"Come On Eileen" is my new Happy Playlist Song! Vocal ANALYSIS of Dexy's Midnight Runners.

[@blackthorn5709]

Every Brit has heard this song an average of 56 million times, whether they wanted to or not. One of those tunes that just refuses to go away.

[@el-bov8034]

Remember it when released, and still love it till this day. Timeless classic. Very much looking forward to this video. Perhaps she'll consider doing'Geno' at some point

[@robsiddall9731]

You're not wrong 😂

[@el-bov8034]

@@robsiddall9731 Nice 'Angel Dust' profile pic

[@johntruxal432]

Hey i'm 56 yo and requested it more the 56 times , it's a fun time whenever it's played. 👍🇺🇸🍻

[@drowningincats3921]

As a lifelong NY’er I’ll tell you this song was a HUGE bar song and EVERYONE from that era knew it by heart. Love from across the Pond! 💜

[@MichaelG5500]

Now we need a analysis of The Safety Dance!!!!! After all you can dance if you want to.....

[@matthewh.9544]

That's a terrible song 😂

[@Suleclo]

But it has to be the original video version - love it.

[@nikoazure5235]

You absolute genius

[@Cypher77]

Yes! And the Proclaimers I'm gonna be!

[@dwhitman12341]

Safety Dance. Yes!!!!!!

[@DevonRex116]

""Not losing clarity on the diction.." I've sung along to this song a thousand times and I'm still making up the words!

[@danthebev]

LMAO Facts.

[@Ihatezidiotz]

there are words? :)

[@richtheunstable3359]

I just hear high pitched wailing for most of it. No idea what is being said

[@tammywallen5471]

Yes, but I love it!

[@DevonRex116]

Me too!!!! 😀

[@richardmcilvaney]

Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)" is a classic Irish-American song that was written in 1913 by composer James Royce Shannon (1881-1946) for the Tin Pan Alley musical Shameen Dhu. The original recording of the song, by Chauncey Olcott, peaked at #1 on the music charts. The song was brought back to prominence by Bing Crosby's performance in 1944's Going My Way.

[@chuckhutton5087]

Actually this song begins with the tune of “ Believe Me if all these Endearing Young Charms”, another Irish classic.

[@pietzsche]

The House of Pain also used it which is pretty funny

[@DNulrammah]

It was also used (or a variation of it was) in an episode of "Doctor Who" (S9 - "The Curse of Peladon") by the Doctor to calm the beast Aggedor.

[@rachelhart.2386]

Thank you!

[@NybergCarl]

I think it's riffing off this song which I heard in the context of the IWW song cheering on a saboteur. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta-ra-ra_Boom-de-ay

[@h.p.chicken]

My mum's name was Eileen and this song came out as she was going through her divorce; she took the lyrics as a pick-yourself-up kind of thing, and adopted it as a bit of a theme song. It was played at every major family gathering thereafter, and not dancing was not an option. We played it at her funeral (we had a garden party for her) and yes, we danced ❤✌️

[@rosadelosvientossur]

"... and yes, we danced" This story filled my heart. I'm sending you a huge hug ❤

[@Demonglo-]

Nice.

[@noggin73]

My aunt is an Eileen. Big Irish family. Eileen is in her 90s and is known as 'Nin' because one of her siblings couldn't pronounce her name 70+ years ago.

[@SaintPhoenixx]

My grandmother's name was Eileen, she passed away earlier this week. My mum got in the car to go home afterwards, first song that comes on was Come On Eileen. She notoriously hated this song too.

[@flyballhdeg9775]

Celebrating the joy she brought to your lives!

[@marshwigglegoth]

Omg it hurt every time this was paused in that speeding up section 😂 The best bit when you’re young, carefree, drunk and out with friends having a dance. So much fun ❤

[@RZK1966]

Elizabeth needs to see the video, she would be in absolute hysterics.

[@BrianBogiaBricky]

Video really good.

[@Joreel]

I was surprised she didn't use the video...

[@zerowheeler]

Yeah the video is hilarious!

[@BeyondPrague]

That video is the pits....If you know, you know. 😀

[@bobbycollins6783]

​@@Joreel Maybe they couldn't get clearance to play the video from whoever owns it.

[@richh9106]

A song that should definitely be on a Happy playlist is Our House by Madness.

[@brianhale8537]

Baggy trousers and House of fun are pretty cheerful songs also

[@JoColours]

Or One Step Beyond or Nightboat to Cairo... I think all of Madness could be on the Happy Playlist :)

[@spruce381]

I love Madness, but hate house of fun and our house / first 2 albums were amazing, but only really picked up again with Norton Folgate - just an opinion.

[@donpark8316]

Totally agree. The 80's was such a great time for music and man did I have fun.

[@Riffman42]

@@JoColours One Step Beyond is so much fun!

[@KefkeWren]

You know, people say that "Come On Eileen" is a love song, but I don't think that's quite right. It's a _nostalgia_ song. A story of young love, yes, but young love as remembered years later. It celebrates the feelings that they had back then, their sincere desire to be with Eileen, and their heartfelt belief that things could work, but with their present day perspective, wisdom, and knowledge of how things _would_ work out. No line I think emphasizes that more than _"We are far too young and clever."_ - that's a genuine sentiment, it's how they felt at the time, but it's not how a young person would express it. It's very much the way someone would describe their feelings looking back, recognizing that back then they were sure that they were smarter than their parents, and too inexperienced to know what the world was like. The entire song has this undertone of self-awareness that (at least to me) speaks to wistful recollection - the desire to return once more to the wonder and excitement of first love beginning to bloom.

[@Kat_Andrews]

Not a love song, it’s a lust song. When you look at the lyrics, it’s all about “right now, you mean everything”. You in that dress… let’s take off everything, pretty red dress… Come on Eileen Come on Eileen Poor old Johnny Ray Sounded sad upon the radio He moved a million hearts in mono Our mothers used To sing along, who'd blame them You're grown (a grown up), So grown (so grown up), now I must say more than ever (Come on Eileen) Toora loora toora 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, oh my thoughts I confess Verge on dirty Ah come on Eileen Come on Eileen These people round here Wear beaten down eyes Sunk in smoke dried faces Resigned to what their fate is But not us (no never), no not us (no never) We are far too young and clever Remember Toora loora toora loo rye aye Eileen I'll hum this tune forever 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, oh Eileen tell him yes Ah come on let's, Ah come on Eileen Come on Eileen oh I swear (well he means) At this moment you mean everything Come on Eileen too-loo rye-aye Come on Eileen too-loo rye-aye Toora toora-too-loora Oh, Eileen Oh, Eileen We are far too young and clever And things wont ever change I say toora loora toora loo rye aye Come on Eileen, oh I swear (well he means) At this moment, you mean everything to me You mean everything

[@felixhenson9926]

It is yeah it's also a song about feeling stifled and needing to do something wild and free to get out of that place. He's taking Eileen along for the ride because she's also resounding with that feeling. He doesn't wanna stay in this town where people are 'so resigned to what their fate is', after all, the two of them are 'far too young and clever'!

[@mattheww9116]

Nominate @KefkeWren for one of the most insightful comments ever written on KZbin. We read ten thousand comments to find one this poignant.

[@kevinj.oconner788]

It's definitely not a love song. The character in the song is trying to get Eileen to take off her dress…

[@lemonjapp]

Yes when I was a (virginal) teenager I found this to be scary and shocking. ​@Kat_Andrews

[@spender_cgb7372]

The opening violin is from "Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms" an old Irish song. My late mom (who was Irish) nailed it straight away. RIP mom.

[@dizzysic66]

Yes. RIP mom.

[@martinedwards2004]

That melody is also what they play on the piano in the bugs bunny cartoons where the piano is rigged to blow up on the high C, which the intended victim refuses to play. Classic stuff!

[@bellaimages]

I thought it was Irish! Thank you for verifying it!

[@tommack9395]

Yes, It pretty much screams Eire as much as the lullaby "Too ra loo ra loo ral". Most Celtic melodies do, but especially those traditionally Irish. The lyric Thomas Moore added to the tune latter in the 19th century. The melody is a traditional Irish air that can be traced back into the 15th century. Moore wrote his lyric to replace the lyric "My Lodging is on the Cold Ground" which was written by a British poet in the 16th century which used the melody. I guess kind of like claiming it back? I had an Aunt Aine - seventy something years old - an elder sister of my mom who was in her thirties at the time. Anyway, Aunt Aine used to sing Amhran na gCupan and Chì mi na morbheana - not sure of the spellings - among other old Irish songs to us when I was little.

[@spender_cgb7372]

@@bellaimagesYou're welcome🙂

[@niallmcentee9400]

You couldn't escape this song in 1982. I remember one day switching through all the radio channels we had at the time, about a dozen as I remember, and, this is no word of a lie, EVERY single one of them played this song over about a 10 minute period. It was absolutely huge in the summer of 82

[@keithgreggo77]

82, sheesh, I didn't think it was that old, I was just in high school, guess that was the good times of MTV

[@yasminkeyani7948]

I remember that happy summer!

[@dionbowen17]

The most complete pop song of all time. Everything from intro to verse, chorus, crescendo, call back etc. just a perfect pop song

[@DK-vn7lr]

100% needed to watch the video to get the whole vibe of this song. These were the glory days of MTV

[@simonwesson]

Over forty years old and sounding as fresh as ever. A stone cold classic

[@seriousoldman8997]

A classic cold stone, graveyard -- style.

[@christopherchadwick2659]

One of the greatest songs of all time. Been listening to this song for 40 something years and I still couldn’t tell you the words.

[@flowingafterglow629]

Yep, depending on the day, it's either my top 1 or 2 song of the 80s (competing with Cherry Bomb) Today it's Come On, Eileen (I have a list of all the songs that made the American top 40 in the 80s (I actually have them as KZbin playlists) and have gone through and have them sorted according to my favorites)

[@christopherchadwick2659]

@@flowingafterglow629 the greatest period in music history is from 1975 to 1990. More great songs were produced in a single year than in the past 20.

[@barringtongilbert9230]

Read the lyrics....great.

[@flon57]

One of THE best 1 hit wonders.

