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 Eímhín 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.
Tommy K
The Saw Doctors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lets call out his name
Tommy k tommy k
Tommy k the d.j.
Tommy k tommy k
It's not today nor yesterday
The dancing was in dance halls
And it had to stop for lent
But one man kept it going
With his home â€"made twin-decks
Sound â€" the bishop didn't like the
Crack so the d.j. left the town
Give us the locomotion
Gimme dancing shoes
Give us the mashed potato
Give us the boogalloo
And give us the words between the
Songs to keep us on the floor
When tommy's playing the records
We'll be all night wanting more
He's brave and courageous
Upright and strong
He gives us inspiration
Helps us all to get along
He'll be climbing up the hit parade
Forever and a day
This songs in his memory
Immortal tommy k
The Saw Doctors’ song, Tommy K, is an ode to Tommy Kavanagh, a famous DJ from Tuam, Ireland, who lived next door to the Sun Street Studio. The lyrics convey his witty and fearless character, as well as his talents as a gardener and storyteller. Tommy K was not only Tuam’s first ever DJ but also a trailblazer in promoting dance hall music. The dance halls were forced to close down during Lent back in the day, but Tommy K’s homemade twin-decks kept the people dancing all year round. This did not sit well with the bishop, who disapproved of the music being played, causing Tommy K to leave town. Nonetheless, his legacy lives on and the song celebrates his memory.
The lyrics in the song contain a call-out to Tommy K, with the chorus repeating his name and his title as the DJ, creating a sense that Tommy K’s spirit still lingers in the town. The song also mentions some of the classic dances of the era such as the Locomotion, the Mashed Potato, and the Boogaloo, which were played by Tommy K on his twin-decks. The lyrics reflect that Tommy K was not just a DJ; he inspired people, made them feel brave, and brought them together. The song ends with the assertion that Tommy K will remain on the hit parade forever and a day, reminding the listener of the indelible mark he left on Irish music culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Tommy Kavanagh lived next door to Sun Street Studio. Witty , fearless and full of life , he was a talented Gardner and story teller as well as being Tuam's first ever D.J.
Tommy Kavanagh was a lively and skillful gardener and storyteller living next to the Sun Street Studio in Tuam. He was the town's first-ever DJ and had a great sense of humor.
Lets call out his name
Tommy k tommy k
Tommy k the d.j.
Tommy k tommy k
This song is a tribute to Tommy Kavanagh, the legendary DJ of Tuam, urging people to remember him by calling out his name.
It's not today nor yesterday
The times were different then
The dancing was in dance halls
And it had to stop for lent
But one man kept it going
With his home —made twin-decks
Sound — the bishop didn't like the
Crack so the d.j. left the town
In the past, people used to dance in halls instead of clubs. During lent, dancing was not allowed, but Tommy Kavanagh, with his homemade twin-turntables, kept the music going. However, the bishop disapproved of this, and Tommy had to leave the town.
Give us the locomotion
Gimme dancing shoes
Give us the mashed potato
Give us the boogalloo
And give us the words between the
Songs to keep us on the floor
When tommy's playing the records
We'll be all night wanting more
This section expresses people's excitement and enthusiasm for dancing to Tommy Kavanagh's music. The lyrics call for different dance moves and encourage him to keep the music going all night long.
He's brave and courageous
Upright and strong
He gives us inspiration
Helps us all to get along
He'll be climbing up the hit parade
Forever and a day
This songs in his memory
Immortal tommy k
Tommy Kavanagh was a brave, courageous, and inspirational person who helped people to unite through music. The song claims that he would achieve great success and be remembered forever in the world of music.
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@patrickstocks3576
Tommy Kavanagh lived next door 🚪 to Sun 🌞 Street studio
Witty, fearless and full of life, he was a talented gardener and story teller as well as being
Tuam’s first ever D.J
Let’s call out his name
Tommy K Tommy K
Tommy K the D.J
Tommy K Tommy K
It’s not today nor yesterday
The times were different then
The dancing 🕺 was in dance 💃 halls
And it had to stop 🛑 for lent
But 1 man 👨 kept it going
With his home 🏠 made twin-decks
Sound the Bishop didn’t like the
Crack so the d.j. left the town
Give us the locomotion
Gimme dancing 💃 shoes 🥿
Give us the mashed potato 🥔
Give us the boogalloo
And give us the words between the
Songs to keep us in the floor
When Tommy’s playing the records
We’ll be all night wanting more
He’s brave and courageous
Upright and strong 💪
He gives us inspiration
Helps us all to get along
He’ll be climbing 🧗♀️ up the hit parade
Forever ♾ and a day
This songs in his memory
Immortal Tommy K
@bernadettemee-keaveney9022
Absolutey great song and tribute to a man who sounds like a good one. Well done to the Saw Doctors...just heard it again on radio today. Good wishes, Bernadette, Mayo.
@kaitlynnenicole2936
Brings back such good memories (: I danced to this song at my very first dance recital!! (:
@fotojohn46
Tommy K was a great friend of mine. We worked together in Denmark for many years.
He was a wonderful person and I miss him. God Bless You Tommy!!
John Dee, DJ.
@fuckiforgotthesedumbassvids
Lets call out his name, Johnny d johnny d
@irt3rdavenueel172
I actually know a Tommy Kavanagh but a different Tommy Kavanagh he’s married to Noreen Kavanagh has 4 kids Ciara Kavanagh Ronan Kavanagh Onya Kavanagh and Owen Kavanagh
@patrickstocks3576
Tommy Kavanagh lived next door 🚪 to Sun 🌞 Street studio
Witty, fearless and full of life, he was a talented gardener and story teller as well as being
Tuam’s first ever D.J
Let’s call out his name
Tommy K Tommy K
Tommy K the D.J
Tommy K Tommy K
It’s not today nor yesterday
The times were different then
The dancing 🕺 was in dance 💃 halls
And it had to stop 🛑 for lent
But 1 man 👨 kept it going
With his home 🏠 made twin-decks
Sound the Bishop didn’t like the
Crack so the d.j. left the town
Give us the locomotion
Gimme dancing 💃 shoes 🥿
Give us the mashed potato 🥔
Give us the boogalloo
And give us the words between the
Songs to keep us in the floor
When Tommy’s playing the records
We’ll be all night wanting more
He’s brave and courageous
Upright and strong 💪
He gives us inspiration
Helps us all to get along
He’ll be climbing 🧗♀️ up the hit parade
Forever ♾ and a day
This songs in his memory
Immortal Tommy K
@lolno3755
Tommy k is a story i heard in my school in music class 🎺🎻🥁🎸🎷🎤
@shkyyboy979
Tommy K and myself used to go drinking down the train tracks when we were only young lads!
@Scouseblue76
I remember seeing The Saw Doctors for the first time when they were supporting Genesis at Knebworth in 1992. I thought, who the f are these?? I have followed them ever since, and have seen them more times than I care to remember especially at The Royal Court in LIVERPOOL.
@jongoode0
Love it :-D