Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen (Live Shaftesbury Theatre 1982)

If you have found this website I assume that you may already know something of Kevin Rowland and Dexys Midnight Runners but if you came here by mistake or if you have only recently converted to the new soul vision then here is a quick re-cap of the story so far....
It all began back in July 1978 when Kevin Rowland and Kevin Archer (later forced to change his name to Al after Rowland said "there's only room for one Kevin in this band") quit their second division Birmingham punk outfit, The Killjoys. While everyone else was busy starting the New Romantic movement Rowland and Archer looked to the 1960s soul icons for their inspiration and decided to form an eight piece soul band. The name came from the amphetamine of choice for the Northern Soul scene - dexedrine. Their image, fashioned by Rowland, was New York Italian docker chic ! Donkey jackets, woolly hats and polo neck jumpers. Very much like the early Robert De Niro film "Mean Streets" .The debut single "Dance Stance" (later re-named "Burn It Down"), an attack on racism against the Irish, struggled into the UK charts at number 40. Trying to finance a band of eight was proving very difficult and it is alleged that Rowland instigated many shoplifting trips to supplement their income. The second single "Geno", a tribute to 60s soul singer Geno Washington, went to the top of the charts in 1980. Two months later the debut album "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" was released to critical acclaim and commercial success. Although this was only after the band stole the master tapes in order to re-negotiate a better contract. In May 1980 they went on a 44 date tour - the "Straight To The Heart" tour and in August followed it up with the "Intense Emotions Tour". Another Top 10 single, "There There My Dear" followed but then the release of the blatantly uncommercial "Keep It Pt2" preceded the spilt of Dexys mark 1. Rowland complained about losing control of the band and the band complained about his excessive control !! In 1981 only Kevin Rowland and Big Jim Paterson remained from the original line up. Most of the others went to form The Bureau or The Blue Ox Babes. Rowland recruited a new team including Seb Shelton from mod band Secret Affair on drums. After one more single for EMI, the excellent "Plan B" the band moved to Phonogram and along with that came a new image. A uniform of boxing boots, anoraks with hoods and pony tails. Two singles, "Show Me" and "Liars A To E", continued their chart success and a highly acclaimed live show "The Projected Passion Revue" culminated at the Old Vic Theatre in London.
By 1982 though, another change of line up and image had taken place. Rowland's right hand man, Big Jim Paterson, had left and the Celtic Soul Brother incarnation was launched in Newcastle at the BBC In Concert gig. (Rowland now admits that the idea for a combination of brass and strings had been influenced by a tape that Al Archer, now of The Blue Ox Babes, had lent him). "Come On Eileen" became the biggest selling UK single of 1982 and a US number one in 1983. The album "Too-Ry-Ay" and subsequent tour "The Bridge" received rave reviews.
Dexys disappeared for 18 months to work on the next album "Don't Stand Me down". When they returned they were down to a four piece and several session musicians. Another uniform came with the new album, this time a smart neat college preppie look. Many think that this is Rowland's greatest work but he insisted that there would be no singles. The album sold poorly and out of desperation the record company released "This Is What She's Like" as a single. It didn't help and the band fell apart. Although another single "Because Of You"(theme to Brush Strokes) briefly charted.
In 1988 Rowland returned as a soloist with the weak country pop album "The Wanderer". However, many agree that the production let it down and that the songs were reasonably good.
Kevin Rowland spent the following years battling against depression, bankruptcy and cocaine addiction. Although, in 1993 he joined up with Big Jim again but despite a couple of TV performances nothing was ever officially released.
In 1996, Creation Records signed Kevin Rowland and "My Beauty", an idiosyncratic covers album, was released in 1999. It received mixed reviews but sold very poorly (allegedly less that 500 copies). Perhaps because of the new image that went with it - dresses and suspenders !
2001, found Kevin doing reading recitals - from "The Look" a book about fashion and music by Paul Gorman. Kevin supplied a few pages to the book and read excerpts as well as performing a couple of songs live to backing tapes.
That just about brings us up to date. Keep an eye on my latest news page for any other updates.
As Jon Wilde said once in the Dexys fanzine "Keep On Running" ...YOU'D HAVE TO BE A HALF-WIT TO BET AGAINST A MAN OF KEV'S CALIBRE PULLING OFF A HUGE COMEBACK."

[@Trashmaster575]

This one should be in their vevo not the one that they have lol

[@travyshundley1591]

I bet the audience shit lmao

[@VearonTheOwl]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWTVmGemqMl7rtk

[@3Bernie]

Zagriel93 you have know idea that’s the first one I saw and I was like there has to be a better one and I was glad I touched this one now I can’t stop singing

[@jimrossabrena7955]

Yessir! I was taken back by how the one on the official is when Kevin lost his voice...

[@jay-tz2rv]

honestly lol

[@OGGuaves]

easily one of the greatest songs ever.

[@j.r.1464]

Funny, I have saying that since the DAY I HEARD IT!!!!!

[@thepinkyprincesspoetc.a.5767]

Your So Right....Iconic Song even in 2020 #Coronavirus Times

[@clairehamilton8900]

Totally amazing song

[@lizzieball3795]

Absolutely! Also I think, the best performance ever, every note perfect and choreography, All divinely produced.

[@HenryCasillas]

🍪

[@strazone7438]

Damn, why isn't this video their VEVO video, I mean it's much better than their VEVO video :'D

[@someonenotyou7767]

So true

[@gwendolyn0515]

The scream of a dying goat is better than that video. Anything is, really.

[@janddreyes33]

@@gwendolyn0515 lol

[@MasterOfKnowledge.]

@@gwendolyn0515 You mean they weren't killing goats in that video?

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

Yoko Ono's influence is very strong in the VEVO.

[@thestatuary8752]

Epic 80's classic. This is the song that knocked Michael Jackson's Billie Jean from the top spot in 1983.

[@chrisblack7383]

Enough said

[@MrPelley97]

@@chrisblack7383 Not enough people know that, impressive!

[@justinwelch0]

Not true

[@adambane1719]

@@justinwelch0 It's true

[@Kruppt808]

idc if its true as they are both timeless classics.

[@madisfuneral]

okay but hoW LIT IS THAT ORCHESTRA

[@gk12202]

madi pretty lit dude

[@toonon9627]

lit aS HELL

[@Eidann63]

This (2018) generation is jaded.. pure and simple. This is FABulous; "lit" or not. Moot point.

[@jezuzcreez781]

Bruh, you just don't see this type of stuff anymore. smh.

[@SuperGreenough]

Do you mean the band?

[@RobJazzful]

What a great song. The verse is pure folk, the chorus pure Motown, and the refrain pure stadium rock. How do you escape it? You don’t.

[@andaraperu551]

thank youu!!!!!!!

[@roccoconte2960]

where does motown come in ?

[@eljanrimsa5843]

good music, catchy tune, unique orchestration, only the lyrics are pure cringe

[@troylambert5140]

Pure Motown you have to be joking lmao.... It's a nice catchy song but nowhere in the stratosphere of Motown don't kid yourself

[@jimmez]

@@roccoconte2960 The strings makes it motown for me, and I guess bassline in chorus, also the beat. If you compare to the song Can't Help Myself kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWTFnKaLiLV1asU

[@MOGGS1942]

This song is the definition of " Masterpiece ".

[@1badjesus]

5:00 ... MAGIC!!! when violinists appear from behind him is just MESMERIZING !!

[@edwardsanchez3708]

Indeed, makes my knees weak and eyes water every time

[@danparry834]

@@edwardsanchez3708 I thought it was quite good actually….

[@timeout64]

I felt same

[@fjcrod]

I didn't think it was possible to improve on this classic song, but they just did. Absolutely stunning.

[@jorge31415927]

Love this song.. great vocals .. not an easy song to sing..

[@ilikedmyowncomment2276]

Dude u should see the live version on their channel

[@lizzieball3795]

@@ilikedmyowncomment2276 😁

[@adambane1719]

his vocal style is so unique

[@1blastman]

My mother-in-law is 90, her name is Eileen, and when we get together for a big family gathering, we always play this song and sing and dance along with it. If she's at the party, she gets right in dances on her knee replacements. This song has evolved into a family tradition, at my son's wedding this brought the house down. All of Clan Buckley went bonkers. The crowd reaction you see here is mild compared to what happens at our family reunions. Family - there's nothin' like it!!!

[@bunoblack]

Please don't ever remove this video!

[@j.r.1464]

It would B A SIN!!!!!!

[@nikkirennardo5100]

Good news! :D

[@KingNiros]

This is the best live version that exists and it's awesome!

[@danielthere]

Those kids in the audience are so lucky. In the presence of such a master piece. The greatest version of the greatest song … by this band

[@artillerodecola]

If you're sad and depressed and this song encourages you not, nothing will.

[@beavercleaver7848]

Damn - you obviously don't know me. This might be one of the at the same time silliest and most depressing videos I've ever seen. Of course, Dexy means Dexedrine, which can turn even fat bastards into stick figures like all those specimens. For a little Dexedrine, or crack, or Ecstasy, or meth, or, or, or, or, Eileen will let you come on her. For a little more, she'll let you come in her.

[@calvin1559]

If you’re reading this and you weren’t encouraged know there are other things that will.

[@mrfahrenheit2006]

Quite the contrary IMO. It’s so tragically beautiful it makes me lean into it

[@humanchannel7825]

@@dirt203 everybody feels like that at 12:54

[@michaelf2228]

I heard this song at the dentist yesterday. Always liked it over the years but always in passing. Shazaamed it to learn who did it and now I’m totally hooked at 70 yrs old. Great song, great performance.

[@ien2023]

Damn, they sounds just as good live.

[@paytonbaker6823]

just don't watch the live vevo video

[@percussionpeople528]

The live VEVO version tho 😂😂😂

[@mist6698]

Listen to the vevo one and you’ll be changed

[@edgarbraintree4370]

Yes, because they were an absolute first rate band that never got nearly as much recognition as they deserved

[@Bembieemusic]

The vevo one was hilarious

[@Jim-ok9zi]

This is the work of a genius. This song and the band are pure talent.

[@ThePsho]

That transition and choreography at 5:15 is freaking phenomenal.

[@user-lx1bq7wk6r]

better than another live version

[@cristian-ovidiupavel2280]

The most underrated band and the best song ever

[@karabadasski2521]

I remember watching this video for the first time on MTV when I was 4. I called it the "overall" song. I made my Dad record it on the vcr and I played it over and over. Eventually my vhs tape "disappeared".

[@Mike-ir9fx]

Still makes the hairs on the back of neck stand-up and shivers down my spine ♥️ I love this song 🌹💯 Kevin is a magnificent vocalist 🙏

[@travissweat9098]

One of the most beautiful pieces of music videos EVER!

[@Robcatist]

Dexys could certainly pull it off live back in the day.

[@vickyvalle1546]

except for the performance on their Vevo channel...

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche4303]

@@vickyvalle1546 that was more just shit recording

[@MicheallikeMJ]

@@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche4303 Did you hear the vocals on that one? It wasnt the recording. Dudes voice was shot!

[@Adam-qs3lt]

MicheallikeMJ yep I agree with you. There are some dodgy sound bits in it but you can’t blame them for that scream thing at the start.

[@thisis.michelletorres444]

Never gets old, still great fun after all these years. The hallmark of a great song!

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

What a distinctive voice.

[@jersparanormaladventure8389]

3:18 when your trying to get water outta your ear

[@octaviocordoba3804]

jeremy997 this joke only worked on their vevo video

[@zawakers7554]

Octavio Cordoba thank you

[@danielthere]

No

[@RobertoGarcia-xk5ew]

😂🤣💀

[@MCAWESOME19]

The music with this comment goes perfectly together.

[@adambane1719]

Wow!! I did NOT expect that. What a performance. Talk about being in the moment. Felt like I was there.

[@survivrs]

God how I love this song, ever since the 1st time I heard it. When we took our son to an orientation at college in '09, they were giving out simple prizes for anyone who could name the song they played. This happened to be the 2nd or 3rd one and my arm shot up with the very first note and told them C'mon Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners. It got our son a t-shirt. Everyone else in the room was like "what song???" Unfortunately my husband couldn't remember the song and now I've given him enough crap about it, at least he recognizes it now but he doesn't appreciate it like I do. This was one that you rolled your windows down and cranked the stereo, driving through town. Great times back then!!!

[@terrygyatso3928]

I am 18 rn but I hope I become you when I am older and have kids. I love this song so much I can’t describe the joy it brings me. Especially this cover.

[@AleisterMeowley]

That is adorable

[@frederickgreen3665]

I heard this song over the intercom when I was in the grocery store a few days ago. I was surprised to say the least. It's a great song! -- Savannah, GA USA

[@carlosmansilla3880]

Que buena versión!!!! Está canción está en mi memoria adolescente, la reencontré hace poco. Muy buena

[@gene2049]

Awesome version. The best. They get my vote for the most unique and interesting band.

[@frigalfr]

I've given the firstname Eileen to my daughter because of this song

[@tonyz7189]

Perhaps the coolest band of the 80’s !!

[@dylanarcher827]

Wow, i had no idea that they could play the song live ( and record it ) sounding BETTER than the studio version!!!

[@oceanpiggy]

THIS ONE IS SO MUCH BETTER THANK THE LORD!

[@Penthor]

What a great performance. Just excellent!

[@lorimalanoski4702]

top ten best songs ever plus one of the best looks of any band ever. pure, real, street.

[@user-vz6ow3sd5e]

March 2024....I Adore this song....✅☑️✅☑️. ENID 💌

[@laurensmith2640]

One of my all time favorites, so much energy I could listen to it over and over for days! better than another live version BEST SONG EVER

[@Daydreamer-ok6jj]

Kevin’s right-we’ll be humming this tune forever!!! 👏

[@mariskadelaere6413]

my forever song Had a friend group in high school and whe used to jam to this I remember them fondly, and am sad that we all went our separate ways as we did Hold on to your friends if you can but enjoy the time you have when you have it and appreciate the people you love while you have the opportunity to appreciate them

[@jasoncummings2199]

Seen him perform it live at york last week, waited 40 years well worth it. Kevin Rowland legend.

[@s.acevedomark3432]

If you're sad and depressed and this song encourages you not, nothing will. 5:00 ... MAGIC!!! when violinists appear from behind him is just MEMORIZING!!

[@user-yc2oz8kc5k]

Wow, one of the best live performances I've ever seen. They sound exactly like the record! From the strings to the singer it all sounds perfect. A song so strange it is too cool.

[@fredrikolsson6910]

I love this song its make me happy 🥰

[@jmedia1102]

Makes me feel like getting out this old VHS-tape from England and watch the whole concert again; thank You!

[@allang1968]

i was 14 yrs old

[@JohnDoe-rk8hc]

Missed the '80s

[@AdamSchecter]

Please upload it…..

[@jmedia1102]

@@AdamSchecter Tried to, but was prohibited - sadly.

[@illuminatinglight5486]

Just saw the vevo version. And ya'll are absolutely right.

[@TheCarnivalguy]

This is awesome to see! One of the greatest songs ever to come out of the '80s and to hear this live version is incredible. Hell yeah...25 years old that year, and watching the "real" MTV with a bottle of brew and a Doobie. I want my youth back 😭

[@thepinkyprincesspoetc.a.5767]

Me 2 Hon...I was 22

[@The314moses]

Don't we all.

[@ArchaeoReporter]

This is the best version I ever met!

[@juniortablang3144]

Minute 1:10 is magical, great camera work. Felt the moment Magic! Love this song.. great vocals .. not an easy song to sing..

[@tedhood4159]

"Oh well then...Good bye".. are you kidding me?.. They manipulated that audience and worked them into an absolute frenzy.. Showmanship. The music. Play this for your friends and if they can stand still.. time to get some better friends.

[@rareone2369]

One of my all time favorites, so much energy I could listen to it over and over for days!

[@thepinkyprincesspoetc.a.5767]

Me2

[@lizzieball3795]

Same!

[@listennow1537]

Incredible vocals!!!!

[@jillymcinid]

I still have their 45 of this song! Every 10 years or so it gets played and it still stands up to time. Such a great, fun, and unusual song.

[@sharinglungs3226]

Sounds great live. He wasn’t kidding when he said he would hum this tune forever.

[@winterlongone]

Fooking brilliant.

[@maximan4363]

This is one of the best live performances I have ever seen! Wow amazing and it's not my favourite song they ever sang!

[@kageexpress1627]

What is? I just discovered them.

[@uno2go]

Most rad live version ever!!! Long live the 80s 👑

[@joeherald7319]

Great song, great optics these band members look like they walked on to that stage from their buskers spots on the street. This is just such a perfect blend of so many music styles.

[@derickpareja6546]

Come on, Eileen Come on, Eileen Poor old Johnny Ray Sounded sad upon the radio But he moved a million hearts in mono Our mothers cried, sang along, who'd blame them You're grown (so 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 (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 beat down eyes sunk in smoke dried faces They're resigned to what their fate is But not us (no, never), no, not us (no, never) We are far to young and clever (Remember) Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye aye And you'll hum this tune forever Come on, Eileen, oh, I swear (what 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, too rye aye Come on, Eileen, too rye aye Now you're full grown Now you have shown Oh, Eileen Said, come on, Eileen These things they are real and I know How you feel Now I must say more than ever Things 'round here have changed I say, too ra loo ra, too raloo rye aye 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 Oh, 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 Come on, Eileen

[@nancyadams9228]

On my driving list! ❤️

[@CortoArmitage]

When i started watching this video i thought they were using the record version for the audio, a few seconds later i realized they were actually playing . Amazing, how could they do it? I always thought the record version was the product of studio work, with many takes overdubbed because i could not see how this could be played live. but here it is, in all its glory. Amazing. the more i know about this band the more i like and respect it.

[@forthefunofit5487]

I thought the same when I started watching. They did it right on!!

[@marco77ar]

I'll b 47 this year....as a kid, this was on heavy rotation on MTV, ( well the video)...and as a kid I had never heard anything like it....I was instantly attracted to a song that is heavily Irish folk music inspired.... 40 years later. I still really like this song...👍🤟🤙

[@dangercode6125]

I Love this song with song I remember the good times and my best friends

[@BOBBYBUBLEATRIBUTE1]

WOW!!!! Such an incredible song and it’s even more amazing live!!!!

[@notbloo_54]

I am 11 years old and I love songs from the 1900s

[@danielguerra89]

Excelente clásico inolvidable excelente clásico inolvidable

[@shakermakergmailcom]

I was at that concert,Shaftesbury Avenue 1982, and it was awesome. The DVD is only a paltry 55 minutes long from a concert in excess of 2 hours. There must be a lot of unreleased footage knocking around, it would be amazing to see the full concert again.

[@thepinkyprincesspoetc.a.5767]

Wow....you must have Terrific Memories. I'm seeing it for the first time in 2020 pandemic time.

