The Leprechaun List
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
The Pop Life Playlist has finally entered the 21st century, as the good folks at IMEEM.com have allowed me to post fancy jukeboxes right here on the blog. (I'm telling you, this Internet thingie just might catch on.) Just click on the track, crack open a cold green one on this March 17 and start jigging like Darby O'Gill.
Special thanks to the Pop Life loyalists, whose keen ear for Irish ditties and thirsty palate for suds of all colors helped create today's list. By all means, keep suggesting songs...and keep reaching for that pot o' gold.
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
My first thought was something by one of my fave Irishmen, Mr. Gene Kelly, from "Brigadoon" -- but then I remembered that's Scottish rather than Irish. Pah.
Favorites from when I would frequent the Harp & Thistle on SPB:
"Drunken Sailor" -- Great Big Sea
"Finnegan's Wake" -- Clancy Bros. (let's hear it for James Joyce!)
"Irish Rover" -- The Pogues (feat. the Dubliners)
"Wild Night" -- Van Morrison
"Molly Malone" -- Sinead O'Connor ("I'm looking at you, I'm thinking -- fourteen in the side pocket!")
"Drunken Lullabies" -- Flogging Molly
Any version of "When Irish Eyes are Smiling"
And finally
"The Celtics are Back!!" -- Lingo (yes, it's a ditty about the resurgence of my beloved basketball team.)
Posted by: jane | March 15, 2008 at 06:00 AM
Ah, being a half Irish lass -- the other half is German -- I should know plenty of songs by genetics.
Erin Go Bragh ~ Wolfe Tones
Whiskey in the Jar ~ The Blackwater Boys
Bold O'Donaghue ~ The Blarney Lads
All For Me Grog ~ The Blackwater Boys
Fairytale of New York ~ Waxies Dargle
Seven Drunken Nights ~ The Blackwater Boys
The Unicorn ~ The Irish Rovers
Kelly, the Boy from Killen ~ The Dubliners
I Love This Bar ~ Toby Keith
Hey Bartender ~ Johnny Lee
Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down ~ Merle HAggard
Chug A Lug ~ Roger Miller
Naked Women and Beer ~ Hank Williams Jr
The Whiskey Ain't Workin' ~ Travis Tritt
I'm a Rover ~ Dubliners
The Pub With No Beer ~ Dubliners
Little Green ~ Joni Mitchell
Posted by: Marissa | March 15, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Oh Jean (you let me get lucky with you)
~ The Proclaimers
Posted by: erin | March 15, 2008 at 09:21 AM
"A Little Luck" ~ Elizabeth Daily (Better off Dead soundtrack)
Posted by: Marissa | March 15, 2008 at 10:16 AM
If I Should Fall From Grace With God - The Pogues
The Unicorn Song - The Clancy Brothers
Whiskey In A Jar - Thin Lizzy
Posted by: Bassnote | March 15, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Anything from The Commitments soundtrack, although I'm personally partial to "Mustang Sally", "In the Midnight Hour" and "Try a Little Tenderness."
Posted by: jane | March 15, 2008 at 10:27 AM
IMEEM is my folly on this day.
Mark Knopfler ~ Florin Dance, Irish Boy
Irish ~ Bugger Off
Brian McFadden ~ Irish Son
Irish Stout ~ Bonnie Ship the Diamond
The Devil Makes Three ~ Black Irish
Flogging Molly ~ Irish Jig
Maria Taylor ~ Irish Goodbye
Badly Drawn Boy ~ Four Leaf Clover (not the one you think)
Atlantic Starr ~ Touch a Four Leaf Clover
Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Peter Gallagher ~ Luck Be a Lady
The Go Getters ~ Lady Luck
Posted by: Marissa | March 15, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Pssst... go with the Sinatra version of Luck Be a Lady. Brando was many things -- a singer he was not.
And IMEEM. Totally addictive. I'd been searching like a mad chica for something that would let me put music/playlists/jukeboxes on my blog -- and now I can't stop.
Posted by: jane | March 15, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Well, since I saw the movie of "Guys and Dolls" long before I saw the stage version, Brando always comes to mind first. I have the revival soundtrack on CD with Gallagher. But you're right, Old Blue Eyes sings it bestest.
I'm so excited about IMEEM. The song availability is far more vast than any other playlist site I've used. Steve Spears, you're my hero.
Posted by: Marissa | March 15, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I also have the revival OCR -- while Gallagher's good, Nathan Lane and Faith Prince are perfectly sublime. Plus, I love the fact that Ernie Sabella was also in that production, he being the voice of Pumbaa alongside Nathan's Timon in the Lion King. Actually, the Lion King also paired Nathan for the first time (I think) with Matthew Broderick before their seminal performances in the stage production of The Producers.
