There was once a time when Gay Byrne bestrode the hearts and minds of this country like a tiny colossus, when you get a coke and bagga crisps for less than a punt and being number 1 in the charts was actually a big deal. More often than not our own chart would typically reflect those topping the pops across the pond but every now and then we’d throw up a chart winner that could and would only happen here in Ireland. It’s hard to imagine now as one generic ringtone replaces another every 5 seconds of summer but these songs would rule the rock and roll roost for weeks on end.
So we thought we’d take a look back at the most Irish chart hits of all time!
Well Holy God...It's the by-road to Glenroe.
The idea of throwing some lyrics across a soap theme and releasing it as a single wasn't a new one in 1990. Much as we may try, let's not forget Anita Dobson and her using the Eastender's theme to remind us that 'Everybody Falls In Love' but with the tune from Glenroe soundtracking 'back to school fear' for a generation, Miley swapped the cattle prod for a mic and took the chance to sing a love song for long suffering Biddy. This was number 1 for 5 weeks....well Holy God is right!
Thank You Very Much Mr Morgan
The late and so so great Dermot Morgan was undoubtedly one of Ireland's great satarist. He branched out in December 1985 when he released a comedy single, Thank You Very Very Much, Mr Eastwood, a take on the fawning praise that internationally successful Irish boxer Barry McGuigan would give his manager, Barney Eastwood, at the end of successive bouts. The single 'featured' lines by McGuigan, Ronald Reagan, Bob Geldof and Pope John Paul II, and was the Christmas number one in the Irish singles chart in 1985.
Working Man I Ammmmm!
The late Rita MacNeil was highly respected folks singer from Canada but it was her anthem outlining the hardship of life for miners that really brought her to our attention on this side of the water. "Working Man" sparked from a visit to the Princess Colliery in Sydney Mines, prompted by the stories of the miners' daily hardships. The song, which peaked at number 11 in the charts, became a worldwide sensation and the unofficial anthem for coal miners everywhere. Don’t pretend you don’t know the chorus...all together now...tis a working maaaaaan I amm.....
Amazing Grace
Jim McCann, who sadly passed away this year, was a former Dubliner and much loved solo balladeer who singalong gold with his major hit 'Grace', a tribute to the wife of Joseph Mary Plunkett, who was executed as one of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. The tender love song stayed in the Irish charts for 36 weeks after its release in 1986 and was a curse to anyone named Grace for years after.
Sweet Focal
Richie Kavanagh may a figure of fun and even embarrassment to some but the man is a wily operator who knows his market like few others. Aon Focal Eile featured in the top ten in the Irish charts for over six months was 8 weeks as number one and won Richie an IRMA award for Best Single of the Year in Ireland for 1996. The single is currently the 15th biggest selling single in Irish chart history[1] He has also had hits with The Mobile Phone, Mickey's Buckin' Ass and Pussy Pussy Cat.
...yup!
That lobby could do with a wash in fairness!
Brendan Shine has been squeezing his box for Irish audiences for nearly 40 years. Having released 50 albums, the man from Athlone has scored 5 Irish number ones and as his Wikipedia page informs us beautifully ‘lives now in Moore, on the main road to Shannonbride in an ordinary old two-story farm house, with a large farm attached to it.’ ‘Do You Want Your Old Lobby Washed Down’ from 1979 remains his signature anthem to this day but do we know what a conshine is? Anyone?
'My heart is low...'
A Woman's Heart is a compilation of twelve tracks performed by six female Irish artists, namely Eleanor McEvoy, Mary Black, Dolores Keane, Sharon Shannon, Frances Black, and Maura O'Connell. The album was released in July 1992 and sold over 750,000 copies, more than any other album in Irish chart history. The title track still causes many's the Irish woman to stop in her tracks and warble in solidarity to this day...
