The biggest "northern soul" song that every 80's kid knows is Gloria Jones 60's song "Tainted Love" which became immortalized by British synth group Soft Cell.
I'm shocked that Todd hasn't devoted an episode to Tainted Love yet. Soft Cell would be the perfect act - one-hit wonder status in America, but they had a slew of hits in the UK and are incredibly legit.
@@amandalopes3048 More like the low-level twerp the dealer would send out. The kind of fiend that makes his off of delivery and keeping one for running it.
@@bcubed72 Also could be someone who takes drugs between dealers over long distances. Very similar to the original mafia running bathtub gin across state lines during prohibition. Strangely, I know a guy who used to be a meth runner. He had seriously fast cars (that often didn't look it) and always traveled at night/early morning. And yes, he was caught eventually and did some serious time for it.
"These dorks bouncing around in blue jumpsuits are almost certainly the most legit band I've reviewed." Clearly he hadn't seen his chumbawamba re-upload.
Cade Byington Found it on Todd's channel but when I clicked it, lo and behold "this video is not available", so no wonder it went away from my subscription box
Fun fact from Jackie Wilson Said - When Dexys played this on UK music show Top of the Pops, there was a picture in the background which was supposed to be former American singer Jackie Wilson, who the song was based on, but by mistake Scottish darts player Jocky Wilson was shown instead. This is why their version is often played at darts events to this day.
Ah this was retold on the show Never Mind the Buzzocks. Iirc they said that a producer or someone in charge of set design misheard the name so that's why they projected an image of Jocky Wilson behind them.
'Poor old Johnny Ray sounded sad upon the radio he broke a million hearts in mono Our mothers cried sang along, who'd blame them ...' Brilliant lyrics start to finish
I went to a dance club about a week ago. They played "The Twist", so I did the twist. They played "Do the Hustle", so I did the hustle. They played "Come On Eileen"...I got kicked out for that one.
Got to be honest, I think the lyrics are brilliant and almost poetic...beat down eyes sunk in smoke dried faces, they're resigned to what their fate is, but not us no not us, we are far too young and clever. Especially that line, which I always thought was said with irony
This review legit led to Dexy’s being one of my favorite bands of all time. No joke. Check out their entire discography. If I have 10 desert island bands, Dexy’s is one of my choices.
This remains a truly evergreen song. I don't think there's been a single generation that hasn't adapted it as an anthem since it came out. Wouldn't be surprised if it went viral on TikTok.
@Jack park have you heard their albums? They are amazing. Noone gives a shit about come on Eileen here either but pretty much all the other stuff they have done is really good.
"You would think they would make depressing music." Poor people are capable of making the absolute happiest music on the planet. It's one of the things that keeps them going.
Generally speaking, people in sad places already have enough sadness in their life and probably wouldn’t want more sadness on top of that, they’d want something to distract and cheer them up.
It was Todd's early One Hit Wonder episodes that really gave me a much bigger appreciation for music. Dexy's Midnight Runners might have fallen under my radar if it wasn't for this particular review.
@@nn-ro1lv Did you miss that period when he started cross-dressing and doing very bizarre interviews with the press? He was ranked as one of the craziest musicians in a Blender list a few years ago for a reason. Not as nuts as other famous musicians, but still pretty nuts.
My dad grew up in London in the 70s, Dexy's first album was massive, I can't tell you how much he loves it. I don't think they would be even be considered a two hit wonder there, I think they brought soul music to people who would maybe not be exposed to it otherwise.
It was glorious to see them play”Jackie Wilson Says” on Top of the Pops with a large photo of Scottish darts player Jocky Wilson behind them. It’s never been confirmed whether it was a joke or genuine mistake.
Love this video series. FYI: I was at the New Music convention in NYC in 1981 when I had my first job out of school with a radio production company. There was an industry panel that included Kevin Rowland and Thomas Dolby. I still remember what a rude a-hole Rowland was, sneering at Dolby to his face about how his electronic noodling wasn't real music like his acoustic-based band. Dolby held his tongue, but looked furious. The whole crowd walked out hating Rowland. Ironically, even all these years later, I still think "She Blinded Me With Science" crushes "Come On Eileen." PS - Forgot to mention, I really think this had a lot to do with Dexy's never having another hit in the US. That convention was filled with new wave radio programmers and club DJs from across America. When I got back to Dallas and received the next Dexy's single, my first thought was, "Oh, this is by that arrogant prick who was so rude to Thomas Dolby." Imagine a similar reaction by all the programmers who were at the convention. I think there's a pretty good chance his personality killed their hopes of American stardom.
I think it's big-fish-in-small-pond syndrome. Bands that had conquered England came over to America and had to start all over again. And of course the UK charts were based on record sales not radio play so there wasn't the same need to keep DJs on-site. Supposedly the Boomtown Rats had the same problem of a mouthy lead singer antagonizing the media. Although even at his nastiest Bob Geldof wasn't as harsh as Kev, who famously beat up a journalist who wrote a bad review of Dexys.
@@arianrhodhyde7482 Funny how theres a large population including myself that fucking hates Bob Geldof for completely unrelated reasons. The Boomtown Rats were the most boring pile of shit.
I love "Come on Eileen" and "She Blinded Me With Science" for very different reasons. But I'd rather listen to Mr. Dolby's work than Mr. Rowland's. Why? Yes, the attitude that you described does come as a huge turn off, but... Enunciation is, like, a thing with me. And one of them has it and the other does not.
Plus Todd would never understand the whole Jocky Wilson mixup on Top of the Pops where Dexy's had to play in front of a backdrop of the darts legend. Or that in making his covers album Kevin bankrupted Creation Records.
Thank God for that . One of my most beautiful memories was dancing to this song with the love of my life at a wedding. Unfortunately ours never happened but if it had you better believe our first dance as husband and wife would have been to Come on Eileen.
I remember "Alive and Kicking". They have a dozen other hits that go back to 1980 (in Great Britain of course). In Scotland, they're treated like gods.
