Gaelic Storm's album 'Special Reserve'. (Courtesy)
Let the following tunes help you honor the homeland on this green day.
5. “Titanic Set” by Gaelic Storm
Before the Titanic sank in the famous 1997 film, Jack asks Rose if she “wants to go to a real party.” It’s no mistake that this was an Irish party. If this song was good enough for this couple’s undying love, it’s probably good enough for you. So grab a lovely lad or lass to swing around to this lively two-song set, even if you don’t know the steps. Like Jack says, sometimes, it’s best to just “go with it.”
Erin Overcash, a 20-year-old sophomore aerospace engineer major, said she thinks dancing to traditional Irish music would be fun.
“If I saw a big group dancing [like in Titanic] on campus on Saint Patrick’s, I’d definitely join in,” Overcash said.
4. “Jump Around” by House of Pain
While the lyrics in this 1992 hit may not reference the Irish culture, the video highlights the band’s heritage with Irish culture symbols, like shamrocks and the country’s flag. Powered by a catchy repeating squeal and a fighting Irish attitude, House of Pain helped bring the Irish into unknown territory: hip-hop. When Everlast [band frontman] raps, “I came to get down/So get out your seats and jump around” – it’s not suggestion, it’s a demand. Within seconds of putting on this track, a jumping riot is guaranteed to break out.
3. “Finnegan’s Wake” sometimes “Tim Finnegan’s Wake”
This song is a classic Irish folk song covered by numerous bands from The Clancy Brothers to the Dropkick Murphys. Like most traditional folk songs, the lyrics tell a story. In the song “Wake,” Tim Finnegan dies and a fight breaks out at his wake. Amidst the chaos, however, he rises from his coffin, shouting for whiskey and a party commences. Who knew a wake could be so much fun?
Madison Hernandez, a 20-year-old junior international affairs major, said she prefers the classic Irish song styles to more modern versions.
“I personally like traditional,” Hernandez said. “I’m just not a fan of rock.”
2. “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys
The song mixes traditional instrumentation with the Irish punk rock scene, resulting in a tasty homage to the old and new. Intensity builds with each added instrument, starting with a foot-stomping guitar and percussion foundation, then drizzling on a tantalizing banjo, and topping it off with a finger-busting accordion cherry. This sailor is shipping up to Boston, but from the tone of singer Al Barr’s screams, it’s not going to be a merry ferry ride.
Janice Savonen, a 21-year-old studio arts major, said she identifies better with modern Irish bands, like Dropkick Murphys.
“I like the rock Irish music,” Savonen said. “It resonates with me, it’s contemporary…I’m American with Irish heritage, so I go for more of the American [sound].”
1. “Beer, Beer, Beer” by The Clancy Brothers
When it gets right down to it, Saint Patrick’s Day is all about the beer. So what better way to celebrate than singing along to a song praising the fictitious Charlie Mops, the man who invented beer? Grab a Guinness and chime in for the chorus chant of “beer, beer, beer, tiddly, beer, beer, beer.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Rose Heaphy at Josephine.heaphy@colorado.edu.
