Formed by Leo Moran and Davy Carton, members have included singer, guitarist, and mandolin player John "Turps" Burke; bass player Pearse Doherty; keyboard and accordion player Tony Lambert; keyboard player and guitarist Derek Murray; and drummers Padraig Stevens, John Donnelly, Jimi Higgins, and Fran Breen. The current line-up is Leo Moran (vocals, guitar), Davy Carton (vocals, guitar), Kevin Duffy (keyboards), Anthony Thistlethwaite (bass guitar, saxphone), and EÃmhÃn Craddock (drums).
There is a special place in rock 'n' roll mythology reserved for that rare phenomenon, the people's band. The Grateful Dead, The Faces, Status Quo and Bruce Springsteen during his years as leader of the E Street Band are examples which define the breed: performers who have established a special relationship with their audience irrespective of marketing budgets and media approval, and for whom the dictates of fashion are broadly meaningless. The Saw Doctors are the latest in this strangely noble line" - The Times
"One of the Great Live Bands"
Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2
"The Saw Doctors are the very definition of the people's band." - Q Magazine
"The band's formula can best be described as one part Creedence, one part Hootie, and one part Irish Historical Society" - Rolling Stone Magazine
"One of the world's most appealing roots rock outfits." - Washington Post
During 2010 the band played a number of music festival appearances, including playing at the 40th anniversary of the Glastonbury Festival. September 2010 saw the release of their seventh album, The Further Adventures of... The Saw Doctors.
In 2013 the band decided to quit touring .Three members (Moran, Thistlethwaite and O'Neill) have formed a band with fellow Galway musicians called The Cabin Collective. It is currently unknown whether the Saw Doctors will be returning from their break.
Happy Days
The Saw Doctors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
walk like a man and you talk the same
i met a girl, she mentioned your name
keep on smiling, she's still your friend
i'm happy that you come down here to see me
you always make me smile
happy that you come down here to see me
you know i like your style
when they're talking about me
nobody is to blame, i'd do the same again
at the time i was so afraid
i'm happy........
the green green grass is dancing with the breeze
the green green grass is dancing with the breeze
and it makes me feel so good
it makes me feel so good
i can hear you call my name
and i know things will never be the same
i'm happy.......
The Saw Doctors' song "Happy Days" speaks about taking chances, playing the game of life, and how one's decisions can impact those around them. The lyrics encourage people to walk confidently, talk confidently and to keep smiling, despite any challenges they may face.
The song tells the story of the singer's encounter with a girl who mentions the name of someone he knows. The lyrics suggest that the person mentioned is a confident individual who has a positive impact on others, always making the singer smile. The singer is happy that this person visited him, commenting on how they have a good style.
The song's chorus explores the idea of believing everything one hears - suggesting that people should not always take what they hear at face value. The line, "nobody is to blame, I'd do the same again" indicates that the singer made a decision that caused some harm but would still do it again, as he was afraid at the time.
The song's imagery of the "green green grass" dancing with the breeze creates a peaceful and contented image. The singer hears someone calling his name, and the lyrics suggest that this call has brought about a change that will never be the same. The song ends with the singer expressing happiness, reinforcing the message that life's happy moments can make one feel good.
Overall, the song encourages people to embrace their decisions, take chances, smile, and be positive, even in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
you take your chances, you play the game
Life is full of uncertainties and risks. You have to be willing to take a chance and play the game to succeed.
walk like a man and you talk the same
To be respected and taken seriously, you have to carry yourself with confidence and have an equally impressive way of communicating.
i met a girl, she mentioned your name
I happened to meet a girl who brought up your name in conversation.
keep on smiling, she's still your friend
Despite what was said, it's important to stay positive and keep smiling. After all, she's still your friend and there's no need to let it affect the relationship.
i'm happy that you come down here to see me
It brings me joy that you made the effort to come and see me.
you always make me smile
Your presence never fails to bring a smile to my face.
happy that you come down here to see me
It means a lot to me that you took the time to come and visit me again and again.
you know i like your style
I admire your approach to life and the way you carry yourself.
do you believe in everything you hear
It's important to use your own judgment and not blindly believe everything you hear from others.
when they're talking about me
When people are discussing me or my actions.
nobody is to blame, i'd do the same again
No one should be held accountable for the past. If given the opportunity, I would make the same choices again.
at the time i was so afraid
In the moment, I was filled with fear and uncertainty which led to the choices I made.
the green green grass is dancing with the breeze
The lush green grass is being swayed by the wind, creating a beautiful scene.
and it makes me feel so good
The simple beauty of nature can bring immense joy and happiness.
i can hear you call my name
It's as though I can hear you calling out to me from far away.
and i know things will never be the same
I realize that things have changed and will never go back to the way they were before.
i'm happy.......
Overall, despite the ups and downs of life, I am content and grateful for what I have.
Contributed by Zoe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jim
on Howya Julia
This song is about a famous interview done by venerable talk show host Gay (Gay-bo) Byrne on he weekly talk show "The Late Late Show". The Late Late was broadcast live on one of Ireland's two TV channels and was a major cultural touchstone for Irish people. When the narrator in the song asks "Did you hear about yer one" it demonstrates how reasonable it would be to assume any random "Julia" in Ireland would have seen the interview.
The interview is of the lover of a famous Irish bishop named Eamon Casey. Widely regarded as an incredible man. Casey was known for a series of well thought out initiatives that helped the most vulnerable Irish people in the world.
When he "slipped and broke his fast" they're referring to how he fell in love with a woman and fathered a child with her whom he provided for. The chorus is a ribald distillation of all the jokes going around Ireland about the bishop having sex.
"Oh the blind and faithful followers are worried and distraught
And the only thing that's botherin' them is that the poor man he got caught"
refers to the fact that the people of Ireland could care less about him having sex with a woman. They're just sad that because he got caught that he was exiled to Brazil and he wouldn't be around to do his good works in Ireland any more.
The song finishes by bringing you back to the start and reminding you this is a conversation about the interview on The Late Late Show. The repetition of How ya Julia is to show that this conversation was repeated around Ireland by everyone and how it was the main topic of conversation for some time.