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.
Negative Vibes
Damien Dempsey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cos, Lord, when the devil gets into my head, I'm so blue
You knock me, if you're so mighty, why waste your time with me
If I'm bad, ignorant and sad
Why waste your time, you're mad
You're just mad, because your life is sad
You've done nothing worth while
Because you hate your life
My life you want to spoil
I'm never going to let
Your negative vibes and comments
Get through to my psyche and cripple me
I'm never going to let
Your negative vibes and comments
Get through to my psyche and cripple me
I never will forget
The suffering that my people went through
In my country and overseas
Were no use, verbal abuse
That's all you have to give
You preach nil, you're so cynical
Jesus, wake up and live
Your bad vibe will drive away your tribe
And where will you be then
All alone
Heart as cold as stone
Hurting yourself again
In Damien Dempsey's song "Negative Vibes," he is calling out the negative attitudes and remarks of others that can bring him down. He makes a plea to God for strength, stating that the devil can get into his head and make him feel blue. He questions the motives of those who criticize him, wondering why they waste their time with someone they view as bad, ignorant, and sad. He believes that these people are unhappy with their own lives and want to spread negativity to others. However, he refuses to let their negative comments and vibes penetrate his psyche and cripple him.
Dempsey also makes a reference to the suffering his people went through, both in his own country and overseas. He recognizes that verbal abuse and negative attitudes cannot compare to the real struggles and trauma that have affected his community. He urges those who spread negativity to wake up and live. He believes that their negative vibes will only drive people away and leave them alone with hearts as cold as stone.
Overall, "Negative Vibes" is a song about perseverance and not allowing others to bring you down with their negative attitudes. Dempsey recognizes that there are real problems and issues in the world that people face, and he actively seeks strength and positivity to combat them.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, Won't you give me the strength to be strong, and be true
Please give me the power and resilience to stay true to myself and my values.
Cos, Lord, when the devil gets into my head, I'm so blue
When negative thoughts and emotions overwhelm me, I feel lost and unhappy.
You knock me, if you're so mighty, why waste your time with me
You criticize me, but if you're as great as you think, why bother with me?
If I'm bad, ignorant and sad
Why waste your time, you're mad
You're just mad, because your life is sad
You've done nothing worth while
You insult me, but your anger stems from your own sadness and lack of fulfillment in life.
Twist the knife
Because you hate your life
My life you want to spoil
You intentionally hurt me because you're unhappy with your own life, and want to drag me down as well.
I'm never going to let
Your negative vibes and comments
Get through to my psyche and cripple me
I refuse to let your hostility and criticism undermine my mental and emotional wellbeing.
I never will forget
The suffering that my people went through
In my country and overseas
I remember and honor the struggles and oppression that my community has faced, both at home and abroad.
Were no use, verbal abuse
That's all you have to give
You preach nil, you're so cynical
Jesus, wake up and live
Your only contribution is hurtful words and insults, and you offer no positive or constructive input. You need to snap out of your negativity and start living your life.
Your bad vibe will drive away your tribe
And where will you be then
All alone
Heart as cold as stone
Hurting yourself again
Your negative attitude will push away the people who care about you, leaving you isolated and miserable, repeating the cycle of self-inflicted pain.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAMIEN JUDE PATRICK DEMPSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sean Ryan
Kevin Kiely Jnr. Lord, Won't you give me the strength to be strong, and be true
Cos, Lord, when the devil gets into my head, I'm so blue
You knock me, if you're so mighty, why waste your time with me
If I'm bad, ignorant and sad
Why waste your time, you're mad
You're just mad, because your life is sad
You've done nothing worth while
Twist the knife
Because you hate your life
My life you want to spoil
I'm never going to let
Your negative vibes and comments
Get through to my psyche and cripple me
I'm never going to let
Your negative vibes and comments
Get through to my psyche and cripple me
I never will forget
The suffering that my people went through
In my country and overseas
Were no use, verbal abuse
That's all you have to give
You preach nil, you're so cynical
Jesus, wake up and live
Your bad vibe will drive away your tribe
And where will you be then
All alone
Heart as cold as stone
Hurting yourself again
Mada Senyah
This man has helped me through more darkness than any other artist I've ever come across.
Kathleen Melzer
Mada Senyah his songs are comforting. I agree.
john denis dunne
I miss Dublin
murkartik
same here
Steelios Markus
I sit back close my eyes and I am Free, thanks Damien, goodnite godbless
Olivia Mcnama
Great song, great artist, seen him live a few times, one of the greatest motivational songs ever.
T C
insane ! one of the best songs ever written
Anne-Marie
If your feeling down and u go to one of his gigs it will help to lift your mood. A wonderful artist.
Andy Murray
Damien Dempsey.... your song writing stops me in my tracks and brings me to my knees ... Your words say more than the history books ever could... why ? because they are honest..
Steelios Markus
My fbest friend commited suicide some years ago. He struggled with mental health, he loved this song i just found it by accident. Lever cried so much. Such a beatiful song.