Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen Lyrics | SongMeanings

Home Messages Artists Add Lyrics

Recent Activity

No recent activity

Following

Dexys Midnight Runners

Come On Eileen 82 Meanings Add Yours Follow Share Q&A

Come On Eileen Lyrics

Edit Lyrics Come on, EileenCome on, EileenPoor old Johnnie RaySounded sad upon the radioMoved a million hearts in monoOur mothers criedSang along, who'd blame them?You've grown (you're grown up)So grown (so grown up)Now I must say more than ever(Come on, Eileen)Too-ra-loo-raToo-ra-loo-rye-ayAnd we can sing just like our fathersCome on, EileenOh, I swear (what he means)At this moment You mean everythingYou in that dressMy thoughts, I confessVerge on dirtyAh, come on, EileenCome on, EileenThese people 'round hereWere beaten down, eyes sunk in smoke-dried faceThey're so resigned to what their fate isBut not us (no never)But not us (not ever)We are far too young and clever(Remember)Too-ra-loo-raToo-ra-loo-rye-ayAnd you'll hum this tune foreverCome on, EileenOh, I swear (what he means)Ah, come on, let'sTake off everythingThat pretty red dressEileen (tell him yes)Ah, come on, let'sAh, come on, Eileen, pleaseThat pretty red dressEileen (tell him yes)Ah, come on, let'sAh, come on, Eileen, please(Come on, Eileen, too-rye-ay)(Come on, Eileen, too-rye-ay)Now you're full grown (too-ra)And now you have shown (too-ra, ta-loo-ra)Oh, EileenSaid, come on, Eileen (come on, Eileen) (you've grown)These things they are real and I know (ta-loo-rye-ay) (so grown)How you feel (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)Now I must say more than ever (too-ra, ta-loo-ra)Things 'round here have changedI said, too-ra-loo-ra (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)Too-ra-loo-rye-ay (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay)(Too-ra, ta-loo-ra)Come on, EileenOh, I swear (what he means)At this momentYou mean everythingYou in that dressMy thoughts, I confessVerge on dirtyAh, come on, EileenCome on, EileenOh, I swear (what he means)At this momentYou mean everythingIn that dressOh, my thoughts I confessWell, they're dirtyCome on, EileenCome on, EileenWhoa (what he means)Whoa Ah, come on, EileenOh, believe meIf all those endearing young CHARMSThat I gaze on so fondly todayWere to suddenly leave you, oh fly in the nightJust like fairy gifts gone in the sky New! Log in to start a snippet Song Info Copyright Lyrics © Sony/atv Music Publishing Llc Writer James Paterson, Kevin Rowland, Kevin Adams Producer Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley Release date Jun 25, 1982 Sentiment Positive Submitted by yuri_sucupira On Dec 15, 2001 More Dexys Midnight Runners Geno There, There My Dear Plan B Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile) Seven Days Too Long Come on, Eileen Come on, Eileen Poor old Johnnie Ray Sounded sad upon the radio Moved a million hearts in mono Our mothers cried Sang along, who'd blame them? You've grown (you're grown up) So grown (so grown up) Now I must say more than ever (Come on, Eileen) Too-ra-loo-ra Too-ra-loo-rye-ay And we can sing just like our fathers Come on, Eileen Oh, I swear (what he means) At this moment You mean everything You in that dress My thoughts, I confess Verge on dirty Ah, come on, Eileen Come on, Eileen These people 'round here Were beaten down, eyes sunk in smoke-dried face They're so resigned to what their fate is But not us (no never) But not us (not ever) We are far too young and clever (Remember) Too-ra-loo-ra Too-ra-loo-rye-ay And you'll hum this tune forever Come on, Eileen Oh, I swear (what he means) Ah, come on, let's Take off everything That pretty red dress Eileen (tell him yes) Ah, come on, let's Ah, come on, Eileen, please That pretty red dress Eileen (tell him yes) Ah, come on, let's Ah, come on, Eileen, please (Come on, Eileen, too-rye-ay) (Come on, Eileen, too-rye-ay) Now you're full grown (too-ra) And now you have shown (too-ra, ta-loo-ra) Oh, Eileen Said, come on, Eileen (come on, Eileen) (you've grown) These things they are real and I know (ta-loo-rye-ay) (so grown) How you feel (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay) Now I must say more than ever (too-ra, ta-loo-ra) Things 'round here have changed I said, too-ra-loo-ra (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay) Too-ra-loo-rye-ay (come on, Eileen, ta-loo-rye-ay) (Too-ra, ta-loo-ra) Come on, Eileen Oh, I swear (what he means) At this moment You mean everything You in that dress My thoughts, I confess Verge on dirty Ah, come on, Eileen Come on, Eileen Oh, I swear (what he means) At this moment You mean everything In that dress Oh, my thoughts I confess Well, they're dirty Come on, Eileen Come on, Eileen Whoa (what he means) Whoa Ah, come on, Eileen Oh, believe me If all those endearing young CHARMS That I gaze on so fondly today Were to suddenly leave you, oh fly in the night Just like fairy gifts gone in the sky Correcting wrong lyrics Fixing missing lines Removing extra lines Updating to official version Switching between clean/explicit (official) Fixing line breaks or spacing Correcting stanza/section order Removing unofficial annotations or brackets Correcting punctuation or capitalization Fixing spelling/typo errors Removing non-lyric content Standardizing formatting Other (explain below) Lyrics saved successfully! Thanks! These lyrics are currently locked and can only be edited by moderators and administrators. You must be logged in to edit lyrics. Unable to save lyrics. Please try again. Lyrics cannot contain links. Lyric edit submitted successfully and is pending approval. Approvals usually take 24 hours. Edit Cancel Editing Tips Keep it true to the song

Fix what’s wrong, but don’t rewrite what the artist wrote. Stick to the official released version — album booklet, label site, verified lyric video, etc. If you’re guessing, pause and double-check.

Respect the structure

Songs have rhythm. Pages do too. Leave line breaks where they belong. Don’t smash things together or add extra empty space just for looks.

Punctuation counts (but vibe-editing doesn’t)

Correct typos? Yes. Re-punctuating a whole verse because it ‘looks better’? Probably not. Keep capitalization and punctuation close to the official source.

Don’t mix versions

If you’re editing the explicit version, keep it explicit. If it’s the clean version, keep it clean. No mashups.

Let the lyrics be lyrics

This isn’t the place for interpretations, memories, stories, or trivia — that’s what comments are for. Keep metadata, translations, and bracketed stage directions out unless they’re officially part of the song.

Edit lightly

If two lines are wrong… fix the two lines. No need to bulldoze the whole page. Think ‘surgical,’ not ‘remix.’

When in doubt, ask the crowd

Not sure what they’re singing in that fuzzy bridge? Drop a question in the comments and let the music nerds swarm. Someone always knows.

Revision History deborah305 2024-01-15 19:11:58 deborah305 2022-09-08 11:00:43 deborah305 2020-10-28 15:49:58 MalachaiSade 2018-10-01 05:16:57 ParanoidDroid8 2015-06-11 18:02:52 jamescobalt 2014-09-21 22:13:34 cm035 2014-03-20 14:57:13 MinuteWalt 2014-02-23 19:46:50 yuri_sucupira Submitter 2001-12-15 21:18:45 82 Meanings

Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.

Add your thoughts... Sort by Highest Rated Most Recent Oldest First All Comment Types General Comment (77) Song Meaning (4) Lyric Correction (1) All

Comment Reposted to your Profile Page.

View Profile Dismiss by bluelady 15y ago

I've always known this song was about him trying to "get his leg over" his childhood friend who he has suddenly realised is a grown woman now. Teenage angst and all that crap.

Cheery song anyway.

I've always known this song was about him trying to "get his leg over" his childhood friend who he has suddenly realised is a grown woman now. Teenage angst and all that crap. Cheery song anyway. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +8 Users: Reply · 1 Share by matt1111 7y ago

@bluelady I'm really surprised many don't see the complex nature of this song. As with many great songs, there are multiple meanings, and not just the obvious one. It may have started about sex, but it sure didn't end up like that. This song is about promising your love to get them out of of the hell of English poverty, and make a better life for themselves.

