Neil Hannon, Originally from Derry, has been the only ever-present member of the band, being its founder in 1989 when he was joined by John McCullagh and Kevin Traynor. Their first album, the heavily R.E.M.-influenced and now-deleted Fanfare for the Comic Muse, enjoyed little success though. A couple of equally unsuccessful EPs - Timewatch (1991); Europop (1992) - were to follow, with newly-recruited member John Allen handling lead vocals on some tracks. After the commercial failure of the latter EP, this line-up soon fell apart.
Hannon, however, was not deterred in his efforts and re-appeared in 1993 with Liberation. Featuring a fairly diverse musical outlook that goes from the tongue-in-cheek synth pop of Europop(nearly unrecognisable from the previously-released version) to the classical stylings of Timewatching.
Indeed, it was only some minor success in France that really enabled Hannon to proceed to his second effort Promenade. Released in 1994, this was heavily driven by classical influences, with Michael Nyman's stylings clearly an influence. Hannon himself acknowledged this when he apparently sent a copy of his new album to the composer, jokingly asking him not to sue. Essentially a concept album about a day spent by two lovers, it also received similar critical acclaim to that which Liberation was afforded. Commercial success, though, was not forthcoming.
At around the same time, Hannon also wrote and performed the theme music for the TV sitcom Father Ted (which would subsequently be incorporated into the song Songs of Love on the album Casanova), and later wrote the music for the deliberately bad mock-Eurovision song My Lovely Horse for one episode. Hannon resisted widespread requests from fans to release the track as a single for the Christmas market, but it was eventually released in 1999 as the third track on the CD-single Gin Soaked Boy. This would not be the only time they would be responsible for a TV theme, as In Pursuit Of Happiness was also used by the BBC science and technology show, Tomorrow's World. Hannon also recently composed the music for the comedy series "The IT Crowd".
The album Casanova (1996), and in particular the single Something for the Weekend led to the band's first major successes, with Neil Hannon becoming a distinctive, albeit unlikely, popstar in an immaculate suit, and always appearing the elegant dandy. At the height of their commercial success, the band put out A Short Album About Love (a reference to the Krzysztof Kieślowski movie A Short Film About Love), recorded live at soundcheck with the Brunel Ensemble in preparation for a concert at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, from which several songs were released as b-sides. It was aptly released on Valentine's Day in 1997. Subsequently, the band contributed a reworking of Noel Coward's I've Been to a Marvellous Party to a compilation of covers of the writer's songs, with Hannon affecting a Cowardesque lilt (albeit interspersed with an aggressive electronic musical backing).
The foppish image, but not the suit, was ditched for the more sombre album Fin De Siècle in 1998, although its biggest hit, the jaunty National Express, a song about the national coach operators, belied its more intimate, soul-searching tone. Maintaining the balance between these poles, 1999's Secret History - the Best of The Divine Comedy included a re-recording of Liberation track The Pop Singer's Fear of the Pollen Count and two new songs (Gin-Soaked Boy and Too Young to Die) alongside the band's main hits. In the same year, the band also collaborated with Tom Jones on a cover version of Portishead's All Mine, featured on his album Reload.
A serious side to the band was also in evidence in 2000's collaboration with Ute Lemper on her album Punishing Kiss, most of which featured The Divine Comedy as Lemper's backing band.
The 2001 album Regeneration attempted to remove the band still further from its association with comedy. Hannon hired famous producer Nigel Godrich to "remake" the band. Neil ditched the suit and donned the Britrock band image. However, the album was a greater critical than commercial success, and soon after its release it was announced that The Divine Comedy were splitting up. However within a year Hannon was touring again with a revised band line-up, playing a series of joint-headline gigs in the USA, UK and Ireland featuring both The Divine Comedy and Ben Folds, who would cover The Divine Comedy's Songs of Love on his Sunny 16 EP.
Eventually a new album surfaced in the form of 2004's Absent Friends. Striking a balance between the occasionally earnest sound of the band's later material and the lighter tone of the more popular releases, it encapsulated the essence of The Divine Comedy. 2004 saw two dates of particularly acclaimed performances, one at the London Palladium (which was later released as a live DVD) and one at the Royal Albert Hall.
In January 2005, Hannon announced that he had acquired the worldwide copyrights to all of his recorded output with his former record label, Setanta Records. He declared on the band's official website that he would be launching his own record label Divine Comedy Records in order to re-release his 1990s output.
Hannon's ninth album under the Divine Comedy moniker, Victory for the Comic Muse (a reference to his debut), was released in June 2006. It is suggested by fans to be less personal and more free-approach in tone than his most recent albums. The bulk of the record was recorded in just two weeks, hence the more spontaneous sound, and features appearances from Travis bass player Dougie Payne.
Hannon collaborated with Thomas Walsh of Pugwash to create an album themed around the sport of cricket. Released under the alias The Duckworth Lewis Method, the self-titled album was released in 2009 to critical acclaim.
The following year saw the tenth Divine Comedy album and first on his own label, Bang Goes the Knighthood.
sunrise
The Divine Comedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was born in Derry City too
Oh what a special child
To see such things and still to smile
I know that there was something wrong
But I kept my head down and carried on
I grew up in Enniskillen
Oh what a clever boy
To watch your hometown be destroyed
I know that I could not stay long
So I kept my head down and carried on
Who cares where national borders lie?