Simple Minds had four Top 40 hits in the US in a span of a year: #1 Don't You(Forget About Me) #3 Alive and Kicking #14 Sanctify Yourself #28 All The Things She Said If you hang out in a supermarket or store over a 24 hour period, you are probably going to hear all four. If you listen and become familiar with the songs, you'll start hearing them often. They had more hits before that in Scotland & the UK in the early 80s before their big #1. Jim Kerr married Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. They were not a one hit wonder.
I have visited a fair few places around the world and you'd be amazed in just how many places I hear this song playing. Obviously I hear it in places like Britain and the US, but when you go to places like Croatia and Spain and still hear it amongst their own popular music it shows just what a worldwide appeal it has, somehow.
Clean upload my dude. My absolute favorite part about this song is how about midway through it has this sustained chorus that slowly and steadily increases in tempo for the better part of a minute. Leading right into the climactic final piece. Fin~
So, as sometimes happens, for which this is my favorite series on the channel, I was intrigued and delved more fully into the discography of Dexy. They have since become one of my favorite bands ever. Thanks, Todd, for directing me toward some music I truly love and might not have ever given the attention it deserved.
Seriously, I came here to comment the exact same thing, haha. Finally listened to Too Rye Ay and I loved it. Moving on to Don't Stand Me Down right now.
Mike Sherry save ferris is a big shit show (The lead being sued by the rest of the band as of recent) also in pretty sure they've never had a hit. (if any ska band gets a ohw I'd prefer Reel Big Fish)
Dax Orien I mean they're my favorite band, but they're still around touring so maybe they don't deserve better in a sense because they're always touring
You want him to do an episode of a one-hit wonder whose one hit was a cover of another one-hit wonder? After he complained about this exact thing regarding Pseudo Echo's "Funkytown"...
Come on Eileen! Come on Eileen! [Verse 1] Poor old Johnny Ray Sounded sad upon the radio Moved a million hearts in mono Our mothers cried Sang along, who'd blame them? You've grown (You’re 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, ay And we can sing just like our fathers [Chorus] 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 Oh, come on Eileen (Come on Eileen!) [Verse 2] These people round here Were beaten down, eyes sunk in smoke-dried face They're so resigned to what their fate is But not us (No never) But not us (Not ever) We are far too young and clever (Remember) Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye, ay And you'll hum this tune forever, oh [Chorus] Come on Eileen Oh, I swear (What he means) Aah, come on let's Take off everything That pretty red dress Eileen (Tell him yes) Aah, come on let's Aah, come on Eileen That pretty red dress Eileen (Tell him yes) Aah, come on let's Aah, come on Eileen Please [Bridge] (Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-ay) (Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-ay) (Tooh lah, tooh la, tah roo rye) Now you're full grown Now you have shown Oh, Eileen (Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-ay) (Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-ay) (Tooh lah, tooh la, tah roo rye) Say, come on Eileen (You’ve grown) These things they are real and I know (So grown) How you feel Now I must say more than ever Things round here have changed (Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-aye) (Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-aye) I say, too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye-ay [Chorus] 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 [Chorus] Aah, come on Eileen Oh, I swear (What he means) At this moment, you mean everything You in that dress Oh, my thoughts I confess Well, they're dirty Come on Eileen [Chorus] Come on Eileen (Oh) What he means (Oh) You mean everything (Oh) (Come on! come on!) In that dress Oh [Outro] Oh believe me if all those endearing young charms That I gaze on so fondly today Were to suddenly leave you, or fly in the night Just like fairy gifts gone in the sky
I hated this song for one reason. My name is eileen and since that name is quite rare in germany where i live teachers started singing this song every time they saw me. It got on my nerves very quickly. Ugggghhhh
It ought to be noted that the "too-ra-loo-ra-loo" chorus is a snippet from "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)" from the 1913 musical Shameen Dhu, repopularized by Bing Crosby in the '40s.
As a dumb-shit millennial born a literal decade after this song came out, I hadn't ever really heard this song that much even in pop culture. And now that I'm aware of it, I still kinda don't. But since this review I've actually fallen in love with the song and it's, no joke, the most played ever in my goddamn library. It's a really legit song that I adore and know the words to and everything. I blame Todd. ❤️
Hey Todd! About The Dexy's shift in "uniform" from dockworkers to coveralls.... I know nothing about that group.... but the fact they trace their musical inspiration from obscure American blues & soul artists (well, the Brit interpretation of them), and their association with African American history/culture (as in Roddy Doyle's The Commitments).... I would suggest that the source of Kevin Rowland's new found fondness for coveralls came from an affectation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). During the Freedom Summer voter registration campaign in Mississippi (1964), ostensibly to fit in better with the locals (and as a gesture of solidarity), all the SNCCs wore coveralls..... One of my books on the history of the Civil Rights Movement has an old photo of Julian Bond, wearing a coverall.... I almost wet my pants laughing, the first time I saw it. Don't get me wrong: Bond was genuine hero, a pillar of the 1960s civil rights movement, who showed true courage and made a real difference..... But he was famous (in his days after SNCC) for being a seriously sharp dresser: expensive, well cut suits; fine shoes.... what we used to call a "fashion plate," back in the day.... So Bond, in coveralls? I wouldn't have believed it, if I hadn't seen it. What I'm suggesting is that might be the source for Rowland having the group shift from American dockworkers (back in the day), to American farmers (back in the day). But I have no basis for my suggestion.... other than the tenuous link between sixties soul artists and the SNCCs.....
I always thought the chorus deserved more attention "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 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"
Yes, and the fact that if you dig into the lyrics a bit more he's known Eileen since she was a young girl...like very young... I know Todd is doing this for the music side, but the lyrics to this song deserve some special attention since there's layers on layers of innuendo and double meaning...
I know this is an old comment but Yeah, it's just so sad. The verses are great, so hopeful and really well written, a bright spot in dark times. Then the choruses just turn around and start drooling all over Eileen.
Ive also never known the actual lyrics and never cared to, primarily because I made up my own lyrics a long time ago which I find hilarious, so have no desire to learn the proper ones. "come on Eileen, oh I swear that I mean oh come on lets do everything You wear a dress (Eileen) I'll wear a string vest Oh come on lets, do everything" hehe... still makes me chuckle 30 years later.
