Come On Eileen

Dexys Midnight Runners, Emerald Express

About Come On Eileen

"Come On Eileen" is a song by English group Dexys Midnight Runners (credited to Dexys Midnight Runners and the Emerald Express), released in the United Kingdom on 25 June 1982 as a single from their album Too-Rye-Ay. It reached number one in the United States, and was their second number one hit in the UK, following 1980's "Geno". The song was written by Kevin Rowland, Jim Paterson and Billy Adams, and was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. "Come On Eileen" won Best British Single at the 1983 Brit Awards and in 2015 the song was voted by the British public as the nation's sixth favourite 1980s number one in a poll for ITV. It was ranked number 18 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s. 


Year:
2010
4:14
44 

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

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'l hum this tune forever

Come on Eileen oh I swear (what he means)
Ah come on lets, take off everything
That pretty red dress, Eileen (tell him yes)
Ah come on lets, ah come on Eileen
That pretty red dress, Eileen (tell him yes)
Ah come on lets, 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 ra-loo 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
Aah, 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

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Dexys Midnight Runners

Dexys Midnight Runners (currently called Dexys) are an English pop group with soul influences, who achieved their major success in the early to mid 1980s. They are best known for their songs "Come On Eileen" and "Geno", both of which went No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. more »

0 fans

Written by: James Paterson, Kevin Rowland, Kevin Adams

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Chart Success
"Come On Eileen" was a major hit for Dexys Midnight Runners, topping the charts in both the UK and the US in 1982.
Genre Blend
The song integrates elements from folk music and pop, with an infectious blend of fiddle and saxophone taking center stage.
Inspiration
Kevin Rowland, the band's lead vocalist, disclosed that the lyrics were inspired by a childhood friend named Eileen.
Grammy Nomination
In 1983, "Come On Eileen" received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
One Hit Wonder
Despite the immense success of "Come On Eileen", Dexys Midnight Runners is perceived as a one-hit-wonder band in the United States, as none of their other songs achieved similar recognition.
Famous Opening Phrase
The song starts with an iconic line in the form of a gripe: "Poor old Johnny Ray." Ray was a popular singer in the 1950s, known for his raw, emotional delivery.
Music Video
The accompanying music video for "Come On Eileen" is notable for its depiction of the band members in raggedy, old-fashioned clothing, which became a trademark look for the group.
Cover Versions
Since its release, "Come On Eileen" has been covered by a number of artists in different genres, including ska punk band Save Ferris and country singer Thomas Rhett.
Pop Culture Icon
The song has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and advertisements, most notably in the film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."
Q Best British Song
In 2005, "Come On Eileen" was voted as the Best British Song by the readers of Q magazine, beating out contenders such as "Imagine" by John Lennon and "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.
Indecipherable Lyrics
Much of the song's lyrics have been debated due to the singing style of Kevin Rowland, which made some of the words difficult to comprehend.
Triple Tribute
The song pays tribute to three pop icons - Johnnie Ray, Lee Marvin, and Van Morrison, mentioned explicitly in the lyrics.

Discuss the Come On Eileen Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Come On Eileen Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32393252/Dexys+Midnight+Runners/Come+On+Eileen>.

    Missing lyrics by Dexys Midnight Runners?

    Know any other songs by Dexys Midnight Runners? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Come On Eileen

    207
    5     1

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1983

    Billboard #1


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "I found out the hard way. I can't do without you. I'll always be with you."
    A U2 - With or Without You
    B Chris Christian - I Want You, I Need You
    C Harry Nilsson - Without You
    D Mocca - Simple I Love You

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Dexys Midnight Runners tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!