Paul Carrack; you recognize the voice, may not recognize the name. Unless you’re a hardcore music nerd which is probably the only reason you’re reading this entry unless you randomly stumbled upon it.

Squeeze’s “Tempted”? That’s him. Ace’s “How Long”? That’s also him. Mike & The Mechanics’ “The Living Years”? Yep, it’s him. I believe the proper term to describe his musical efforts over the years would be “inspired journeyman”. “Don’t Shed A Tear” was by far the biggest hit Paul had under his own name, and it’s the type of song one might expect to be sung by an inspired journeyman. It’s super meat-and-potatoes, working man’s pop/rock with a simple lyrical conceit (a guy getting his tough-guy on to get over a failed relationship) and a chorus that sticks in your head for hours. Days. Weeks. Months. Years. You’re probably singing it to yourself right now. I know I am.