Top 5 Irish love songs.
5. With or without you by U2.
This song was first released in march 1987 and was the first single from the bands album "The Joshua tree". It is a very basic song using a simple chord progression yet it is very effective and touching. It portrays the very complications and frustrations of love in its lyrics, "I cant live, with or without you." It is the type of song that you can sit back and listen to with pleasure yet still get a sense of haunting by it.
I had to include this song in my top five because it is a classic. You can really feel the emotion when the song comes to a climax. The song has gained worldwide popularity over its years and has been covered by many dfferent music artists. The version i have decided to include in this hub is from the scala choir, which in my opinion is a fantastic rendition with just the piano and the choir of girls.
4. Still in love with you, by Thin lizzy.
Thin Lizzy were arguably the best rock band to come out of Ireland. They infused traditional Irish music with rock and blues and had hit after hit in the 70s and early 80s. This song is a very powerful love ballad that really brings out the heartache of losing someone you love. You cant just stop loving someone overnight, "They say time has a way of healing". If you are a lover of blues (Like i am) then you will very much appreciate the guitar solo and how the music really fits the mood of the song. I believe this belongs as one of the top Irish love songs because it has so much musicality and feeling that really makes the listener experience the turmoil of love.
3. Brown Eyed Girl, by Van Morrison.
Van Morrison was born in my home town of Belfast and this is definitely his most famous song. I actually remember when i was in school one of my teachers claimed that van Morrison wrote this song about his wife because she knew him when they were younger, but who knows? The song was first released in 1967 and reached number ten in the US charts. I chose this one simply because its a classic. Still to this day it will get people up off their seats and dancing with its up-beat rhythm and it is very popular at weddings. Particularly for the older generation this song brings back fond memories of love and will definitely leave a sparkle in the eye. For me it just represents that happy love!
2. Sweet 16, by The Fureys.
This song was made famous by The Fureys in the 1980s however it was actually an american Irish man, James Thornton, who wrote it in the late 19th century. The song gained popularity worldwide and is still loved by many Irish people today. "I love you as i loved you when you were sweet 16" the song speaks of an everlasting love that is unchanging and true. The song begins with a simple melody on the banjo that rings out so clear that it just sets up to grab your attention to tell a story of an unending bond. If you have never heard this song before i have no doubt that you will fall in love with it.
1. Grace, by The Wolfetones
This song was written in 1985 by Frank and Seán O'Meara and is based on the true events of 1916 when just hours before his execution the rebel Joseph Plunkett married Grace Gifford in Kilmainham jail in Dublin. I chose this song as my number one for Irish love songs because it not only sums up the love between a man and a woman,"With all my love i place this wedding ring upon your finger", but the love one can have for their country also. "Now i know its hard for you my love to ever understand, the love i have for these brave men, my love for this dear land". The Easter rising of 1916 was a turning point in Irish history and this song sums up, in my mind, the type of love that existed in those days which is seldom seen in modern times.
This song has been covered by many artists but i chose The Wolfetones version because its my favorite.
What's your opinion?
Out of my songs which would have been your number 1?
Irish music has had an influence all over the world and i dare say there is not a country in the world that doesn't have an Irish pub. The Irish are a very proud people and wherever they travel in the world they are far from shy to let their traditions be heard. I would like to conclude by saying that all these choices are my views but i would like to hear yours! please feel free to comment below. What would be your top 5?
