the Nigerian embassy to get my Visa and found this song. I LOVE this song.

[@alanpadg1960]

Mike & The Mechanics really should have released this as a single - I think it would have done well. Reminds me a bit of "Behind the lines" rhythmically (bit slower though). I wish there existed a Genesis demo version of this! My favourite track from the album :)

[@nielsassies6274]

so much emotions on this song!!!! great job!!!!!

[@99palidan]

Hold the line of reason and let not emotion rule supreme

[@BrentB1961]

Several years ago I heard this song. It has been with me since then. Now..America is in its darkest hour. Many have said a movie should be made with these lyrics in mind. I thought that also and am in the beginning of writing a novel that centers around the collapse of the Republic. I will not discuss the concepts involved but it will be entitled THE PANOPTICON. If the moral values this country WAS FOUNDED on are not preserved then the Republic is lost. Today, in our government we have a deep state that is out to destroy it and no amount of elected individuals will stop it. It is up to US to do so once again. THAT is the heritage we have instilled in us from our forefathers. All this WOKE philosophy,which is racism itself, the idea that communism will solve the ills of America, these unwise and truly anti-intellectual Generation X mentality of whatever one feels is adequate logic is horse shyt. THESE people and philosophies are at the root of the destruction of family which God instituted and seek to eliminate it by perversion and HATRED against anyone who loves the principles that founded this country. THEY ARE THE ENEMY spoken about in this song. WE must fight them to the death if necessary for our children's sake and Gods.

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

To: Dave Moishe. Don't know anything specific about John Kirby, but Gene Stashuck was the former lead-singer and guitarist for a band called Red 7.

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

The day before yesterday I found out that Mr. John Kirby was the lead singer for the one-hit (one-album) band called Wavelength. After listening to the title track (haven't listened to the full album) and both "Par Avion" and "You Are the One" I wonder why he never also sang for the Alan Parsons Project? He seems like the type Alan would've wanted to use on a song or two or more...

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

I just LOVE Gene Stashuck's lead-vocals on this!!!

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

+bucky468 No, Gene Stashuck IS the original singer of this song on the first album. Mike Ruthorford has said so in an interview. The first album had four, not three lead-singers: Paul Carrick, Paul Young, Gene Stashuck and John Kirby. When the second album was recorded only the two Pauls remained.

[@eagleed3561]

You're both wrong. Paul Carrack sang lead on this track.

[@maxslamer]

+Eagle Ed Actually Gene Stashuck is singing first lead vocal and Paul Carrack second lead vocal.

[@TheTVisions]

Speaking of singers, I always though it was Bonnie Tyler on backing vocals here but I guess it's not her.

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

@@eagleed3561 NO, you're WRONG...it's Gene Stashuck!

[@TheMatiancai74]

Great song on a good album, better than its follow-up.

[@kaveman1021]

The greatest Genesis track that the band never recorded. .....Or did they?

[@astroknott5263]

kaveman1021 I could definitely see this on Genesis '83

[@DDaSilva1980]

It could have been on Invisible Touch or We Can't Dance.

[@KBAFourthtime]

Only Rutherford, the only Genesis member who liked it, was involved in the recording, only as the Mike in M&M; he'd been allowed to use it, while other Genesis members/co-writers, Banks and Collins, didn't like it.

[@VinnyTAgent4587]

Sometimes I grab my M+TM CD just to hear this song. Just added to My Playlist. THANX 4 POSTING ;-)

[@kaiploer3904]

I love the christian meaning of many M+Ms songs

[@angelohidalgo7625]

que buena musica

[@deadewok]

Isn't the first line "Chaos reigns", not rings?

[@generalhezakiyageorge3070]

Yes it is

[@TheTVisions]

Should've been a single.

[@luismarceloinostrozabidart922]

Why so underrated?.. A very "atmospheric " song...it transfers the misery of the war...

[@michaelgoldstein5365]

Should have been the theme song for this country after 9-11

[@WesleyABrown]

Thank you for uploading this! I've been searching forever for this song!

[@Koontah]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for posting this!!!! I can't buy it from Amazon.com without buying an entire CD. :p This is just too cool!

[@cheyboo67]

The 80's Rule!!

[@barrowmanmadsdad]

never could get that vfirst line thanx

[@112sje]

Was this song originally written for Genesis ? Tony & Phil appear with Mike on the writing credits. It ranks alongside Silent Running as the two stand-out tracks on the first Mechanics album.

[@KBAFourthtime]

Yes, it was an unfinished "bit" for Genesis at first, but only Mike liked it, so the rest of Genesis allowed him to use it for the Mechanics.

[@janeporter818]

I love this song and Paul Carrack's lead vocals on here.

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

No, the main lead singer on this IS Gene Stashuck.

[@champ2040]

Any way I can find this song on iTunes?

[@johnmichelly8051]

Someone should make a video with this song about ukraine. Lyrics fit perfectly with current affairs.

[@moishe43]

Not so clear who the first lead vocalist is on this fantastic song. It is not Carrack, who does the second lead vocal. It is not Kirby, who sings the sublime Par Avion and You are the one. It is definitely not Paul Young. I can only assume it is 'Gene Stashuck'? I like this album, as it has so many lead vocalists, and is not just Carrack, then Young, as in other releases. Anyone know who Kirby and Stashuck are? and why they did not carry on doing lead vocals?

[@magnificentmuttley154]

*Dave Moishe* ...And that's what makes this album so uniquely outstanding. The multiplicity of lead vocalists. And every one of them First Class talent. In all of 20th Century Pop/ Rock history, I know nothing like it. Since it's Mike R's band, it's as though he wanted Mike & the Mechanics to be as unlike Genesis as possible, in the sense that, from the 80's onward it was only Phil Collins that sang lead Maybe Genesis' other gents just didn't want to go against the will of Hugh Pagdham, or else risk spoiling a proven formula that was succeeding so enormously well for them, as long as Phil was pointman? :/

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

Yes, Gene Stashuck is the MAIN vocalists on this track, NOT either of the two Pauls as MOST ERRONEOUSLY believe.

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

I know this because somewhere on the web (very hard to find, I had to use cache to find it) is an interview with Mike Rutherford telling the person interviewing him that the lead singer on this song is Mr. Gene Stashuck, NOT Mr. Paul Carrick NOR Mr. Paul Young.

[@alanpadg1960]

Interesting that both Christopher Neil & B.A. Robertson had solo singing careers but sadly Christopher Neil's 1972 effort never made it whereas B.A was superb with stuff like "Bang bang" and "Kool & The Khaftan"

[@barrowmanmadsdad]

Mssrs Collins Rutherford and Banks too

[@blackandtanful]

ｼﾞｪﾈｼｽ､ﾏｲｸ･ﾗｻﾞﾌｫｰﾄﾞ･ﾕﾆｯﾄ､ﾒｶﾆｯｸｽ･･･ｿﾘｯﾄﾞで叙情なﾅﾝﾊﾞｰをそこそこ残したﾈ!～"A Call To Arms"

[@petebeaumontvoiceoverartis6392]

It`s the late great Paul Young on lead vocal

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

No, Gene Stashuck IS the main lead singer of this song.

[@Triangulove]

This and Silent running sound like they belong on the same album lol

[@songsfinallyuploaded]

Is this a joke? Because they ARE on the SAME album!

[@Triangulove]

@@songsfinallyuploaded I was saying some of the songs don't match up to these two.

[@cv507]

616 ? some thermö ? prädieter ? is zedd you v?v

[@robgleason3964]

TRUMP 2024 LETS GO BRANDON

[@firthbythesea]

Not really a fan....now I know why Calling All Stations didn't work.