The Waterboys is a British celtic band formed in 1983 by Scottish musician … Read Full Bio ↴The Waterboys is a British celtic band formed in 1983 by Scottish musician Mike Scott. Their songs, largely written by Scott, often contain literary references and are frequently concerned with spirituality. Both the group and its members' solo careers have received much praise from both rock and folk music critics, but The Waterboys as a band has never received the commercial success that some of its members (such as Ian McNabb, leader of The Icicle Works; Trevor Hutchinson, a founding member of Lúnasa; etc) have had independently.
The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from the British Isles. London, Dublin, Spiddal, and Findhorn have all served as a home for the group. The band has played in a number of different styles, but most often their music can be described as a mix of Celtic folk music with rock and roll, or folk rock. After ten years of recording and touring, the band dissolved in 1993 and Scott pursued a solo career. The band reformed in 2000, and continues to release albums and tour worldwide. Scott himself emphasizes a continuity between The Waterboys and his solo work, saying that "To me there's no difference between Mike Scott and the Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever are my current travelling musical companions."
More than thirty musicians have performed live as a Waterboy. Some have spent only a short time with the band, contributing to a single tour or album, while others have been long-term members with significant contributions. Scott has been the band's lead vocalist, motivating force, and principal songwriter throughout the group's history, but a number of other musicians are closely identified with the band.
Anthony Thistlethwaite was an original member of the band, and remained a member until 1991 when the band broke up, although he also joined a few recording sessions for A Rock in the Weary Land. After Scott and Wickham, Thistlethwaite has more songwriting credits than any other Waterboy. His saxophone, regularly featured in solos, was one half of the early group's distinctive brass section, but he has also played guitar, keyboards and a number of other instruments for the band. He pressed to return The Waterboys to a rock music sound after Room to Roam, but did not appear on Dream Harder, the result of that decision. He is now a member of The Saw Doctors, and has also released three solo albums.
Kevin Wilkinson, another original member, was The Waterboys' drummer from 1983–1984, and continued to play in some studio sessions afterwards. His most recent appearance was on A Rock in the Weary Land. He led the rhythm section of the group during its "Big Music" phase, sometimes without the assistance of any bass guitar. Scott describes Wilkinson's drumming as "bright and angular, an unusual sound".
Karl Wallinger joined the group in 1983, shortly after its formation. He left the group two years later, but in that relatively short period made important contributions to both A Pagan Place and This is the Sea. He co-wrote "Don't Bang the Drum", the environmentalism anthem on This is the Sea. His keyboards and synthesizer work expanded the group's sound, and he also did some studio work for demo sessions. Wallinger's World Party project was heavily influenced by his work with The Waterboys.
Roddy Lorimer's participation in the group began in 1983, contributing his trumpet playing "on and off" through 1990. He and Thistlethwaite took turns leading the brass section of the band, and Lorimer was also a featured soloist, most famously on "The Whole of the Moon" and "Don't Bang the Drum". He further contributed backing vocals to the song. His trumpet style is a combination of his classical training with an experimental approach encouraged by Scott. Lorimer returned for some studio work in 2006.
Steve Wickham transformed the group with his joining in 1985. His strong interest in folk music directly resulted in the band's change of direction. His initial involvement with The Waterboys ended in 1990 when Scott and Thistlethwaite wanted to return to rock and roll, but Wickham rejoined the group again in 2000, and, as of 2007, continues to perform with the band. Described by Scott as "the world's greatest rock fiddle player", he has written more songs for the band than anyone other than Scott, including the group's handful of instrumental recordings.
After 2000, Richard Naiff became one of the three core Waterboys members.Richard Naiff first recorded with the band in 1999, and joined permanently in 2000. As of 2007, he is a core member, along with Scott and Wickham. He is a classically-trained pianist and flautist, and plays keyboards for The Waterboys. Ian McNabb described him as Scott's "find of the century" and reviewers have described him as "phenomenally talented".
Other notable members of the band include bassist McNabb, leader of Icicle Works; Sharon Shannon, who became Ireland's all-time best-selling traditional musician; the experimental musician Thighpaulsandra, producer Guy Chambers, and Patti Smith Group drummer Jay Dee Daugherty.
The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from the British Isles. London, Dublin, Spiddal, and Findhorn have all served as a home for the group. The band has played in a number of different styles, but most often their music can be described as a mix of Celtic folk music with rock and roll, or folk rock. After ten years of recording and touring, the band dissolved in 1993 and Scott pursued a solo career. The band reformed in 2000, and continues to release albums and tour worldwide. Scott himself emphasizes a continuity between The Waterboys and his solo work, saying that "To me there's no difference between Mike Scott and the Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever are my current travelling musical companions."
More than thirty musicians have performed live as a Waterboy. Some have spent only a short time with the band, contributing to a single tour or album, while others have been long-term members with significant contributions. Scott has been the band's lead vocalist, motivating force, and principal songwriter throughout the group's history, but a number of other musicians are closely identified with the band.
Anthony Thistlethwaite was an original member of the band, and remained a member until 1991 when the band broke up, although he also joined a few recording sessions for A Rock in the Weary Land. After Scott and Wickham, Thistlethwaite has more songwriting credits than any other Waterboy. His saxophone, regularly featured in solos, was one half of the early group's distinctive brass section, but he has also played guitar, keyboards and a number of other instruments for the band. He pressed to return The Waterboys to a rock music sound after Room to Roam, but did not appear on Dream Harder, the result of that decision. He is now a member of The Saw Doctors, and has also released three solo albums.
Kevin Wilkinson, another original member, was The Waterboys' drummer from 1983–1984, and continued to play in some studio sessions afterwards. His most recent appearance was on A Rock in the Weary Land. He led the rhythm section of the group during its "Big Music" phase, sometimes without the assistance of any bass guitar. Scott describes Wilkinson's drumming as "bright and angular, an unusual sound".
Karl Wallinger joined the group in 1983, shortly after its formation. He left the group two years later, but in that relatively short period made important contributions to both A Pagan Place and This is the Sea. He co-wrote "Don't Bang the Drum", the environmentalism anthem on This is the Sea. His keyboards and synthesizer work expanded the group's sound, and he also did some studio work for demo sessions. Wallinger's World Party project was heavily influenced by his work with The Waterboys.
Roddy Lorimer's participation in the group began in 1983, contributing his trumpet playing "on and off" through 1990. He and Thistlethwaite took turns leading the brass section of the band, and Lorimer was also a featured soloist, most famously on "The Whole of the Moon" and "Don't Bang the Drum". He further contributed backing vocals to the song. His trumpet style is a combination of his classical training with an experimental approach encouraged by Scott. Lorimer returned for some studio work in 2006.
Steve Wickham transformed the group with his joining in 1985. His strong interest in folk music directly resulted in the band's change of direction. His initial involvement with The Waterboys ended in 1990 when Scott and Thistlethwaite wanted to return to rock and roll, but Wickham rejoined the group again in 2000, and, as of 2007, continues to perform with the band. Described by Scott as "the world's greatest rock fiddle player", he has written more songs for the band than anyone other than Scott, including the group's handful of instrumental recordings.
After 2000, Richard Naiff became one of the three core Waterboys members.Richard Naiff first recorded with the band in 1999, and joined permanently in 2000. As of 2007, he is a core member, along with Scott and Wickham. He is a classically-trained pianist and flautist, and plays keyboards for The Waterboys. Ian McNabb described him as Scott's "find of the century" and reviewers have described him as "phenomenally talented".
Other notable members of the band include bassist McNabb, leader of Icicle Works; Sharon Shannon, who became Ireland's all-time best-selling traditional musician; the experimental musician Thighpaulsandra, producer Guy Chambers, and Patti Smith Group drummer Jay Dee Daugherty.
Even The Trees Are Dancing
The Waterboys Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Waterboys:
A Boy in Black Leather December is the cruelest month But this time for once my…
A Full Moon In March Scott-Yeats I sing a song of Jack and Jill Jill had murd…
A Girl Called Johnny I remember Johnny, hey Johnny come lately I remember her sho…
A Girl Called Johnny (2002 Remaster) I remember Johnny - hey! Johnny come lately I remember her s…
A Golden Age I heard a rumour of a golden age And the stage…
A Home In The Meadow Away, away, come away with me Where the grass grows wild…
A Life Of Sundays Hold me before I go under Hear me before I drown Sharpen…
A Man Is In Love A man is in love, How did I know? He came walking…
A Man Is In Love (2008 Remastered Version) A man is in love, how do I know? He came…
A Pagan Place How did he come here? Who gave him the key? Slipped in…
A Song for the Life (Rodney Crowell) I don't drink as much as I used to 'cos…
Ain't No Words For The Things I'm Feeling Ain't no words for the things i'm feeling Ain't no tongue…
All My Way Ireland (Traditional) I'm on my way to heaven Don't you want to …
All The Things She Gave Me All the things All the things she gave me All the things All…
Always Dancing Never Getting Tired I've climbed high with you I've run dry with you I've climbe…
An Irish Airman Foresees His Death Scott-Yeats I know that I shall meet my fate somewhere am…
Anatomy Of A Love Affair You got me cheap, wherein I was wounded back in the…
And A Bang On The Ear Lindsay was my first love she was in my class I would…
And There's Love I look inside my heart and mind to find a…
Another Kind Of Circus Billy and Eve Are getting ready to leave Their empty room …
Bang on the Ear Lindsay was my first love she was in my class I would…
Barely Out of Teenage Where'd you get that jacket did it fall, off a lorry Where…
Be My Enemy Well the dawn is howling and the mainframe shakes Feel like…
Beautiful Now I saw a picture of you today Taken years before I…
Because the Night / The Pan Within Take me now baby here as I am Pull me…
Before The World Was Made Scott-Yeats If I make the lashes dark and the eyes more…
Beverly Penn Girl sleeping on a mansion roof Under a wintry sky Wrapped s…
Big Music I have heard the big music And I'll never be the…
Bigger Picture Bigger Picture :: Waterboys I'm starting to see a bigger pi…
Billy Sparks What shall I give you to make you take down…
Blowin' in the Wind Wake lady wake The hills are in flood And the road we…
Blues For You Baby Well, Mister Saxman, how do you do? There's nobody here but…
Born to Be Together I want to star in your life and on the stage…
Bring 'Em All In Bring 'em all in, bring'em all in, bring 'em all…
Buckets of Rain Buckets of rain, buckets of tears Got all them buckets comi…
Building the City of Light I set my shoulder to a brand new groove Building the…
Bury My Heart Bury my soul where the dust meets the sea Turn it…
Cathy Cathy so crazy 'bout all the latest fashions Sits in her…
Charlatan's Lament At long weary last this game is over The sins of…
Church Not Made With Hands Bye bye shadow lands The term is over And all the holidays…
Church Not Made With Hands (2002 Digital Remaster) Bye-bye shadowlands The term is over And all the holidays ha…
Come Live With Me Come live with me and be my love Share my bread…
Corn Circles Corn Circles appearing all over the land Corn Circles appe…
Crown I've had money And I lost it Seen an ocean Nearly crossed it…
Custer Well you look just like General Custer on the day of…
Death Is Not the End (Bob Dylan) When you are sad and you are lonesome And you…
December December :: Waterboys December is the cruelest month but th…
December (2002 Remaster) December December is the cruelest month This time for once …
Destinies Entwined Her point of view was radical More than just a change…
Do We Choose Who We Love I was looking for her but I fell for you It…
Don Well here we are in a special place What are you…
Down Through The Dark Streets Down by old house Over the bridge Down through the dark st…
Drunken Head Blues Well the bricks are piled on Main Street and the sun…
