From pop to punk, Ireland has a rich musical heritage. Its folk music is some of the most recognisable in the world and goes hand in hand with its unique dance and arts culture. Thus, it makes sense that Irish artists would have a large diaspora spread the world over. Yet home is often what they sing about the most, and below we pick three hidden gems that sum up Ireland, written by Irish artists.
Galway Races – The Dubliners
To say any of The Dubliner’s tracks are a hidden gem may be a stretch. One of the most beloved of Irish bands, all of their tracks are well known and ingrained in the culture of the Emerald Isle. Yet Galway Races is a standout track. On the surface, it seems like a typical folk song that would not be out of place in any expat Irish bar found around the world. Yet dig deeper and it is a fantastic character and social study of leisure pursuits before the digital age.
It delves deep into the attraction of not just the horse racing, but the events that took place on these days such as the spinning wheel. The country has long held gambling close to its heart and continues to do so today. The Irish Lottery is played across the world, and the company Lottoland sells lottery tickets in Ireland itself. Yet even though these games can be played indoors, it has simply enhanced the desire to go out and play these games in physical locations. Just like Ireland, everything has changed, yet in other ways, nothing has changed at all.
The Dubliner’s delivery also stands to reiterate this. A foot-stomping anthem with a powerful delivery, it layers its instrumental textures like the passengers slowly filling the races. Interspersed with syllabic chants, it is a perfect study of the country’s social history.
Thin Lizzy – Emerald
Source: Unsplash
Thin Lizzy holds the crown for Ireland’s most loved heavy rock band. Yet their real success came from blending the sound with delicate songwriting, almost balladry, that often bordered on pop music. Dancing in the Moonlight is one perfect example of this.
Whisky in the Jar is one of their most famous tracks and was taken from a traditional Irish folk song. Yet Emerald is the track where frontman Phil Lynott appreciates the Irish blood in his veins the most. With charged lyrics and some hellish guitar call and response, it is the sound of Ireland in the seventies.
Bad – U2
There are plenty of U2 tracks that could be chosen, often both celebratory and critical of Irish life, politics and culture in equal measures. While the other songs on the list address patriotism and pride, this track takes a slightly different look at the dark side of a recession-hit Dublin.
Oddly, the live track is much more loved than the recorded version. A sparse arrangement exists, punctuated by the overdubs of Brian Eno. Yet played live it is almost religious in its fervour, enhanced by the performance many people will remember from Live Aid. It may not be the nicest of subject matters, but it is one of the band’s most overlooked tracks in a cannon that keeps on producing hit after hit.
Many more tracks can sum up Ireland and artists willing to do so. From the Corrs to the Pogues, the country has a rich musical heritage. It only takes a little research and you can find your own favourites.
Source: Unsplash
Thin Lizzy holds the crown for Ireland’s most loved heavy rock band. Yet their real success came from blending the sound with delicate songwriting, almost balladry, that often bordered on pop music. Dancing in the Moonlight is one perfect example of this.
Whisky in the Jar is one of their most famous tracks and was taken from a traditional Irish folk song. Yet Emerald is the track where frontman Phil Lynott appreciates the Irish blood in his veins the most. With charged lyrics and some hellish guitar call and response, it is the sound of Ireland in the seventies.
Bad – U2
There are plenty of U2 tracks that could be chosen, often both celebratory and critical of Irish life, politics and culture in equal measures. While the other songs on the list address patriotism and pride, this track takes a slightly different look at the dark side of a recession-hit Dublin.
Oddly, the live track is much more loved than the recorded version. A sparse arrangement exists, punctuated by the overdubs of Brian Eno. Yet played live it is almost religious in its fervour, enhanced by the performance many people will remember from Live Aid. It may not be the nicest of subject matters, but it is one of the band’s most overlooked tracks in a cannon that keeps on producing hit after hit.
Many more tracks can sum up Ireland and artists willing to do so. From the Corrs to the Pogues, the country has a rich musical heritage. It only takes a little research and you can find your own favourites.
