Paul Tiernan, once singer with "Flex and the Fastweather", a band who in th… Read Full Bio ↴Paul Tiernan, once singer with "Flex and the Fastweather", a band who in their heyday had a string of hit singles in Ireland, a publishing contract with Paul McGuiness of U2 and a top ten hit in Sweden, has for the past ten years embarked on a solo career starting with the release of his debut album titled "Who's fooling who?" in 1995 in Ireland.

As well as performing solo, Paul has also toured internationally as a guitarist with the famous '60s legend Donovan, Welsh Breton songstress Katell Keineg, Kieran Halpin and platinum selling Irish singer Sinead Lohan whilst also guesting with the HotHouse Flowers, Mary Black, Christy Moore and Beth Orton.

Following on the success of his first album, he formed a trio with Kevin Murphy on cello and Colm McCaughey on fiddle bringing to the music an unusual sense of melody crossing over the rock-traditional-folk divide.

This distinctive combination has so far resulted in a successful tour of America and Scandinavia in 1994, a stunning performance at the international South by Southwest music seminar in Texas in 1995, tours and festivals in Switzerland and in Germany throughout the last ten years and a string of vibrant performances to wildly enthusiastic crowds all over Ireland.

The debut album was followed by a more "electric" album called "Virgoville" in 1998. Paul released his third album "God knows i love a happy ending" in 2002, an enthralling, swirling mixture of strings and voices and is at the moment working on his fourth album.

Recently Paul appeared on the Irish television series 'Other voices' featuring the best of Irish singer songwriters. One of Paul's songs 'Belle' has been included in the top ten Irish album of the same name.

Paul has also recently joined Irish cult band Interference who have been described as being one of the seminal influences on the likes of well known Irish artists, The Frames and Mundy.
Paul has a song (the title track) covered by one of Ireland's most popular singers, Kieran Goss, on his last album 'Red Letter Day'.

One of Paul’s songs ‘how to say goodbye’ is in an American film ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite playlist’….recently a top 10 box office hit in the USA and to be released worldwide in 2009.

Paul Tiernan released his fourth CD entitled ‘Belle’ in 2005 which CDbaby (the worlds biggest online distributor of independent cds) wrote: ‘this is, without a doubt, one of the most memorable male folk albums to come through our doors in years.’

‘Earthquakes start with little cracks’ , Paul’s latest CD was released in Ireland on March 2nd, 2009. The opening song ‘Breakfast in bed’ has already been voted on of the best songs of 2008 by ‘Rock n’ Folk’ , one of France’s most popular music magazines.
For tour info, audio samples & CD purchases see Paul's homepage.

Paul Tiernan - discography:

Who's Fooling Who? (1995)
Virgoville (1998)
God Knows I Love a Happy Ending (2000)
Belle (2004)
Earthquakes start with little cracks (2008)

18
Paul Tiernan Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Boys

Under the streetlight

Out on the corner

Looking for starlight

Boys

Drunk on the perfume

Of love never tasted

Of hearts never true

And

Girls

Living in bedsits

French cigarettes they

Never inhale

And

Girls

All skinny and wise

Cry without thinking

Born to surprise

Boys

Caught in the headlights

Trying to make wrong right

Just to get laid

And

Boys

All hairoil and beerstains

Missing the last train

Love never saved

And

Girls

Twisting and turning

Like mercury slipping

Out of my hands

And

Girls

Sulphur and burning

Sweetness and yearning

Stretched out on the sand

14

15

16

17

Overall Meaning

The song "18" by Paul Tiernan is a poignant reflection on the experiences of young boys and girls seeking love and belonging. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of boys and girls, each struggling in their own way to navigate the complexities of life.

The first stanza is about the boys, who are hanging out under a streetlight on the corner, looking for something more in life. They are drunk on the idea of love, but have never experienced it for themselves. The second stanza introduces us to the girls, who are living in small apartments and smoking French cigarettes they never inhale. They are skinny and wise beyond their years, but still vulnerable and easily moved to tears.

The third stanza brings the boys back into focus, as they are caught in the headlights of life, trying to make mistakes right in the hopes of finding love and acceptance. They are covered in oil and stains from drinking beer, and often miss the last train home. The fourth stanza returns to the girls, who are twisting and turning like mercury, slipping out of the grasp of those who would try to hold them. They are full of sweetness and yearning, but also sulpher and burning passion that makes them unpredictable.

Overall, the song is a beautifully crafted story about the struggles and joys of young people, as they try to figure out their place in the world and find love and belonging.

Line by Line Meaning

Boys
Young men

Under the streetlight
Standing in the illuminated part of the road

Out on the corner
On the corner of a street

Looking for starlight
Searching for something bright and hopeful

Boys
Young men

Drunk on the perfume
Intoxicated by the fragrance

Of love never tasted
Of romantic experiences they haven't had

Of hearts never true
Of insincere affection

And
In addition to

Girls
Young women

Living in bedsits
Dwelling in small, modest accommodations