[@reneelouise6475]

So many of the lyrics on the web are incorrect 😂- but also live the lyrics would be changed up as well- depending on the band’s toxicity of the day🎉😂.

[@Rockmanxpr]

Another fun song from the 80s has to be "Our House" by Madness

[@simonfeil1412]

Also, "Welcome to the house of fun" or "Baggy Trousers" by Madness

[@puckbond007]

On a ska related note I am a personal fan of Save Ferris and their cover of Come On Eileen! Happened to see both Madness and Save Ferris live back in 1998(2 different shows)

[@TheJeep1967]

"On the wings of a dove" is an even more fun song by Madness, but Our House is definitely one of their stand out tunes.

[@kaistone2692]

Anything from the two tone/ska era are true British classics. So much joy and fun

[@NybergCarl]

The Housemartins used the upbeat English music as their default, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Housemartins

[@magicbrownie1357]

"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves is the happiest song I've heard, ever.

[@rogerwennstrom6677]

I dunno, I always thought one could squeeze out a super sad and depressing (with some biting irony considering the lyrics) and slow version of that chorus if one really wanted to! :) (A bit like that Obadiah Parker cover of Hey ya if you want a comparison)

[@bphat68]

A good friend of mine has a doom metal band (Druid Lord) and I have been pestering him for years to cover that song! It would be so epically different, their fans would flip. One day...😂

[@magicbrownie1357]

@@bphat68I was in a punk/alt band several decades back, and we adapted The Beatles Blackbird and really made it thrash. Good Idea.

[@MrKawika64]

And the most annoying

[@MrKawika64]

And the most annoying

[@markfrombriz]

The world would be a much better place if there were more people with the pure joy and happiness of Elizabeth Zharoff's in it

[@danieldickson8591]

I've never seen anyone with so much pure elation over all kinds of music and vocalizing. She must be a delight to hang around with.

[@markfrombriz]

@@danieldickson8591 totes agree

[@polmccann2291]

I teared up at her joy when the tempo went wild.

[@skabuoy]

I usually just listen to videos on KZbin, but I make it a point to WATCH hers, solely for that joy and happiness. All those songs I have heard numerous times and more, but that elation expressed makes me not hear them but listen to them again.

[@twwraistlin]

Once I fell in love with music, now Im in love with Elizabeths love for music. Her enthusiasm and amazement is mirroring my own, from when I was young and these songs were new to me. I love her, a little bit.

[@randolphpatterson5061]

The "too-rye-aye" and "too-ra-loo-ra" phrasings apparently already existed in several other earlier songs, mainly ballads & lullabies, and presumably Irish and/or Gaelic in origin. I can appreciate the fact that DMR have basically revived & re-popularized these strange, charming, & intriguing utterances, harvested from yesteryear's songbook. Then again, since I'm by no means an expert, it's possible that I'm wrong. Thank you for the analysis & commentary, swell job as usual!

[@piaraskelly1038]

Likely heard them from his Irish parents and family

[@kellypickle]

When this came out, it was just so different all those tempo changes the layering we really needed something different. What a great song. I feel this is a timeless song. Really focused on the rhythm and the vocals got some Celtic mix in here

[@flowingafterglow629]

Yeah, it really brings in those contrasting tempo/key styles that the Beatles used (see A Day in the Life) and McCartney loves (see also: Band on the Run, Uncle Albert)

[@tjanderson6561]

This is absolutely one of the greatest songs to come out of the 80s. Been listening to it for 40 years and i still love it!

[@kevinL5425]

In April 1983 “Come on Eileen” knocked Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean” off the top spot of the Billboard top 100. The next number one was Michael’s “Beat It”. So “Come on Eileen” was a spoiler that stopped Jackson from having back to back number one hits. As far as I know the only band that ever had consecutive number one hits on the Billboard Top 100 was The Beatles with “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You” in 1964.

[@TheNightBadger]

I'll throw in the honorable mention of The Bee Gees being knocked off #1 by their brother Andy with a song written by them, and then knocking him off with another one of their songs, only to be knocked off by Yvonne Elliman with another song written by them. Next to the Beatles in '64 The Bee Gees had the best chart year in history in '78 (also, technically, since 'Bee Gee' stood for 'Brothers Gibb', and Andy was a Gibb Brother, it would be accurate to say the Gibb brothers had three consecutive #1 hits).

[@kylestruckmann1504]

Billie Jean was #1 for 7 weeks, and then “Beat It” was #1 for 3 weeks. So, MJ could have had 11 consecutive weeks at #1 from different songs if not for “Come on Eileen”.

[@TheNightBadger]

I wonder if any major artists really care about these chart stats? I'll add to what I wrote above with this - The Bee Gees technically had four consecutive number ones in '78 as songwriters, and seven for the year, which rivalled The Beatles 7 in '64 (The Bee Gees had 3 for themselves, 2 for Brother Andy, 1 for Yvonne Elliman, and 1 for Frankie Valli with the theme to 'Grease'. The Beatles had 6 for themselves, and 1 for Peter and Gordon).

