The Dolan household was always noted for music, Joe was to be seen in those early days playing the washboard accompanying his sisters' singing in the house.. Indeed it was no surprise that Joe and Ben decided to put a band together and play the local dancehall circuit.
1964-1968:
Joe finished his apprenticeship with the Westmeath Examiner and decided to embark on a fulltime career in the music business. If the Band didn't work out he'd always have his skill to fall back on. The Drifters Showband was formed and Joe was the Guitarist and Lead Singer.
It was 1964, Joe cut his first record an old Del Shannon song called "The Answer To Everything", which answered his prayers by shooting straight to the No.4 spot in the Irish Charts. He was on a roll, hit followed hit, "I Love You More And More Everyday", "My Own Peculiar Way", "Aching Breaking Heart", "Pretty Brown Eyes", "Tar And Cement", "The House With The Whitewashed Gable", "Love Of The Common People", and "The Westmeath Bachelor".
1969-1973:
1969 was the year that Joe had his first International break. Signed to the Pye International Label, and with a song called "Make Me An Island" written by the songwriting duo Hammond and Hazelwood, Joe stormed into the U.K. charts at No.3. The song went to No.1 in no less than 14 countries. One day Joe was in Mullingar having a quiet drink, the next he was appearing on Top Of The Pops. The songs "Teresa", "You're Such A Good Looking Woman", "It Makes No Difference", and "Falling In Love" followed. Though not as successful in the U.K. as "Make Me An Island" these songs were in the Top Ten in Europe and No1's in Ireland. Joe and his eight piece band toured the U.K., Europe, Israel, South America and South Africa promoting the records. In October 1973 Joe met up with Roberto Danova, the Italian Songwriter/Producer who had long admired Joe's singing.
1974-1979:
"Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller" was the first of many hit records written by Roberto Danova and co-writer Peter Yellowstone. Their material proved to be a good link to the Continental Market. "Lady In Blue" won five gold records and sold one million copies, Subsequent hits followed, "Crazy Woman", "I Need You", "Sister Mary", "Sixteen Brothers", "My Love", "You Belong To Me"." Most Wanted Man In The U.S.A.", and "Hush Hush Maria". Sure enough Joe spent hours in the air trying to get to T.V. shows throughout Europe. Sometimes having to hire private planes so that he would make his concerts on time. 1978, Joe Dolan was the first Western Artist to perform in Russia. In those days pre-perestroika, Joe's songs were playing on National Radio and his tapes were being sold as bootlegs on the streets of Moscow.
1980-1990:
For 2 Months Joe appeared as the mainroom act in The Silverbird Hotel in Las Vegas. So successful it was that the following year he did an extended six week run.
In 1981 "More And More"was released followed by "It's You, It's You, It's You" "Come Back Home" "Take Me I'm Yours", "Sometimes When We Touch", "Wait 'Til The Clouds Roll By (Jenny)"
Yet another tour of South Africa, Canada and America followed.
Although his record promotions and concert tours kept Joe away from Ireland a lot, he never forgot his home following. He played the dancehall circuit to capacity audiences regularly.
1990 - 1996:
In the 90¹s, Joe set up his own record label, Gable Records. He also built his own recording studio in Mullingar, making it handier for him to record new material, as fitting time into his busy concert schedule was proving difficult.. The fruits of these sessions were released in 1993. "Ciara" went in to the Top20. He followed with the album "Can't Give Enough".
"I'll Give All My Love To You" and "Endless Magic" were two singles released from the forthcoming Album "Endless Magic".
1997:
The Album "Endless Magic" was a smash hit reaching No.9 in the charts. With this Album, Joe broke another record. He was the only Irish singer ever to have had Top 10 hits in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's.
Following the success of "Endless Magic" came an offer of a contract with E.M.I. Records.
"Good Looking Woman" which had been a huge hit for Joe back in the early seventies was re-released, this time Joe was duetting with.....a turkey. Dustin the Turkey. The song went to No.1.
1998:
In 1998, the critically acclaimed "Joe¹s 90¹s" was released . "Joe¹s 90¹s" was a step in another direction for Joe. It was an album of songs including covers of contemporary artists such as Blur, Oasis, and Pulp. "The Universal", the Blur Song was a massive Top10 hit and the album followed it¹s success.