The only band that ever wore the same type of clothes as I did. Bib overalls were standard items for boilermakers union apprentices back then. Working class style....
Random small world trivia: Maire Fahey played "Eileen" in the video (and looked so hot to 15-year old me). She's the younger sister of Siobhan Fahey of Banarama. Siobhan was friends with DMR and ended up singing with them a few years ago. She also married the Eurythmics Dave Stewart, thus proving the Banarama tradition of marrying by-far-lesser acts of great duos.
Love this video and the song. I wouldn’t say it was the UK’s Born to Run. I think of it as their Only the Good Die Young (Billy Joel). The guy just wants the nice Catholic girl to take off _everything_ ! Come out Virginia. Come _on_ Eileen!
Anecdotal evidence of its lasting popularity: this April I went to a live podcast recording. The audience ranged from my age (came of age in the 80s) to kids who were born in the early 2000s. "Come on Eileen" was one if the pre-show songs, and by the chorus the audience was sining along. There were other, more recent songs played before the show, but none of them were that beloved.
As of 2016, they have four studio albums. The fourth album is called Let The Record Show: Dexy's Does Irish Country and Soul, and it's fantastic! It's a lot more subdued than their earlier work, but it's still great. Kevin Rowland has still got it. Thank you so much for this video.
Midnight oil and Chumbawumba have likely changed Todd's opinions on OHW's in a rather stark manner. I actually fantasised that Todd would cover Midnight Oil, or that I knew he knew about them, and also knew they were better than acca dacca if you're Aussie. I grew up with them, and they sing in an Australian accent, they're not trying to be something they're not! That means a lot in a small pond like Australia.
Power and the Passion was a bit to parochial to break. There are so many references to Aussie suburbia and Whitlam. Beds are Burning on the other hand is more about the general plight of colonised peoples. Like the theme of 'giving it back' can apply to North American aborigines as well.
I've also loved Come On Eileen since I took it upon myself to look up the lyrics in the wee early days of the internet. And I literally GASPED and said aloud in an empty apartment YES!!! THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS! at "Come On Eileen is the British-Irish folk version of 'Born to Run.'" Wow. Yes. That's *exactly* why I like it so much. Actually, I think I like Born to Run because it's the American version of Come On Eileen, as my appreciation of that song developed later on. But like. Mind blown.
I never thought of her as a OHW, simply because I grew up hearing a lot of her stuff. My dad is a fan. Never thought about the fact that 99 Red Balloons is her only real hit, at least in the states
Hmm that is quite a tricky one... does getting a second hit by translating your first hit into English count as a second hit or still make you a one hit wonder?
I really love this series of yours. You did my love of Come On, Eileen justice. Now I am going to go watch your Hooked On a Feeling review. The first time I had approached that review, the comments gave me the indication your feelings for that song are far less warm than here so I closed the video then. But if I get to nod my head and celebrate when you say something nice about I like, it follows that I should stick around when you don't like what I like. It is only fair. :P I gotta say, it's only been a week since I subscribed, and though I passionately disagree with a lot of what you have to say about pop music, I love hearing you say it all the same. Already have taken in a lot of your content and am all for this adventure to continue! Alright, then. Big ass comment you'll never read comes to close in 5 4 3 2 . . .
My older brothers drove around the neighborhood singing this song 3 straight times in a row. For no reason other than they love this song. This was in the year 2000.
The strange thing about Geno Washington was that he was billed in England as the next Otis from America, and no-one in the US had heard of him! I think he came off an Air Force base in Germany and got his reputation while singing in clubs in Hamburg.. the British public in the 60s lapped up the hype and he was a bit of a legend over here. So much so that Dexy's named their 1979 hit after him.
When Dexys covered Jackie Wilson (the follow up to 'Eileen) on Top of the Pops, they asked the producers to put up a photo of Jockie Wilson, a famous, overweight darts player. So there's this mad scene where they're belting out this song and a massive, close up portrait of this Scottish Darts player is just looming in the background. It's beautiful.
I've watched this video before. I've never before thought about you mentioning a song called "Jessie's Girl", and saying it's one of the most influential songs of the decade. I was very much aware of music in the 80's (I was born in the 70s) and I was pretty sure I'd never heard of that song. Ever. I had to look it up. Though I do recognise the name Rick Springfield, I was right; I've never heard that song in my life. I can't recall a single friend or acquaintance ever mentioning Rick Springfield as someone they listened to. Apparently, it didn't even break the charts in my native Sweden. "Come on Eileen" was unbelievably popular, though. It's so weird how experiences can differ that much.
It's fascinating to watch people learn about Northern Soul as if it's not ubiquitous with music because outside of a 40 mile radius of my house it isn't. Me neighbour has a northern soul flag on her garage bless her.
I'm very attached to this song for obvious name-related reasons. Do people sing (or rather mumble) it to me regularly? Yes. Have I had it played for me on a marimba? Yes. Do I put it on my running playlists and use it as inspiration when I need to merge in heavy traffic? Also yes.
nice to see you give some respect to a band that doesnt get much here in the U.S. always loved Kevins voice, i liked the soul rebel years but i loved the too rye ay years. Celtic soul brothers is one of my all time favorite sing along songs. also Jackie Wilson is sadly under respected these days.
That would be an awesome song to do a deep dive on. It has a really interesting story about what inspired the title (the Brenda Spencer school shooting incident and her 'reason' for doing it).
@@KayleeCee For the record, Brenda Spencer didn't kill people because she hated Mondays. The reality of her mass shooting is way more depressing than the song conveys.
I never understood the hate for this song. I've always loved it. As legitimate music. Not New Wave, or some weird Celtic punk or whatever. I grew up on Kiss and Black Sabbath, and was into NWOBHM and Hardcore and punk. So this song was a hushed guilty pleasure of mine. Oh, and as a 11 year old kid when this came out, I din't get the title. As a matter of fact, I never thought about it until YEARS later.
"I could keep the series going for 10 years on new wave bands alone."
Don't threaten me with a good time.