Who cares whose laws you're governed by?
Who cares what name you call a town?
Who'll care when you're six feet beneath the ground?
From the corner of my eye
A hint of blue in the black sky
A ray of hope, a beam of light
An end to thirty years of night
The church bells ring, the children sing
What is this strange and beautiful thing?
It's the sunrise
Can you see the sunrise?
I can see the sunrise
It's the sun rising
The Divine Comedy's song "Sunrise" is a reflective and powerful piece that delves into a history of conflict and trouble, specifically the political and historical context of Northern Ireland. The song begins with the singer detailing their birthplace, highlighting the controversy and contested use of the names "Londonderry" and "Derry City". The following line, "Oh what a special child, to see such things and still to smile", sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics - acknowledging the pain and hardship endured, but refusing to let it crush one's spirit.
As the song progresses, the singer moves on to describe their life growing up in Enniskillen as a "clever boy" who watched his hometown "be destroyed". The lyrics then delve into the futility of national borders and political boundaries, and the insignificance of these things when faced with the finality of death. In the final verses, however, there is a feeling of hope and redemption. The singer describes the sun rising, after thirty years of darkness, with the church bells ringing and the children singing. It's a poignant end to a powerful anthem that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of violence and tragedy.
Overall, "Sunrise" is a song that speaks to the political and historical context of Northern Ireland, as well as the broader themes of hope, resilience, and the futility of violence and borders. The clever use of language and imagery make it a poetic piece that can be interpreted in multiple ways, depending on the listener's perspectives and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in Londonderry
I was brought into this world in a city that has a complicated history of its name and identity.
I was born in Derry City too
The same city can be referred to by two different names, a matter that continues to cause political tensions.
Oh what a special child
It is remarkable to be born into a place that comes with a heavy cultural and political weight, something that sets an individual apart from others.
To see such things and still to smile
Despite growing up in a city with a history of conflict, it takes a special type of resilience to keep a positive outlook.
I know that there was something wrong
Even at a young age, one can sense that the environment they live in is not peaceful and has a deep and complex past.
But I kept my head down and carried on
Despite the challenges of growing up in a city riddled with conflict, one must continue to persevere and move forward.
Who cares where national borders lie?
In the grand scheme of things, political lines on a map do not determine the humanity of individuals and do not justify the pain caused by conflicts between regions.
Who cares whose laws you're governed by?
Laws imposed by external governments can be oppressive and unjust, ignoring the needs and cultural context of local people.
Who cares what name you call a town?
The name of a town should not be a source of contention or an excuse for conflict between groups of people.
Who'll care when you're six feet beneath the ground?
In the end, all people share the same fate and the issues that consume their lives become insignificant in the face of death.
From the corner of my eye
A subtle movement or observation can be the catalyst for a drastic change in perspective.
A hint of blue in the black sky
The slightest sign of hope can be seen in the darkest of times, and can herald the end of negativity and violence.
A ray of hope, a beam of light
It only takes a small sign of positivity to diminish the negativity that once dominated one's life, serving as a beacon of hope for the future.
An end to thirty years of night
Years of violence and darkness can come to an end, making way for a brighter future and a more peaceful world.
The church bells ring, the children sing
The joy and hope of a new beginning is met with joyful celebrations and enthusiasm from all parts of the community.
What is this strange and beautiful thing?
The discovery of a new era free from conflict can be an awe-inspiring and breathtaking experience.
It's the sunrise
The arrival of the dawn symbolizes a new beginning, bringing hope and light to a dark and tumultuous situation.
Can you see the sunrise?
The dawn of peace and the end of conflict can be recognized and celebrated by all, if we pay attention and remain hopeful.
I can see the sunrise
The singer can perceive the hope and beauty of a new path forward in their life and for their society.
It's the sun rising
The literal sunrise serves as a metaphor for the end of conflict, the beginning of hope and optimism and the start of a better day.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NEIL HANNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Francesco Ribaudo
When he starts to go higher and higher with the voice, it feels like flying. It seems like he wouldn't stop to climb on the notes. So unexpected, so dramatic and powerful.....
Archie Bunker
Songwriting genius and incredibly moving.
Matthew Dixon
25 years on today - 25 years of peace in Northern Ireland. The sun well and truly rose - let's hope and pray it never goes down again. Fantastic song.
John Davies
Probably my favourite devine comedy song which is very hard choice, discovered it watching them live at the Albert Hall? dvd, such a sad powerful song written by someone who lived through the troubles
ALEXSEA
It will be my "grave song". I wanna be buried with this song playing for the audience. Because this sont makes me cry everytime. It is as sad as it is joyful.
audrey counsell
Thank you for this. It is lovely today to wake up to such a song. Thanks!
Fionn Walker
My Scottish mother passed from cancer just 3 months 3 days later......having been tortured by hearing the news that the peace she and her Belfast husband (my Da') had prayed so hard for in the 28 since they'd left Belfast, after my father's 3 years active service in Ardoyne Fire Station (inc. Being a first responder in Shankhill in Sept'69) ...... one last horror she couldn't evade - I think she never recovered mentally (her strength in fighting the cancer)
Segi gise
the biggest band! <3
regina gargan
I just love this! How ironic in the times we live in!
Kristen Walker
I was wondering why Portstewart was in the photo too, dying for an ice cream now.