[@NThurkettle]

Kevin Rowland is a singer who grew up obsessed with singers and wanting to study and emulate them. The first lyric of this song references Johnnie Ray, a 1950's singer who helped pave the way to mainstream audiences for the mix of pop and R&B that Elvis would later make his trademark. Johnnie was known for his super-emotive, theatrical crooning style, which definitely influenced Kevin. In another Dexy's song he makes reference to General Johnson, the brilliantly distinctive vocalist for the 70's Motown group Chairmen of the Board, and imitates his signature trills. If you've never heard their classic "Give Me Just a Little More Time," I think you'd love diving into that one.

[@chatham43]

@NThurkettle Johnny Ray...The Nabob of Sob..😢!

[@rogerreed905]

He was also known as . Jonnie "cry" Ray .

[@amandadhoward7134]

Don’t forget Geno (Washington)!

[@DronedLove]

​@@amandadhoward7134or Jocky Wilson!

[@darylmckay]

I loved this! Kevin Rowland is an underappreciated genius still making amazing music.

[@fb-gj7yi]

On the radio endlessly in the early 80's, and every bar jukebox. A staple in the jukebox. Damn I'm old, I just realized you might not know what a jukebox is. Good song. The 80's were great.

[@Michael-mm3fm]

There was a big change come the 21st century. And it wasn’t for the better. When do you hear 21st century songs in tv or movie soundtracks? Never. The great days are gone.

[@Croyles]

@@Michael-mm3fm "When do you hear 21st century songs in tv or movie soundtracks? Never. " All the time.

[@willdogon1874]

Just as I was belting this out, Elizabeth paused and said 'wow'. Never had praise from an opera singer before but thanks!

[@Gov.audits]

😂

[@tmcmurdo826]

Dude, you totally earned that Wow!!

[@stephenwethering4259]

❤

[@ralfklonowski3740]

Came for the song, stayed for the smile.

[@EricHenning]

That outro is the same melody that the fiddle plays in the intro. It’s an old Irish song called "Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms" with lyrics written by the Irish poet Thomas Moore, set to a traditional Irish air that can be traced back into the 18th century. He published it in 1808, naming the air as "My Lodging is on the Cold Ground.”

[@vinyl-hell]

Bugs Bunny played it once in a cartoon.

[@cypher515]

That was in the Todd in the Shadows video about this song -- "I'm sorry, when this song starts I always expect Daffy Duck to play it on the xylophone and explode".

[@thomast8539]

I can see why Elizabeth hears the Cure in this song. I never put it together before today, but now I cannot unhear the connection. None of which really matters and certainly doesn't dull the happy vibes that we've all carried since this fun ballad arrived on the scene.

[@melrupinski88]

To be precise, I don’t hear any Cure musically in this song, but Kevin Rowland and Robert Smith have a similar tone and vocal inflections in their singing. Like most here, I never made the connection before Elizabeth mentioned it, but now it’s clear as a bell.

[@xjuggernaughtxx]

@@melrupinski88 Exactly! I can totally hear Robert Smith in this now that she mentioned it.

[@mattd8725]

I suppose you could blame influential singers like Bryan Ferry and Nick Drake.

[@thomast8539]

@@melrupinski88 Yep, thanks. That is exactly what I meant. Only the tones of their voices and how they deliver lyrics.

[@markofthemitch]

Total pub carnage every time! Beer everywhere, the best nights out need Dexy's

[@felixhenson9926]

Agree as soon as it hits that COME ON, EILEEN TA-LOO-RYE-AY middle eight hit i have lost all sense of individual being and have become one with the drunken chant lmao

[@Hayatonyaaa]

I always get such joy from this song. The Irish lilt you almost never hear (I can only think of Toad the Wet Sprocket) and the way his tone fluctuates in ways I can only call a warble, and the exaggerated vibrato that makes me think of Billy Idol. And it's a sexy song, but it's played cheerful and punchy and almost wholesome. It's just so fun.

[@geoffpoole483]

Rowland's parents were Irish.

[@theghostsofgiants]

Dexy's are part of that early 80s British new wave scene that The Cure came out of as well so you're definitely picking up on that.

[@EnricoAnsaloni]

Yeah he's got the same "slightly out of tune but not really" vibe that Robert Smith and Siouxsie had

[@ronskopitz2360]

lol - embarrassed to admit that I never caught the connection before now. This is so much better than any Cure song!

[@theghostsofgiants]

@@ronskopitz2360 The Cure is one of my all time favourite bands so I will have to respectfully disagree there lol but Dexy's had some jams for sure.

[@MegaKellyschannel]

There's a similarity in what I want to call the "roundness" (excuse the ignorance, but in my head it feels round) of the voice, how the words are formed.

[@PristineTX]

The Cure released their first single and first album in the late 1970s, but most people do associate them with the 1980s.

[@makeadifference4all]

This is a phenomenal song! The traditional musical elements of the fiddle, banjo, and chugging piano with a hoedown vibe, the unforgettable hooks, and the late 70s/early 80s aggressive, working-class, punkish vocals reminiscent of the Clash are fire!

[@SparkyLu60]

my wife of 43 yrs is name Eileen and back in the day when this song came on the radio which was often, I would crank up the volume and we would dance i n the liviing room. great memories!

[@Wagoo]

Does she have one leg longer than the other?

