My kids loved this song. Every time they got in my truck they would always tell me to play the "To rah loo rah" song and we would all sing it together so freaken loud. Laughing the whole time. Great memory.
Reminds me of when my son was a toddler in the late 90s. When put in the car seat he would say I want to hear Dit Away by Lenny Crackers as he called the artist and the song title. lol. It was so cute but I got so tired of that song at time because that’s the only one he wanted to hear. We had to by the cd a few times because he somehow got ahold of it and accidentally broke them. We would still buy him another one 😂😂😂. ❤❤❤🎼🎼🎼
@@xKR33Px that is such a great memory! Music really does bring people together. My daughter surprises me with the Gen X music she knows. She prob came out of the womb singing this song
Such a huge hit during my senior year of high school. This song will always bring back great memories and puts a smile on my face every time it comes on, takes me back to hanging out with my friends, going off campus to lunch, football games, parties and looking forward to life.... excited and nervous all at the same time.
83 here! Washed dishes after school and all they played was the local top 40 station. I could hear each song twice before I got off work. I can name almost all the songs from memory!
Anyone else here love watching the Brit comedy, "The Young Ones"? Dexy's Midnight Runners made a guest appearance on the episode titled "Bomb". They performed their song "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)".
Only Neal could fall ten feet down into the kitchen and sigh, "Thanks for telling me about the new hole guys..." That episode was possibly the best one I ever saw! Rick realized they didn't have a license for the television and said "That makes me a CRIMINAL!... This'll shake em up down at the anarchist society"
My dad graduated in 85’. He was a hard rock/ heavy metal guy, but he loved this song. I have many memories of us hanging out, playing x box, and listening to this song before his passing. Too-Rye-Ay!
One of my cats brought me a parakeet that had gotten out of someone’s cage. The bird was physically uninjured and lived with me for many years. When Come on Eileen came on the radio, that bird would dance around the room bopping his head up and down in time to the music. Such funny memories. It is definitely an uplifting melody and beat.
Yeah, parakeets/budgies sometimes have favourite songs and rock to their favourite excessively! 😂 I had one that went wild for "She drives me crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals, another had the craziest favourite, "The Mummy" by Bob McFadden & Dor. 🙈 Having one that loves Come on Eileen is awesome!
Always liked this song. My cousin n i use ti Try n sing along Every time it came on radio. Neither if us had the voice. Cousin passed a few years back. Still a good memory when I hear it
In '83 I was 33 years old, and that was (and is) one of my all-time favorites. In the late '90s, I was at our company Christmas party with about 1,500 other employees and the D.J. played "Come on Eileen" and then asked the crowd for the name of the band. I was the only one who shouted out the answer, and I was frankly shocked that no one else seemed to remember. Oh, how could they forget?
Most songs back in the 80's I loved. But there were only a handful of songs that I was hoping it would be, and waiting for it to be, played because I loved them so much, and "Come On Eileen" was one of those. I absolutely love that song, still do. There is no other song out there like it and never will be again.
A few years ago, I was in a popular '80s tribute band. Almost by the time that opening riff was over, the dancefloor was usually packed, and girls were singing along (loudly) with the band. Come On Eileen was one POWERFUL song in a decade full of masterful music!
@@ProfessorofRock Wow! A reply from The Professor himself!!! Love your channel. As a long-time professional musician, I really appreciate your content.
This is such a great song. I am shocked you're just now covering it! Man I remember going to Retro nights in the early 90's and this song was SOOOOO popular everytime they played it. It was so fun to listen to. I still love hearing it.
Homer Simpson of the B-Sharps: "Did you see daddy at the Grammys?" Baby Lisa on the phone: "You beat Dexy's Midnight Runners!" Homer: "Well, you haven't heard the last of THEM!"
Easily my favorite 80s lightning in a bottle hit. Great song. Turn it up every time I hear it. One of the catchiest songs ever. Thanks for the episode, Professor.
Dexy's early music is so good and no one here in America knows any of it except for Eileen which actually ended the early period of their music. Check out; Geno There There My Dear, for that matter check out the entire album that song is off of called Searching For The Young Soul Rebels, you'll be saying to yourself "How did we miss this in America back then?" All their early music is just so good.
Being a DJ in the 80s, this song was heavy rotation on my turntables! Imagine my surprise, when at my daughter's wedding reception, this song was requested and the dance floor was packed and everyone was singing along !!
I Dj in the 00s and 10s and at weddings it got played almost every time it's a song that never goes away. As a Dj though I hated playing it so cheesy - millions of songs out there and people just request the same old crap.
In 1982 I was in a bar in northern England when someone played Come On Eileen on the jukebox. There were people dancing on the tables to it at just 8:00pm on that Saturday night.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone dance on a table unless they worked at the bar or club in Philadelphia PA where I'm from. I think honestly especially if it was a guy trying to dance on a table it would 100% get him beat up, unless he's a beast and beats a few people up quick maybe he'd get a cheer and be left alone. Probably if a smoking hot Chic tried she might be left alone. Man it just feels like a balsy move. I guess maybe we're a rough town too though. Rock & Roll!
The thing I never hear mentioned when this song comes up is that it did for overalls what young guns did for western boots in the city... before the song was released the only people wearing overalls were farmers and ranchers, but afterwards everywhere you went you ran across people wearing overalls.
I just watch Tommy Boy last night -- and this song was used in the musical montage of that movie...such a cool piece of 80's nostalgia for sure. I'm glad the Kevin was able to finally come to appreciate the song we've all loved for so long.
This came along my first year of marriage, buying a house at 17% interest and starting college for the 3rd and last time. In otherwords, life, so I missed it. I was a child of the 60's-70's. Fun story though, and as always, Adam, I love your enthusiasm.
Too-Rye-Ay and Searching for the Young Soul Rebels are both fantastic albums that were different from most of what was out there at the time. I still listen to them and they have stood the test of time.
I liked the song when it first came out, then it fell under the heavy-radio-rotation curse. I didn't like it for awhile, but listening to it today is nostalgic.
Fun fact about the video for Eileen. At the start of the video you see the band playing on the street corner. Then you see them again at the end, but the drummer is missing. That's because, part way through the filming of the video, the drummer quit the band.
I can be in the most sour frame of mind and that goofy song will make me crack a smile. I have added emo fuel because my Grandpa used to sing Irish Lullaby, which Bing Crosby made big. They get the tura lura lura from that.
Hey Prof, great recap on this one. I always loved this tune because it was so unique - from the fiddle intro to the beat to the tempo changes. Oddly, I never bothered to actually look at the lyrics (and, frankly, could never keep up with them/understand them in some sections) to gain the deeper meaning of the song. I was also unaware that it had been remixed, and so I'm going to have to look that up. It also somehow never occurred to me to check out anything else from Dexy's, but now I might download the (remixed) album. One thing I wish is that you would be able to play slightly longer snippets of the other works you reference; it might just inspire more downloads/streams/purchases for the artist. In any event, definitely one of my faves and I'm glad you covered it. I'm glad that Rowland got the catharsis he sought for all those years. As we are getting up there in age, revisiting our youth in this way is soul-satisfying. I don't comment here much, but know that I do appreciate you and all the work you and your team put into these. 3 chords!
I teased my first cousin Eileen with that song in the early 80s 🤣- my uncle her dad would laugh and dance like the group in the music video 😂😂😂 Funny thing is she’s married now to a Greek American guy
I was listening to your intro, saying Dexys Midnight Runners! I was a senior in HS and absolutely loved this song. It brings back good memories that were way too short-lived.
We call this mom’s song!. My mom’s name was Eileen! She had mixed emotions on the song. Loved that it used her name but not the dirty meaning. She is no longer with us. But we loved the music
Simple Minds don't like putting "Don't You (Forget About Me) in their setlists. I know the reasons, but it still perplexed me. Imagine if Depeche Mode didn't play "Enjoy the Silence " or "Personal Jesus" during a set 😮
Simple Minds have stated in interviews that their position on the song softened over time. When I've seen them they've played it but I'm sure they avoided doing so at the time of release.
DUDE! That remix is so much fun to hear! It's been fun to search songs mentioned on Professor of Rock. Cover versions, soundtracks etc. And it makes my homepage more fun too!
Its success was that high school enclaves, the jocks, the pops, the rockers, the new wavers, and all crowds on the inside and out, all thought that this song was quite simply... fun. Real fun sing along that got everybody together singing at the party where most of the evening was spent separated into identity groups. Heckuva thing to remember.
So, one time I went to this really great dance party. They played The Twist, and I twisted! They played Jump, and I jumped! Then they played Come on Eileen, and they kicked me out of the place...
I can understand the difference between vision and reality. A lot of people don't understand how frustrating it is to not have your vision realized. It is great to hear that his vision was realized. A side note, this is one of the few songs that I could listen to around the house. My parents didn't think it was a rock song. 😂 Of course things change when they figured out the lyrics.