Dublin Is a City Full of Ghosts Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Dublin is a city full of good…
Dumbin' Down the World I'm dumbing down the world Yes, I'm dumbing down the world …
E.B.O.L. You are an eternal being of love You are the light…
Every Breath Is Yours Every breath is yours, beloved Every breath is yours Every…
Everybody Takes A Tumble To break your heart into rubble Is what I'm here to…
Fisherman I wish I was a fisherman Tumblin' on the seas…
Fisherman's Blues (2006 - Remaster) I wish I was a fisherman Tumblin' on the seas Far away…
Fisherman's Blues (2006 Remaster) Whoo I wish I was a fisherman Tumblin' on the seas Far away…
Fisherman's Blues (Piano Version) I wish I was a fisherman Tumblin' on the seas Far away…
Fisherman's Blues - 2006 Remaster Whoo I wish I was a fisherman Tumblin' on the seas Far away…
Fisherman's Blues - 2006 Remastered Version I wish I was a fisherman Tumblin' on the seas Far away…
Fishermans Blues I wish I was a fisherman Tumblin' on the seas…
Fisherman’s Blues I wish I was a fisherman Tumblin' on the seas Far away…
Forever Young May God bless and keep you always May your wishes all…
Further Up Further In I dreamed the wind came to my house These are the…
Gala Gala hangs from the window frame Dressed in black and white…
Girl Called Johnny A - I remember Johnny, hey Johnny come lately I remember her sho…
Girl From the North Country If you're travelling in the north country fair Where the wi…
Girl in a Kayak Do you see them coming through fields of snow? Do you…
Girl Of The North Country If you're travelling in the north country fair Where the wi…
Girl of the North Country (Remastered) If you're travelling in the north country fair Where the win…
Glastonbury Song I dreamed myself from the sultry plains to the old green…
Going To Paris We are going to Paris in a ship with red…
Good Man Gone I'm staring at a stranger faint in the mirror He's looking…
Good News Drop your guns and hear the news The war is won …
Has Anybody Here Seen Hank Has anybody here seen Hank :: Waterboys I ain't here for…
Has Anybody Seen Hank Your love feels like trumpets sound I said your love feels…
Heading Down the Highway I'm heading down this highway I'm heading down this road I'm…
Higher Bound Well, I'm easy to love but I'm harder to hold Down through…
Higher In Time The mountain is steep the ditches are deep The task in…
His Word Is Not His Bond He lives in a waste Void of culture and taste His eye…
How Long Will I Love You How long will I love you? :: Waterboys How long will…
How Many Songs I've got a hard road ahead of me and a battlefield…
I You say that you will carry the torch You say that…
I Ain't Gonna Work on Maggie's Farm No More (Bob Dylan) I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more I…
I Am Not Here Well I am not here I'm not home Would you leave your…
I Can See Elvis I can see Elvis Skinny like he was back in fifty-seven Razor…
I Know She's in the Building I know she's in the building I can feel it in…
I Lived Here Before I've lived here before in days of old I recognise these…
I Will Follow You Take Me There Take me there, I will follow you Take me there, I…
I Will Meet You in Heaven Again Although we are parted And our loved ones are brokenhearted …
I Will Not Follow You say that you will carry the torch You say that…
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight Close your eyes Shut the door You don't have to worry anym…
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry I hear that lonesome whippoorwill She sounds too blue to…
I've Been In The Storm For You I've been in the storm for you When my horn for…
I've Lived Here Before I've lived here before in days of old I recognise these…
If I Can't Have You I want you babe, I don't want nobody else I want…
If I Was Your Boyfriend If I was your boyfriend, I'd get myself a cool…
If the Answer Is Yeah Can you tell me the truth without softening its punch And…
In My Time on Earth Do you see that young pretender with the tearmarks on…
In Search Of A Rose Where will I wander and wander nobody knows but wherever I'm…
In Search of a Rose (2008 Remastered Version) Where will I wander and wonder nobody knows But wherever I'm…
Independence Day Springsteen Well papa go to bed now, it's getting late N…
Is She Concious Is she really wide awake Is she conscious Of her beautiful m…
Isis I married Isis on the fifth day of May, But I…
Islandman Islandman :: Waterboys Of my body England is the spine the …
It Should Have Been You Can I believe my ears? Is this really you? Pacing the floor…
It's All Gone It's all gone It's all gone It's all gone It's all gone So …
It's Gonna Rain It's gonna rain It's gonna rain A time is coming when you'…
Jack Of Diamonds I'm still looking For the Jack Of Diamonds But it's so har…
Jimmy Hickey Man looks up on a yellow sky And the rain turns…
Kaliope House Where will I wander and wonder? Nobody knows but wherever I`…
Killing My Heart Now he's brought down the rain And the Indian summer is…
Kinky's History Lesson Dear Kinky Friedman, I read what you wrote Neville Chamberla…
Kiss The Wind Once upon a time, a time, a time, a time,…
Ladbroke Grove Coda I had a basement flat off Portobello Road in my cowboy hat d…
Let It Happen Such a sad procession Winding down the lane What a strange i…
Let Me Feel Holy Again There's a man that I know In trouble, afraid and in…
Let The Earth Bear Witness Scott-Yeats They shall be remembered for ever They shall…
License to Kill Man thinks 'cause he rules the earth he can do…
London Mick Let's hear it for the sharp and slick big hearted…
Lonesome and a Long Way From Home Every face I see is a stranger Every step I take…
Lonesome Old Wind Though I try Hard as I can to fly free That…
Long Strange Golden Road I was longing to be wooed I was ready to be…
Long Way To The Light I'm sitting in my bedroom Overlooking Findhorn Bay Cluny H…
Lost Highway I'm a rollin' stone all alone and lost For a life…
Love And Death Behold the flashing waters A cloven dancing jet That from th…
Love Anyway So you crashed the plane And there's hell to pay I'm makin…
Love That Kills Will you take me slowly will you lead me all the…
Love Walks In When you walk in the room love walks in with…
Love Will Shoot You Down Ain't you hard to beat After all this time, Still standing…
Lucky Day / Bad Advice You can't spend all your life Sittin' on a cloud…
Mad As The Mist And Snow Scott-Wickham-Yeats Bolt and bar the shutter for the foul…
Malediction I am walking in the last rays of the setting…
Man Is In Love A man is in love, How did I know? He came walking…
Martin Decent Martin Decent came to play, came to play, came to…
Medicine Bow There's a black wind blowing A typhoon on the rise Pummelin'…
Medicine Jack Let me tell you the tale of Medicine Jack He went…
Meet Me At The Station Well if I get to heaven before you do I will…
Mister Charisma Tell me Mister Charisma What will your next trick be? Slaggi…
Morning Came Too Soon We went out for a meal to a restaurant she…
Mr Customs Man Good morning Mister Customs Man how do you do today? I ain't…
My Dark Side Draw in close lady bride Take a look at my dark…
My Love Is My Rock My love is my rock in the long low weary…
Nearest Thing to Hip There used to be a café a few blocks away, Open…
New York I Love You She waited at the door till all his saddest words…
News For The Delphic Oracle There all the golden codgers lay, There the silver dew, An…
Nobody 'Cept You There's nothing 'round here I believe in 'Cept you, yeah yo…
Nobody's Baby Anymore Once I was cherished, treasured as a prize Guardian angels …
November Tale Come here Her communique arrived with its expression of her…
Old England Man looks up on a yellow sky And the rain turns…
On My Way To Heaven I fired an arrow made out of will And watched as…
Only Heroes Live Forever Ruthy is an artist, she's got oceans in her head Doctor…
Open Open to the world Open to spirit Open to the changing wind…
Out of All This Blue Out of all this blue must come something good love is…
Out Of Control I was on Grand Street when I heard a woman…
Pan Within come with me on the journey under the skin come with…
Payo Payo Chin On a velvet morning in the northern hemisphere I wake up,…
Peace of Iona Peace of the glancing dancing waves Peace of the white sands…
and many more tracks by The Waterboys.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found