Every week we give away a Golden Discs voucher (total value 25 Euros) to use at your leisure in any of the 14 GD stores nationwide.
All we want from you is a tune that we can play at an unspecified time next week.
This week’s theme: Irish blood, English heart.
What UK artist/act born to Irish emigrants floats your mail boat?
To enter, complete this sentence:
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be______________________________________’
Lines MUST close at 5.15pm MIDNIGHT tonight. Midnight SUNDAY!
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The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be Elton John, whose parents hail from Elton Road, Dun Laoghaire, on account of his foot-tapping tunes that go down equally well at weddings, funerals, retirement parties or dogging sessions (IMO).
A Rainy Night in Soho – The Pogues.
Noel Gallagher.
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be John Lydon.
Hard to sum up his influence and impact with any soundbite, but this legend firstly under the guise of ‘Johnny Rotten’ with the Sex Pistols was the punk spokesperson for disaffected youth in a time not dissimilar to now in the UK with rising racism and burgeoning neoliberalism. He was both proudly British and Irish and was unafraid to express his views both musically and in person.
With PIL, he really found his form and helped to re-shape music with this post-punk brilliance. RISE is a song that encapsulates the man. “Anger is an energy”.
Good shout!
must be pure poo so
Dare I ask?
sorry just messing again.. when you said good shout.. like from you ;)
Love John Lydon myself.
Gas man.
Ah cool, got ya now! :)
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be Richard D. James aka Aphex Twin.
But he was born in Limerick. To English parents.
get out of town; never knew he was a paisano, now
That would be The Smiths. Bonus points surely for the fact that Morrissey and Robbie Keane are cousins.
Manchester so much to answer for.
Not exactly cousins…Keane’s late grandfather and Morrissey’s father are cousins.
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be The Smiths.
TOTP – 1983 I first set eyes on Johnny Marr and it was love at first sight.
He’s never put a foot wrong since in my eyes, the coolest man alive.
He’s autobiography is a great read and his solo stuff is not half bad either.
https://youtu.be/hnpILIIo9ek
i made him laugh once at Electric Picnic cos he started playing Getting Away with It and the entire crowd was silent except me, who let out a wildly excited whoop. he started cracking up. my moment of glory.
Insanely jealous now :)
And to think, he was 24!?! when The Smiths broke up.
He wrote all that incredible music before he was 25.
And the thing that really comes across in his book is that The Smiths was very much HIS group.
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be Morrissey. I mean you admitted it yourself by using his lyrics as your theme.
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be jools holland. i didn’t know either, but hey, you don’t argue with wikipedia.
Never knew that :)
His real name is Jools Ireland…
He used to be married to Pierse Brosnan.
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be Kevin Rowland of Dexys Midnight Runners. Famed for that discotheque classic Come on Eileen he has ploughed a number of musical furrows. Some like his dress and suspenders with Whitney cover at Reading didn’t go down so well but from his Saturday morning kids tv show explanation of the dexys reference to his more recent comeback with Dexys he has always been true to himself, and [these days] is never knowingly underdressed. (and his people are from Mayo, like me)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c_7l9X7_RA
Huey Lewis and the News. Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in ’83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He’s been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor.
USA mate
actually, you probably should have stuck with elvis costello, aka declan mcmanus.
“Hey Jones – do you like Phil Collins?”
(don’t worry, I got the reference even if no-one else did)
Thank you.
So did I, fair play
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be David Bowie according to my nine-year old son who heard about the connection from my father. His mother was one Peggy Burns seemingly.
I don’t think his mother was Irish, I think it was his grandmother
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess, would have to be Siobhan Fahey from Bananarama. She was so much more than a pretty face.
I love that woman.
You have impeccable taste Bertie :o)
lawks a mercy, i think I loved all the ‘ramas…
And she co-wrote Young at Heart with yer man from The Bluebells. And Stay by Shakespears Sister was the best daft number 1 EVER. Made Meatloaf at his most OTT look like the feckin’ Beta Band
I agree Ivan, she’s a very talented lady.
You probably heard this before but I think it’s brilliant
Siobhan Terry and Dave
https://youtu.be/6znRtWl_B4w
I hadn’t heard it before, lovely song and video., thanks
Just like you Zena
Transmetropolitan is the best theme song to a days drinking ever written
“We’ll drink the rat’s piss, kick the shite
And I’m not going home tonight”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxv0t7lVKgM
No, this- https://youtu.be/LHG6QRcD22Q
2nd entry
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess is Boy George. Beautiful, stylish man and an amazing singer.
George was brilliant, Victims was a fantastic tune but his voice is shot now sadly.
I didn’t realise his voice wasn’t what it once was – saw him being interviewed a couple of weeks ago by Piers Morgan. He looked as good as ever and was his usual charming self.
Also, there was a fly on the wall documentary on BBC 4 a couple of years ago about Culture Club reforming and a comeback tour.
I always thought he was a great guy but he came across dreadfully in this.
I was going to say that maybe he had a sting in his tail after having to do community service in the US that time but that was good few years ago now.
His poor escort got more than he bargained for to say the least…..
Reminds me of my first car, an old battered escort. :)
Lol apparently the escort didn’t fancy being in George’s chain-gang ;-)
Quite the opposite BB, I’m happy to report. I saw him with Culture Club at Wembley Arena in December and his pure, white soul voice is as beautiful as ever. It couldn’t have been (much) autotuned. He’s off all the gear, dropped about five stone and in fine form.
Glad to hear it, last couple of times I saw him sing live in thought he was woeful, and I’d consider myself a fan :)
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be both Lennon and McCartney. Both embraced this, evident in their post Beatles ventures, with Wings’ “Give Ireland back to the Irish”, and Lennon/Yoko’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaO4XeHhwo8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04SWbdk6EAw
.
not either of their finest moments though
Elvis Costello, surely? Roih, Dekko?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrjHz5hrupA
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be Mary O’Brien who became Dusty Springfield. A sublime voice who brought pathos to and elevated the songs of Bacharach and David to the classics they deserved to be
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to Kevin Roland of Dexys.
Mr Roland lambasted the stereotype of the Thick Paddy with his first single Dance Stance:
“Never heard about, can’t think about
Oscar Wilde and Brendan Behan,
Sean O’Casey, George Bernard Shaw.
Samuel Beckett, Eugene O’Neill, Edna O’Brien and Lawrence Stern.”
He almost spits out the lyrics in anger – it still sends a shiver up my back 35+ years later. Oh, and his second single Geno went to No. 1 and happens to be one of the best songs ever – pop fact! And if all that’s not good enough for ya – the man’s got style!
*ahem*
Rowland.
Also known as ‘Burn it Down’. A brilliant song to open a fantastic album.
Also the cover image of the album is a photo of a young catholic lad during the Troubles.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searching_for_the_Young_Soul_Rebels
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess is clearly proud Waterford woman Kate Bush (her mother was from the Deise). Have any of these other people you’ve mentioned recorded a song with whipping noises and someone going “OOOOH!OOOOH!” like an owl in the background all the way through?No. No they haven’t. I rest my case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4csr6pLZLg
No, I believe you might be right there.
That said, someone has gone and claimed Bowie to be of Irish descent, and knowing him…
Ah Kate, my favourite ever gig, such a treat to see her live.
Luck of the Irish
Right – if we’re allowed Beatles, then it’s Macca. Yes yes yes, I know, Frog Chorus, Mull of Kintyre…get over it, given that he’s recorded as much as he has, it’s inevitable there’s some well known stuff that the critics get sniffy about. Just lash on side 2 of Abbey Road, listen to the guitar solo on Taxman, the belting skiffle on I’ve Just Seen a Face. Hunt out ‘Wanderlust’, languish in Maybe I’m Amazed, lose yourself in the entire Flowers in the Dirt album (largely recorded with other honorary Mick, Declan McManus, above).
We’re not doing Macca? It’s Kevin Rowland, and it’s for this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXh19wfJT3Q
the guitar solo on Taxman?
what about the drumming on Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds?!?
Not sure what you’re getting at there, but Macca played the solo on it. Yes, i know. On George’s composition. And it’s used backwards on Tomorrow Never Knows
The Smiths, obvs.
All would be more eligible to play for Ireland than members of U2.
:)
You’d miss George Byrne wouldn’t ya?
This is worth a read.
http://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/irish-blood-english-heart-second-generation-irish-musicians-in-england/
I think I might know you Otis :)
DF?
Go on…
Probably way off the mark but you write a lot like someone I know, an old mod who watches the Dubs, you probably just have a taste twin!
No lambretta. No tonic suit. No Dubs here, I’m afraid.
And fighting rockers on a bank holiday is frowned upon down in my corner of West Cork. Since that messy Collins business back in the day we’re peaceable types.
I was worried you had me though…
Your brother from another mother clearly, and don’t worry, he’s sound :)
It’s got to be Gilbert O’Sullivan though I think he might really be Irish.
Anyway what about that Shayne Ward fella :)
Or the Nolan Sisters
You are all such elitist musical snobs. Especially you Bertie :)
Agreed, I’m the worst thing since Jack Whitehall Live.
I’d forgotten about “Boy” George O’Dowd. Clearly, he’s right up there?
There’s a filthy joke there but I’m far too much of a gentleman…
The greatest example of English-born second generation Irish musical prowess would have to be Bernard Butler of Suede.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7mEB2wnDLQ
Elvis Costello and Clive Langer’s masterpiece sung by The Unthanks, Northumbrians in Dingle.
https://youtu.be/iUpKu3gcZjw
Jaysus, we sent over our best back then, didn’t we?
The load of poo that we produced here in the 80s…
And it’s still guff.
Nothing decent produced on this island in years
Name the last influential Irish music act?
Radi O’head?
I must be wasting my time on the column every morning, so.
Get these in your lugholes.
https://www.broadsheet.ie/2016/12/20/ten-irish-records-in-2016-that-you-may-like/