"All I Need Is a Miracle" | ||||
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Single by Mike + The Mechanics | ||||
from the album Mike + The Mechanics | ||||
B-side | "You Are the One" | |||
Released | 3 February 1986 | |||
Format | 7' 12" | |||
Recorded | 1985 | |||
Genre | Soft rock, pop rock | |||
Length | 4:10 | |||
Label | Atlantic – Atlantic 89450 | |||
Writer(s) | Mike Rutherford, Christopher Neil | |||
Producer(s) | Christopher Neil | |||
Mike + The Mechanics singles chronology | ||||
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"All I Need Is a Miracle" is a song performed by Mike + The Mechanics. Written by guitarist Mike Rutherford and producer Christopher Neil, it was first included on their 1985 self-titled debut album, and later released as a single in early 1986 in the USA, where it reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was sung by Paul Young on both the original recording and the 1996 re-recording for the band's Hits compilation album.
In an interview prior to the song's release as a single, Rutherford commented, "The thing that makes 'Miracle' different, to me, is that it's a happy song – or it's primarily a happy song. It's 'up'. And I don't do that very often. ...It may not be optimistic, but it's a positive attitude to life."
"All I Need Is a Miracle" was the second single released by Mike + The Mechanics, following "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)", which also reached the top 10. "All I Need Is a Miracle" featured lead vocals by former Sad Café vocalist Paul Young.
The cover of the single was twice recycled for Mike + The Mechanics albums, first for their greatest hits package Hits in 1996, and then for Mike & the Mechanics in 1999.
A new version of the song, titled "All I Need Is a Miracle '96", was included on Hits.
In 1987 the song was nominated for "Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group" at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony.
The music video for "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" ends with footage of Mike + The Mechanics performing the song at a restaurant, and segues into the video for "Miracle". In the video, "All I Need is a Miracle" is the final song in the band's fictional set, so Mike + The Mechanics' tour manager (played by Roy Kinnear) attempts to settle up with the restaurant owner (played by Victor Spinetti) for the agreed sum of £250. However, the owner points out that due to the gig being arranged at the last minute, the restaurant is more than half empty, and refuses to pay. Moreover, he threatens to hold all the band's equipment as collateral until he is paid £500.