I remember watching some music news show (I think it was Lisa Robinson in Noo Yawk) reporting how Rowland was bragging that Dexy's would be bigger than Bowie.
Whenever I hear Dexys, it always reminds me of their Top of the Pops appearance for Jackie Wilson Said. They performed in front of a large photo of UK darts player Jocky Wilson. Could never work out whether it was meant to be a joke or someone in the set department messed up.
A friend of mine bought me the album on cassette for my 14th birthday in May 1983. I also saw their appearance on Solid Gold one Saturday night and I made sure not to miss that.
@@ProfessorofRock Good morning Adam! Thanks for a new earworm! LOL. It's a good song to have stuck in your head! LOL Hope your day is awesome! ❤️ To everyone!
Rigjt after I've watched this video youtube suggested Héroes del Silencio - Entre dos tierras. One of my alltime favorite songs. I never suggest anything but a video about this magnificent song would be nice. Thank you! ❤
Anyone besides me remember Kevin's DISASTROUS performance on a late night "live" rock & roll show in the 80's (it may have been called "Rock And Roll Tonight") where he blew his voice out on the "too ra ooh rah AAAY" (that's where the audible vocal crack happened) ?? I wasn't surprised when they literally disappeared after that show. (Note: I posted this only 20 seconds into the vid. If it was mentioned by POR I'll say "mea culpa")
Dexy's is easily an act that I took for granted growing up. I heard "Come On Eileen" in my youth, but I didn't realize how much I liked it until it was spun during my brother's wedding reception in August 2000. It was then one of the tunes I (admittedly) pirated an mp3 of during the days of Napster. I will add that the account of Kevin Roland's autocratic antics is one reason why I've been unwilling to try leading my own band. I hate the idea of being dictatorial over other musicians and driving them away.
How can anyone hate Come On, Eileen? In 1982 when the song had just come out, several classes in my High School were going on a field trip together. The bus driver had some Top 40 station playing over the speakers, & when Come On, Eileen came on the radio, EVERY KID ON THE BUS joined in on the Too rah loo rahs! It was my first experience of pop music actually bringing me together with my peers rather than dividing me from them. I loved it. Poor old Johnny Ray!
I love Come on Eileen. Great rhythm. I remember going to a few clubs in Honolulu and the places would go crazy and the dance floor would fill up when the song was played
I've actually never heard anybody say they didn't like Come On Eileen. Just look around at folks when this song comes on... heads are bobbing, faces are smiling, and everybody is singing.
One song that I remember the video of them on the corner in their "bibs"! I worked as a single mother so didn't have much time to sit & watch MTV, nor could I afford cable or the movie channels. But I had the radio! It was a comfort to finally climb into bed & be lulled to sleep by the tiny blue light of my 2nd hand radio & the great music it shared with me! Happy Friday the 13th! 🤠 edit: My daughter was born in 1984 in fact her birth certificate came in the mail & read that she was born in 19*$!!! She loves when her birthday is on Friday the 13th!
A work colleague of mine recalls that their uncle had their first video recorder for Christmas 1982. They record this song from Top of the Pops and got very drunk and proceeded to play it over and over and over again.... Lol
We lived in England when this song came out. My 3 year old daughter loved this song and learned the dance. She would get on the table at the pub and sing and dance for everyone.
Ahhhh .. sitting in the very back of my dad's station wagon window down singing too ra loo ra too ra loo ra aye as loud as we could .. miss those days !!!!
As an awkward teen when this song came out ... I have a Love - Hate relationship with it. Love because ... as a teen trying to figure out who you are, while trying to 'fit in', was difficult enough, without betraying yourself, or being labeled a fool. But, everyone loved this song, which made it easy to be 'genuine', and not be fake, or faux ... which to a teenager is absolute gold. Hate because ... as a 'white boy' with no rhythm ... who wanted to dance but 'sucked' ... this song, with it's changing tempo, was a pure nightmare, guaranteed to make you look like a fool on the dance floor.
Love the song, but even back then heard stories that convinced me that Kevin Rowland was one of the biggest tools in music. Man had/has a lot of self-regard for a one hit wonder.
I've always told all my friends that Come on Eileen is the greatest one hit wonder song I ever heard, and I grew up in the 70s, the one-hit-wonder decade! Such an awesome song... perfection personified.
I remember this song. It sounds a little like Madness. The 80's English bands are the best. Please keep doing 80's UK bands. Normally I mostly like synthesiser bands, but this is an exception. Thank you.
Poll: What is your pick for the GREATEST SONG by a EUROPEAN Artist from the 80s?
