Doonican started performing in his home town and featured in the first ever television broadcast from Waterford. He then joined a band which toured Ireland playing the drums. In 1951 he moved to England to join another group, The Four Ramblers who toured and performed on BBC Radio shows broadcast from factories.
He eventually went solo and had a radio show as well as performing concerts and cabaret. In 1963 he was booked to appear on Sunday Night at the London Palladium. As a result of this performance, he was offered his own show on BBC television, lasting for over twenty years and moving to Saturday as its popularity grew. It featured his relaxed crooner style performance sitting in a rocking chair, as well as a number of comic Irish songs, notably "Paddy McGinty's Goat", "Delaney's Donkey", and "Rafferty's Motor Car", on which he accompanied himself on acoustic guitar. He often wore a cardigan which became a trade mark, and was sometimes compared to American singer Perry Como though Doonican has claimed his main influence was Bing Crosby. As a variety show, there were a number of other acts featured and performers such as Dave Allen had early exposure on the show.
The Palladium performance also kick-started his recording career. Between 1964 and 1973 he was rarely out of the UK Singles Chart, his greatest successes including the singles "Walk Tall", "The Special Years", "What Would I Be", "If The Whole World Stopped Loving", and "Morning"; and the albums 13 Lucky Shades of Val Doonican, and Val Doonican Rocks, But Gently. He also sang the theme song to the film, Ring of Bright Water.
He stopped performing in 2009 and spent a lot of his free time in Spain (where he had a second home).
Doonican's daughter wrote two books entitled Wired to the Moon and Fear of Custard under the name Sarah Kavanagh. Both stories are related to the performance entertainment world.
Morning
Val Doonican Lyrics
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I feel your back pressed close to me and hear your steady breathing as you sleep
There's the first soft glow of dawn, the silver grey light played along the wall
I touch your hand and feel your ring and know that this is all we'll ever have
Suddenly I look into your sleepy eyes
You breathe my name and it just seems to dangle there
Then I feel your fingers running through my mind
I know so well that this is all there is and when we leave this room it's gone
My mind despairs as we walk down the crooked little steps to the front door
A ray of sun that ricochets from off the rooftop lights our way
I touch your hand and feel your ring and know
that this is all we'll ever have
The lyrics to Val Doonican's "Morning" describe a bittersweet moment between two lovers who share a small room. The song is painted with imagery of a new day dawning as the singer touches their partner's back and hand, feeling the weight of their wedding ring against their skin. The moment is fleeting, their love trapped in the confines of the room where they share their lives. The lyrics suggest that this moment is all they have, their love confined to this small space, with the reality of the world beyond the room quickly creeping back in as they prepare to leave.
The song explores themes of love, of treasuring the smallest moments, of being present in the moment but also accepting the fragility of life and relationships. The muted, melancholy melody and slow pace suggest a sense of both longing and acceptance, the singer cherishing each moment but also knowing that it's all they'll ever have.
Line by Line Meaning
Here in this room, this narrow room where life began when we were young last night
In this room where we started our life together, I reminisce about our past and how we've grown.
I feel your back pressed close to me and hear your steady breathing as you sleep
I am comforted by your presence as I feel your body and hear your soothing breathing while you sleep.
There's the first soft glow of dawn, the silver grey light played along the wall
As the sun rises, the light softly illuminates the room, casting grey shadows on the walls.
I touch your hand and feel your ring and know that this is all we'll ever have
I hold your hand and feel your ring, realizing that the love and memories we have created together is all we will ever possess in this life.
Suddenly I look into your sleepy eyes
Without warning, I gaze into your tired eyes.
You breathe my name and it just seems to dangle there
As you speak my name, it echoes through the room, lingering in the air.
Then I feel your fingers running through my mind
I am overcome with emotion as your touch triggers a flood of thoughts and memories in my mind.
Jumbling up my thoughts to leave them tangled there
These thoughts intermingle, creating a mess that I cannot sort through, leaving my mind in chaos.
I know so well that this is all there is and when we leave this room it's gone
I am painfully aware that our love and memories are limited to this moment and space, and as we leave, they disappear with us.
My mind despairs as we walk down the crooked little steps to the front door
As we leave the room, my mind is filled with sorrow, knowing that the love and moments we shared are left behind.
A ray of sun that ricochets from off the rooftop lights our way
The sun's rays reflect off the roof, illuminating a path for us to walk out of the room and into a new day.
I touch your hand and feel your ring and know that this is all we'll ever have
Once again, I hold your hand and feel your ring, understanding that the love and memories we have created is all we possess in this life.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRENDAN GRAHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind