Dempsey's earliest musical influences were the post-pub singsongs that his parents used to have at their home when he was a toddler. Good, bad or indifferent, everyone had to sing. Today his unique sound reflects the influence of traditional Sean-Nós as well as his musical heroes: Bob Marley and Elvis Presley.
After completing his secondary education,Dempsey went on to the Ballyfermot "Rock School" for 2 years where he studied musical performance as well as the practical side of the music industry. The school had its own small record label and star students were awarded a release on the label. Damien was chosen for that honour and the EP, "The Contender", was released in 1995.
In 1997 "Dublin Town", Dempsey's first commercial single, reached No. 18 in the Irish charts. Ireland's HOT PRESS remarked that it was "..an underground anthem for disaffected youth and closet balladeer alike". A re-recorded version of the song appeared on Dempsey's first album; "They Don't Teach This Shit In School" released in 2000.
His next release, the "Negative Vibes EP", (2002) featured Sinéad O'Connor on the title track and led to an invitation to support Sinéad on her 2002/2003 Irish, UK and European tour.
Dempsey's second album, "Seize the Day", was released May 2003 in Ireland on Clear Records via Sony and entered the charts first week of release at No. 5. It has since achieved double-platinum sales. Released in May 2004 in the UK on IRL, the album was awarded "CD of the Week" in the Sunday Times and received enthusiastic reviews in the National and music press.
Nominated in 4 categories in the 2004 Irish Meteor Awards, Dempsey walked away with two, the only 2004 double winner.
A documentary, "It's All Good: The Damien Dempsey Story" by independent filmmaker Dara McCluskey, that followed Dempsey's career progression up to the release of "Seize the Day", was broadcast on Ireland's national TV station RTE and shown at film festivals in Ireland and New York.
During 2004, Dempsey toured extensively headlining his own shows as well as supporting Bob Dylan during the Irish leg of his European tour and making his debut appearances at The Fleadh and Womad.
Dempsey has earned the passionate support of his peers, one of whom is Morrissey who invited him to support him on various UK and Irish dates as well as his autumn 2004 US tour. Morrissey went on to sign Dempsey to his Attack label, and "Seize the Day" had its U.S. release in October 2004.
His third album, "Shots", simultaneously released in Ireland and the UK in March 2005, entered the Irish album charts at Number 1 and achieved platinum status in December 2005.
In February 2006, Dempsey increased his Meteor Awards by winning in The Best Irish Male category.
Recorded in December 2005 at Dublin's Olympia Theatre and released in June 2006 in both Ireland and the UK, Dempsey's first live album, "Live at The Olympia", entered the Irish album chart at Number 10.
A Rainy Night in Soho
Damien Dempsey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down all the years, down all the days
And I've cried for all your troubles
Smiled at your funny little ways
We watched our friends grow up together
And we saw them as they fell
Some of them fell into Heaven
Some of them fell into Hell
I took shelter from a shower
And I stepped into your arms
On a rainy night in Soho
The wind was whistling all its charms
I sang you all my sorrows
You told me all your joys
Whatever happened to that old song?
To all those little girls and boys?
Now the song is nearly over
We may never find out what it means
But there's a light I hold before me
And you're the measure of my dreams
The measure of my dreams
Sometimes I wake up in the morning
The ginger lady by my bed
Covered in a cloak of silence
I hear you in my head
I'm not singing for the future
I'm not dreaming of the past
I'm not talking of the fist time
I never think about the last
Now the song is nearly over
We may never find out what it means
Still there's a light I hold before me
You're the measure of my dreams
The measure of my dreams
The song "A Rainy Night in Soho" by Damien Dempsey speaks of a love that has lasted a long time. The lyrics indicate the singer's devotion to their lover through good times and bad, as they have seen their friends fall into Heaven and Hell. The song highlights their ability to take shelter in each other's company, finding comfort in a rainy night in Soho. The singer sings of their sorrows and the lover shares their joys as they remember the old song that once brought joy to both of them.
