Come On Eileen
Dexy's Midnight Runners & The Emerald Express Lyrics
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He moved a million hearts in mono
Our mothers cried,
And sang along who'd blame them?
You've grown, so grown
Now I must say more than ever
(Come on Eileen) Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye Aye
Come on Eileen, I swear (well he means)
At this moment, you mean everything
You in that dress, my thoughts I confess
Verge on dirty
Ah come on Eileen
These people round here, wear beaten down eyes
Sunk in smoke dried faces, so resigned to what their fate is
But not us, no not us, we are far too young and clever
(Remember) Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye
Eileen I'll hum this tune forever
Come on Eileen, I swear, well he means
Ah come on let's, take off everything
Pretty red dress Eileen (Tell him yes)
Ah come on let's, ah come on Eileen
Pretty red dress Eileen (Tell him yes)
Ah come on let's, ah come on Eileen, please
Come on, Eileen taloo-rye-aye
Come on, Eileen taloo-rye-aye
(Now you have grown, now you have shown, oh, Eileen)
Said Come on, Eileen taloo-rye-aye (repeat in background)
You've grown
So grown (Show, how you feel)
Now I must say more than ever
Things 'round here have changed
I said too-ra-loo-ra-too-ra-loo-rye-aye
Come on Eileen, I swear (well he means)
At this moment, you mean everything
You in that dress, my thoughts I confess
Verge on dirty
Ah come on Eileen
Come on Eileen, I swear (well he means)
At this moment, you mean everything
You in that dress, my thoughts I confess
Well, they're dirty
Come on Eileen
The lyrics to Dexy's Midnight Runners' "Come On Eileen" track evoke a bittersweet nostalgia for a fleeting youthful innocence that burns brightly as they sing about their sweet memories with their old friend Eileen. The opening verse talks about Johnny Ray, the singer who moved audiences with his sorrowful music, paving the way for other artists who came after him. The second verse is a bit cryptic in its interpretation, but it seems to describe the stark difference between the happiness and freedom felt by Dexy's group and the dreariness of the bystanders' lives. The chorus consists mainly of exclamations of the singer's feelings towards Eileen, with a strong desire to be close to her and their youth.
The song appears to revolve around two themes: first, the group's desire to hold onto their youth and innocence and second, their longing for something (or someone) more meaningful than their everyday lives, which struggle to live up to their lofty aspirations. Overall, the song is a call to action, a motivating anthem urging the listener to hold onto and cherish their youth and memories of it despite the inevitability of growing older and the changes that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Poor old Johnny Ray sounded sad upon the radio
Johnny Ray's sad song on the radio made us melancholic.
He moved a million hearts in mono
Though his music was in mono, Johnny Ray still touched so many hearts.
Our mothers cried, And sang along who'd blame them?
Our moms were moved to tears, and anyone can understand why they sang along.
You've grown, so grown Now I must say more than ever
You've matured, and I have to express more than ever now.
(Come on Eileen) Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye Aye And we can sing just like our fathers
We can sing just like our mums and dads used to do. Come on, Eileen!
Come on Eileen, I swear (well he means) At this moment, you mean everything You in that dress, my thoughts I confess Verge on dirty Ah come on Eileen
Eileen, I promise you, you mean everything to me right now. Though I admit that your dress makes my thoughts somewhat impure, come on and dance with me, Eileen!
These people round here, wear beaten down eyes Sunk in smoke dried faces, so resigned to what their fate is But not us, no not us, we are far too young and clever (Remember) Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye Eileen I'll hum this tune forever
The people around us seem beaten and hopeless, but we're sharper and more optimistic. Eileen, let's remember this tune forever.
Come on Eileen, I swear, well he means Ah come on let's, take off everything Pretty red dress Eileen (Tell him yes) Ah come on let's, ah come on Eileen Pretty red dress Eileen (Tell him yes) Ah come on let's, ah come on Eileen, please
Eileen, I promise you, I mean well. Let's be daring and take off our clothes. Say yes to me, Eileen. Come on, Eileen, let's do this!
Come on, Eileen taloo-rye-aye Come on, Eileen taloo-rye-aye (Now you have grown, now you have shown, oh, Eileen) Said Come on, Eileen taloo-rye-aye (repeat in background) You've grown
Come on, Eileen, let's dance together. You've grown so much, and now you've shown your true colors. Come on, Eileen!
So grown (Show, how you feel) Now I must say more than ever Things 'round here have changed I said too-ra-loo-ra-too-ra-loo-rye-aye
You've grown so much, and I need you to reveal your emotions more. Things have changed, and I said toora loora toora loo-rye-aye.
Come on Eileen, I swear (well he means) At this moment, you mean everything You in that dress, my thoughts I confess Verge on dirty Ah come on Eileen
Eileen, I promise you, you mean everything right now. But I have to confess, your dress is making my thoughts a bit impure. Come on, Eileen!
