The line: "Every generation blames the one before for their frustration" is in Verse 1 in the song "The Living Years". This song "The Living Years" was recorded by Rutherford's British rock band Mike + The Mechanics. It was released in December 1988 in the UK and in the US as the second single from their album "Living Years". The song was a chart hit around the world, topping the US "Billboard" Hot 100 on March 25, 1989. It was the band's only No. 1 and last top ten hit on that chart. It also reached No. 1 in Australia, Canada, and Ireland and No. 2 in the UK. It additionally spent four weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. Paul Carrack sings lead vocals on the track.

"The Living Years", a soft rock ballad, was written by B. A. Robertson and Mike Rutherford. The song addresses a son's regret over unresolved conflict with his now-deceased father. "The Living Years" won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 1989, and was nominated for four Grammy awards in 1990, including Record and Song of the Year, as well as Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Video. In 1996, famed composer Burt Bacharach opined that the song was one of the finest lyrics of the last decade.

Mike and the Mechanics (stylised, Mike + The Mechanics) are a rock supergroup formed in Dover in 1985 by Mike Rutherford. The band are known for the hit singles "Silent Running", "All I Need Is a Miracle", "Taken In", "The Living Years", etc.

More Info: www.lyrics.com