And to bring this all back to topic, Broderick's infamous car crash (with then fiance Jennifer Grey and her Old Nose as a passenger) happened in Ireland.
Whew.
Posted by: jane | March 15, 2008 at 11:16 AM
We go 'round in circles...
I'm all about the movie playlists this morning. I even pay homage to your most quotable go-to movie, Jane. Today when I'm out with the Man-cub, I am picking up that gem of a flick. I'm so helping this country from recession. lol HARDLY!
Posted by: Marissa | March 15, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Here's one for the Chicago Irish:
Southside Irish - Aranmore
Posted by: Bassnote | March 15, 2008 at 11:53 AM
With A Little Luck - Paul McCartney & Wings
Give Ireland Back To The Irish - Paul McCartney & Wings
Lucky - Greg Khin Band
Lucky Man - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
The Color Green - Rich Mullins
Drunken Lullabies - Flogging Molly
Streams Of Whiskey - The Pogues
The Gang's All Here - Dropkick Murphys
Posted by: Bassnote | March 15, 2008 at 01:58 PM
The following selections are available on IMEEM for easier playlist building, Sean.
"Green, green, grass of Home" ~ Sir Tom Jones (that's just for you Sean)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsGm-DqbmSA and this is for Jane.
"Greensleeves" ~ Olivia Newton-John or Vince Guaraldi Trio (yes, for you Sean)
"Greensleeves" ~ Bossanova (can you believe it?)
"Cliffs of Dover" ~ Eric Johnson
"The Blarney Stone" ~ Ween
"Green Eyes" ~ DSound
"Green River" ~ CCR
"Hard Luck Woman" ~ Kiss
"Lucky Man" ~ The Verve (good stuff)
"Lucky Charms" ~ Steve Vai
"My Bonnie Border Lass" ~ Ed Miller
"Falling Slowly" ~ Once Soundtrack (set in Dublin)
"Ireland" ~ Tori Amos
"Seven Nights In Ireland" ~ Reckless Kelly
"Women of Ireland" ~ Chieftans
"So Cold in Ireland" ~ The Cranberries
"Irish National Anthem" ~ Celtic Bagpipes
"Did Your Mother Come from Ireland" ~ Connie Francis
Posted by: Marissa | March 15, 2008 at 04:24 PM
I'm too lazy and since Sy Patrick's day is well under way in Australia, any song written by Shane McGowan. Just because it's the only day of the year that it is acceptable to:
1: Drink like Shane McGowan
2: Look like Shane McGowan
and
3: Talk and dribble at the same time like Shane McGowan.
He is a true genius, but why did they have tell him when he was younger, that everyday is St Patrick's day
Posted by: Ian from Down Under | March 17, 2008 at 01:19 AM
Ian, you made me snort out loud and break the silence of the wee small hours of the morning here with your Shane McGowan musings.
This one's for you:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=au30c9ZMIPg
Posted by: jane | March 17, 2008 at 03:13 AM
Thanks for that Jane. Betcha there were a few whiskies downed after that was recorded. I truly believe that he is a genius. And that song is one that should be played more than just on St Patrick's Day. One last thing, did you know St Patrick was Welsh?
Posted by: Ian from Down Under | March 17, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Welsh? Then my inclusion of Tom Jones in my St. Patrick's suggestions was spot on.
Posted by: Marissa | March 17, 2008 at 07:24 AM
Good Morning Marissa, you'd just love for him to sing What's New P*ssy Cat to you wouldn't you.
Posted by: Ian from Down Under | March 17, 2008 at 07:32 AM
can't believe it wouldn't let me type p*ssy
Posted by: Ian from Down Under | March 17, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Ah, I've dreamed of it many times, Ian.
Yeah, the spam filter is an eeeeeevil thing at times. P*u*s*s*y cat isn't a bad term. Shame on them!
Posted by: Marissa | March 17, 2008 at 07:42 AM
How the hell does Daly and Spears ever get anything posted. The Potty Mouthed duo that they are.
Posted by: Ian from Down Under | March 17, 2008 at 07:51 AM
They made a pact with the DE-VIL! lol
Louis Cy Phere.
Posted by: Marissa | March 17, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Nice Angel Heart ref, Marissa!
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | March 17, 2008 at 09:09 AM
Ah, Shane MacGowan... a living, breathing, drinking, Irish stereotype. I agree Ian, Shane is a genius, but I'm surprised he is still alive.
Posted by: Bassnote | March 17, 2008 at 09:13 AM
here's an obscurio for you Sean...how about Gin Guzzlin' Frenzy by Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper? That is enough to make you drunk just listening to it.
Oh, and Spearsy wants me to work you over on the idea of a Devo podcast. He says you don't like them. Just wondering why? Ok, Spearsy didn't actually say he wanted me to work you over...that was my own idea, but he did say you weren't keen on it. Which makes me sad Sean. i thought you were the cool one.
:(
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | March 17, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Ian, I'm listening to the Very Best of the Pogues right now -- it's too early (for me, anyway) to start drinking like Shane, so this is the next best thing. Although I've decided that listening to the Pogues is better than watching the Pogues -- I find Shane's teeth to be uber-distracting.
Posted by: jane | March 17, 2008 at 09:15 AM
And another one to add is the Reverend Horton Heat's version of the Entertainer. Obviously recorded in a drunken binge. You can hears lots of clanking bottles and belches during the song, and the piano player has a lot of trouble staying in time. It's pure alcoholic fun!
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | March 17, 2008 at 09:17 AM
I think he has been pickled. Not sure if you guys have seen the doco done on him in the 90's. But it was interesting to see him in the early days with teeth. One last song to add in the Shane McGowan scheme of things,
One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer by George Thorogood or the same doing I Drink Alone.
Posted by: Ian from Down Under | March 17, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Jane, Shane's teeth were too much for me to handle this morning when I clicked the link you provided. Egads!
Douglas, how weird to see you posting over here. I'll see if I can work my mojo on Sean to agree to a Devo podcast. I found a tshirt with "Are we not men? We are Devo" printed on the front. Perhaps if I get it a size smaller ... lol
I've been listening to them on IMEEM this morning. Much like TMBG, they are an acquired taste that richly develops over time.
Posted by: Marissa | March 17, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Let's not forget the greatest Irish band of the 80's, featuring a lead singer with a strange name, and starting with the letter "U"...
...Sorry, U2 fans, but I'm talking about Feargal Sharkey and the Undertones.
I'm going to "Teenage Kick"-start my St. Patty's day!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 17, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Ooh, Sean added a bit o' the green on his font. I think I'm all atwitter.
Someone once tried to pinch me on St. Patrick's Day for not wearing green. I looked them straight in the eye and said, "My peepers are green! Pinch me and I'll punch in return."
I'm such a delicate flower.
Posted by: Marissa | March 17, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Okay, the IMEEM jukebox is up. Just nine songs for now (gotta go to a high-powered meeting: "Daly! Get us more coffee!"). But jeez, that technology is badass. Maybe I should do all playlists, all the time.
Posted by: Sean Daly | March 17, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Sean, since Saturday I've made something like seven playlists. I'm currently working on 'spelling songs.' It forces me to mix Mellencamp, Fergie, Divo and Peggy Lee.
Posted by: Marissa | March 17, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Oh Em Gee! "The Unicorn Song!" I love it. Haven't heard that one since my days at the Harp and Thistle (RIP). Such a happy (OK, drunken) memory it evokes.
Posted by: jane | March 17, 2008 at 10:05 AM
lol The Unicorn song brings me back to my childhood and being parked in front of the TV in the mornings. Bassnote might recall the Chicago WGN show where they'd make a weekly trip to The Lincoln Park Zoo. That song was the theme for it.
a) Ray Raynor
b) Captain Kangaroo
c) Garfield Goose and Frasier Thomas
Posted by: Marissa | March 17, 2008 at 10:10 AM
I have no problem with a Devo podcast. Per usual, I'm not sure what Spears is talking about. Let's Devo it up!
Posted by: Sean Daly | March 17, 2008 at 10:54 AM
he told me he wanted an interview to go with it which is understandable, but said you weren't into it and would just make dick jokes the whole time...but what else is new, right?
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | March 17, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Hi Riss,
just a couple of s.o.n.g.s. for your l.i.s.t.
d.i.v.o.r.c.e - Tammy Wynette
l.o.v.e. - Nat King Cole
y.m.c.a - Village People
r.o.c.k. in the u.s.a. - John Cougar Mellencamp
s.o.s. - ABBA
i put a spell on you - Screamin' J Hawkins (and many others. Brian Ferry is the best version yet))
One for Daly
m.i.l.f. - Tori Amos
Anything by AC-DC or ABC or XTC or REM
Posted by: Ian from Down Under | March 17, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Ian! Many thanks. I have several of those on the playlist, but M.I.L.F and S.O.S are only a click away to being added.
By the way, when I still carried my ex-husband's last name my initials were MLF.
Posted by: Marissa | March 17, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Wow, Spears makes me sound like such a charmer. I'm blushing.
Posted by: Sean Daly | March 17, 2008 at 11:45 AM