Don't take this too seriously folks...
As we head into the high-holy season of March... Paddy's Month, I dare a controversial topic that will almost certainly draw hate-blogmail. But I need to get this off my chest...
I specifically reach out to all my fellow Irish music players and singers out there. I know many of you have these thoughts too...
As an Irish musicianer for years and years now, I have played every conceivable Irish song... you name it, and me and my band mates have played it 100s of times. Different places, different crowds, they always seem to love all of them unquestioningly.
And I too have loved them all to some degree at some point... but I confess there are several that all the love is gone. Really gone. And now I cringe at the thought of the requests that will come over the next few weeks, the puzzled looks on the stage as we make the inevitable uncomfortable concession.
It is time we all dare to change...
So I offer a list of songs to all musicianers everywhere this Paddy's season. I plead with my brothers and sisters to resist the urge to further drive these into the ground. It is time to put them away on the shelf for a few years, several years. There are hundreds of better songs to replace them... learn them and let these go. I dare you to say no to the requests, the pleading, and the $20 tips...
Thirteen Irish Songs That Need To Be Retired
1. Fields of Athenrye... fast or slow, it doesn't matter. Just let that damn ship sail and never come back.
2. Dirty Old Town... unless Shane is singing it... it is like a paper cut.
3. Wild Rover... I don't buy the story to begin with, do you?
4. 5. Danny Boy & Galway Bay (tie)... death songs are downers... save them for the funerals.
6. Whiskey In The Jar... let Metallica just have it OK?
7. The Unicorn... its wrong on so many levels. It should be limited to Sesame Street on Paddy's Day (is that show still on?).
8. Celtic Symphony... it is the equivalent of a Kesha song for Irish drunk guys...
9. Galway Girl... this one got on the list in record time... but does every man, woman, band, etc. have to sing it three times in every set? I am sure Steve Earle would be mortified about how his song is getting trashed in Irish ginmills everywhere.
10. Streets of New York... great great song, perfectly done by the Wolfetones, and one I am sure I will love again. We all try to do it justice, and everyone knows every word... but I don't think people listen to the real story in there anymore.. Maybe after a few years of absence they might.
11. Black Velvet Band... songs about hot chicks that steal should be eternal hits... but I don't think anyone really listens to the words on this one either anymore.
These two are particular to Celtic Cross...
12. Celtic Bob... was before my time with CC and not necessarily ever popular, nor do we ever ever play it... but is here on principle and to tweak my current and preceding band mates.
13. All Around My Hat... I know many of you CC fans love it & it may come off my retirement list one day... but not this year.
I feel so much better now that I have gotten this out in the public. I will say no to the requests now with more dignity, and avoid the lies about being out of time, or no one knows the words.
So, what are the Irish songs that you think should be retired? Please click on the comments button below and add your thoughts to get them off your chest. You too will feel better...
Slainte...