He has passed a decade of doing One Hit Wonderland in April of 2022.
@@tegantalks9612 A decade? holy crap.
@@DOSRetroGamer come April 2023 it will be 11 years… it’s been a trip going back and watching all the old videos
New Wave Wonderland? One Hit Newwaveland? What would be a good name for that subseries?
Does he promise?
I once heard a radio DJ say on-air: That was Dexy's Midnight Runners with "Come All Over Eileen"
Craig Spurlock This comment genuinely made me laugh out loud
It's a common Halloween costume these days.
Craig Spurlock
(Yello’s “Oh yeah” plays)
I’m guessing they said Come ON Over Eileen and your wishful thinking made you mishear it.
@@Savannah_Simpson Nope, he stressed the word ALL. Besides, no one can mistake "All over" for "on".
The biggest "northern soul" song that every 80's kid knows is Gloria Jones 60's song "Tainted Love" which became immortalized by British synth group Soft Cell.
And Marilyn Manson.
TIL that's a cover wow
cope
Cope
I'm shocked that Todd hasn't devoted an episode to Tainted Love yet. Soft Cell would be the perfect act - one-hit wonder status in America, but they had a slew of hits in the UK and are incredibly legit.
Arriving late, but i would like to point out that "runner" also means "delivery boy".
Hmm. 'Midnight Run,' anyone?
So... a meth dealer?
@@amandalopes3048 More like the low-level twerp the dealer would send out. The kind of fiend that makes his off of delivery and keeping one for running it.
@@bcubed72 Also could be someone who takes drugs between dealers over long distances. Very similar to the original mafia running bathtub gin across state lines during prohibition.
Strangely, I know a guy who used to be a meth runner. He had seriously fast cars (that often didn't look it) and always traveled at night/early morning. And yes, he was caught eventually and did some serious time for it.
@@amandalopes3048 that's what I was thinking
"These dorks bouncing around in blue jumpsuits are almost certainly the most legit band I've reviewed." Clearly he hadn't seen his chumbawamba re-upload.
Which got taken down lol.
Roberto Lie ALREADY?!
Andrew Scott Yup. In fact it was taken down when I checked my subscription page and this review showed up
It's still up for me. It's CZcams though and CZcams is nuts lol. Btw at William, kick ass profile pic. Love that album.
Cade Byington Found it on Todd's channel but when I clicked it, lo and behold "this video is not available", so no wonder it went away from my subscription box
Fun fact from Jackie Wilson Said - When Dexys played this on UK music show Top of the Pops, there was a picture in the background which was supposed to be former American singer Jackie Wilson, who the song was based on, but by mistake Scottish darts player Jocky Wilson was shown instead. This is why their version is often played at darts events to this day.
Ah this was retold on the show Never Mind the Buzzocks. Iirc they said that a producer or someone in charge of set design misheard the name so that's why they projected an image of Jocky Wilson behind them.
The production crew have always said they did it deliberately as a joke.
Came to the comments section to check someone had posted this story.
Some Bexy members said the picture of Jocky was shown on their request but lots of people didn;t got the joke
'Poor old Johnny Ray
sounded sad upon the radio
he broke a million hearts in mono
Our mothers cried
sang along, who'd blame them ...'
Brilliant lyrics start to finish
This song has a chorus which says 'You in that dress, my thoughts I confess, verge on dirty'
That deserves to be a hit.
I went to a dance club about a week ago.
They played "The Twist", so I did the twist.
They played "Do the Hustle", so I did the hustle.
They played "Come On Eileen"...I got kicked out for that one.
The Fusions fkn brilliant
jokes about semen have never been my thing, but you do you I guess.
Classic joke.
I'm sorry you don't like semen jokes, because there's a lot coming very soon.
That's fucking hilarious
2:20 As a northerner in England it's quite amazing how niche Northern Soul was. Genuinely felt, when I was younger that it'd traveled further.
Yeah it had quite an impact on England at least. Or at the very least that raised fist icon was considered v stylish afterwards.
It explains the commitments
Keep the faith ✊
Got to be honest, I think the lyrics are brilliant and almost poetic...beat down eyes sunk in smoke dried faces, they're resigned to what their fate is, but not us no not us, we are far too young and clever. Especially that line, which I always thought was said with irony
Yes! "I'm singing like this is Born to Run, but you and I know it's really Fast Car."
When Rowland performs it nowadays he says “we WERE far too young and clever” and sometimes adds “...or so we thought...”
This review legit led to Dexy’s being one of my favorite bands of all time. No joke. Check out their entire discography. If I have 10 desert island bands, Dexy’s is one of my choices.
Searching for the young soul rebels is a properly amazing album, not one bad track
same here! this review made me dig into their discography and now Don’t Stand Me Down is one of my favorite albums ever!
....they did win the Grammy for Best New Artist, over the Be Sharps.....
This remains a truly evergreen song. I don't think there's been a single generation that hasn't adapted it as an anthem since it came out. Wouldn't be surprised if it went viral on TikTok.
25 yo who used to play this at high school parties. Can confirm it’s still a crowd pleaser
I was entirely surprised when you took on this band, because they genuinely were rather large here in the UK.
@Jack park have you heard their albums? They are amazing. Noone gives a shit about come on Eileen here either but pretty much all the other stuff they have done is really good.
@Jack park I mean they literally gave us the golden era of Rock n Roll, but go off.🤷🏿♂️
@@bengalinsky4300 come one Eileen is still a banger
Perspective
@Jack park Said no one ever and I'm not even british.
"You would think they would make depressing music."
Poor people are capable of making the absolute happiest music on the planet. It's one of the things that keeps them going.
Insert joke about Jack and his friends on the Titanic here.
"...and they drink and they dance and they screw because there's nothing else to do..." :P
Generally speaking, people in sad places already have enough sadness in their life and probably wouldn’t want more sadness on top of that, they’d want something to distract and cheer them up.
common people by Pulp is the cheerfullest song about poverty and rich spoiled girl trying to emulate it for aesthetics.
@@kissarococo2459 Then again Jarvis Cocker is one of the poshest lads I’ve seen so is he really qualified to talk about it?