[@tymirra8769]

thats so damn cute! amazing memory my friend,. :")

[@dougim]

That you grew up on a farm with a big red barn and then became an opera singer I just love.

[@georgielancaster1356]

Belting out songs to cows. Joy.

[@dougim]

@@georgielancaster1356 Why the hate?

[@deanporter9936]

Loads of Brittish music had an uplifting fun feel to them during the late70s early 80s. The UK was bankrupt in the mid 70s and with the country on its knees the outlook was pretty grim for most but it was the perfect backdrop for creative musicians. This period gave rise to some of the greatest the UK has ever produced.

[@benhenschel145]

I can't be the only one who also feels the melancholy in this song?!?

[@ncwordman]

You're definitely not the only one. Eileen was the name of his childhood sweetheart, long gone from his life, like most all such puppy loves. But her memory stuck with him, haunted him, while also simultaneously making him happy thinking back on it. Yes, the song is happy, but it's also sad. He will never get to be with Eileen...again. And he won't get to be with her as an adult, in an adult relationship. That's why his feelings only "verge on dirty." There's so much longing here, in this song: a dream that can never come true. But how wonderful it was, back then, when Johnnie Ray broke a million hearts on the mono radio. :)

[@poissonpuerile8897]

@@ncwordman "the song is happy, but it's also sad" --> That's called "nostalgic". Beatiful feeling, that.

[@b62boom1]

I've lost count of the amount of wedding parties I've been to where this tune has been played, and it was guaranteed to make an entire pub full of people sing at the top of their lungs if it ever came on the duke box.

[@Ianskogberg]

But how do you sing along to it? The lyrics are UNINTELLIGBLE.

[@brucetheloon]

The one man band at our bar tonight did this, we were belting it out with him, including a couple of young tweens who were dancing along. @Ianskogberg, we can sing along vaguely intelligibly no matter how many beers we've imbibed.

[@scotmark]

As an amateur DJ back in the day I remember playing this at one small venue with reasonably stable flooring, but people were leaping about and stomping so much I couldn't stop the needle from jumping out of the groove...

[@andrewjuby6339]

Sounds like the British equivalent of "Sweet Caroline".

[@danielnewton4094]

As a child growing up in the 80’s I have so many memories of this song at family parties. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, long-departed friends. I hear this and can picture them smiling, waving their hands and belting this out in a dusty parish hall or the local pub. Pure nostalgia!

[@HamboneWilliams]

"Poor old Johnnie Ray" - a callback to a now-forgotten pop singer of the early 1950s who had huge hits about crying.

[@adriaanaucamp73]

Do yourself a favour and analyze 10cc's "I'm not in Love" next. I promise you that you will not be disappointed. It is really one of the most iconic songs of the 70's!

[@tdig6546]

Big boys don't cry... I listen to " I'm notin love" quite often

[@georgielancaster1356]

Yes. Brilliant.song.

[@matthewh.9544]

This was a British nightclub favourite, everyone used to jump all over the place. If I'm honest it's probably the first time I've listened to this sober.. 😅. This is such a British song in the 80s Speaking of which let's get the Jam reviewed... Eton rifles or Going underground or Town called malice are awesome

[@bobbycollins6783]

It's definitely better when you've had a few. And fall over still singing it.

[@MickBeard]

Oh my god The Jam, I have all of their albums and I could have cried when they broke up. Down in the Tube station at midnight will always be my favourite song.

[@Dillingham-]

Our House by Madness was released the same year…strings and big bands were clearly in the air

[@j_clarkson]

If you want a song with happy vibes (and nobody has already suggested it), allow me to recommend Walking On Sunshine by Katrina And The Waves. I promise you it's the happiest thing ever pressed to vinyl.

[@iluvj50]

I agree completely. However, I don't think she takes requests from non-Patreon members. Maybe I'm wrong.

[@OpDDay2001]

@@iluvj50 They trawl the comments, but they're lower priority and generally based on "how often", "how many", and "how popular" (thumbs up'd) those comments are. So, generally Patreon videos are done first/more often.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

How about a drop of the hat idea.. pop the track names into a Cos play hat and randomly pull one out.😉

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

I got to see them perform that song on the National Mall, July 4, 1985. Ultra happy peppy tune.

[@Out_of_My_Head]

Great one❣️

[@andrewrowland6086]

What amazes me is this song came out in the 80's and you can still hear it played at clubs 40 years later.

[@rockymountboy]

It’s from an Irish song, or at least an Irish-American song about an Irish song. Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li, Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don’t you cry! Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li, Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that’s an Irish lullaby.“ This tune was written for the 1914 Broadway musical Shameen Dhu by James Royce. I always thought it was her last name, though. Good call on the similarity to Robert Smith's inflections.

[@rcrawford42]

I believe Bing Crosby recorded a version. I know my mom sang it to me.

