"Word of Mouth" is a song by English rock group Mike + The Mechanics, released in March 1991 by Atlantic and Virgin Records as the lead single from their third album, Word of Mouth (1991). It was the most successful single from that album peaking at No.13 on UK Singles Chart. It also peaked at No.78 in the United States, their last single to chart there, and at No.36 in Canada. The accompanying music video was directed by Paul Boyd and premiered in early 1991.
| "Word of Mouth" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Single cover | ||||
| Single by Mike + The Mechanics | ||||
| from the album Word of Mouth | ||||
| B-side | "Let's Pretend It Didn't Happen" | |||
| Released | 4 March 1991 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 3:55 | |||
| Label | Atlantic, Virgin | |||
| Songwriters | Mike Rutherford, Christopher Neil | |||
| Producers | Mike Rutherford, Christopher Neil | |||
| Mike + The Mechanics singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Word of Mouth" on YouTube | ||||
Composition
editThe song is driven by electric guitar and synthesizer hooks played in unison, as well as the powerful vocal performance of Paul Young, who sings multiple B4 chest voice high notes. Coupled with layered hand clap and audience effects, the song has a distinctive live, stadium rock sound.
Live Performances
editThe song has been a mainstay in the band's set-lists since its release, with Tim Howar performing the song at concerts post-2010. Since 2011, the song is traditionally played as the final song of a given concert, as an extended version with each member of the band (barring Howar) doing an individual solo on their respective instruments. When played in this extended arrangement, the song often lasts for over 20 minutes.
Critical reception
editPersonnel
editMike + The Mechanics
- Mike Rutherford – lead and rhythm guitars, bass guitar
- Paul Young – lead vocals
- Paul Carrack – backing vocals
- Adrian Lee – keyboards
- Peter Van Hooke – drums
Additional personnel
- Kitson Hall Audience – crowd
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit |
References
edit- ↑ Cater, Evan (2011). "Word of Mouth – Mike + the Mechanics | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
- ↑ "Mike & The Mechanics – Word of Mouth". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ↑ "European Hit Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 19. 11 May 1991. p. 17. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
- ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name.
- ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Mike & The Mechanics". Irish Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Mike & The Mechanics" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ↑ "Mike & The Mechanics – Word of Mouth" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ↑ UK Singles Chart OfficialCharts.com (Retrieved 2 January 2009)
- ↑ "Playlist Chart" (PDF). Music Week. 4 May 1991. p. 26. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
- ↑ "Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996" (PDF). popmusichistory.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ↑ "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. 21 December 1991. p. 20. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1991" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 14 May 2020.