9 August 2012 Fans of copyright claims, case law and incongruous swearing will enjoy the details of Oyewole v. Ora, a legal action taken in New York by US poet Abiodun Oyewole against the Notorious B.I.G. and Rita Ora. Oyewole claimed Biggie's track 'Party And Bullshit' as interpolated by Ora's 'How We Do (Party)' infringed … Continue reading Rita Ora – ‘How We Do (Party)’
Author: Aidan Curran
Calvin Harris ft. Example – ‘We’ll Be Coming Back’
2 August 2012 Today's who's-related Irish Number Ones factoid: British singer Example, a chart-topper in Ireland with 'We'll Be Coming Back', is a nephew of '80s Irish footballer Tony Grealish. I'm not aware of Calvin Harris being related to any famous Irish person, but let that pass. 'We'll Be Coming Back' is the fourth of … Continue reading Calvin Harris ft. Example – ‘We’ll Be Coming Back’
Pat McGeegan – ‘Chance Of A Lifetime’
20 April 1968 Representing Ireland at Eurovision 1968—the first to be televised in colour—and finishing a creditable fourth is not the most celebrated live performance by Pat McGeegan. His real name was Pat McGuigan, he was the father of '80s world champion boxer Barry, and in lieu of a national anthem he famously sang 'Danny … Continue reading Pat McGeegan – ‘Chance Of A Lifetime’
Florence & The Machine – ‘Spectrum (Say My Name)’
19 July 2012 As a lifelong pop fan I normally look for fast-acting bangers rather than slow-burning growers, so it's rare that a tune or album I previously didn't get into suddenly clicks for me at a later date. However, that's what happened for me with the first Florence & The Machine album, Lungs. I … Continue reading Florence & The Machine – ‘Spectrum (Say My Name)’
Tom Jones – ‘Delilah’
31 March 1968 Content warning: violence, misogyny. She was my woman. As she deceived me I watched and went out of my mind. I could see that girl was no good for me. When that man drove away I was waiting. She stood there laughing. I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed … Continue reading Tom Jones – ‘Delilah’
Will.i.am ft. Eva Simons – ‘This Is Love’
12 July 2012 Flo Rida followed at number one by Will.i.am: no doubt my enthusiasm is leaping off the screen at you. A couple of months earlier, our chart-topper was the glorious 'Call Me Maybe'. Now, this. 'This Is Love' gives the people of 2012 what they want: insipid R&B-pop piano-plinking verses; the whoop-holler hip … Continue reading Will.i.am ft. Eva Simons – ‘This Is Love’
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – ‘The Legend Of Xanadu’
24 March 1968 As a young man called David Harman, Dave Dee was a police cadet who was called to the scene of Eddie Cochran's fatal car crash in Wiltshire in April 1960. Back at the police station that night, he strummed Cochran's famous red Gretsch electric guitar. Now there's an essential rock n' roll … Continue reading Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – ‘The Legend Of Xanadu’
Flo Rida – ‘Whistle’
21 June 2012 Have I been too harsh on Flo Rida and his Guetta-flavoured sub-Black Eyed Peas output? After all, 'Whistle' has that catchy, likeable whistling hook and a lighter, breezier sound. Maybe Flo Rida has developed as an artist and a human being. No, of course I haven't been too harsh. 'Whistle' is laboured, … Continue reading Flo Rida – ‘Whistle’
Johnny McEvoy – ‘Nora’
17 March 1968 Trad. arr: O'Casey, says the writing credit on this record, and that is indeed the iconic Dublin playwright Seán O'Casey entering Irish Number Ones stage left. When Jack Clitheroe sings 19th century folk ballad 'Maggie' to his wife in The Plough And The Stars, he changes it to her name - Nora. … Continue reading Johnny McEvoy – ‘Nora’
Cheryl – ‘Call My Name’
14 June 2012 That title may well have been deliberately pointed. Cheryl, in 2012 an A-list UK celebrity from her judge's role on The X Factor, had changed one married name for another, then split up with the latter, and released this single using the former name. No doubt the air was thick with webloid … Continue reading Cheryl – ‘Call My Name’
Irish Number Ones 