Big Country by Big Country
Neverending story Limahl.
"Video Killed the Radio Star" - The Buggles
Iron Maiden - Wasted Years
When Smokey Sings, ABC.
I recently saw Martin Fry and he started the set list with this song.
"Everything is good in the world tonight!"
We were still dancing to it in clubs in 1999...has become a tear jerker as I get older, as it always evokes a memory of a good time gone...
Things were better back in the day, weren't they? All we worried about then was computers going haywire when the clock flipped over to the year 2000.
It's one of those songs for sure!
@@RaymondBCrisp Ha ha!
Yeah the crowd always loves this one, not hard to see why
It’s the epitome of nostalgia.
I graduated HS in '86. This lifted my depressed mood this morning and made me smile. Thanks. I needed something positive.🙂
Cool!
I’m not in a good mood either and hearing this song really makes me smile.
That’s the power of music!
My kids loved this song. Every time they got in my truck they would always tell me to play the "To rah loo rah" song and we would all sing it together so freaken loud. Laughing the whole time. Great memory.
Very cool! Great memories!
Reminds me of when my son was a toddler in the late 90s. When put in the car seat he would say I want to hear Dit Away by Lenny Crackers as he called the artist and the song title. lol. It was so cute but I got so tired of that song at time because that’s the only one he wanted to hear. We had to by the cd a few times because he somehow got ahold of it and accidentally broke them. We would still buy him another one 😂😂😂. ❤❤❤🎼🎼🎼
@@xKR33Px that is such a great memory! Music really does bring people together. My daughter surprises me with the Gen X music she knows. She prob came out of the womb singing this song
Such a huge hit during my senior year of high school. This song will always bring back great memories and puts a smile on my face every time it comes on, takes me back to hanging out with my friends, going off campus to lunch, football games, parties and looking forward to life.... excited and nervous all at the same time.
Same! It's just a catchy ditty!
I was also in the "Class of '82"!
@@TheVeganVicarme too
Awesome! 1983?
83 here! Washed dishes after school and all they played was the local top 40 station. I could hear each song twice before I got off work. I can name almost all the songs from memory!
Anyone else here love watching the Brit comedy, "The Young Ones"? Dexy's Midnight Runners made a guest appearance on the episode titled "Bomb". They performed their song "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)".
Such a great show!
Great cover, plenty of horns. 🎺🎷🎻
Only Neal could fall ten feet down into the kitchen and sigh,
"Thanks for telling me about the new hole guys..."
That episode was possibly the best one I ever saw! Rick realized they didn't have a license for the television and said "That makes me a CRIMINAL!... This'll shake em up down at the anarchist society"
Was that song a tribute to Jackie Wilson?
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Probably, he was known as " Mr. Excitement".
My dad graduated in 85’. He was a hard rock/ heavy metal guy, but he loved this song. I have many memories of us hanging out, playing x box, and listening to this song before his passing. Too-Rye-Ay!
One of my cats brought me a parakeet that had gotten out of someone’s cage. The bird was physically uninjured and lived with me for many years. When Come on Eileen came on the radio, that bird would dance around the room bopping his head up and down in time to the music. Such funny memories. It is definitely an uplifting melody and beat.
Yeah, parakeets/budgies sometimes have favourite songs and rock to their favourite excessively! 😂 I had one that went wild for "She drives me crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals, another had the craziest favourite, "The Mummy" by Bob McFadden & Dor. 🙈 Having one that loves Come on Eileen is awesome!
One of those few songs that makes you very happy each time you hear it...
So true Flave!
@@ProfessorofRock Toora, loora, toora, loo-rye-aye!
Hands down this is one of the best channels on YT. The Professor covers everything. 👍
Always liked this song. My cousin n i use ti Try n sing along Every time it came on radio. Neither if us had the voice. Cousin passed a few years back. Still a good memory when I hear it
Always so great when a song can be that time machine!
This a BANGER, love the middle 8 section where they slow it all the way down and then speed it back up going into the hook. Kinda like Shout.
Same!
In '83 I was 33 years old, and that was (and is) one of my all-time favorites. In the late '90s, I was at our company Christmas party with about 1,500 other employees and the D.J. played "Come on Eileen" and then asked the crowd for the name of the band. I was the only one who shouted out the answer, and I was frankly shocked that no one else seemed to remember. Oh, how could they forget?
❤
In '83 I was 29 when I started to get the feeling that I was getting just a bit long in the tooth to be a rocker!
The record and album billed them as "Kevin Rowland and Dexy's Midnight Runners"; you should have called out the whole thing!
