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.
Just Like Jesse James
Celtic Thunder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a small-town dude with a big city attitude
Honey are you looking for some trouble tonight?
Well, alright
You think you're so bad drive the women folk wild
Shoot 'em all down with a flash of your pearly smile
Honey, but you met your match tonight
You think you'll knock me off my feet 'til I'm flat on the floor
'Til my heart is crying Indian and I'm begging for more
So come on baby
Come on baby
Come on baby show me what that loaded gun is for
If you can give it
I can take it
Cause if this heart is gonna break, its gonna take a lot to break it
I know tonight somebody is gonna win the fight
So if you're so tough
Come on and prove it
Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James
You break the laws of love in the name of desire
Take ten steps back
Cause I'm ready baby
Aim and fire
Baby, there's nowhere you're gonna run tonight
Oh, that's right
Well, you've had your way with love, but its the end of the day
Now a team of wild horses couldn't drag your heart away
So come on baby
Come on baby
Come on baby
Come on
If you can give it
I can take it
Cause if this heart is gonna break, it's gonna take a lot to break it
I know tonight somebody's gonna win the fight
So if you're so tough
Come on and prove it
Your heart is down for the count, and you know you're gonna lose it
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James
The song "Just Like Jesse James" describes a small-town guy who thinks he's tough and can have his way with women. The woman he's interested in, however, is not impressed by his act and challenges him to prove himself. She warns him that she can take as much as he gives, and that she won't be the one to break first. The lyrics are full of references to cowboys and the Wild West, symbolizing the man's macho attitude, and the woman's strength and resilience.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that the man will go down in flames, just like Jesse James, a notorious outlaw from the late 19th century who was eventually killed by authorities. The comparison to Jesse James hints at the man's impending downfall and the consequences of his cavalier attitude towards love and relationships. Overall, the song is an empowering anthem for women who refuse to be objectified or intimidated by men, and who stand up for themselves and their worth.
Line by Line Meaning
You're strutting into town like you're slinging a gun
You are walking confidently into this place, like you own it and are ready for anything that comes your way.
Just a small-town dude with a big city attitude
You may be from a small town, but you have the confidence and bravado of someone from a big city.
Honey are you looking for some trouble tonight?
Are you searching for conflict or drama tonight?
Well, alright
Okay, then.
You think you're so bad drive the women folk wild
You believe your charm and demeanor are enough to attract any woman and make her swoon over you.
Shoot 'em all down with a flash of your pearly smile
You use your brilliant smile to attract and seduce any woman who comes your way.
Honey, but you met your match tonight
However, tonight, you have found your match.
Oh, that's right
Yes, indeed.
You think you'll knock me off my feet 'til I'm flat on the floor
You believe you can seduce me and overpower me until I am completely vulnerable.
'Til my heart is crying Indian and I'm begging for more
Until my very soul is in pain, and I am pleading with you for more.
So come on baby
Let's see what you've got.
If you can give it
If you think you're capable of matching my intensity.
I can take it
I am strong enough to handle it.
Cause if this heart is gonna break, its gonna take a lot to break it
If you're going to hurt me emotionally, you're going to have to work very hard to do so.
I know tonight somebody is gonna win the fight
Tonight, one of us will come out on top.
So if you're so tough
If you truly believe you are as strong as you claim to be.
Come on and prove it
Then show me your strength.
Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
You know deep down that you're going to lose this emotional battle.
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
You are going to be defeated and experience emotional pain.
Just like Jesse James
Similar to how the infamous outlaw Jesse James was defeated in the end.
You break the laws of love in the name of desire
You disregard the rules of love and engage in risky behavior in the name of your desire for passion and connection.
Take ten steps back
Retreat from this situation.
Cause I'm ready baby
I am prepared for anything you throw my way.
Aim and fire
Go ahead and try to strike me, if you dare.
Baby, there's nowhere you're gonna run tonight
You cannot escape this situation or evade its consequences.
Well, you've had your way with love, but it's the end of the day
You have been careless with love for too long, and it's time to face the consequences.
Now a team of wild horses couldn't drag your heart away
Your heart is so entwined in this dangerous lifestyle that even the strongest forces could not separate you from it.
Come on baby
Let's finish this.
If you can give it
If you truly believe you can handle it.
I can take it
I am ready for whatever you have in store for me.
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
You will experience a burning defeat tonight.
Just like Jesse James
Similar to how the infamous outlaw Jesse James was burned alive in the end.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Realsongs
Written by: Desmond Child, Diane Eve Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@keiththurlo6471
One of the MOST AMAZING PERFORMANCES. I rewatch every couple of months.
@CryptidMilky
I remember listening to this whole performance and dvd when I was in fifth grade. I'm 21 now :)
My Gigi showed me celtic thunder, and she even got to see a few shows in 2012 I think.
These songs live deep in my heart.
Happy St Patrick's day, Gigi. I miss you and love you, and never let your music taste die ❤️ I hope you're enjoying your live performances George in heaven 🍀✨❤️
@lovinglife6080
Wow 😳 we she's got an amazing voice such a beautiful performance love her voice
@robbie0884
Absolutely Great Job! 💜 This Song so takes you down memory lane! Love this song! 🎵💜👍
@Paulo11464
Nossa eu amei a voz a apresentação tudo!
@BeesCantSwim
She has an amazing voice.
@gingerking1866
I find it annoying.
@annied1827
Its not her singing
@autumnarends
i performed this version of the song live a few years ago and i wish it was available to stream! one of my favorite covers ever. she's got such a beautiful voice
@andievitai
It's not her voice...