Over time, the song nears its end, and the meaning behind it remains unclear. However, the light that the singer holds before them is their lover, who is the measure of their dreams. The song finishes with the singer waking up to the ginger lady by their side, shrouded in silence, with their lover always in their head. They do not sing for the future or dream of the past, for the present is all that matters. The light that the singer holds before them continues to be their lover, who is their source of joy, and the measure of their dreams.
The song highlights the power of love and devotion, that remains the source of happiness and light during dark times. It is a reminder that true love never fades away, and that it continues to inspire us even when we are alone.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been loving you a long time
I've been loving you for a considerable length of time
Down all the years, down all the days
Over the course of many years and countless days
And I've cried for all your troubles
I've shed tears for all the difficulties you've faced
Smiled at your funny little ways
I've found delight in your unique quirks and behaviors
We watched our friends grow up together
We observed the development of our acquaintances as we age alongside them
And we saw them as they fell
We witnessed both their failures and successes
Some of them fell into Heaven
Some of them found great success and happiness
Some of them fell into Hell
Some of them experienced failure or tragedy
I took shelter from a shower
I sought refuge from the rain
And I stepped into your arms
I found comfort in your embrace
On a rainy night in Soho
During a particularly rainy evening in the Soho district
The wind was whistling all its charms
The wind was making an enchanting, eerie sound
I sang you all my sorrows
I shared with you all of my emotional pain
You told me all your joys
You revealed to me all of your sources of happiness
Whatever happened to that old song?
What became of the song that once held so much meaning to us?
To all those little girls and boys?
What significance does it continue to hold for the younger generation?
Now the song is nearly over
The song is coming to a close
We may never find out what it means
It is possible that the song's true meaning will forever remain a mystery
But there's a light I hold before me
There is a flame of hope that I keep alive
And you're the measure of my dreams
You are the embodiment of my aspirations
Sometimes I wake up in the morning
Occasionally I awaken at the start of a new day
The ginger lady by my bed
My companion, who has red hair, is lying next to me
Covered in a cloak of silence
We share a peaceful stillness
I hear you in my head
I cannot help but think of you constantly
I'm not singing for the future
My voice today is not directed towards tomorrow
I'm not dreaming of the past
Nor am I preoccupied with yesterday's memories
I'm not talking of the first time
This is not a tale of when we first met
I never think about the last
I avoid dwelling on the ending of things
Still there's a light I hold before me
Despite everything, there is still a glimmer of hope for the future
You're the measure of my dreams
You are the bar that I strive to reach
The measure of my dreams
You are the standard I hold myself to
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Shane Patrick Lysaght Macgowan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kieran Patrick
@Corner Back Do not go gentle into that good night
Dylan Thomas, 1914 - 1953
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Here's my MOST favourite poem of all time....Dont take life & grammar on YouTube so seriously my good man🙏🐒
Aimée Richardson
Damien, you must have discovered your inner character because you really transformed that song into my most favourite version!!!
I certainly believed every word that you sang in the song - I'm emotionally happy!! Well done!! I'm flippin' proud of you!!
Bryan Johnston
@Kieran Patrick thanks for sharing
Kieran Patrick
@Corner Back Do not go gentle into that good night
Dylan Thomas, 1914 - 1953
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Here's my MOST favourite poem of all time....Dont take life & grammar on YouTube so seriously my good man🙏🐒
Kieran Patrick
@Corner Back ....haaaaaahaaaa pathetic "buddy 2 shoes" is what I ment....& ejit too...this isn't a thesis buddy 2 shoes,honestly I dont even know why I'm responding to you... Jasas for u to comment on other folks blaaaahs on YouTube.....busy times for u sir.....hugs for u pal🐯💃
Corner Back
@Kieran Patrick No mate. You're wrong he isn't . Eejit*
Edit: and it's goodie 2 shoes not buddy
Kieran Patrick
@Eddy Miller....Eddy....Bravo for the most "BIGGEST EJIT COMMENT 2018".... My god evolution skipped you buddy 2 shoes...My God......
Jodie Fox
Beautiful version.
keano993514
Beautiful rendition, bravo Damien!
Tylor Morey
great cover well done damo
Elizabeth Fitzpatrick
Beautiful song and voice love it ❤️