1999 - 2000:
In 1999, Joe recorded the follow up to "Joe¹s 90¹s", "21st Century Joe". This Album was equally successful, it included songs by David Bowie, U2, REM and Bruce Springsteen.
2004 - 2005:
Today Joe is recouperating after his recent Hip Replacement
February 2006 is the date he hopes to be back at what he does best... second best to this, his other passion... golf is keeping him occupied at the minute.
Joe Dolan died just after 3pm on 26th December 2007 at the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin.
Las Vegas
Joe Dolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but the devil made Las Vegas!
Oh Las Vegas, you'll be the death of me,
city of sin oh what a mess I'm in,
look what you've done to me
Oh Las Vegas, I'm losing everything,
Hey Las Vegas, can nothing save us from you?
Night after night, watching the wheel go round
Hey Las Vegas the devil gave us to you,
One of these days, I'm gonna burn you down
One black Sunday, I came to visit you,
just for a day, to pass some time away and shoot a game or two
Oh Las Vegas that was a year ago,
what can I do you've got me hooked on you and I can never go
The lyrics of Joe Dolan's song "Las Vegas" describe the alluring but dangerous nature of the city known for its gambling and nightlife. The opening lines suggest that while the world was created for human enjoyment, Las Vegas, with its sinful activities, is the creation of the devil. The singer sings about the hold the city has over him, describing it as a "mess" and blaming it for his losses, yet unable to resist its pull. He questions if there's anything that can save him from its grasp, and even threatens to burn the place down one day.
The repeated chorus of "Oh Las Vegas" is almost a plea for help, a recognition of being in too deep with the city. The verses paint pictures of a reckless and carefree lifestyle, with the gambler coming to visit just for a day and finding himself unable to leave a year later. The vivid description of watching the wheel go round suggests a sense of helplessness and being caught in a cycle of addiction. The absence of a traditional bridge in the song reinforces this feeling of being trapped, with the verses and chorus repeating with little variation.
Overall, "Las Vegas" is a cautionary tale about the consequences of giving in to temptation and the dangers of excess. It warns that while some experiences may seem thrilling in the moment, they can have long-lasting and even destructive effects.
Line by Line Meaning
The Lord above made the world for us,
God created this beautiful world for us, filled with love and natural wonders.
but the devil made Las Vegas!
However, human greed gave birth to Las Vegas, a city that embodies the sinful desires of mankind.
Oh Las Vegas, you'll be the death of me,
Las Vegas, you're tearing me apart, leading me to a path of self-destruction and eventual demise.
city of sin oh what a mess I'm in,
This city is surrounded by temptation and indulgence, and I am trapped in its dangerous web of vice.
look what you've done to me
My life has been deeply affected by the negative consequences of my time spent in Las Vegas.
Oh Las Vegas, I'm losing everything,
My obsession with this city has cost me more and more, and I am losing everything that once mattered to me.
why do I stay when every game I play, I just get deeper in
Despite the obvious signs of losing, I am still unable to resist the temptation of the games, leading me deeper into a cycle of addiction.
Hey Las Vegas, can nothing save us from you?
Is there any hope or salvation for those who fall prey to the seduction of Las Vegas, or are we all doomed to suffer its devastating effects?
Night after night, watching the wheel go round
The monotonous routine of continually engaging in games at the casino, anxiously waiting for a significant win.
Hey Las Vegas the devil gave us to you,
Las Vegas was created as a physical manifestation of the devil's temptation, designed to attract and ensnare those who struggle with moral weakness.
One of these days, I'm gonna burn you down
Eventually, I will gather the strength to break free from the destructive grip of Las Vegas and leave behind the memories that have caused me so much pain and suffering.
One black Sunday, I came to visit you,
On a particular day, I decided to visit Las Vegas, unaware that it would serve as the beginning of a tragic downfall.
just for a day, to pass some time away and shoot a game or two
I merely intended to spend a day or two quietly playing games just to kill some time and maybe win a little something as a distraction.
Oh Las Vegas that was a year ago,
It has now been a year since my initial trip to Las Vegas, and since then, I have been unable to shake off the addictive influence of this city.
what can I do you've got me hooked on you and I can never go
My addiction to Las Vegas has become so strong that even though I am aware of the negative consequences, I cannot break free from its hold, always drawn back to resume my destructive behavior.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MITCH MURRAY, PETER CALLANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Smith
on I Need You
Poetry!