[@mrnoahlott]

It annoys me when people just don't know, but I will cut her some slack here. She must not be Irish. 🇮🇪

[@LittleFullLotaSap]

The name of the song is, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling", from 1912. Oops, I'm totally wrong, was thinking of a different song. The one referenced above is called, "An Irish Lullaby" Sorry for the pubsong brain fart lol

[@yerispiller]

Big version of this done by Van Morrison and The Band on The Last Waltz

[@christopherhertel4254]

It even has a Wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Too_Ra_Loo_Ra_Loo_Ral

[@AmyStayman]

my parents sang Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra (That's an Irish Lullaby) to all their children throughout the 60s and 70s. Every baby I have ever sang to sleep has heard that song from me. I will always associate it with my mom and dad. 💚

[@jmacd8817]

Love this song. I'm not sure it's her vibe at all, but id love to hear her analyse some Madness; Our House, House of Fun or others.

[@Tommy-he7dx]

i agree, a deep dive into Suggs voice would be interesting :) Maybe we could persuade Elizabeth to do a double feature with "One Step Beyond" as the opener, That'll put everyone in the mood for whatever follows :)

[@unfilthy]

Absolutely, Madness!

[@rcrawford42]

Madness, Our House, from "The Young Ones".

[@tuomascolliander5350]

Second that.

[@paulbelson2236]

Ok. If you want to go down that road, Bad Manners. The reaction to Buster Bloodvessel would be amazing..

[@yonniestone]

Ahh memories of The Young Ones and the great acts they randomly had perform.

[@BBHouseRodent]

In the bathroom none the less!

[@paulliversage4479]

It was for funding..BBC wouldn't pay for.a.comady show...but would pay for a.variety show..so 1.band a week

[@spruce381]

@@paulliversage4479never knew that. Ta.

[@Chrisinpommyland]

I watched them religiously on a Friday night in New Zealand when I was 16! Fuck I’m old 😂

[@dmoore0079]

Loved seeing Motorhead on there! And Madness

[@lambo2655]

Everytime I hear this song, I think of my late mother who's name is Eileen. She passed away in 2013 after a long courageous fight against cancer😢

[@marymaryquitecontrary9765]

This is one of my favorite songs... My mother's name was Eileen & my dad always sang An Irish Lullaby to us as children, they are both gone now but this song makes me think of them...

[@kcitsgt]

The links between traditional Irish and traditional American/Appalachian music are pretty clear in this song.

[@blackcountryme]

Well it's sung by a guy from the English midlands 😂

[@class5bodyworks]

Folk and bluegrass. That's where hillbillies came from. Irish immigrants. Not saying that as an insult, just fact.

[@troubleondemand7703]

Not to mention their wardrobe.

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

​@@class5bodyworks nope, the original were english and scottish, irish a bit later. Its a mixture of all three, then african folk influences a bit later too, banjo etc

[@Dreyno]

⁠@@blackcountrymeBorn there to Irish parents. He even moved back to county Mayo as a small child for a few years.

[@kevinchester0533]

The gradual ramping up of the tempo is one of my favourite parts of this song, just so much fun.

[@ursusbavaricus4761]

Thank you, Elizabeth, for posting this here. I think this is a song that everyone who was young in the 80ies immediately will relate to and sing along with. A wonderful song that still stands out today, guaranteed to make you feel good. And watching you delight in listening to it... totally made my day!

[@Br0wnsdawg17]

Whether you are breaking down Alice in Chains, Post Modern Jukebox or Dexy's Midnight Runners, the genuine joy and enthusiasm you show is absolutely priceless! Every video you post puts a big goofy smile on my face. You are a treasure and you made my happy play list! Oh BTW, I watched/listened to my first opera song ever...Martern Aller Arten sung by someone named Elizabeth Zharoff. It was amazing! 😀

[@PaulJimenez3]

Now you need to review the Save Ferris cover of this, which is equally fun and happy...

[@joea7876]

Oh man...I WISH she would have watched the video for this one...classic!!!

[@nekogod]

If you're ever in England, find a pub that's doing karaoke or a pub or club doing an 80's night and they're pretty much guaranteed to play this. It's one thing to listen to the song, but nothing is quite as fun swaying and belting it out with a room full of people having a good time. About the only other song I see enjoyed nearly as much is Mr Brightside.

[@VeteransAcrossAmeric]

If ever I were to contemplate shuffling off this mortal coil, all I'd need do is watch you review this song (or any song really) and I'd be renewed afresh! Such genuine joy! Quite life affirming and as always brilliant. Thank you for the smiles.

[@michaelgoyettemusic]

When I worked as a session guitarist I played in Save Ferris for a year and they did a Ska Punk version that was a big hit for them…. The singer Monique was trained in opera and used her training to have the biggest voice I’ve heard in person….you might like it. It’s even happier than this version. 😂 Edit;You may have heard the Save Ferris version if this doesn’t seem familiar but the tune does.

[@akhepcat]

I've loved Save Ferris from afar for generations! I was so sad when the long hiatus hit, but so glad she came back and started things up again! Wish i could see them live, though, but it's hard being in Alaska! And thanks for keeping them and the music going!!

[@michaelgoyettemusic]

@@akhepcat I played with them 20 years ago…..I have no contact with them anymore….I was only there due to a feud that eventually got resolved.

[@puckbond007]

Love Save Ferris and their cover...saw them live back in 1998 and it was one of my favorite ska shows that I went to back in that time!

