28 February 2013 We've not had Ed Sheeran at number one yet—that pleasure is still a year away—but 'Let Her Go' can serve as our entrée to Ed-ism. Passenger's chart-topping profile in early 2013 came in great part from supporting Sheeran on his Irish tour that January. So, there's a good deal of similar baggy-jumper … Continue reading Passenger – ‘Let Her Go’
One Direction – ‘One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks)’
21 February 2013 One to remember for your next table quiz: which Irish act had a top 30 single in the UK and Ireland with 'Teenage Kicks'? Answer: Niall Horan, as part of One Direction, with this 2013 charity single that topped both charts. The original by The Undertones only reached no. 31 in the … Continue reading One Direction – ‘One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks)’
The Beatles – ‘Hey Jude’
14 September 1968 Even taking into account the local dominance of showbands, the contemporary folk boom, the demon seed of Jim Reeves, the ready availability of low-grade Merseybeat, and the pop-cultural isolation of our country at the time, it's still been surprising to me just how few of the genuinely iconic '60s hits actually got … Continue reading The Beatles – ‘Hey Jude’
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Wanz – ‘Thrift Shop’
14 February 2013 Macklemore made an unlikely return to the Irish charts in 2024 with 'Hind's Hall', an impressively committed and articulate track in response to the heavy-handed treatment of pro-Palestine demonstrations on US college campuses. I say "unlikely" because most of us had probably lost track of Macklemore, weren't aware of his politics, and … Continue reading Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Wanz – ‘Thrift Shop’
The Dixies – ‘Little Arrows’
7 September 1968 Just when I thought Ireland's number ones of 1968 couldn't get any worse, here's Cork's most prevalent showband. Their frontperson was singer Brendan O'Brien but their real star seems to have been drummer Joe Mac, who was still popping up with skits and japes on Irish light-entertainment television during my otherwise happy … Continue reading The Dixies – ‘Little Arrows’
Will.i.am & Britney Spears – ‘Scream & Shout’
17 January 2013 It doesn't feature the crassness of David Guetta or the Black Eyed Peas, but this wouldn't be a Will.i.am hit without some tang of unpleasantness. 'Scream & Shout' was originally written and recorded by Tulisa, which gives it an Irish connection since two of her uncles from Dublin had an Irish number … Continue reading Will.i.am & Britney Spears – ‘Scream & Shout’
Tom Jones – ‘Help Yourself’
17 August 1968 No one gets murdered in the 'Help Yourself' universe, which already makes it an improvement on 'Delilah' and 'Green, Green Grass Of Home'. So, how goes Tom Jones, cabaret pop's most prolific killer, when he contains his chart-topping bloodlust to focus on mere lust? 'Help Yourself' isn't as brash as I had … Continue reading Tom Jones – ‘Help Yourself’
James Arthur – ‘Impossible’
13 December 2012 How come we never have X Factor winners' singles back in the charts every Christmas? After all, they dominated the Christmas number one spot in the UK and Ireland for the guts of a decade. Surely someone somewhere gets a warm seasonal glow of nostalgia for these soundtracks to their Yuletide '00s … Continue reading James Arthur – ‘Impossible’
Des O’Connor – ‘I Pretend’
3 August 1968 'Baby Come Back' by The Equals peaked at number two in Ireland in August 1968. Other well-known singles in that month's Irish top ten were Simon and Garfunkel's 'Mrs Robinson', proud Irishwoman Dusty Springfield with 'I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten', 'Fire' by The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, and … Continue reading Des O’Connor – ‘I Pretend’
Various Artists – ‘Tiny Dancer – A Song For Lily-Mae’
29 November 2012 Let's start with the happy ending and the most important thing here. Lily-Mae Morrison, the four-year-old beneficiary of this charity single, made a full recovery from the aggressive neuroblastoma cancer that required her to travel to America for the expensive trial treatment that necessitated this fundraising drive. Elton John's 'Tiny Dancer' had … Continue reading Various Artists – ‘Tiny Dancer – A Song For Lily-Mae’
