As uncompromising as they were gifted as pop songwriters, the original line-up released two seven inch singles: Hot For You and Ghost of a Chance, the latter of which they performed on The Late Late Show in 1981.
The Blades began in the summer of 1977 when five friends got together to play a gig in the Catholic Young Mens Society hall in Ringsend.
The lineup was whittled down to three: Paul Cleary (born 9 September 1959) on bass and vocals, his brother Lar (born 2 June 1957 - died in March 2018) on guitar and friend Pat Larkin (born 25 November 1956) on drums.
Even from that early stage, the band's unashamed working-class origins and integrity marked them out from the more elliptical art rock being pioneered by U2 and The Atrix.
The band regularly played in Dublin's infamous venues like The Magnet on Pearse Street, McGonagle's on South Anne Street and The Baggot Inn on Lower Baggot Street, where they did a six-week residency with U2. Many in the crowd left after The Blades set and it was The Blades rather than U2 who were tipped for stardom.
Their first single Hot For You was released on Energy Records in 1980, followed by Ghost Of A Chance in 1981 which they played on The Late Late Show. The legendary producer John Porter produced their first album Last Man in Europe but due to personnel changes at the record company never got released in England.
Pat left the band in March 1981, to be replaced by Jake Reilly on drums, the new lineup of Paul, Larry and Jake Played first gig in The Magnet on Pearse Street on 18 July 1981, later that summer Paul switched to guitar bringing in bassist Brian Foley (ex. The Vipers) and added a brass section including Frank Duff( ex.
The band signed to Irish label Reekus, and a double A-sided single, 'The Bride Wore White'/'Animation' was released in March 1982. In the Hotpress National Poll, 'The Bride Wore White' was voted best single while The Blades were voted 'the most promising act in Ireland' and Paul Cleary beat Van Morrison and Bono to the 'best Irish songwriter'
In 1985, Reekus released the album 'The Last Man In Europe'.
One of their last gestures was to shun Self Aid, a 'backslapping' concert "to highlight the chronic unemployment problem in Ireland at the time" and instead played the socialist 'Rock the System' Concert in Liberty Hall in 1986.
In 2001, Reekus records released a Double CD Boxset "Those were the Days", which includes both Albums: "The Last Man in Europe" and "Raytown Revisited".
Paul Cleary continued with a band The Partisans and later led an eight-piece pub rock band called The Cajun Kings. He also released solo material. In 2001, Paul released his first new material in 15 years, the 11-track album 'Crooked Town.
Pat Larkin was later with The Peridots, and Brian Foley with (The Mountain Climbers, The Harvest Ministers).
The Blades reformed in 2013 to play two sold out reunion gigs in Dublin's Olympia Theatre on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 December. Leading up to their reunion gigs they performed on The Late Late Show in November 2013.
In addition to their reunion gigs in 2013, The Blades performed at The Electric Picnic in 2014 [7] and at The Olympia Theatre on 5 December 2014. In November 2014 Paul Cleary released a brand new solo single 'I Still Believe.'
Following their reunion onstage, the band began working on new material in the studio on the strength of new songwriting from Cleary. In November 2015, they released their first new music as The Blades since 1985 with a 4-track EP entitled Smalltime. The first single, "Harder Times" was released on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on Today FM on 14 October 2015 and the EP has received widespread critical acclaim from the Irish media.
Those Were the Days
The Blades Lyrics
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With a tight grip on my ear
And I know he won't let go
Until I can force a tear
To eliminate the pain
Now I forget what I did wrong
All I remember is the shame
Still they're saying
Those were the days
So simple and so clear
Those were the days
With only God to fear
Those were the days
When people weren't afraid
Those were the days of hoping
Father Father, I confess
In my ignorance and haste
I was caught out with this girl
Now I am no longer chaste
Human instinct is a flaw
In this theory you have built
Though it's a blessing in disguise
Now I know it to be guilt
Still they're saying
Those were the days
So simple and so clear
Those were the days
With only God to fear
Those were the days
When people weren't afraid
Those were the days of hoping
Those were the days
When everything was right
Those were the days
When people used to fight
Those were the days
When people weren't afraid
Those were the days
(Listen to me)
Those were the days
So simple and so clear
Those were the days
With only God to fear
Those were the days
When we weren't afraid
(Those were the days)
Those were the days
So simple and so clear
Those were the days
The Blades' song "Those Were the Days" is a poignant reflection on the past, highlighting how things used to be simpler, clearer, and more hopeful. The song's opening verse describes a young student experiencing physical and emotional pain as their teacher disciplines them, ultimately resulting in shame. The chorus then echoes the sentiment that, despite these struggles, "those were the days" when life was easier and there was less to fear. The second verse is a confessional conversation with God, where the singer acknowledges their mistake of giving in to temptation and feeling guilt as a result. Despite their flaws, the singer longs for the time when everything felt "right" and people had more courage to fight for what they believed in.
Overall, "Those Were the Days" evokes a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time, while acknowledging the challenges that people faced then as well. The lyrics speak to the human experience of struggle and change, but also the innate desire for hope and a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a teacher in the class
I am in class and my teacher is present
With a tight grip on my ear
My teacher has a physically strong hold on me
And I know he won't let go
I am sure my teacher will not release me
Until I can force a tear
My teacher is making me cry
So I cry the best I can
I try to cry loud enough for him to let go
To eliminate the pain
The only reason for my tears is to stop the physical pain
Now I forget what I did wrong
I cannot remember why I am being punished
All I remember is the shame
All I am left with is insult and humiliation
Still they're saying
People keep telling me
Those were the days
The past was better
So simple and so clear
Life was easier and less complicated
With only God to fear
People only feared God and nothing else
When people weren't afraid
People were not frightened of others or external circumstances
Those were the days of hoping
As it was a time of well-being, people had a positive outlook
Father Father, I confess
I confess to my father
In my ignorance and haste
I did not make a wise choice
I was caught out with this girl
I was caught being intimate with a girl
Now I am no longer chaste
My chastity has been lost
Human instinct is a flaw
Our natural impulses are problematic
In this theory you have built
This is a perception that has been established
Though it's a blessing in disguise
However, it is a disguised favor in a negative situation
Now I know it to be guilt
I realize it was an immoral act
When everything was right
In the past life was perfectly balanced
When people used to fight
People had disagreements
Those were the days
The old days were better
When we weren't afraid
During this time we were not scared
Listen to me
Pay attention to what I am saying
Lyrics © Reekus Music Ireland
Written by: Paul Cleary
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stickypool
Never understood how the blades never made it big internationally.
@RogerMelka
Un groupe irlandais passé inaperçu, que j'ai découvert dans un pub à Limerick...<3
@TheHughLundy
This man (Paul Cleary) truely was as close as Ireland as come to producing an Elvis Costello-and that's a huge compliment.
@GoranStosic85
Except Elvis doesn't have any tune that can match this one.
@GoranStosic85
insane vibes
@toppop100
Does anyone know anything about a Dublin band called The Population who were playing in 1979/80? I thought they were the best Irish band of the day, or rather, the band with the best songs, but I can't find anything out about them now. Can anyone help?
@TheHughLundy
@DannyMc71 No sorry we could love to claim Elvis but he was born in Liverpool, he is of Irish decent.He lived here in - well outside Dublin for a number of years(ah they were the good old days)
@DannyMc71
@TheHughLundy Ahhh ok, I always thought he was Irish!
@DannyMc71
@TheHughLundy ...Er...Ireland already produced the original Elvis Costello