Celtic Thunder debuted in August 2007 at the Helix in Dublin, Ireland, accompanying the Celtic Concert Orchestra under the direction of Phil Coulter, the musical director of the group.
Since the group's formation, Celtic Thunder has released twelve albums: Celtic Thunder, Act Two, Take Me Home, It's Entertainment!, Celtic Thunder Christmas, Storm, Heritage, Voyage, Voyage II, Christmas Voices and Mythology as well as best-of collection Homeland, and twelve live performances on DVD, entitled Celtic Thunder: The Show, Take Me Home, It's Entertainment!, Storm, Christmas, Heritage, Voyage, Voyage II, Live and Unplugged and Mythology, as well as a Christmas performance. In December 2009 Billboard magazine named Celtic Thunder the Top World Album Artist.
Celtic Thunder is known for its eclectic style with songs ranging from a soloist to an ensemble focus. The group is backed by the Celtic Thunder Band on their concert tours, and their live shows are known for the use of dramatic effects via lighting and choreography as well as a stage set resembling an ancient stone pathway suggestive of those referenced in Celtic lore.
Members
The members of Celtic Thunder are (in alphabetical order of family name):
Neil Byrne (born November 16, 1977): Music has always been a major part of Neil's life. Born into a musical family, Neil’s father has worked as a professional musician his entire life and his mother is a huge fan of all music. By the age of 5, Neil was gripped by rhythm, which instinctively lead him to drum on anything in front of him. He began learning the guitar when he was 7, hugely helped and encouraged by his father. Later in life a mutual friend approached Neil and asked him to play at a function for one of Ireland’s most renowned songwriters and producers, Phil Coulter. When Sharon Browne and Phil began working on production for Celtic Thunder he was invited to record backing vocals for the debut DVD, and subsequently play lead guitar player for the live show. Neil would have to say the most memorable and prestigious performance of his career to date was in Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Since then he has toured America and Canada extensively with Celtic Thunder and most recently has joined the cast as the 6th leading vocalist with Celtic Thunder.
Paul Michael Byrom (born April 11, 1979) is from Dublin, Ireland. In addition to Celtic Thunder, he has also performed at major sporting events in Ireland and abroad, including singing at the All Ireland Finals in Dublin's Croke Park and at Heinz Field for a Pittsburgh Steelers game in the USA. He has also performed for Ireland's President, Mary McAleese, and for Emperor Akihito of Japan. Paul has released two albums: Velvet and I'll Be Home For Christmas. He left Celtic Thunder as of 2011 to pursue his solo career. Member from 2008-2011
George Donaldson (February 1, 1968- March 12, 2014) is the oldest member of the group and is a well-known balladeer, guitarist and flutist from Glasgow, Scotland. At Scotland's Celtic Park, Donaldson played to 65,000 fans at the opening match of the 2000-2001 season.
Keith Ronald Harkin, (born June 10, 1986), like Damian, is from Derry, Northern Ireland. He plays the guitar and has written one of the songs for Celtic Thunder: "Lauren and I". In 2008, a new solo album by Keith was rumoured to be in the working stages but has not yet been released as of mid 2009. Keith enjoys surfing and has written a song called Chasing Dreams that articulates his love for it. Keith has now recorded more original songs apart from Celtic Thunder, some titles include: Vanity, Don't Lose the Feeling, and What I Like.
Ryan John Kelly (born November 6, 1978) is from The Moy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. He holds two degrees from the Queen's University Belfast, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and also a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Accounting, qualifying Ryan to be a chartered accountant.
Damian Joseph McGinty, Jr. (born September 9, 1992) was the youngest member of the group for 4 years and is from Derry, Northern Ireland. He recorded the first Celtic Thunder album when he was only fourteen years old. It is rumoured that McGinty will begin work on a solo album in the next 6 months. He won his first singing contest at the age of five. He recorded the first Celtic Thunder album when he was fourteen years old. McGinty lists Michael Buble, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra among his inspirations.[5] On April 29, 2011 it was announced that Damian was chosen as one of 12 contenders for The Glee Project, a reality series on the Oxygen Network. He tied for first and had a guest starring role in the third season of the Fox hit TV show Glee. He debuted on Glee season 3 episode 4 Pot o' Gold. Though originally awarded a seven-episode arc, his run-time was later extended to 16 episodes including a guest appearance in season 4's Glee Actually. In the summer of 2013 Damian joined Paul Byrom for "The Me and My Shadow" Tour. McGinty is also part of Ethan Bortnick's concert.
