Coming from a family with a keen musical interest, Flannery was introduced to folk and blues music at a young age. He says that he wrote his first song at the age of fifteen. When he was in school he got together with a few local guys and formed a rock band called Black Orange but their gigging history was sporadic and they went their separate ways a few years after. Later, while undergoing a music and management course at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa in Cork, Flannery commenced writing the album that would become "Evening Train", an eleven-track concept album about the exploits of two brothers. Released in 2007, the album was received positively by critics in Ireland and the United States.
Flannery's second studio album "White Lies" was released on 12 September 2008, achieving a top ten position on the Irish Albums Chart. It later went platinum and was nominated for the Choice Music Prize.
Flannery released his third studio album, Red to Blue, on 30 March 2012.
Official site: www.mickflannery.com
Creak In the Door
Mick Flannery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
what time do ya call this?
The dogs bowl is empty
and the scuttle needs coal,
so be done ‘fore your father gets in?
Where the hell is your brother?
Is he playing cards again?
Why can't he find some friends?
So you're in, I'm ill, will you bring me my glass,
and roll one while you're there.
There's bread in the back but it's of the last
So leave your father a share.
Did you talk with Luther this evening?
I heard ‘bout what he's done.
No I haven't seen him,
I think he's on the run.
Ma I won't wanna tell my friends
‘bout when I was young.
There's a twenty on the table, will you go to the town?
A bottle and a packet of skins.
And ask for your brother while you're down.
You're gonna find out where he's been.
I tried and tried to help him,
You know don't ya son?
Yeah, I know what you tried ma,
I know what you've done.
And I won't wanna tell my friends
‘bout when I was young.
The lyrics of Mick Flannery's song "Creak in the Door" present a powerful slice of working-class family life in Ireland. The song focuses on a mother and son's conversation about the day's events, and the lyrics give an insight into their relationship and the tensions that exist in their family. The song takes on a storytelling style that keeps the listener engaged, immersing them in the world of the characters, their struggles, and the harsh realities of their lives.
The creak in the door referred to in the lyrics serves as a metaphor for the mother's fear that her son's late-night arrival will wake his father, who may be angry about him returning home at such an hour. The mother instructs her son to quietly perform tasks, such as adding coal to the fireplace or refilling her glass, taking care to avoid any noise. The son provides no justification for his tardiness and appears despondent, with the mother asking if there is something wrong. In response, the son tries to deflect her attention and redirects the conversation to more mundane topics like the family's bread, the welfare of the dogs, and his brother's whereabouts, revealing his mother's anxiety about her son's lifestyle.
One of the underlying themes of the song is the enduring nature of youth's friendships and its ability to persist through time. The final lines of the song about not wanting to tell his friends about his youth suggest regrets on the part of the son, recognizing that he cannot relive the carefree days of the past, but he will always have his memories. The lyrics of "Creak in the Door" exemplify Mick Flannery's songwriting abilities, which have been praised for their honesty, vulnerability, and ability to capture the dark and moody atmospheres.
Line by Line Meaning
I told you before ‘bout that creak in the door,
I've warned you before about the creaky door that makes noise every time it's opened.
what time do ya call this?
What took you so long to come home at this time of night?
The dogs bowl is empty
The dog needs to be fed.
and the scuttle needs coal,
The fireplace needs more coal in it.
so be done ‘fore your father gets in?
Finish up and leave before your father comes home and sees you here.
Where the hell is your brother?
Where is your brother and what is he doing?
Is he playing cards again?
Is he once again gambling with his friends?
Don't he love his mother?
Doesn't he care about his mother's worries and concerns?
Why can't he find some friends?
Why doesn't he have other friends to do things with besides gambling?
So you're in, I'm ill, will you bring me my glass,
Since you're already here, can you please bring me my glass because I'm feeling unwell?
and roll one while you're there.
Can you also roll a joint for me while you're at it?
There's bread in the back but it's of the last
There's some bread left in the back, but it's the last of it.
So leave your father a share.
If you take some bread, please leave some for your father as well.
Did you talk with Luther this evening?
Did you have a conversation with Luther tonight?
I heard ‘bout what he's done.
I know about something wrong that Luther has done.
No I haven't seen him,
No, I haven't seen Luther recently.
I think he's on the run.
I believe that he may be running away from his problems.
Ma I won't wanna tell my friends
Mom, I don't want to tell my friends
‘bout when I was young.
about my childhood and how difficult my family life was.
There's a twenty on the table, will you go to the town?
There's a twenty-dollar bill on the table; can you go to the store in town for me?
A bottle and a packet of skins.
Bring back a bottle of alcohol and some rolling papers.
And ask for your brother while you're down.
While you're at the store, ask around for your brother and try to find out where he is.
You're gonna find out where he's been.
Hopefully, you'll be able to learn where your brother has been since nobody in your family knows.
I tried and tried to help him,
I did everything in my power to help him.
You know don't ya son?
You already know this, don't you?
Yeah, I know what you tried ma,
Yes, Mother, I know what you did, but it didn't work.
I know what you've done.
I understand and appreciate everything you've done for me, Mother.
And I won't wanna tell my friends ‘bout when I was young.
And I don't want to discuss my troubled childhood with my friends.
Writer(s): Michael Flannery
Contributed by Elijah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
paul roche
Phenomenal Irish talent :)
slippyking07
Top top notch
Blat Tál Cas Dál gCais
mdb