’Come On Eileen’ by Dexys Midnight Runners: Greatest One-Hit Wonder Ever?

Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole

15-02-2022 • 40 mins

Too-rye-ay, we're back again with Episode 2 of Season 2 of Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole. In this episode, Butch and Kevin dig into a 1980s classic, "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners. We discuss the song's meaning, the band's background and the impact it made when it shot up the charts in 1982-83. Among the points covered:

  • Beer of the Week: Falls City English Style Pale Ale (we also tasted a bit of Limestone Branch rye, a local barrel pick)
  • Kevin Rowland was a difficult guy to deal with
  • Dexys actually had a previous hit in the UK
  • The band's first US single did nothing
  • Once "Eileen" fell off the charts, the band would never crack the US Top 40 again.
  • Is it the greatest one-hit wonder of all-time? Is there one?