Expert: Bong Santos - 4/22/2006

Question
I only know bits and pieces of the lyrics. It is a slow rock song with a male singer.

"takin' in, takin' in again" - might be "take it in"

"fair weathered friend"

"know why, take me for a ride"


sorry i cant remember more

Answer
Dear Kevin,

You have an ear for a great song. It is one of my favorite song from the eighties.

The song you have in mind is unmistakeably "Taken In" by Mike + The Mechanics. Mike + The Mechanics, of course is a side project of former Genesis member (the others are Phil Collins & Tony Banks) Mike Rutherford. He formed the band while member Phil Collins was pursuing a solo career back in 1985. The founding members were Rutherford (bass), Paul Carrack (former member of Ace and Squeeze, vocals and keyboards, who also had solo hits like I Need You (No. 37 Hot 100, 1982),Don't Shed A Tear (No. 9, Hot 100, 1987), One Good Reason (No. 28, Hot 100, 1988) & I Live By The Groove (No. 31, Hot 100, 1989), Adrian Lee (keyboards), Peter Van Hooke (drums) and the late Paul Young (former member of Sad Cafe', vocals). Young, who sang the lead on this particular song and on All I Need Is A Miracle, who is not to be confused with the Paul Young of Everytime you Go Away fame, died of a heart attack on July 15, 2000 at age 53.
Taken In was the 3rd single off the group's eponymous debut album released in 1985. It follows on the heels of Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground) (No. 6, Hot 100, 1985) and All I Need Is A Miracle (No. 5, Hot 100, 1986). Taken In peaked at No. 32 on the Hot 100 in 1986.

Here are the lyrics:

ALL I NEED IS A MIRACLE / Mike + The Mechanics

Taken in, taken in again
Wrapped around the finger of some fair-weather friend
Caught up in the promises, left out in the end
No pride, taken for a ride
You say I'm the only one when I look in your eyes
I want to believe you but you know how to lie

And if you say you understand I don't believe it
And when you reach out for my hand I don't believe it
And if you say you take the blame I don't believe it
And if say that nothing's changed I don't believe it, don't believe it

Taken in, taken in again
Someone saw me coming, a fool without a friend
There's one born every minute and you're looking at him

And if you say you want me near I don't believe it
And when you're holding back the tears I don't believe it
And when you swear that you are mine I don't believe it
And it's your heart that's on the line I don't believe it, don't believe it

Taken in, taken in again
Wrapped around the finger of some fair-weather friend
Caught up in the promises, left out in the end
No pride, taken for a ride
You say I'm the only one when I look in your eyes
I'd love to believe you but you know how to lie

You say you want me near I don't believe it
And when you're holding back the tears I don't believe it
Oh, there's one born every minute, you're looking at him

Taken in, taken in again
Someone saw me coming, a fool without a friend
I want to believe you, oh
When you say you understand
When you reach out for my hand
Oh, I wish I could believe you

Enjoy my answer!

Maraming salamat po!

Bong M. Santos