Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
Date Released
Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
Genre
Label
Catalogue Number
Story Behind The Song
Few Eighties songs burst into life quite like “Come On Eileen”. Released in 1982 and taken from the album Too-Rye-Ay, it marked a striking change of direction for Dexy’s Midnight Runners, blending Northern soul, pop and Celtic folk into something completely distinctive. Written by Kevin Rowland, Jim Paterson and Billy Adams, and produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, the recording features the violinists of the Emerald Express, whose lively playing became central to its character.
The song combines youthful desire with themes of repression, escape and the determination not to settle for an ordinary life. Rowland’s intensely emotional vocal moves from almost conversational passages to increasingly exuberant cries, perfectly matching the song’s constantly shifting arrangement. The lyrics also draw on memories of growing up, Irish musical traditions and the influence of older generations.
Musically, the opening fiddle gives way to a driving rhythm before the song repeatedly changes pace and intensity. The famous “too-ra-loo-ra” section and accelerating finale give the recording an almost celebratory momentum, while the mixture of fiddles, guitars, bass and percussion creates a sound that was unlike much contemporary pop.
Julien Temple’s memorable video, filmed around Elephant and Castle in London, reinforced the song’s earthy, communal atmosphere. With its infectious energy, unusual arrangement and unforgettable vocal performance, “Come On Eileen” remains one of the most distinctive recordings of the early Eighties.
The song peaked at No. 01 in the UK singles chart on 7th August 1982.
UK 7'' SLEEVE COVERS
Shown below are the picture sleeve covers (front and back) for the UK release of this single. If no cover sleeve was issued in the UK, we will display another country’s picture sleeve.
UK 7'' TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | Come On Eileen (4:12) (Rowland, Paterson, Adams, Billingham) Produced By Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley |
| B-Side | Dubious (2:40) (Rowland, Paterson) Produced By Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley |
CHART PERFORMANCE
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [13 Weeks] – 17th July 1982 – 9th October 1982 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
All officially released versions that appeared in the 80s:-
- Come On Eileen (Single Version) (4:12)
- Come On Eileen (Radio Edit) (4:08)
- Come On Eileen (Single Edit) (3:25)
- Come On Eileen (Album Version) (4:47)
- Come On Eileen (As It Should Have Sounded) (4:44)
To hear the FULL version of the songs below, you will need an active Spotify account (Free one). Just log in on your desktop/tablet or phone to hear the FULL versions.
OFFICIAL VIDEO
SONG LYRICS
Come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
Poor old Johnnie 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)
Too-ra, loo-ra, too-ra, loo-rye-aye
And we can sing just like our fathers
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (Well, he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
You in that dress
My thoughts, I confess
Verge on dirty
Oh, come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
These people ’round here
Were beaten down, eyes sunk in smoke-dried face
They’re resigned to what their fate is
But no, not us (No, never)
No, not us (No, never)
We are far too young and clever (Remember)
Too-ra, loo-ra, too-ra, loo-rye-aye
Eileen, I’ll hum this tune forever
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (Well, he means)
Ah, come on, let’s
Take off everything
That 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, ta-loo-rye-aye)
(Come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-aye)
Now you are grown, now you have shown (Too-ra, too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Oh, Eileen, said
Come on, Eileen (You’ve grown)
(Come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-aye)
These things, they are real and I know (So grown)
(Come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-aye)
How you feel
Now I must say more than ever (Too-ra, too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Things ’round here have changed, I said
Too-ra, loo-ra, too-ra, loo-rye-aye
(Come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-aye)
(Come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-aye)
(Too-ra, too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (Well, 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 (Well, he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
In that dress
Oh, my thoughts, I confess
Well, they’re dirty
Come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
Woah (Well, he means)
Oh-ho-ho-ho
Ah, come on, ah, come on, ah, come on (Everything)
In that dress
Woah (I confess)
Oh, believe me, if all those endearing young charms
That I gaze on so fondly today
Were to suddenly leave you or fly in the night
Just like fairy gifts gone in the sky
Written By Rowland, Paterson, Adams, Billingham
1 Comment
Hello All
Have we made any mistakes in this posting? Feel free to let us know (we’d appreciate it!)
Regards
Admin