[@fools_opinions]

Thank you for reminding me of a band I'd forgotten about for the past couple of decades, loved their cover of this

[@RayDavies-zv5ic]

Back in the day this was guaranteed to fill the dance floor at any function. Pity you didn't see the video - you would have loved it.

[@mattg.7832]

Still does with people of a certain age.

[@RoGueNavy]

You JUST can't beat the 80's, for fantastically eclectic, fun music that still sounds great 40 years later!!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Well, up until 1986.

[@thedryparn1279]

This song is one of my favorites of all time. It's so bloody cheerful and contagious you just can't avoid being drawn into it. It's just fun and engaging!

[@ravenwind1062]

'Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral" goes back to a 1913 Irish-American song "An Irish Lullaby" . Irish songs make use of it or something very similar quite a bit.

[@georgielancaster1356]

I am surprised she hasn't heard An Irish Lullaby. The ending would make sense, then.

[@nirmalsuki]

This song has such an amazing amount of cultural depth it would take a series of documentaries to cover it all. Also, Kevin Rowland is an unsung musical genius.

[@midnittkr]

You would also like "The Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats....it's pretty happy/silly

[@user-scott-pearce]

That would be a good analysis, good recommendation

[@MichaelB769]

It is happy and silly but worthy of a vocal analysis? Maybe not so much? lol

[@davesunhammer4218]

I don't dance so they are no friends of mine.

[@JeffOfTheMountains]

​@@davesunhammer4218 At least you can act like you want to.

[@johntruxal432]

@@MichaelB769 you may need a few "dexys" to make it through the day/night...😂

[@frankkunert65]

Music of my youth , the early 80's. Thank you for bring me back.

[@realityquotient7699]

This and Come Dancing by The Kinks are go-to favorites of mine for just plain feeling GOOD.

[@geoff7673]

A happy song for summer might be "In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry. A classic for summer akin to the Christmas songs that appear each year.

[@4Kandlez]

You never hear it played publicly now because of the thought police getting all flustered over "Have a drink and a drive go and see what you can find". It's one of my favourite songs

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

Another summer classic which would absolutely blow her mind would have to be I Am A Cider Drinker by the Wurzels. I'm not sure Elizabeth could handle Scumpy & Western.

[@madmanasaurusRex]

Sunny Days by Lighthouse ids up there too! 😊

[@davevoce]

As a 16 year old I managed to convince the bouncers that I was 18 and so got to see them play at Leicester polly before they were famous, great night.

[@julianmoore9949]

This is from the "Celtic Soul Brothers" period of Dexy's. They had various style and line-up changes. Kevin Rowland was a very versatile performer, though I must admit that at the time I wasn't really a fan. It's only with my advancing years that my appreciation of all music has broadened and deepened. Must say I was surprised (happily so) that you reviewed this. Not all "pop" music is dismissable as fad or folly. If, perchance, you read this, might I beg you to review "She" by Alice Phoebe Lou (the live version)..................thank you...and thank you for helping me view music as more than I did until I happened upon your channel long time gawn....has it been THAT long??? Anyhoo...keep doing your thing...we love it

[@rckrdd981]

I get so sad now when I hear this song. My bird would dance to it all the time and he passed away in December. Miss you little buddy. RIP Ru

[@positivelynegative9149]

😔

[@mitchellbarr2115]

Ru sounds like he was a gentleman and a scholar. Sorry for your loss friend.

[@joannecunliffe8067]

Aw! Lots of hugs from Jo in the UK ❤

[@markgarber3465]

My condolences on your loss. Hopefully one day you will hear this song, remember him dancing and smile. Remember the joy he brought to your life.

[@ReleaseTheQuackers]

Now you made me cry!

[@JeffOfTheMountains]

Elizabeth is going to LOVE the variety of instruments used in this song.

[@johntruxal432]

She really needed to see the video , good fun.🍻

[@christianchetwood2581]

This song is on every party play list in the UK. A legendary song that everyone knows the chorus to!

[@nclark360]

Save Ferris has an AMAZING cover of this song. Can't recommend it enough

[@chesterlestrange7725]

Yes!

[@Gizmo42Rodeo]

I actually prefer the version from Save Ferris. A lot of people miss the nod to Dexey's midnight Runners in the video. The tow truck has Dexey's Midnight Towing on the door.

[@AllGoodOnesAreGone]

I also think Elizabeth would really appreciate Mo Powell's voice.

[@steveszanto1581]

Yes they do! Great suggestion

[@afishcalledminnewawa]

Save Ferris was so good. I used to listen to that whole cd over and over.

[@Herbybandit]

If you were around in the UK in the early '80s and hadn't heard of Dexys then you must have been living under a stone! It seemed like every five minutes there was a Dexys track on the radio.

[@barringtongilbert9230]

Well over 40 years old...and STILL a massive foot tapper for those who DON'T dance.....but a HUGE DANCE NUMBER for ANY wedding party!!..Wonderful stuff.

[@jtf2dan]

YES!!!..The CURE......I recognized it as soon as you mentioned it......but never thought of that before.....good catch!

[@mikekoenning]

I grew up in the 80’s, and that’s the first time I’ve ever heard that postlude. Love your videos… your analyses are always illuminating, even for a career “schooled” musician like me; however, it’s they joy you take in the listening experience that keeps me coming back. You’ve made me fall in love with music all over again. NEVER STOP!!! Thank you.

