26 January 1989
The subtext of 1989’s number one singles is that there are worse things than Stock, Aitken and Waterman records. Here’s someone else from Genesis following Phil Collins’ lead in making music that sounds middle-aged, purports to have an Everyman appeal, and is aimed squarely at an audience of middle-aged men. ‘The Living Years’ is bland AOR that tips over into the cornball sentimentality of country music. Its central message seems to be: lads, don’t argue with your father because when he’s gone and you become a father you’ll regret it. Gotta look after that patriarchy! The boys choir is an especially maudlin touch.
I hated this record whenever it came on the radio at the time, I still hate it now, and if you like it then I hate you too and so do your children and children the world over.