It was Todd's early One Hit Wonder episodes that really gave me a much bigger appreciation for music. Dexy's Midnight Runners might have fallen under my radar if it wasn't for this particular review.
I'd recommend looking at Kevins post-Dexys career. The guy was absolutely crazy. He's probably why Dexys broke up.
@@nn-ro1lv Did you miss that period when he started cross-dressing and doing very bizarre interviews with the press? He was ranked as one of the craziest musicians in a Blender list a few years ago for a reason. Not as nuts as other famous musicians, but still pretty nuts.
@@qty1315 Re-evaluate your stance - read some recent interviews, please, and watch this:
czcams.com/video/Xo9SbrsV3T8/video.html
Cross-dressing is not a symptom of mental illness.
i mean, they're probably delivering it at midnight, or "midnight running" it, so they are probably drug dealers more than meth heads
Never get high on your own supply.
Come on kids, want some of these? Come on, Eileen, try these.
My dad grew up in London in the 70s, Dexy's first album was massive, I can't tell you how much he loves it. I don't think they would be even be considered a two hit wonder there, I think they brought soul music to people who would maybe not be exposed to it otherwise.
It was glorious to see them play”Jackie Wilson Says” on Top of the Pops with a large photo of Scottish darts player Jocky Wilson behind them. It’s never been confirmed whether it was a joke or genuine mistake.
Love this video series. FYI: I was at the New Music convention in NYC in 1981 when I had my first job out of school with a radio production company. There was an industry panel that included Kevin Rowland and Thomas Dolby. I still remember what a rude a-hole Rowland was, sneering at Dolby to his face about how his electronic noodling wasn't real music like his acoustic-based band. Dolby held his tongue, but looked furious. The whole crowd walked out hating Rowland. Ironically, even all these years later, I still think "She Blinded Me With Science" crushes "Come On Eileen."
PS - Forgot to mention, I really think this had a lot to do with Dexy's never having another hit in the US. That convention was filled with new wave radio programmers and club DJs from across America. When I got back to Dallas and received the next Dexy's single, my first thought was, "Oh, this is by that arrogant prick who was so rude to Thomas Dolby." Imagine a similar reaction by all the programmers who were at the convention. I think there's a pretty good chance his personality killed their hopes of American stardom.
I think it's big-fish-in-small-pond syndrome. Bands that had conquered England came over to America and had to start all over again. And of course the UK charts were based on record sales not radio play so there wasn't the same need to keep DJs on-site. Supposedly the Boomtown Rats had the same problem of a mouthy lead singer antagonizing the media. Although even at his nastiest Bob Geldof wasn't as harsh as Kev, who famously beat up a journalist who wrote a bad review of Dexys.
She Blinded Me With Science is nowhere near as good as Come on Eileen . It’s a goofy novelty song
@@arianrhodhyde7482 Funny how theres a large population including myself that fucking hates Bob Geldof for completely unrelated reasons. The Boomtown Rats were the most boring pile of shit.
@@basedsouljah they have maybe one good song. There's also the people who hate Geldof for his involvement with establishment politics....
I love "Come on Eileen" and "She Blinded Me With Science" for very different reasons. But I'd rather listen to Mr. Dolby's work than Mr. Rowland's. Why? Yes, the attitude that you described does come as a huge turn off, but... Enunciation is, like, a thing with me. And one of them has it and the other does not.
im british and it's always so weird hearing todd talk about them especially dexys cos they're so NOT a one hit wonder band here??
You're a Brit? You could have fooled me.
Also notice how Todd pointed out in the video that they had a hit before Eileen.
Plus Todd would never understand the whole Jocky Wilson mixup on Top of the Pops where Dexy's had to play in front of a backdrop of the darts legend. Or that in making his covers album Kevin bankrupted Creation Records.
Try being Australian and having midnight oil referred to as a one hit band, then come back to me.
@@michaelhall5429 Midnight Oil had at least 2 hits... ;)
Geno is a bop, I can't believe it wasn't a hit outside of Britain.
RambleTash I knew about that song because it was on one of my mum’s 80s compilations
The song played at every single wedding reception EVER
Thank God for that . One of my most beautiful memories was dancing to this song with the love of my life at a wedding. Unfortunately ours never happened but if it had you better believe our first dance as husband and wife would have been to Come on Eileen.
I'd like to see one for "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds. They were also a very legit band.
I remember "Alive and Kicking". They have a dozen other hits that go back to 1980 (in Great Britain of course). In Scotland, they're treated like gods.
@@starfishplectrumelectrumge8013 Yes, even in the US they are not a One Hit Wonder. At least two hits, probably a couple more small ones.
I'm pretty sure "All the Things She Said" also charted in the U.S. But, yeah... great band.
wish granted
Simple Minds had four Top 40 hits in the US in a span of a year:
#1 Don't You(Forget About Me)
#3 Alive and Kicking
#14 Sanctify Yourself
#28 All The Things She Said
If you hang out in a supermarket or store over a 24 hour period, you are probably going to hear all four. If you listen and become familiar with the songs, you'll start hearing them often. They had more hits before that in Scotland & the UK in the early 80s before their big #1. Jim Kerr married Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders.
They were not a one hit wonder.
Poor old Johnie Ray, sat and shat upon the radio.
I have visited a fair few places around the world and you'd be amazed in just how many places I hear this song playing. Obviously I hear it in places like Britain and the US, but when you go to places like Croatia and Spain and still hear it amongst their own popular music it shows just what a worldwide appeal it has, somehow.
Was at a big house party in Chile and when this song came one the house went wild. Truly a universal song
Fort Portal Uganda too!
Clean upload my dude.
My absolute favorite part about this song is how about midway through it has this sustained chorus that slowly and steadily increases in tempo for the better part of a minute. Leading right into the climactic final piece.
Fin~
So, as sometimes happens, for which this is my favorite series on the channel, I was intrigued and delved more fully into the discography of Dexy.
They have since become one of my favorite bands ever. Thanks, Todd, for directing me toward some music I truly love and might not have ever given the attention it deserved.
