The song of the day today is a pop classic from the 80’s – “Come on Eileen ” by Dexys Midnight Runners.

Fun Facts

• “Come on Eileen” is placed at number 3 in the 100 Greatest One-hit Wonders of all time.
• Eileen is thought to represent Lead Singer Kevin Rowland’s first girlfriend, Jeanette. However, Kevin has expressed that Eileen represents all the girls he dated while growing up and the guilt he felt around these relationships because of his Catholic upbringing, which discourages sexual thoughts and desires.
• The band worked on the undeniable rhythm of “Come on Eileen” first before moving on to the lyrics. The beat was inspired by two songs the band describes as being danceable and having urgency. These songs were; Unit 4+2’s – “Concrete and Clay” and Tom Jones – “It’s not unusual.”
• Many people consider “Come on Eileen” to be an Irish song, but the band is British. They did, however, sneak an Irish feel into their music. Lead Singer Kevin Rowland’s parents were Irish. In 81′ around the time the song was created, people weren’t allowed to talk about the issues in Northern Ireland. The ode to Irish music was an acknowledgment of this.

Lyrics:

(Musixmatch)

Poor old Johnny Ray

Sounded sad upon the radio

Moved a million hearts in mono

Our mothers cried

Sang along, who’d blame them?

You’re grown (you’re grown up)

So grown (so grown up)

Now I must say more than ever

(Come on Eileen)

Toora loora toora loo rye ay

And we can sing just like our fathers

Come on Eileen, oh I swear what he means

At this moment, you mean everything

You in that dress, my thoughts I confess

Verge on dirty, ah, come on Eileen

Come on Eileen

These people round here

Wear beatdown eyes sunk in smoke dried face

So resigned to what their fate is

But not us (no never)

No not us (no never)

We are far too young and clever

Toora loora, toora loo rye ay

Eileen, I’ll hum this tune forever

Come on Eileen, oh I swear (what he means)

Ah come on let’s, take off everything

Pretty red dress, Eileen, tell him yes

Ah come on let’s, ah, come on Eileen

That pretty red dress, Eileen, tell him yes

Ah, come on let’s, ah come on Eileen, please

Come on Eileen, too loo rye ay

Come on Eileen, too loo rye ay

Now you have grown, and now you have shown

Oh, Eileen

Said

Come on Eileen, too loo rye ay

Come on Eileen, too loo rye ay

Now I must say more than ever

Things round here change

I said, toora loora, toora loo rye ay

Come on Eileen, oh I swear what he means

At this moment, you mean everything

You in that dress, my thoughts I confess

Verge on dirty, ah come on Eileen

Come on Eileen, oh I swear what he means

At this moment, you mean everything

In that dress, oh my thoughts, I confess

Well, they’re dirty, come on Eileen