* Feargal Sharkey (lead vocals),
* John O'Neill (guitar),
* Damian O'Neill (guitar, keyboards and vocals),
* Michael Bradley (bass and vocals), and
* Billy Doherty (drums).
John O'Neill was the original main song writer, with his brother Damian and Mickey Bradley writing in various solo & combined variations for most of the remainder.
Sharkey's power pop tenor was distinctive, and the band regarded a tight ensemble. By 1977 they were performing their own three-chord pop punk material influenced by Nuggets-type material and Ramones, and in 1978 released their debut four-song EP Teenage Kicks on Good Vibrations. It became a hit with support from DJ John Peel, who considered that EP's title song (Teenage Kicks) his all-time favourite. The song has been covered by many including boyband Busted (at the 2003 Brit Awards), American group The Raconteurs, Swedish band [aritst]Sahara Hotnights and French band Nouvelle Vague.
The original band released four studio albums:
* The Undertones (1979)
* Hypnotised (1980)
* Positive Touch (1981)
* The Sin Of Pride (1983).
Falling sales linked to their changing musical direction and tensions within the band, leading to their split in 1983. A compilation album titled All Wrapped Up featured a woman dressed in lunch meats wrapped in clear plastic on the (non band approved) cover. Several other compilations including the superb BBC sessions CD Listening In (named after a song on their first album) (2004) exist.
The O'Neill brothers went on to form That Petrol Emotion. The Undertones reconvened in 1999, initially to play a few shows in their hometown of Londonderry, replacing singer Feargal Sharkey with a similarly warbling new recruit, Paul McLoone. Since this time, the band has continued to play a small number of gigs each year in various places around the world.
The band have also released two further studio albums:
* Get What You Need (2003)
* Dig Yourself Deep (2007)
NOTE: There is another band with this name - The Undertones, a subset of the University of Notre Dame Glee Club who sing a capella arrangements of popular songs. For more information on these guys, check out www.nd.edu/~utones.
It's Going To Happen
The Undertones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its going to happen - happen - till your change your mind
Its going to happen - happen - happens all the time
Its going to happen - happen - till your change your mind
Best story I ever heard
The truth about fat Mr X and the young girl
See how far he'll let you go
Happens all the time ...
Watching your friends passing by
Going to sleep without blinking a blue eye
Too slow to notice what's wrong
Two faced to you when you're taking them on
Happens all the time ...
Everything goes when you're dead
Everything empties from what was in your head
No point in waiting today
Stupid revenge is what's making you stay
Its going to happen - happen - till your change your mind
The lyrics of The Undertones's song "It's Going to Happen" explore the theme of inevitability - the idea that certain things are bound to happen, regardless of our attempts to change them. The song features a strong, driving beat and catchy, repetitive lyrics that emphasize the idea of something repeating itself until a change occurs. The verses of the song illustrate different scenarios where this theme is present.
The first verse talks about how things happen all the time, and will continue to do so until one's mind is changed. The repetition of "it's going to happen - happen" emphasizes the idea that certain events are unavoidable. The second verse tells a story about "fat Mr. X" and a young girl, hinting at the idea of inappropriate behavior and the possibility of manipulation or coercion. The third verse talks about friends who pass by without noticing, and those who are two-faced and don't stand by you when you need them the most. The final verse emphasizes the idea that everything is fleeting and temporary, and revenge is ultimately pointless.
Overall, the song stands as a commentary on human nature and the inevitability of certain behaviors and events. The music video for the song features the band performing in a room filled with balloons, while various scenes of people in mundane situations are interspersed throughout.
Line by Line Meaning
Happens all the time
Things occur frequently and repeatedly.
Its going to happen - happen - till your change your mind
The event will inevitably occur until you decide otherwise.
Best story I ever heard
The most engaging narrative that has been shared with me.
The truth about fat Mr X and the young girl
The honest account regarding an overweight individual named Mr. X and his interactions with a juvenile female.
See how far he'll let you go
Observe the extent to which he will permit or tolerate your actions.
Before he persuades you when you're walking home
Prior to his convincing you to engage in or refrain from something while you return to your place of residence.
Watching your friends passing by
Observing as your companions move past you.
Going to sleep without blinking a blue eye
Retiring for the night without experiencing sleep difficulties.
Too slow to notice what's wrong
Incapable of detecting what is incorrect in a timely manner.
Two faced to you when you're taking them on
Deceitful or hypocritical towards you when you confront them.
Everything goes when you're dead
All aspects of your life conclude once you have perished.
Everything empties from what was in your head
Every bit of information or thought contained within your mind disappears.
No point in waiting today
There is no rationale for procrastinating presently.
Stupid revenge is what's making you stay
Asinine retribution is the reason that you persist.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikeroby1313
Thanks, a lot, for posting this. Criminal that these fellows didn't get the attention they deserved early on. And the humor? Putting out "More Songs About Chocolate and Girls" in the wake of "More Songs about Buildings and Food"? There's nothing to not like about a choice like that.
I worked with a crew of Irish guys in 1987. They wigged a little bit when I popped in a mix tape and for the rest of the summer I was 'Undertoones Maahn'..
"Julie Ocean" is about as perfect as a pop song gets. BRILLIANT.
I've got to drag out my vinyl and burn some of their goodies for in the car.
Thanks again.
@maggiegamez8086
Such an amazing back catalogue. Shame everyone seems to only remember teenage kicks.
@colingeddes2172
Good band, some great tunes, especially julie ocean.
@00ky
The utterly wonderful and distinctive voice of Feargal Sharkey. Great song
@fins59
Great performer with an awesome name.
@Ihategoogle-xb2hi
orgasmic
@thefaceman457
How can you not like the Undertones, 80's music at its best
@FayLongthorn
*70S
@jtike1224
the best band out of ireland ever... my favorite irish band
@anthonymaylett5823
Who said we dont like it
@Ihategoogle-xb2hi
I was pnk as fck , and I love the undertones , im 58 they were always there