Seriously, I came here to comment the exact same thing, haha. Finally listened to Too Rye Ay and I loved it. Moving on to Don't Stand Me Down right now.
Fun fact: the cover at the end was Save Ferris. Another band that at some point should probably get on OHW.
Mike Sherry save ferris is a big shit show (The lead being sued by the rest of the band as of recent) also in pretty sure they've never had a hit. (if any ska band gets a ohw I'd prefer Reel Big Fish)
Reel Big Fish had a bunch of fun songs, though. I can already answer that they deserved better.
Dax Orien I mean they're my favorite band, but they're still around touring so maybe they don't deserve better in a sense because they're always touring
You want him to do an episode of a one-hit wonder whose one hit was a cover of another one-hit wonder? After he complained about this exact thing regarding Pseudo Echo's "Funkytown"...
Kind to Rewind | Or The Toasters. OR Goldfinger. Wait, did either of them ever chart?
Come on Eileen!
Come on Eileen!
[Verse 1]
Poor old Johnny Ray
Sounded sad upon the radio
Moved a million hearts in mono
Our mothers cried
Sang along, who'd blame them?
You've grown (You’re 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, ay
And we can sing just like our fathers
[Chorus]
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
Oh, come on Eileen
(Come on Eileen!)
[Verse 2]
These people round here
Were beaten down, eyes sunk in smoke-dried face
They're so resigned to what their fate is
But not us (No never)
But not us (Not ever)
We are far too young and clever
(Remember)
Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye, ay
And you'll hum this tune forever, oh
[Chorus]
Come on Eileen
Oh, I swear (What he means)
Aah, come on let's
Take off everything
That pretty red dress
Eileen (Tell him yes)
Aah, come on let's
Aah, come on Eileen
That pretty red dress
Eileen (Tell him yes)
Aah, come on let's
Aah, come on Eileen
Please
[Bridge]
(Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-ay)
(Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-ay)
(Tooh lah, tooh la, tah roo rye)
Now you're full grown
Now you have shown
Oh, Eileen
(Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-ay)
(Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-ay)
(Tooh lah, tooh la, tah roo rye)
Say, come on Eileen (You’ve grown)
These things they are real and I know (So grown)
How you feel
Now I must say more than ever
Things round here have changed
(Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-aye)
(Come on Eileen, tah-loo-rye-aye)
I say, too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye-ay
[Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
Aah, come on Eileen
Oh, I swear (What he means)
At this moment, you mean everything
You in that dress
Oh, my thoughts I confess
Well, they're dirty
Come on Eileen
[Chorus]
Come on Eileen (Oh)
What he means (Oh)
You mean everything (Oh)
(Come on! come on!)
In that dress
Oh
[Outro]
Oh believe me if all those endearing young charms
That I gaze on so fondly today
Were to suddenly leave you, or fly in the night
Just like fairy gifts gone in the sky
I hated this song for one reason. My name is eileen and since that name is quite rare in germany where i live teachers started singing this song every time they saw me. It got on my nerves very quickly. Ugggghhhh
Daleeny yeah that would get really annoying.
Also bin ich nicht die einzige gewesen...
Daleeny I have seen similar comments under the music video for 'Roxanne'. :D
they play this in germany?
Come on Eileen take a chill pill.
It ought to be noted that the "too-ra-loo-ra-loo" chorus is a snippet from "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)" from the 1913 musical Shameen Dhu, repopularized by Bing Crosby in the '40s.
love your take on Northern soul ! as someone from Lancashire the impact of Northern soul is still present to this day !!
come on Eileen is so fucking good though
Tbh it’s my absolute favorite song of all time
you're all wrong it SUCKS
@@notpsicoh2107 you are incorrect
Why would I do that to Eileen
Noah Weisbrod id do it
the celtic lyricism compels you!!
Ta-loo-rye-aie?
@@userjb1yb5yq3t You better have Eileen's consent first.
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Oh I am the Dean
and my hands are so clean
at this moment
I am stapling
As a dumb-shit millennial born a literal decade after this song came out, I hadn't ever really heard this song that much even in pop culture. And now that I'm aware of it, I still kinda don't.
But since this review I've actually fallen in love with the song and it's, no joke, the most played ever in my goddamn library. It's a really legit song that I adore and know the words to and everything. I blame Todd. ❤️
Hey Todd!
About The Dexy's shift in "uniform" from dockworkers to coveralls.... I know nothing about that group.... but the fact they trace their musical inspiration from obscure American blues & soul artists (well, the Brit interpretation of them), and their association with African American history/culture (as in Roddy Doyle's The Commitments).... I would suggest that the source of Kevin Rowland's new found fondness for coveralls came from an affectation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). During the Freedom Summer voter registration campaign in Mississippi (1964), ostensibly to fit in better with the locals (and as a gesture of solidarity), all the SNCCs wore coveralls.....
One of my books on the history of the Civil Rights Movement has an old photo of Julian Bond, wearing a coverall.... I almost wet my pants laughing, the first time I saw it.
Don't get me wrong: Bond was genuine hero, a pillar of the 1960s civil rights movement, who showed true courage and made a real difference..... But he was famous (in his days after SNCC) for being a seriously sharp dresser: expensive, well cut suits; fine shoes.... what we used to call a "fashion plate," back in the day.... So Bond, in coveralls? I wouldn't have believed it, if I hadn't seen it.
What I'm suggesting is that might be the source for Rowland having the group shift from American dockworkers (back in the day), to American farmers (back in the day).
But I have no basis for my suggestion.... other than the tenuous link between sixties soul artists and the SNCCs.....
Hmm... and Dexys' next album after that would have them wearing nice suits...
I always thought the chorus deserved more attention
"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 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"
Yes, and the fact that if you dig into the lyrics a bit more he's known Eileen since she was a young girl...like very young... I know Todd is doing this for the music side, but the lyrics to this song deserve some special attention since there's layers on layers of innuendo and double meaning...
Song is rapey af
I know this is an old comment but
Yeah, it's just so sad. The verses are great, so hopeful and really well written, a bright spot in dark times. Then the choruses just turn around and start drooling all over Eileen.