Emmet Michael Cahill (born October 18, 1990) became Paul Byrom's replacement. 2010 was a very exciting year for Emmet Cahill; he was awarded the 2010 John Mc Cormack Bursary for the most Promising Young Tenor, and was named the most promising young singer at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He has been a multiple prizewinner at the National Feis Ceoil singing competition in Ireland. Emmet is 20 years old and hails from Mullingar in County Westmeath in Ireland. His musical journey began when at just 5 years old he began learning the piano. By 7 Emmet had begun voice training, and he soon went on to win a music scholarship for high school in Mullingar and spend 5 years intensively studying and playing music. At school he furthered his studies in piano, organ and violin and vocal training, however singing has always been his true love. He continued his education at the prestigious Royal Irish Academy of Music where he received a university degree in Music Performance. He has been in many stage productions in Dublin and has performed on stage at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin and as a soloist at the National Concert Hall. He is an avid sports fan and has performed twice at Croke Park in Dublin, in front of crowds of 90,000. One such occasion was for the 125th Anniversary of The GAA. He has also performed for the President of Ireland Mary McAleese and at several international rugby games Dublin’s new Aviva Stadium. Emmet also sings regularly at the Mullingar Cathedral.
He is a huge sports fan and has won many prizes playing football with his college and local teams. In his spare time, he also loves attending music and sporting events, playing the guitar and listening to music. He attended auditions for Celtic Thunder in June 2010 and was delighted to be asked by Sharon and Phil to join the show. Emmet Cahill is the latest addition to the Celtic Thunder family.
Daniel Furlong
Vocalist
Daniel Furlong was the newest (and youngest) member of Celtic Thunder. Daniel is 13 years old and hails from the town of Taghmon in County Wexford on the Southeast coast of Ireland. He is a boy soprano and was discovered when he entered a singing competition at the age of seven and won! Although Daniel is barely a teenager, he has been performing and singing in public for over six years. Daniels hometown of Wexford is synonymous with Opera and is host to the internationally acclaimed Opera Festival in October of every year. Indeed Daniel is no stranger to opera and played the role of Edgar in the Wexford Light Opera Society production of Ragtime in 2008. In 2008 and again in 2009, Daniel was also cast in the lead role of Oliver in the musical Oliver with both Oyster Lane and Festival productions. He has also performed solo on two national television stations in Ireland. In 2009 Daniel won an All Ireland Song Contest as a solo singer, competing with artists considerably older than he. In 2011 he won "The All Ireland Talent" Show a nationally televised talent competition and Irelands answer to Americas Got Talent. In light of all of his incredible achievements to date, his home county of Wexford honored Daniel by naming him "Wexford Person of the Year" for 2011.
Daniel describes himself as an outgoing and optimistic, friendly and a fun person. He likes to spend time with his friends and family, and he loves the chance to perform. He is quite competitive and loves playing team sports such as hurling, Gaelic football, soccer and rounders (softball). Music is obviously Daniels passion, he practices with his local choir "The Young Wexford Singers" every week and is also learning to play the guitar and the pigeon box. Daniel came to the attention of Celtic Thunder producer Sharon Browne, when he won the All Ireland Talent Show" and she quickly arranged to meet him. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious and once Sharon had met Daniel and seen him perform, she immediately offered him a place in Celtic Thunder. He performs an angelic version of Walking In The Air in the Christmas show and also sings solo in Heritage on Somewhere Over The Rainbow and the Josh Groban hit To Where You Are. Daniel also joins with other members of Celtic Thunder in the Ensembles and performs duets with Keith and Emmet.
Colm Joseph Keegan (born August 2, 1989) is from Dublin, Ireland. He attended University College Dublin on a music scholarship, graduating in 2011 with an honors degree in Music and Irish. Colm auditioned for and was selected for Celtic Thunder in May 2012 as a new vocalist, becoming a sixth member of the previously five-man group. He was formerly a member of the Aontas Choral Ensemble, who are known for their work with Celtic Woman. Colm appeared in the Celtic Woman DVDs 'Songs From The Heart' (2009) and 'Believe' (2011).
Emmett O'Hanlon (born July 9, 1991), Celtic Thunder's newest member, is Emmet Cahill's replacement. He is Irish- American. Emmett will be touring with Celtic Thunder during their Mythology tour and the Christmas Voices Symphony tour.
Beginning in March 2008, the group has been featured throughout the US on the PBS television network more than 1200 times, and during May and June 2008, members of the group were interviewed on dozens of local PBS stations during performances of their show
Celtic Thunder is also the name of a traditional Irish band formed in 1977. The band recorded three albums―1981’s Celtic Thunder; The Light of Other Days (1988), and Hard New York Days in 1996.
Baby It
Celtic Thunder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Baby it's cold outside)
I've got to go away
(Baby it's cold outside)
This evening has been
(Been hoping that you'd drop in)
So very nice
(I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)
(Beautiful what's your hurry)
My father will be pacing the floor
(Listen to the fireplace roar)
So really I'd better scurry
(Sweetheart what's your hurry)
But maybe just a half a drink more
(Put some records on while I pour)
The neighbors might faint
(Baby it's bad out there)
Say what's in this drink
(No cabs to be had out there)
I wish I knew how
(Your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell
(I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)
I ought to say "no, no, no sir"
(Mind if I move a little closer)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
(What's the sense in hurtin' my pride)
I really can't stay
(Oh baby don't hold out)
Oh but it's cold out side
I simply must go
(But baby it's cold outside)
The answer is no
(But baby it's cold out there)
Your welcome has been
(How lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm
(Look out the window at that storm)
My sister will be suspicious
(Girl your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door
(Waves upon the tropical shore)
My maiden aunts mind is vicious
(Oh baby you're so delicious)
But maybe just a cigarette more
(Never such a blizzard before)
I've gotta get home
(Ooh baby you'd freeze out there)
Say lend me a coat
(It's up to your knees out there)
You've really been grand
(I thrill when you touch my hand)
But don't you see?
(How can you do this thing to me?)
There's bound to be talk tomorrow
(Make it my lifelong sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied
(If you got pneumonia and died)
I really can't stay
(Get over that old out)
Ah but it's cold outside
Baby it's cold outside
The song is sung as a duet, with one person trying to convince the other person to stay the night because it's cold outside. The lyrics describe how the person who wants to leave is worried about what other people might think, like their parents and neighbors. Meanwhile, the other person is trying to persuade them to stay with flattery and drinks. The person trying to leave is also becoming increasingly uncomfortable, questioning the other person's intentions, especially when they ask "Say what's in this drink?" However, in the end, the decision is left up to the listener as the song fades out with the two still debating whether to stay or go.
The song was written by Frank Loesser in 1944 and has been covered by numerous artists over the years. It was originally performed by Loesser and his wife at parties, as a call-and-response duet. The song became popular after it was included in the movie Neptune's Daughter in 1949, where it was sung by Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year.
Despite its popularity, the song has been criticized for its lyrics, which some argue suggest coercion and disregard for consent. Others argue that the song is harmless fun and should be considered in the context of its time. The controversy surrounding the song has led to some radio stations banning it from their holiday playlists.
Line by Line Meaning
I really can't stay
I need to leave soon
(Baby it's cold outside)
It's really cold outside
I've got to go away
I must go now
(Baby it's cold outside)
It's still very cold outside
This evening has been
This evening has been wonderful
(Been hoping that you'd drop in)
(I was hoping you would visit)
So very nice
It's been so lovely spending time with you
(I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)
(Your hands are cold)
My mother will start to worry
My mother will get upset and concerned
(Beautiful what's your hurry)
(You're so beautiful, why hurry)
My father will be pacing the floor
My father will be walking back and forth anxiously
(Listen to the fireplace roar)
(Hear the sounds of the roaring fireplace)
So really I'd better scurry
I should leave as soon as possible
(Sweetheart what's your hurry)
(Honey, why the rush?)
But maybe just a half a drink more
But maybe I'll stay a little longer and have half a drink
(Put some records on while I pour)
(Put some music on while I pour us some more drinks)
The neighbors might faint
The neighbors might get shocked/disturbed
(Baby it's bad out there)
(It's really dangerous out there)
Say what's in this drink
I'm curious of the contents of this drink
(No cabs to be had out there)
(There are no cabs available)
I wish I knew how
I don't know how to resist or refuse
(Your eyes are like starlight now)
(Your eyes are shining bright now)
To break this spell
To snap out of this romantic mood
(I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)
(I'll take your hat and your hair looks great)
I ought to say "no, no, no sir"
I should say no and mean it
(Mind if I move a little closer)
(Can I move a bit closer to you)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried
At least I can say I tried to say no
(What's the sense in hurtin' my pride)
(Why should I hurt my pride)
I really can't stay
I should really leave now
(Oh baby don't hold out)
(Oh baby, don't wait any longer)
I simply must go
I must go now
(But baby it's cold outside)
(But it's still really cold outside)
The answer is no
I'm saying no to staying
(But baby it's cold out there)
(But it's really cold outside)
Your welcome has been
You have been very welcoming
(How lucky that you dropped in)
(I'm so lucky you came over)
So nice and warm
It's been cozy and cozy
(Look out the window at that storm)
(Take a look at that snowstorm outside)
My sister will be suspicious
My sister will become doubtful
(Girl your lips look delicious)
(Your lips look very tempting)
My brother will be there at the door
My brother will be standing at the door
(Waves upon the tropical shore)
(I wish I were on a tropical shore)
My maiden aunts mind is vicious
My maiden aunt will be suspicious
(Oh baby you're so delicious)
(Oh baby you are so very tempting)
But maybe just a cigarette more
But maybe I'll stay a little longer and smoke a cigarette
(Never such a blizzard before)
(I've never seen such a wild storm before)
I've gotta get home
I really have to go back home
(Ooh baby you'd freeze out there)
(You would freeze if you go outside)
Say lend me a coat
Can I borrow a coat?
(It's up to your knees out there)
(There is a lot of snow outside)
You've really been grand
You've been amazing
(I thrill when you touch my hand)
(I get thrilled when you touch me)
But don't you see?
Can't you see?
(How can you do this thing to me?)
(How can you make me feel this way?)
There's bound to be talk tomorrow
People will talk about us tomorrow
(Make it my lifelong sorrow)
(It will be my lifelong regret)
At least there will be plenty implied
At least people will assume something happened
(If you got pneumonia and died)
(If you catch pneumonia and die)
I really can't stay
I really need to leave now
(Get over that old out)
(Stop thinking about it and let me leave now)
Ah but it's cold outside
It's really, really cold outside!
Lyrics © DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Loesser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind