“Over My Shoulder” is a pop rock song by supergroup Mike + The Mechanics, released on February 13, 1995 as the first single from their album Beggar on a Beach of Gold.
Unlike some of the group’s heavier, more dramatic material (such as “The Living Years”), “Over My Shoulder” takes a lighter, more melodic approach. Written by Mike Rutherford and Paul Carrack, the song features Carrack on vocals, whose warm, soulful tone gives the song a sense of sincerity and emotional depth. The instrumentation is soft and inviting—gentle acoustic guitars, clean electric textures, and an easygoing rhythm that mirrors the song’s bittersweet mood. Lyrically, the song reflects on the way memories of a past love can linger in unexpected moments.
The track was a commercial success in the UK, where it reached No. 12 on the Singles Chart, and it became a radio staple across Europe. Though it didn’t make a major impact on U.S. charts, it helped re-establish Mike + The Mechanics as consistent hitmakers in the mid-90s, appealing to fans of soft rock and adult contemporary pop.