Come on Eileen, I swear (well he means) At this moment, you mean everything You in that dress, my thoughts I confess Well, they're dirty Come on Eileen
Eileen, I swear that you mean everything to me right now. Though I have to admit, my thoughts about you in that dress are a bit impure. Come on, Eileen!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES PATERSON, KEVIN ADAMS, KEVIN ROWLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Anita1210.
Lyrics
Come on, Eileen
Poor old Johnnie Ray
Sounded sad upon the radio
Moved a million hearts in mono
Our mothers cried
Sang along, who'd blame them?
You've grown (you're grown up)
So grown (so grown up)
Now I must say more than ever
(Come on, Eileen)
Too-ra-loo-ra
Too-ra-loo-rye-ay
And we can sing just like our fathers
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
You in that dress
My thoughts, I confess
Verge on dirty
Ah, come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
These people 'round here
Were beaten down, eyes sunk in smoke-dried face
They're so resigned to what their fate is
But not us (no never)
But not us (not ever)
We are far too young and clever
(Remember)
Too-ra-loo-ra
Too-ra-loo-rye-ay
And you'll hum this tune forever
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
Ah, come on, let's
Take off everything
That pretty red dress
Eileen (tell him yes)
Ah, come on, let's
Ah, come on, Eileen, please
That pretty red dress
Eileen (tell him yes)
Ah, come on, let's
Ah, come on, Eileen, please
Now you're full grown (too-ra)
And now you have shown (too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Oh, Eileen
Said, come on, Eileen (come on, Eileen) (you've grown)
These things they are real and I know (ta-loo-rye-ay) (so grown)
How you feel (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)
Now I must say more than ever (too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Things 'round here have changed
I said, too-ra-loo-ra (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)
Too-ra-loo-rye-ay (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)
(Too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
You in that dress
My thoughts, I confess
Verge on dirty
Ah, come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
In that dress
Oh, my thoughts I confess
Well, they're dirty
Come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
Whoa (what he means)
Whoa
@vernonroche1351
Come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
Poor old Johnnie Ray
Sounded sad upon the radio
Moved a million hearts in mono
Our mothers cried
Sang along, who'd blame them?
You've grown (you're grown up)
So grown (so grown up)
Now I must say more than ever
(Come on, Eileen)
Too-ra-loo-ra
Too-ra-loo-rye-ay
And we can sing just like our fathers
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
You in that dress
My thoughts, I confess
Verge on dirty
Ah, come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
These people 'round here
Were beaten down, eyes sunk in smoke-dried face
They're so resigned to what their fate is
But not us (no never)
But not us (not ever)
We are far too young and clever
(Remember)
Too-ra-loo-ra
Too-ra-loo-rye-ay
And you'll hum this tune forever
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
Ah, come on, let's
Take off everything
That pretty red dress
Eileen (tell him yes)
Ah, come on, let's
Ah, come on, Eileen, please
That pretty red dress
Eileen (tell him yes)
Ah, come on, let's
Ah, come on, Eileen, please
Now you're full grown (too-ra)
And now you have shown (too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Oh, Eileen
Said, come on, Eileen (come on, Eileen) (you've grown)
These things they are real and I know (ta-loo-rye-ay) (so grown)
How you feel (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)
Now I must say more than ever (too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Things 'round here have changed
I said, too-ra-loo-ra (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)
Too-ra-loo-rye-ay (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)
(Too-ra, ta-loo-ra)
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
You in that dress
My thoughts, I confess
Verge on dirty
Ah, come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
Oh, I swear (what he means)
At this moment
You mean everything
In that dress
Oh, my thoughts I confess
Well, they're dirty
Come on, Eileen
Come on, Eileen
Whoa (what he means)
Whoa
Ah, come on, Eileen
Oh, believe me
If all those endearing young chums
That I gaze on so fondly today
Were to suddenly leave you, oh fly in the night
Just like fairy gifts gone in the sky
@donhardy9248
This was my little sister's favorite song. I was in college when my dad called me late at night and told me to come home immediately. As I drove, I prayed harder than I've ever prayed, begging God that it not be her, but ... she was already gone, killed by a drunk driver at just 15 years of age. Susan was the sweetest, friendliest, most fun-loving girl on the planet, and she was robbed of a beautiful long life. They say that time heals all wounds, but 40+ years later it just isn't true. For years this song brought horribly sad memories, but now at age 63, I find strange comfort in the tune.
@karumrum
So sorry for you. That's awful. You made me tear up 💔
@bigtastyforlife9367
You learn to live with it but deep down you always feel cheated.
@janddreyes33
I'm so sorry to hear about your little sister's tragic death. I pray God continues healing and comforting your heart.
@jackbaynes3959
So so sorry to hear that
@nuclearsake3887
She had great taste in music, and sounded like a delightful person. Sorry for your loss.
@eileenthiery6881
❤my name is Eileen and I will have this song played at my funeral when my casket is being taken out. I always ran late when my husband and I were going somewhere. He called "come on Eileen " before this song ever came out. At 80 years old, this song still makes me smile. Love it!!
@user-rg8nz7pe5m
Love It !!
@nancygreen8186
God bless you Eileen😊 ❤
@jeskvell3254
❤️