[@jimrr3620]

I imagine a wonderful experience.

[@spngled8654]

it was shown on tv a few years later

[@candelalencinas5898]

de las mejores canciones del mundo, la amo♥️

[@jaymeeka7998]

There’s a light that never goes out by the smiths tops it

[@clorrainet]

im smiling from ear to ear with this song esp with the the break in the tempo!!

[@jimdartouzos2127]

Wow....They really put on a Sensational Performance here....That was Absolutely-Amazingly-Awesome

[@danielthere]

Awesome musicians. Deep song full of soul and great vocals. Perfect remedy for the 0 - 4 of tonight

[@ingefranz2013]

So good ❤❤❤

[@christopherbenson9942]

Incredible version

[@Den-pr6fl]

Best version of this by far

[@jellemojo]

Oh how lucky were you if you were there, feel blessed feel very blessed iconic ✌🏻✌🏻♥️♥️🥰🥰😍😍

[@maxwellhiggins9077]

DMR put on such a good show. The command of the stage is incredible to see, even on this old recording.

[@eileen8902]

I agree .

[@gianlucaaramini9652]

Che bella musica!!!! 🎶 canzone davvero particolare come la voce del cantante ......n1..

[@chuckcollins3892]

Absolutely loved it!! That is what the 1980's was all about, great music and fun times, a decade long party 🥳

[@dennissanjuan1486]

This song always bring a big smile on my face. What a fun song.

[@juliofloriano6214]

40 años tiene esa canción y que bien se oye en el 2022

[@colinmarshall681]

brilliant song and much better live version....fabulous

[@redfireats1421]

The best version out there....wow

[@user-cc9rw5qt5o]

Wow what a performance

[@JackTchan]

Thank you for this. I owe you one. You don't know how much this song means to me.

[@FabianAndNina4ever]

Thank you Perks of Being a Wallflower, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be listening to this right now

[@RebelDaniRebel]

2021 e continua sendo uma das melhores músicas já feitas! E essa performance??? Igual ao disco! Perfeita!

[@rosebrown9265]

Do you remember the dance

[@wolfie854]

Wonderful performance. One to keep forever.

[@vagnerazevedo2014]

Saudade dos anos 80. Uma época em que parece que vivíamos em uma outra dimensão. Época maravilhosa, amizades verdadeiras, música de verdade, melodias profundas, amor ao próximo. Tudo isso se foi, mas não o amor que sinto por essa época. Feliz de quem viveu essa época. Abraços aqui do Brasil.

[@eileenbaran7040]

Best version ever 🤩

[@kieunguyen-yf5hc]

Simply real music.

[@truongvinhnguyenminh8717]

5:00 ... MAGIC!!! when violinists appear from behind him is just MEMORIZING!! Love this song.. great vocals .. not an easy song to sing.. 3:18 when your trying to get water outta your ear

[@RobertoGarcia-xk5ew]

On 3:18 you copied that from some other comment

[@vincenzo6162]

I was looking and thinking how fortunate these kids are in the front row of the concert 😁🤙. Then again, I’m glad enough to see this video. It gives you that same awesome feeling everytime you hear it 👌

[@11matt11]

Genius comes from insanity and Dexy and this song proves it. One the greatest songs ever. Influenced by Madness, Queen, and Irish folk, went on to influence both the grunge and alt-rock scenes, showing you can mix in as many music styles as you want. Brilliant.

[@victorpaucarsalas3406]

La mejor versión en el mejor concierto. Esta canción está justo luego de Respect que también es fenomenal cómo la tocan.

[@ChrisPawelski]

Takes me back ... 10th-11th grade ... what memories ... incredible song.

[@graciehernandez1364]

This video blow's my mind and I blast it in my ears. Hope I don't go deaf. Lol

[@chablislee]

목소리 넘 좋아요..멋져요!!!