About the song
“Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners is a quintessential track from the early 1980s that has left an indelible mark on the musical landscape. Released in June 1982, this infectious single emerged from the band’s second studio album, *Too-Rye-Ay*. Not only did it become a chart-topping sensation in the United Kingdom—where it secured its place as their second number one hit, following “Geno”—but it also achieved remarkable success in the United States. The song ascended to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, remarkably displacing Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” from the number one spot and eventually preventing Jackson’s “Beat It” from achieving consecutive number one hits.
Produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, “Come On Eileen” was initially credited to Kevin Rowland, Jim Paterson, and Billy Adams, though Rowland later acknowledged that the essence of the tune was more accurately the work of Kevin Archer. The song’s acclaim was further solidified when it won the Best British Single award at the 1983 Brit Awards and was later recognized as one of the greatest songs of the 1980s. In a 2015 ITV poll, it was voted as the sixth favorite 1980s number one single, and VH1 ranked it eighteenth on their “100 Greatest Songs of the ’80s.”
The song’s music video, directed by Julien Temple, is a vivid representation of early ’80s culture, filmed in the South London suburb of Kennington. It features Máire Fahey, sister of Siobhan Fahey from Bananarama, portraying the titular Eileen. The video is also notable for including archival footage of Johnnie Ray’s arrival at London Heathrow Airport in 1954, adding a nostalgic touch to the visual presentation.
Despite the band’s previous success with “Geno,” “Come On Eileen” remains their most significant hit, both in terms of sales and chart performance. As of June 2013, it had sold 1.33 million copies in the UK alone, and its lasting popularity is a testament to its catchy melody and memorable lyrics. Its status as a cultural touchstone of the 1980s is a reflection of its undeniable charm and enduring appeal.
Video
Lyrics
Come on Eileen
Come on Eileen
Poor old Johnny Ray
Sounded sad upon the radio
He moved a million hearts in mono
Our mothers used
To sing along, who’d blame them
You’re grown (a grown up),
so grown (so grown up), now I must say more than ever
(Come on Eileen)
Toora loora toora loo rye aye
And we can sing just like our fathers
Come on Eileen, oh I swear (well he means)
At this moment, you mean everything
You in that dress, oh my thoughts I confess
Verge on dirty
Ah come on Eileen
Come on Eileen
These people round here
Wear beaten down eyes
Sunk in smoke dried faces
Resigned to what their fate is
But not us (no never), no not us (no never)
We are far too young and clever
Remember
Toora loora toora loo rye aye
Eileen I’ll hum this tune forever
Eileen I’ll hum this tune forever
Come on Eileen oh I swear (well he means)
Ah come on, let’s take off everything
That pretty red dress, oh Eileen tell him yes
Ah come on let’s, Ah come on Eileen
Come on Eileen oh I swear (well he means)
At this moment you mean everything
Come on Eileen too-loo rye-aye
Come on Eileen too-loo rye-aye
Toora toora-too-loora
Oh, Eileen
Oh, Eileen
We are far too young and clever
and things wont ever change
I say toora loora toora loo rye aye
Come on Eileen, oh I swear (well he means)
At this moment, you mean everything to me
You mean everything