[@therealpbristow]

I assume what she's got here is the album track, rather than the single/"radio edit".

[@GrummanBearcat]

Where the tempo hits it's peak, and the whole dance floor is running/stamping on the spot.

[@stephenridolfi6464]

I was in high school when this song came out and every time the tempo started speeding up on that one bridge, my friends and I would all start singing out load and drumming our hands on whatever was available, with the beat. Wonderful song!

[@LegalFiction-st7db]

elizabeth, i dont necessarily fall more in love with music every day, but i do fall head over heels for every single song i watch you break down. i dont even have the vocabulary to describe how much i adore you and your work. you consistently bring me to tears and send chills shooting through my body. by the way - if you have never listened to kalandra - i mean, you absolutely must listen to kalandra.

[@georgielancaster1356]

I just can't help thinking about the joy you have bringing these discoveries home to your family.

[@lorus0024]

Elizabeth you are one of my favorite creators. I love watching you explore new music. Seeing the joy and expressions you convey makes me happy! So thank you for helping this old man understand and enjoy music further.

[@lynnda8764]

Dear girl, watch the video, you're in for a real treat! Great analysis, thank you!

[@garryhorton5899]

Love it when you get giddy listening to songs. Saw Dexys back in the day when this came out, great song, great days 😊

[@mi-mh1uo]

It's a whimsical song. I hadn't heard it since the1980's. Then, it was played on the series 'Preacher'. The following week, it was in my head and i couldn't help but humm it a little.

[@tjanderson6561]

That scene in preacher was so damn good... elevated by this amazing song.

[@georgiegorge6679]

one of a kind of a song , loved it when came out , still love it today . makes this Aussie put a smile on my dial 💖💖💖💖😊

[@ToddPro]

One of the biggest hits back in the day, fun stuff!

[@hodgekim]

This song has been on my happy list since the 90s

[@misterx1969]

Dear Elizabeth the save ferris version is one of my all time favorite vocals. So good. Amazing

[@timthefosterdad]

I love this original version, but Save Ferris gives it a little extra bounce and boosts the fun that much more.

[@davidingram8822]

@@timthefosterdad SO agree, Mo's vocal deserves the deep dive as it is just beltingly spectacular

[@alanbeesby2220]

Yes! This 👆❤️

[@louieleanos3554]

The positive side of the internet is that I finally know all the words to the song. 😂

[@user-scott-pearce]

Ha, so many songs ive listened to and enjoyed but didn't really know all the lyrics, it just sounded good

[@blackbuttecruizr]

I still only understand about 20% of what is being said.

[@williamstrachan]

When I was a kid I tried to sing this at a karaoke without lyrics and got applause at the end, which possibly was to thank me for finishing singing. I know the words I sang were way off, now... and I can still remember staring at the shite karaoke machine's speaker cone to try and shut out the existence of any audience. Absolutely crippling stage fright 😂 have NO idea wtf I was doing to do that

[@flowingafterglow629]

Can you find them? I remember looking up the lyrics in the early days of the internet and, for the second verse, all I could find was something like "He sings something like this, but it's all squished together and we can't quite figure it out" "These people 'round here, seem sad and something smoke-dried face, so resolved to what their fate is"

[@louieleanos3554]

@@flowingafterglow629 I found it in several places just by doing a Google search.

[@toneman501]

An absolute masterpiece on so many levels...

[@julianginniver5785]

So love to watch you enjoying music. Too many people don't allow themselves to just enjoy the moment ❤

[@Oneanddone14]

You are the G.O.A.T. of what you do, Mrs. Voice.

[@matthewpercival8318]

"Eileen" is actually Siobhan Faheys sister (her from Bananarama)

[@owenpavey]

Now this Elizabeth i was NOT expecting,which shows the variety of tastes in the Patreon Community. ❤ Pretty much a piece of England from the early 1980s yet the violin parts have made it feel slightly Irish. The song has been adopted twice, most noticably as an England Football team song "come on England" with lyrics changed to suit player names "Bending? That's Beckham" Lesser known it was also sung by Fermanagh GAA fans at Brewster Park Northern Ireland on the visit of the former Unionist first minister Arlene Foster "Come on Arlene". Protestant leaders are not known for watching Catholic sport like gaelic football,so her appearance for a game was most welcomed.

[@Dreyno]

Slightly Irish? Fiddles and banjos and quoting “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra…..”? It’s more than slightly Irish.

[@johnnydodson3362]

All Over the World by ELO is a great Happy song. During the time flash mobs were big, it was a very popular song in that community.

[@samivarjo7589]

These happy moments makes us all love you and even sometimes ourselves.. Thanks again...

[@sawboss216]

Was a senior in high school when this came out. I loved it. Thought it was a breath of fresh air from what was out at the time. Very innovative.

[@Tomapella]

The beginning of this song is so great on the album, it's the finale track and comes off this epic 7-minute existential ballad and then you get the violin followed by that intro and it's like the sun is coming up. I know a lot of people can't stand Dexys but I think this album is a classic.