"Come On Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners was a British single released in 1982. The song was written by Kevin Rowland, "Big" Jim Paterson, and Billy Adams; it was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. It originally appeared on the album Too-Rye-Ay.
The song begins with Celtic-style fiddle played over a drum beat, with the bass guitar and piano providing accompaniment. An extended version has an additional intro of a Celtic fiddle solo, playing the Irish song "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms", by Matthew Locke.
The chorus was loosely inspired by the song "A Man Like Me" by the 1960s British soul group Jimmy James and the Vagabonds.
The bridge of "Come On Eileen" features an improvised counter-melody which begins in a slow tempo and gets faster and faster over an accelerando vocal backing. The chord sequence of the bridge is actually the same as the verses but transposed up by a whole tone.
The "Eileen" as featured in the video (and on the record sleeve) is Maire Fahey, sister of Siobhan Fahey, former singer with Bananarama and Shakespear's Sister. The American singer Johnnie Ray, an early rock-and-roll crooner, is also featured in the video using old film footage, and mentioned in the opening lyrics.
In the British charts, the song spent four weeks at number one in August 1982. This success was repeated around the globe; spending five weeks as the Kent Report's number one in Australia and reaching number one in April 1983 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The song was also successful in Ireland, where it reached number one on the charts and spent a total of eleven weeks in the charts.
It is a common example of a one-hit wonder in the U.S., as the band failed to reach similar popularity with any of their future songs, though in the UK they had already reached number one two years earlier with "Geno", and went on to have further hits.
Lyrics
Poor old Johnny Ray Sounded sad upon the radio, he moved a million hearts in mono. Our mothers cried and sang along and who'd blame them. Now you're grown, so grown, now I must say more than ever. Go Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye and we can sing just like our fathers.
Come on Eileen, I swear (well he means) At this moment you mean everything, With you in that dress my thoughts I confess verge on dirty Ah come on Eileen.
These people round here wear beaten down eyes Sunk in smoke dried faces they're so resigned to what their fate is, But not us, no not us we are far too young and clever. Remember Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye Eileen I'll hum this tune forever.
Come on Eileen, I swear, well 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, please.
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