Most songs back in the 80's I loved. But there were only a handful of songs that I was hoping it would be, and waiting for it to be, played because I loved them so much, and "Come On Eileen" was one of those. I absolutely love that song, still do. There is no other song out there like it and never will be again.
NO question. Thanks Bart. Great insight.
Nobody can get sick and tired of that song.
A few years ago, I was in a popular '80s tribute band. Almost by the time that opening riff was over, the dancefloor was usually packed, and girls were singing along (loudly) with the band.
Come On Eileen was one POWERFUL song in a decade full of masterful music!
Cool!
@@ProfessorofRock Wow! A reply from The Professor himself!!!
Love your channel. As a long-time professional musician, I really appreciate your content.
@@johnreber4136you are now an official “Music Junkie”.
What instrument did you play?
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I play bass and was the singer.
The way you just said Rock Music 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, Ahh!
I was right there with you Bro.
This is such a great song. I am shocked you're just now covering it! Man I remember going to Retro nights in the early 90's and this song was SOOOOO popular everytime they played it. It was so fun to listen to. I still love hearing it.
Such an amazing song!
He has covered it before .
This was a hit with the clubs I am sure!
Homer Simpson of the B-Sharps: "Did you see daddy at the Grammys?"
Baby Lisa on the phone: "You beat Dexy's Midnight Runners!"
Homer: "Well, you haven't heard the last of THEM!"
Easily my favorite 80s lightning in a bottle hit. Great song. Turn it up every time I hear it. One of the catchiest songs ever. Thanks for the episode, Professor.
Thanks TED!
They sounded amazing! Come on Eileen got me up moving! Definitely one of my favorites from the 80's!
It got us ALL MOVING! ha ha!
Dexy's early music is so good and no one here in America knows any of it except for Eileen which actually ended the early period of their music.
Check out;
Geno
There There My Dear, for that matter check out the entire album that song is off of called Searching For The Young Soul Rebels, you'll be saying to yourself "How did we miss this in America back then?"
All their early music is just so good.
This is one that just makes you happy… I remember dancing all over the house when it came of the radio. They don’t make music like the use too
Being a DJ in the 80s, this song was heavy rotation on my turntables! Imagine my surprise, when at my daughter's wedding reception, this song was requested and the dance floor was packed and everyone was singing along !!
Rock on!
It could be a first dance as a married couple song.
I Dj in the 00s and 10s and at weddings it got played almost every time it's a song that never goes away. As a Dj though I hated playing it so cheesy - millions of songs out there and people just request the same old crap.
I still love that song. I think it evokes a feeling of nostalgia and melancholy right from the opening lines.
NO question! Takes me right back to '83
In 1982 I was in a bar in northern England when someone played Come On Eileen on the jukebox. There were people dancing on the tables to it at just 8:00pm on that Saturday night.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone dance on a table unless they worked at the bar or club in Philadelphia PA where I'm from. I think honestly especially if it was a guy trying to dance on a table it would 100% get him beat up, unless he's a beast and beats a few people up quick maybe he'd get a cheer and be left alone. Probably if a smoking hot Chic tried she might be left alone.
Man it just feels like a balsy move. I guess maybe we're a rough town too though. Rock & Roll!
I can totally picture it in a movie or something.
That’s awesome!
@ronmckee9019 Yeah, Philly really sucks. Brotherly love. Is that like calling a tall guy shorty or a slow runner flash?
The thing I never hear mentioned when this song comes up is that it did for overalls what young guns did for western boots in the city... before the song was released the only people wearing overalls were farmers and ranchers, but afterwards everywhere you went you ran across people wearing overalls.
I just watch Tommy Boy last night -- and this song was used in the musical montage of that movie...such a cool piece of 80's nostalgia for sure. I'm glad the Kevin was able to finally come to appreciate the song we've all loved for so long.
Such a huge hit even us headbangers would dance to it….. sometimes
Good call!
This came along my first year of marriage, buying a house at 17% interest and starting college for the 3rd and last time. In otherwords, life, so I missed it. I was a child of the 60's-70's. Fun story though, and as always, Adam, I love your enthusiasm.
Whoa!
I so agree. In addition to the information he shares, his enthusiasm makes his my favorite YT channel. !!!
One of my favorite songs, and one of my favorite videos. Amazing song, and it invokes happy memories.
Such a happy song. 1983!
Exactly!! Come On Eileen was pure joy. Great tune!
PUre joy is exactly right.
@@ProfessorofRockYou can't be in a bad mood after listening to this song!😍
This song came out when I was a junior in high school. It didn’t sound like anyone else. Such a great song. It always puts a smile on my face.❤️
I have this album on vinyl. There are a number of good tunes on it. "Jackie Wilson Said" leaps to mind. Thank you, Professor!
Fantastic harmony, a song that definitely gets stuck in your head all day when you hear it.
Rock on!
"Come On Eileen" still blows me away and fills me with joy.
I see what you did there Clark 😉
Too-Rye-Ay and Searching for the Young Soul Rebels are both fantastic albums that were different from most of what was out there at the time. I still listen to them and they have stood the test of time.
I liked the song when it first came out, then it fell under the heavy-radio-rotation curse. I didn't like it for awhile, but listening to it today is nostalgic.
Thanks Christine!
And now do you still like it?
He was right they’re gonna sing this song forever
Fun fact about the video for Eileen. At the start of the video you see the band playing on the street corner. Then you see them again at the end, but the drummer is missing. That's because, part way through the filming of the video, the drummer quit the band.
Told him to beat it
Pop-up video.
Story I heard was that Rowland fired the drummer mid-shoot.
@@Bikebrh That might be true. I heard the store back in the 80s when the song originally came out. I could be wrong on the details.
I love that song. I have it on my playlist and listen to it every night. I am now 73 and it is still one of my favorite from the 80’s
I love that song, it brings back a lot of memories for me. It ranks right up there for one of my favorite 80's tunes.
No question! Top notch.
Some songs are great for their lyrics, some make you feel a certain way by the music. This one just makes you feel happy 😊
First year university pub nights, the crowds on the dancefloor forming up 'Rockette' style high-kick lines for the portion with the slower tempo.
Ha ha! Cool!
I can totally imagine that in my mind.
Such a coincidence. I picked this album up this morning as a part of a collection I acquired. Im looking forward to listening to the entire album.
This is a MUST SING ALONG song - in full voice, with emotion - regardless of who is around!
We roller skated to this back in the 80s.. still love it !
I can be in the most sour frame of mind and that goofy song will make me crack a smile.
I have added emo fuel because my Grandpa used to sing Irish Lullaby, which Bing Crosby made big. They get the tura lura lura from that.
Hey Prof, great recap on this one. I always loved this tune because it was so unique - from the fiddle intro to the beat to the tempo changes. Oddly, I never bothered to actually look at the lyrics (and, frankly, could never keep up with them/understand them in some sections) to gain the deeper meaning of the song. I was also unaware that it had been remixed, and so I'm going to have to look that up. It also somehow never occurred to me to check out anything else from Dexy's, but now I might download the (remixed) album. One thing I wish is that you would be able to play slightly longer snippets of the other works you reference; it might just inspire more downloads/streams/purchases for the artist.
In any event, definitely one of my faves and I'm glad you covered it. I'm glad that Rowland got the catharsis he sought for all those years. As we are getting up there in age, revisiting our youth in this way is soul-satisfying. I don't comment here much, but know that I do appreciate you and all the work you and your team put into these. 3 chords!
I teased my first cousin Eileen with that song in the early 80s 🤣- my uncle her dad would laugh and dance like the group in the music video 😂😂😂
Funny thing is she’s married now to a Greek American guy
I was listening to your intro, saying Dexys Midnight Runners! I was a senior in HS and absolutely loved this song. It brings back good memories that were way too short-lived.
We call this mom’s song!. My mom’s name was Eileen! She had mixed emotions on the song. Loved that it used her name but not the dirty meaning. She is no longer with us. But we loved the music
One of my most evocative 80s songs. It always brings back those heady days. Great song and I’m sorry the singer hates it. ❤
Simple Minds don't like putting "Don't You (Forget About Me) in their setlists. I know the reasons, but it still perplexed me. Imagine if Depeche Mode didn't play "Enjoy the Silence " or "Personal Jesus" during a set 😮
That's my favorite song of theirs.
They didn't write it, did they?
@@matthewsgeoffmh nope.
That would feel so wrong.
Simple Minds have stated in interviews that their position on the song softened over time. When I've seen them they've played it but I'm sure they avoided doing so at the time of release.
DUDE! That remix is so much fun to hear! It's been fun to search songs mentioned on Professor of Rock. Cover versions, soundtracks etc. And it makes my homepage more fun too!
This and Mr.Roboto were my very first 45s.
How old were you?
