Foster & Allen began back in the seventies when Mick and Tony were playing in Country Music bands around Ireland. In 1975 they formed a small group and went over to the UK to work the Irish music venues on a short tour.
Mick & Tony had at this stage the idea of working together as a duo, playing ‘easy listening’ music with a touch of traditional Irish instrumentals. When their UK tour finished they decided to let the band return to Ireland whilst they stayed behind to try and break into the public eye. They played several venues in the London area and the reaction was very favourable; so much so, they decided to remain as a duo and Foster and Allen was formed.
It was difficult at the beginning and after a time working around the circuit in the UK and Ireland, they released their first single record The Rambles of Spring. This made a good impact on the Irish market and Foster and Allen were soon in demand for cabaret venues all over Ireland and to a lesser extent the UK At the end of 1978 Foster and Allen released the single A Bunch Of Thyme in Ireland, which entered the Irish charts and became their first top-selling No. 1 single.
It was not until 1982 that this single was released in the UK. It was played by all the radio stations in Britain and was soon in the pop charts. It climbed rapidly to number 18 in the UK Singles Chart. At the time, Mick & Tony were in the U.S. on a tour. They were contacted and told to fly back to Britain immediately as they were required to appear on television’s Top of the Pops.
Demand for Foster and Allen's services at venues all over Ireland and the UK increased at this point. They released another single "Old Flames" which also made its way into the UK Charts. They did their first concert tour of the UK in 1983 and this tour was boosted even more by the release of another single Maggie. This reached number 27 in the UK singles chart and, along with A Bunch Of Thyme, these became the signature tunes for the duo. Since then they have toured the UK twice each year.
In addition to the UK tours, Foster and Allen have toured the U.S.A, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. They had five No. 1 Hits in Australia/New Zealand. They have also appeared on numerous TV shows in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales as well as Australia, USA and Canada, and they have had their own TV series on RTE Television in Ireland.
In the early days Mick & Tony performed on stage as a duo, but in 1982 (when the concert tours started) they added a band to their show thus giving a much fuller sound to their program. On the recording front, Foster and Allen have to date released a total of 27 albums, all of which have gone into the British charts. This is a great achievement for a middle-of-the-road ‘easy listening’ act.
As well as the albums, they have released thirteen videos, again all of which have entered the British charts. The video "Souvenirs and Memories" reached No. 3 in the British charts around Christmas 1991, the "By Request" video went straight into the No. 1 spot in 1993 and their latest DVD/Video release "After All These Years" was a Top 10 Chart Release in the UK. To date Foster and Allen have achieved album and video sales in excess of 19 million worldwide.
Foster and Allen celebrated their 30th Anniversary together in the music industry with the release of their new album "Foster & Allen Sing The No. 1’s" which was a Top 30 Chart hit in the UK during Christmas 2005 bringing the sales of their last three albums in the UK and Ireland to over 500,000 units.
The duo recently completed their “World Concert Tour – 2005/2006” which took them on tour to the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Ireland, U.S.A., Australia and Ireland.
Those Were The Days
Foster & Allen Lyrics
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An hour's anger pressed into a minute kept me from living a sweet, good life.
Darling, I know you will recall the spite that from my lips shot forth
And other times I did not speak a word when I alone could not break my fall.
I found another way in, because I put my faith in Him.
He's awake when I'm asleep, and it's He that I will serve,
Darling I know, I know that you recall the spite my lips shot forth
And other times I would not speak a word, when there was no one there to hear but you.
I found another way in, because I put my faith in Him.
He's awake when I'm asleep, and it's He that I will serve,
And you're the one I don't deserve, that He lets me keep.
The lyrics of Foster & Allen's song "Those Were The Days" reflect a deep introspection on the past and present relationships of the singer. The lines convey a sense of regret and self-awareness about the moments in the past when the singer harbored hatred towards the world and its inhabitants. This bitterness and anger seemed to have consumed the singer's days, preventing them from fully embracing a positive and fulfilling life. The reference to an "hour's anger pressed into a minute" highlights the weight and impact of negative emotions on the singer's well-being.
The lyricist acknowledges the hurtful words and negativity that they have directed towards their significant other, as expressed in the lines "Darling, I know you will recall the spite that from my lips shot forth." Despite moments of silence and internal struggles, the singer recognizes the support and understanding they have received from their partner, even in times when they felt isolated and unable to overcome their own emotional turmoil.
The theme of faith and redemption emerges in the lyrics as the singer finds solace and guidance in a higher power, symbolized by the reference to putting faith in "Him." This belief in a divine presence that is always present, even in moments of vulnerability and sleep, serves as a source of strength for the singer. The acknowledgment that they do not deserve the love and loyalty of their partner, yet are allowed to keep it by a higher power, reflects a sense of gratitude and humility in the face of their own shortcomings.
The repetition of the refrain "I found another way in, because I put my faith in Him" emphasizes the transformative power of faith and the singer's commitment to serving a higher purpose. The contrast between past moments of anger and regret with a newfound sense of faith and gratitude underscores the singer's journey towards self-discovery and inner peace. Ultimately, the lyrics convey a message of repentance, forgiveness, and the enduring bond between the singer and their partner, guided by a belief in a higher spiritual presence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Matthew van Winkle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind