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.
Hold me
Damien Dempsey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I find it hard to bring down my guard.
Hold me, closely, and softly sweetly kiss my lips, my lips
Oh baby baby baby, hold me closely, and softly sweetly kiss your lips, your lips.
It's been so long since I heard that song, It always does remind me of us.
The last time that I saw you,
That awful night we parted,
Was when this nightmare started.
But now tonight I see you,
And jesus how I miss you.
Oh baby baby baby, hold me, closely, and softly sweetly kiss my lips, my lips. Oh baby baby baby, hold me, closely, I softly sweetly kiss your lips, your lips
The lyrics of Damien Dempsey's "Hold Me" speak of pain, hurt, and longing for intimacy. The singer, who has been hurt in the past and finds it hard to let their guard down, is asking their partner to hold them closely and sweetly kiss their lips. The song's lyrics reference a past relationship that has caused pain, indicating that there is a history between the singer and their partner. The singer reflects on the last time they saw their partner and how they fought and parted, and the pain that followed.
The lyrics indicate that the singer still cares deeply for their partner, despite the pain that has been caused. They long to feel the connection they once had, as evidenced by the reference to a song that reminds them of their relationship. The repetition of "Oh baby baby baby" emphasizes the singer's plea for intimacy and connection, while the lines "hold me, closely, and softly sweetly kiss my lips, my lips" suggest a desire for physical closeness in addition to emotional intimacy.
Overall, the lyrics of "Hold Me" are a heartfelt plea for intimacy and connection from a speaker who has been hurt in the past but longs to feel close to their partner once again.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl I've been hurt in the past, cut up
I've experienced emotional pain and it's left me feeling vulnerable and hesitant in new relationships.
I find it hard to bring down my guard.
I struggle to trust and let others in due to the pain I've endured.
Hold me, closely, and softly sweetly kiss my lips, my lips
I crave physical affection and intimacy from my partner to feel loved and secure.
Oh baby baby baby, hold me closely, and softly sweetly kiss your lips, your lips.
I'm expressing my desire for my partner to reciprocate the physical affection and make me feel loved and secure.
It's been so long since I heard that song, It always does remind me of us.
This song brings back memories of a past relationship that I miss and wish to rekindle.
The last time that I saw you,
I recall the previous encounter with my former partner.
I shouted and I fought you,
I expressed anger and frustration towards them during our last encounter.
That awful night we parted,
The end of our relationship was a painful and traumatic experience.
Was when this nightmare started.
The after-effects of our parting have been a source of distress and turmoil for me.
But now tonight I see you,
Despite the pain, I still have feelings for my former partner and desire to be close to them again.
And jesus how I miss you.
I deeply long for the emotional connection and physical intimacy that we once shared.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAMIEN JUDE PATRICK DEMPSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Helen Mc Shane
Beautiful song and an amazing voice that tells a story so well.
Singing tree
Damien Dempsey defies genre categorisation! Amazing. I'm getting a touch of scandie band Aha circa 1988 in the chorus of this one. But always the heart.
Katherine McCartney
This song makes me cry every time I listen to it. Pure Magic.
Mary Carlin
Sublime 💖💖
Sarah Warden
Beautiful song!!!! Am in love with it, I’m seeing u perform on Sunday night. Can’t wait ❤️❤️
AranleighRob
Beautiful song
Trystan Clark
Wow damn. My mom heard this and fell in love. I am hearing this for the first time and I am asking myself, "how the f*#K have I never heard this fella"? Top Tier Talent....
Cormac
''The last time that I saw you I shouted and I fought you
That awful night we parted was when this nightmare started
But now tonight I see you and Jesus how I miss you''
Darragh C
Hope you're OK Cormac
Gordy
Me too hope u both are doing good 💚🍀