@@ProfessorofRock 10
Its success was that high school enclaves, the jocks, the pops, the rockers, the new wavers, and all crowds on the inside and out, all thought that this song was quite simply... fun. Real fun sing along that got everybody together singing at the party where most of the evening was spent separated into identity groups. Heckuva thing to remember.
So true. same at my school.
This song could unite everybody.
So, one time I went to this really great dance party. They played The Twist, and I twisted! They played Jump, and I jumped!
Then they played Come on Eileen, and they kicked me out of the place...
Thanks for sharing!
@@ProfessorofRock LOL, thanks for not censoring my raunchy joke. That happens all too often these days, alas.
Too funny!
I can understand the difference between vision and reality. A lot of people don't understand how frustrating it is to not have your vision realized.
It is great to hear that his vision was realized.
A side note, this is one of the few songs that I could listen to around the house. My parents didn't think it was a rock song. 😂
Of course things change when they figured out the lyrics.
Thanks for sharing.
I remember every time I turned on MTV in 1983, this video always seemed to come on like clockwork.
I got my daughter hooked on this song. We both love it! I can't believe Kevin hated it, that's insane!
I remember watching some music news show (I think it was Lisa Robinson in Noo Yawk) reporting how Rowland was bragging that Dexy's would be bigger than Bowie.
Ha ha. Bad look.
In the 90’s, anytime this song would come on, in the clubs, everyone would hit the dance floor.
For sure!
Whenever I hear Dexys, it always reminds me of their Top of the Pops appearance for Jackie Wilson Said. They performed in front of a large photo of UK darts player Jocky Wilson. Could never work out whether it was meant to be a joke or someone in the set department messed up.
Right!
A friend of mine bought me the album on cassette for my 14th birthday in May 1983. I also saw their appearance on Solid Gold one Saturday night and I made sure not to miss that.
"Come On Eileen" is still fantastic four decades later.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ I like the song Come on Eileen. Catchy tune. LOL. Have a great day!!!!
Hey Dann!
@@ProfessorofRock Good morning Adam! Thanks for a new earworm! LOL. It's a good song to have stuck in your head! LOL Hope your day is awesome! ❤️ To everyone!
Hey ProRo 🤓it's been 40 years since this diddy was released! That's hard to believe its been that long!
41! CRAZY!
@@ProfessorofRock It seems like maybe 25 years but it's a long time!
Hey constipated, there should be a rapper named T. Ditty and he should tour with P. Diddy!
One of the best songs of the 80s for me. Still love dancing to it, only not on the bar tops anymore.
Ha ha!
What’s better than roses on your piano? Tulips on my organ! (Or come on Eileen)
What?? I love this jam! My band covers this and it always goes over great with the crowd! Another great video, Prof!
Rigjt after I've watched this video youtube suggested Héroes del Silencio - Entre dos tierras. One of my alltime favorite songs. I never suggest anything but a video about this magnificent song would be nice.
Thank you! ❤
Anyone besides me remember Kevin's DISASTROUS performance on a late night "live" rock & roll show in the 80's (it may have been called "Rock And Roll Tonight") where he blew his voice out on the "too ra ooh rah AAAY" (that's where the audible vocal crack happened) ?? I wasn't surprised when they literally disappeared after that show. (Note: I posted this only 20 seconds into the vid. If it was mentioned by POR I'll say "mea culpa")
I ran out of time!
They didn't literally disappear. The "Don't Stand Me Down" album came out soon after.
Dexy's is easily an act that I took for granted growing up. I heard "Come On Eileen" in my youth, but I didn't realize how much I liked it until it was spun during my brother's wedding reception in August 2000. It was then one of the tunes I (admittedly) pirated an mp3 of during the days of Napster.
I will add that the account of Kevin Roland's autocratic antics is one reason why I've been unwilling to try leading my own band. I hate the idea of being dictatorial over other musicians and driving them away.
I enjoy arriving on Eileen!
I remember the dad joke back in the day was, "What's worse than sweat on Olivia Newton John?" answer: "C--- on Eileen!"
@@LazyIRanch That's terrible 🤣
Dude!
@LazyIRanch That was it! I remembered the punchline but couldn't recall the question!
@@Whisper_292 Right?
How can anyone hate Come On, Eileen? In 1982 when the song had just come out, several classes in my High School were going on a field trip together. The bus driver had some Top 40 station playing over the speakers, & when Come On, Eileen came on the radio, EVERY KID ON THE BUS joined in on the Too rah loo rahs! It was my first experience of pop music actually bringing me together with my peers rather than dividing me from them. I loved it. Poor old Johnny Ray!
Wow 1 hit only😮, but Lightning is probably hard to recapture ⚡️
Exactly!
Apart from Geno, which was a chart topper, and I think a better single!
I love Come on Eileen. Great rhythm. I remember going to a few clubs in Honolulu and the places would go crazy and the dance floor would fill up when the song was played
Dexys are like a pint of Guinness, you either love them more than anything or... You dont. There is no middle ground
I think they're ok. Not nearly as good as Guinness, but not as bad as Bud Light either.
I find them moderately entertaining.
They are exactly like Guinness - absolutely awful.
@@gigglybeast you have made an enemy for life
saw an interview "ifi knew this was going to be big i wouldnt have worn overalls"
I've actually never heard anybody say they didn't like Come On Eileen. Just look around at folks when this song comes on... heads are bobbing, faces are smiling, and everybody is singing.
Let me be the first, then. I didn't care for it the first time I heard it, and my opinion hasn't changed over 30 years later.
@@tanyaerskine7657Number 2 here. I'm with you.
I heard Come On Eileen approximately 14 billion times in the early to mid-90s.
I remember Homer Simpson and the Be Sharps beating them out for a Grammy, but he promised we had not heard the last of them.
Ha!
So funny.
One song that I remember the video of them on the corner in their "bibs"! I worked as a single mother so didn't have much time to sit & watch MTV, nor could I afford cable or the movie channels. But I had the radio! It was a comfort to finally climb into bed & be lulled to sleep by the tiny blue light of my 2nd hand radio & the great music it shared with me! Happy Friday the 13th! 🤠 edit: My daughter was born in 1984 in fact her birth certificate came in the mail & read that she was born in 19*$!!! She loves when her birthday is on Friday the 13th!
I remember when I 1st heard this song I opened up a pack of 83 Topps and pulled 2 rookie Tony Gwynn cards from 1 pack
Yes! What are they worth now?
@@ProfessorofRock I wish I still had the exact same cards remember all of those were stolen. A PSA 10 around $3,200 SGC $3,800 raw$60-$120
A work colleague of mine recalls that their uncle had their first video recorder for Christmas 1982. They record this song from Top of the Pops and got very drunk and proceeded to play it over and over and over again.... Lol
I love this song 🎵
YES!
@@ProfessorofRock I've listened to it around 8x straight right now
Always did enjoy this song. Always fun when the singer doesn't care for the song.
Right?
I want everyone to arrive on or near Eileen!
Huh?
A city you mean?
I was transported to my destination on Eileen, does that count?
@@TooTallForPony Of course it sure does
We lived in England when this song came out. My 3 year old daughter loved this song and learned the dance. She would get on the table at the pub and sing and dance for everyone.
Young ones used it on one of the episodes of the show, Geno is another fantastic Dexy hit
That's right!
Ahhhh .. sitting in the very back of my dad's station wagon window down singing too ra loo ra too ra loo ra aye as loud as we could .. miss those days !!!!
Dexys had half as many members as the Wu Tang Clan 👐
Right o!
As an awkward teen when this song came out ... I have a Love - Hate relationship with it.
Love because ... as a teen trying to figure out who you are, while trying to 'fit in', was difficult enough, without betraying yourself, or being labeled a fool.
But, everyone loved this song, which made it easy to be 'genuine', and not be fake, or faux ... which to a teenager is absolute gold.
Hate because ... as a 'white boy' with no rhythm ... who wanted to dance but 'sucked' ... this song, with it's changing tempo, was a pure nightmare, guaranteed to make you look like a fool on the dance floor.
Love the song, but even back then heard stories that convinced me that Kevin Rowland was one of the biggest tools in music. Man had/has a lot of self-regard for a one hit wonder.
You could not escape this song , it was everywhere
ha, I remember the over sized overalls, yet short on the legs LOL! I think Bananarama had that look as well -
I've always told all my friends that Come on Eileen is the greatest one hit wonder song I ever heard, and I grew up in the 70s, the one-hit-wonder decade! Such an awesome song... perfection personified.
For sure!
I turned the station every time that came on.
Really?
I remember this song. It sounds a little like Madness. The 80's English bands are the best. Please keep doing 80's UK bands. Normally I mostly like synthesiser bands, but this is an exception. Thank you.
bike agree i guees by now you probably have heard the new madness single c la vie didnt like at first but pretty catchy song was on today
c est la vie
Hey everyone! Come on Professor tell us about today's Bottled Lightening.
Lightning, not Lightening. It's not about hair dye. :-)
when I read the title, and you said it was a bottled lightning episode, I thought the episode would be 100% about "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors.