Lost Hits of the New Wave #13

"Come On Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners



This song, and "Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats, is one of the reasons I started this "Lost Hits of the New Wave" project. It really bothered me how these two songs are usually what folks who weren't there, think the new wave is all about. There was so much more, and so much that has been sadly forgotten. It's not just "Safety Dance" and "Come On Eileen."

"Come On Eileen" hit huge in the summer of 1982 in the United States, filling the number one spot in the charts between Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and "Beat It." Like most acts of the era, Dexy's Midnight Runners had already had several hits in the UK. The group at this time, was led by Kevin Rowland, who would eventually take lead billing over the Runners, and also included the addition of a fiddle section called The Emerald Express.

The album "Too-Rye-Ay" also introduced a new look for the band, a kind of ragged gypsy farmer fashion that was unique at the time. I remember the first time I saw the music video for "Come On Eileen" was on "Dancin' On Air," and the host made much of asking the kids what they thought Dexy's Midnight Runners looked like. One kid said he thought they were all shiny like ABC. Most were surprised.

"Come On Eileen" was followed up in the States by two more songs from the album that went nowhere, making "Eileen" a true one hit wonder. The Runners broke up after another album, multiple hits in the UK, and even attempted a couple reunions. Supposedly there is a new album in the works, with the latest release date June of 2012.