Come on Eileen
Dexys Midnight Runners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴Come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
Poor old Johnnie Ray
Sounded sad upon the radio
Moved a million hearts in mono
Our mothers cried
Sang along, who'd blame them?
You've grown (you're grown up)
So grown (so grown up)
Now I must say more than ever
(Come on, Eileen)
Too-ra-loo-ra
Too-ra-loo-rye-ay
And we can sing just like our fathers
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
You in that dress
My thoughts, I confess
Verge on dirty
Ah, come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
These people 'round here
Were beaten down, eyes sunk in smoke-dried face
They're so resigned to what their fate is
But not us (no never)
But not us (not ever)
We are far too young and clever
(Remember)
Too-ra-loo-ra
Too-ra-loo-rye-ay
And you'll hum this tune forever
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
Ah, come on, let's
Take off everything
That pretty red dress
Eileen (tell him yes)
Ah, come on, let's
Ah, come on, Eileen, please
That pretty red dress
Eileen (tell him yes)
Ah, come on, let's
Ah, come on, Eileen, please
(Come on, Eileen, too-rye-ay)
(Come on, Eileen, too-rye-ay)
Now you're full grown (too-ra)
And now you have shown (too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Oh, Eileen
Said, come on, Eileen (come on, Eileen) (you've grown)
These things they are real and I know (ta-loo-rye-ay) (so grown)
How you feel (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)
Now I must say more than ever (too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Things 'round here have changed
I said, too-ra-loo-ra (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)
Too-ra-loo-rye-ay (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)
(Too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
You in that dress
My thoughts, I confess
Verge on dirty
Ah, come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
In that dress
Oh, my thoughts I confess
Well, they're dirty
Come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
Whoa (what he means)
Whoa
Ah, come on, Eileen
Oh, believe me
If all those endearing young chums
That I gaze on so fondly today
Were to suddenly leave you, oh fly in the night
Just like fairy gifts gone in the sky
Overall Meaning
“Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners is perhaps one of the most popular songs of the 80s. At first glance, the song appears to be an ode to a girl named Eileen, but when you look at the lyrics closely, the song is about a young man trying to convince Eileen to have sex with him. The lyrics describe the sexual tension between the two and how the young man is unable to resist Eileen’s charms despite his own inner conflicts. The opening lines of the song refer to Johnnie Ray, a singer from the 1950s, and how his music moved people to tears.
The second verse of the song is about how the couple is different from the people around them. While everyone around them has given up and resigned themselves to their fates, the couple is too young and clever to do the same. They are determined to make their own destiny and never give up on their dreams. The chorus of the song is a call to action for Eileen to come on and take off her clothes, as the young man is unable to control his desire for her.
The bridge is a reference to a traditional Irish folk song called “Too-ra-loo-ra”. The song is often sung as a lullaby and used to express affection or fondness, which may refer to the young man’s confused feelings towards Eileen. The outro of the song is a fun and energetic sing-along that invites everyone to join in.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, Eileen
The singer is urging Eileen to join him and do something fun together.
Poor old Johnnie Ray
The singer is reminiscing about Johnnie Ray's impact through his music, how many people were moved by his sad songs.
Sounded sad upon the radio
The singer talks about how Johnnie Ray's songs always sounded melancholic when played on the radio.
Moved a million hearts in mono
The singer says that Johnnie Ray's songs would move people to tears when played in mono, which was the original format of radio music at the time.
Our mothers cried
The singer recounts how their mothers were emotionally affected by Johnnie Ray's music.
Sang along, who'd blame them?
The singer understands why their mothers would sing along to Johnnie Ray's songs.
You've grown (you're grown up)
The singer tells Eileen that she has matured.
So grown (so grown up)
The singer emphasizes that Eileen has indeed matured a lot.
Now I must say more than ever
The singer implies that it's time to take their relationship to the next level.
(Come on, Eileen)
The singer reiterates his earlier call for Eileen to join him for something fun.
Too-ra-loo-ra
The singer uses this phrase to indicate that it's time for them to start singing.
Too-ra-loo-rye-ay
Another phrase used by the singer to indicate the start of the song and to get people to sing along.
And we can sing just like our fathers
The singer is confident that they can sing just like their fathers used to.
Oh, I swear (what he means)
The singer is being genuine and sincere in his words to Eileen.
At this moment
The singer emphasizes the present moment, indicating that this is a unique and important time for them.
You mean everything
The singer is expressing how much Eileen means to him right now.
You in that dress
The singer compliments Eileen on how she looks in her pretty red dress.
My thoughts, I confess
The singer is expressing his true feelings towards Eileen.
Verge on dirty
The singer's thoughts about Eileen might be perceived as inappropriate or indecent.
These people 'round here
The singer is describing the people around them who seem unhappy with their difficult lives.
Were beaten down, eyes sunk in smoke-dried face
The singer describes the physical appearance of the people around them, who seem to be suffering from the effects of their hard lives.
They're so resigned to what their fate is
The singer observes that these people have given up hope for their future.
But not us (no never)
The singer is suggesting that he and Eileen are different and refuse to give up on their dreams.
We are far too young and clever
The singer believes they are young and smart enough to make a change in their lives.
(Remember)
The singer is reminding Eileen of something they had previously discussed or promised to do.
That pretty red dress
The singer is still appreciating Eileen's red dress.
Eileen (tell him yes)
The singer is asking Eileen to say yes to something suggestive or inappropriate, which is disguised as a fun activity.
Now you're full grown (too-ra)
The singer reiterates that Eileen has grown up and is now a mature adult.
And now you have shown (too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
The singer acknowledges that Eileen is now more confident and has shown her true self.
Oh, Eileen
The singer expresses his affection for Eileen.
Said, come on, Eileen (come on, Eileen) (you've grown)
The singer is asking Eileen to let her guard down and have some fun with him. He again mentions Eileen's growth to support his case.
These things they are real and I know (ta-loo-rye-ay) (so grown)
The singer reaffirms that his feelings towards Eileen are genuine and real.
How you feel (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)
The singer wants Eileen to express how she feels about him and the situation.
Things 'round here have changed
The singer has realized that things have changed and they need to seize the moment.
Whoa (what he means)
The singer is emphasizing the importance of his words.
Ah, come on, Eileen
The singer still wants Eileen to come along with him and have some fun.
Oh, believe me
The singer is pleading with Eileen to believe him and his intentions.
If all those endearing young chums
The singer imagines all the young lovers around them.
That I gaze on so fondly today
The singer is admiring the people around them who are in love.
Were to suddenly leave you, oh fly in the night
The singer is warning Eileen that she might regret it if she doesn't take this opportunity with him.
Just like fairy gifts gone in the sky
The singer is using a metaphor to emphasize how short-lived and fleeting opportunities like this can be.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Paterson, Kevin Rowland, Kevin Adams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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