I've never ever known the actual lyrics I just kind of make noises that sound a bit like the words when I sing along to it.
Ive also never known the actual lyrics and never cared to, primarily because I made up my own lyrics a long time ago which I find hilarious, so have no desire to learn the proper ones.
"come on Eileen, oh I swear that I mean
oh come on lets do everything
You wear a dress (Eileen)
I'll wear a string vest
Oh come on lets, do everything"
hehe... still makes me chuckle 30 years later.
What makes it such a great bar and party song is no matter how drunk and incoherent you are you sound like your singing along perfectly.
The only band that ever wore the same type of clothes as I did. Bib overalls were standard items for boilermakers union apprentices back then. Working class style....
Yes! Plus, the whole look was also a tribute to working-class Irish family of Rowland's, specifically.
Lisa: You beat Dexy’s Midnight Runner.
Homer: Well you haven’t heard the last of them.
Random small world trivia: Maire Fahey played "Eileen" in the video (and looked so hot to 15-year old me). She's the younger sister of Siobhan Fahey of Banarama. Siobhan was friends with DMR and ended up singing with them a few years ago. She also married the Eurythmics Dave Stewart, thus proving the Banarama tradition of marrying by-far-lesser acts of great duos.
Yes! But I can't believe you didn't mention Shakespears Sister...
Love this video and the song.
I wouldn’t say it was the UK’s Born to Run. I think of it as their Only the Good Die Young (Billy Joel). The guy just wants the nice Catholic girl to take off _everything_ !
Come out Virginia. Come _on_ Eileen!
Anecdotal evidence of its lasting popularity: this April I went to a live podcast recording. The audience ranged from my age (came of age in the 80s) to kids who were born in the early 2000s. "Come on Eileen" was one if the pre-show songs, and by the chorus the audience was sining along. There were other, more recent songs played before the show, but none of them were that beloved.
Dexy's is technically only a one hit wonder in the US which is why they have such a strong following.
The way he sings soul is the musical equivalent of putting corn on pizza.
This is one of my favorite episodes purely because of the jab at that Kid Rock song
As of 2016, they have four studio albums. The fourth album is called Let The Record Show: Dexy's Does Irish Country and Soul, and it's fantastic! It's a lot more subdued than their earlier work, but it's still great. Kevin Rowland has still got it. Thank you so much for this video.
Midnight oil and Chumbawumba have likely changed Todd's opinions on OHW's in a rather stark manner. I actually fantasised that Todd would cover Midnight Oil, or that I knew he knew about them, and also knew they were better than acca dacca if you're Aussie. I grew up with them, and they sing in an Australian accent, they're not trying to be something they're not! That means a lot in a small pond like Australia.
Power and the Passion was a bit to parochial to break. There are so many references to Aussie suburbia and Whitlam. Beds are Burning on the other hand is more about the general plight of colonised peoples. Like the theme of 'giving it back' can apply to North American aborigines as well.
*... bit TOO parochial. - Sorry I hate misspellings.
sonic123488 I’m Australian too And was shocked that they were a ohw in other countries but hey it was fun hearing Todd talk about our country
I feel the need to translate acca dacca to AC/DC for the non-Aussies.
Todd's best episodes are when he's out of his comfort zone, so the political bands and Loreena McKennit.
"Geno" is an amazing track!
4:58 wow I can't believe fidget spinners were invented in the late 1970s
It's only through our recent technology that we could make them hand-held. It's incredible what 40 years can change...
"Come on, Eileen!"
-Rigby
STOP TALKING
I, too, can't hear "Those Endearing Young Charms" without imagining Daffy Duck blowing up. XD
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 etc.
Really happy with the amount of research you did on this one. great episode!
It breaks my heart that people see Dexys as a joke band.
true, I was blown away hearing their albums, their loss.
Not in my house they don't
there's bands I like more than Dexys, but none of them ever made me feel like I'd taken some kind of sacred vow
I've also loved Come On Eileen since I took it upon myself to look up the lyrics in the wee early days of the internet. And I literally GASPED and said aloud in an empty apartment YES!!! THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS! at "Come On Eileen is the British-Irish folk version of 'Born to Run.'" Wow. Yes. That's *exactly* why I like it so much. Actually, I think I like Born to Run because it's the American version of Come On Eileen, as my appreciation of that song developed later on. But like. Mind blown.
Hey Todd not sure if a hit wonder but could you please do 99 Red Balloons by Nena.
Kevin G he should do it
Technically she's a two hit wonder because the original version charted as well haha
@@Demiglitch two hit wonder for technically the same song
I never thought of her as a OHW, simply because I grew up hearing a lot of her stuff. My dad is a fan. Never thought about the fact that 99 Red Balloons is her only real hit, at least in the states
Hmm that is quite a tricky one... does getting a second hit by translating your first hit into English count as a second hit or still make you a one hit wonder?
I mean, the fact that to this day, if this song is played in a club, EVERYBODY rushes to the dance floor, says something about this song.
They filmed the video around the corner from where I work in Kennington, South London. That corner shop is still there.
The vocals in "Come On Eileen" have always reminded me of Robert Smith, somewhat, even though it's a very different style.
Totally, Kevin Rowland sounded like Robert Smith even before Robert Smith sounded like himself.
Kevin Rowland borrowed from Bryan Ferry then gifted to Robert Smith
I can't stop imagining Pinky from Pinky & the Brain as the vocalist...
He also sounds like the guy from the Verlaines. If you think of him as an indie singer & Dexy as an indie band, they make so much more sense.
I really love this series of yours. You did my love of Come On, Eileen justice. Now I am going to go watch your Hooked On a Feeling review. The first time I had approached that review, the comments gave me the indication your feelings for that song are far less warm than here so I closed the video then. But if I get to nod my head and celebrate when you say something nice about I like, it follows that I should stick around when you don't like what I like. It is only fair. :P I gotta say, it's only been a week since I subscribed, and though I passionately disagree with a lot of what you have to say about pop music, I love hearing you say it all the same. Already have taken in a lot of your content and am all for this adventure to continue! Alright, then. Big ass comment you'll never read comes to close in 5 4 3 2 . . .
Cool trivia I just learned: Eileen in the video is the sister of the Irish chick in Bananarama - who also got famous wearing overalls.
This is probably one of my favourite songs of all time and also as you say, in Britain they aren't a one-hit wonder!
I love your outside-looking-in observations on British bands.
Too Ry Aye is actually phenomenal
My older brothers drove around the neighborhood singing this song 3 straight times in a row. For no reason other than they love this song. This was in the year 2000.
Man, I would love to see a Train Records on Dexy’s Don’t Stand Me Down. Seems like the kind of band that deserves that finer autopsy.
Oh, man. You got me with those first lyric subtitles. Had to pause the video I was laughing so hard.
Hearing Dexys Midnight Runners called a one hit wonder hurts both my soul and brain
The strange thing about Geno Washington was that he was billed in England as the next Otis from America, and no-one in the US had heard of him!
I think he came off an Air Force base in Germany and got his reputation while singing in clubs in Hamburg.. the British public in the 60s lapped up the hype and he was a bit of a legend over here. So much so that Dexy's named their 1979 hit after him.
When Dexys covered Jackie Wilson (the follow up to 'Eileen) on Top of the Pops, they asked the producers to put up a photo of Jockie Wilson, a famous, overweight darts player. So there's this mad scene where they're belting out this song and a massive, close up portrait of this Scottish Darts player is just looming in the background. It's beautiful.
They woz great.
This is one of the best songs of the 80s for sure
You forgot to mention that they appeared on The Young Ones.
Motorhead did as well
@@alanwright8218 Madness did so many times that when Young Ones ended they were given their own show to try and be the replacement.
@@Djarra Twice.
@@Djarra Madness were like the musical embodiment of the Young Ones. Yeah, too British for Todd!
Having tried to watch The Young Ones several times... I think you had to be there find it funny because it's right shit 😂
I've watched this video before.
I've never before thought about you mentioning a song called "Jessie's Girl", and saying it's one of the most influential songs of the decade.
I was very much aware of music in the 80's (I was born in the 70s) and I was pretty sure I'd never heard of that song. Ever. I had to look it up. Though I do recognise the name Rick Springfield, I was right; I've never heard that song in my life. I can't recall a single friend or acquaintance ever mentioning Rick Springfield as someone they listened to. Apparently, it didn't even break the charts in my native Sweden. "Come on Eileen" was unbelievably popular, though.
It's so weird how experiences can differ that much.
This video got me to check out the Dexys catalog and holy shit is there some good stuff there. Thanks.
Their cover album that came out last year has some really good tracks on it and it's worth a listen.
It's fascinating to watch people learn about Northern Soul as if it's not ubiquitous with music because outside of a 40 mile radius of my house it isn't.
Me neighbour has a northern soul flag on her garage bless her.
This is easily one of the best songs ever written
Dexys did Jackie Wilson Said in The Young Ones. It has never gotten out of my head.
That save ferris cover is almost proof of god it's so perfect
This is one of my favorite songs. Definitely a great one-hit wonder
Hearing Manchester and Lancashire said in a Southern accent hurts the ears
Lauren Stevenson American
not southern American either
@@theveryhighminister867 it all sounds the same here
'Erk-ayn-saw
Nothing beats the Geordie accent in an episode of the American TV show 'Castle'.
I absolutely love all the videos with 70's and 80's songs that you do!
I'm very attached to this song for obvious name-related reasons. Do people sing (or rather mumble) it to me regularly? Yes. Have I had it played for me on a marimba? Yes. Do I put it on my running playlists and use it as inspiration when I need to merge in heavy traffic? Also yes.
I do work as a DJ and so far I've not gone a single shift without playing this. It saves any bad night.
6:29 Poor old Johnnie Ray sounded sad upon the radio / Broke a million hearts in mono
nice to see you give some respect to a band that doesnt get much here in the U.S. always loved Kevins voice, i liked the soul rebel years but i loved the too rye ay years. Celtic soul brothers is one of my all time favorite sing along songs. also Jackie Wilson is sadly under respected these days.
Fun fact I thought Come on Eileen was from the 70's.
Nick Rynearson me too!
It does have a prog-ish song structure.
I thought it was from the 90s. (I hadn't realized the Save Ferris version was a cover).
when i was a child i literally thought this was a beatles song
Someone's been digging in the shadows of the archives! Excellent!
BERM-ING-HAM
Burr-ming-uhm how you really say it
@@ekmad there's no "g" burmin'm
@@redyellowpink01 The G in Birmingham is pronounced. I've only ever heard it not pronounced by people in the South.
This KNOCKED off Thriller off the charts!
Please do I don't like Mondays by Boomtown rats!
Why would rats sing a song clearly meant for Garfield?
That would be an awesome song to do a deep dive on. It has a really interesting story about what inspired the title (the Brenda Spencer school shooting incident and her 'reason' for doing it).
Bob Geldof would object because he thinks people remember Rat Trap.
@@KayleeCee For the record, Brenda Spencer didn't kill people because she hated Mondays. The reality of her mass shooting is way more depressing than the song conveys.
@@michaelfarrow5817 I remember it but it rarely makes my playlist. And by rarely I mean never.
todd, you just introduced me to my new favorite song
have never had any problem understanding Kevin Rowland. great voice. great sincerity.
As long as there is somebody streaming SIlent Hill 4 on Twitch, this song will never die...
Jackie Wilson is not an unknown Soul Singer maybe to you but he greatly influenced Michael Jackson
I never understood the hate for this song. I've always loved it. As legitimate music. Not New Wave, or some weird Celtic punk or whatever. I grew up on Kiss and Black Sabbath, and was into NWOBHM and Hardcore and punk. So this song was a hushed guilty pleasure of mine. Oh, and as a 11 year old kid when this came out, I din't get the title. As a matter of fact, I never thought about it until YEARS later.
They actually are a very good band. I love this song but they have some great tracks if you just sit down and listen to the deep cuts.
I knew a guy whose mom was named "Eileen" and he was 12 in 1982. He still hates this song.