@bluelady I'm really surprised many don't see the complex nature of this song. As with many great songs, there are multiple meanings, and not just the obvious one. It may have started about sex, but it sure didn't end up like that. This song is about promising your love to get them out of of the hell of English poverty, and make a better life for themselves.

You know this from the first verse. The reason why they used Johnny Ray, out of all the 50's singer, is because was he was known as the blue caller crooner, who was...

You know this from the first verse. The reason why they used Johnny Ray, out of all the 50's singer, is because was he was known as the blue caller crooner, who was beloved by working class English women, because of his extreme poverty to riches story. Hence the first verse, and why the song starts out like that.

Then there's the second verse, which makes it far more complex, that has nothing to with just trying to sleep with a young love. Some teenager just looking to "get a leg over" would never say this:

These people round here, wear beaten down eyes Sunk in smoke dried faces, so resigned to what their fate is But not us, no not us, we are far too young and clever (Remember) Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye Eileen I'll hum this tune forever

In the 80's to be poor in England was miserable. This song actually ends up being more about using love to get out of poverty, than just sex. The sex part is just the hook to get you to listen and remember it.

Read more... @[bluelady:32143] I'm really surprised many don't see the complex nature of this song. As with many great songs, there are multiple meanings, and not just the obvious one. It may have started about sex, but it sure didn't end up like that. This song is about promising your love to get them out of of the hell of English poverty, and make a better life for themselves. You know this from the first verse. The reason why they used Johnny Ray, out of all the 50's singer, is because was he was known as the blue caller crooner, who was beloved by working class English women, because of his extreme poverty to riches story. Hence the first verse, and why the song starts out like that. Then there's the second verse, which makes it far more complex, that has nothing to with just trying to sleep with a young love. Some teenager just looking to "get a leg over" would never say this: These people round here, wear beaten down eyes Sunk in smoke dried faces, so resigned to what their fate is But not us, no not us, we are far too young and clever (Remember) Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye Eileen I'll hum this tune forever In the 80's to be poor in England was miserable. This song actually ends up being more about using love to get out of poverty, than just sex. The sex part is just the hook to get you to listen and remember it. Reason: Edit Cancel by TasteTheWake 14y ago

He's pressuring the girl to have sex with him and feed his desires.

He's pressuring the girl to have sex with him and feed his desires. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +6 Users: Reply · 0 Share by Torontokid87 24y ago

This kind of makes me want to put on over-alls and dance around in the street, know what I mean?

This kind of makes me want to put on over-alls and dance around in the street, know what I mean? Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +4 Users: Reply · 0 Share by Emericanskater 24y ago

Actually the lead singer of Dexy's Midnight runners said it is about his child hood friend "eileen". Then things got sexual and they weren't friends anymore

Actually the lead singer of Dexy's Midnight runners said it is about his child hood friend "eileen". Then things got sexual and they weren't friends anymore Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +4 Users: Reply · 0 Share by matt1111 7y ago

I'm really surprised that the complex nature of this song is not seen by these comments.. As with many great songs, there are multiple poetic meanings, and not just the obvious one. It may have started about teenage sex, but it sure didn't end up that way. This song is about promising your love to get them out of the hell of English poverty, and make a better life for themselves.

You know this from the first verse. The reason why they used Johnny Ray, out of all the 50's singer, is because was he was known as the blue caller crooner, who was beloved by working class English women, because of his extreme poverty to riches story. Hence the first verse, and why the song starts out like that.

Then there's the second verse, which makes it far more complex, that has nothing to with just trying to sleep with a young love. Some teenager just looking to "get a leg over" would never say this:

These people round here, wear beaten down eyes Sunk in smoke dried faces, so resigned to what their fate is But not us, no not us, we are far too young and clever (Remember) Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye Eileen I'll hum this tune forever

In the 80's to be poor in England was miserable. This song actually ends up being more about using love and a relationship to get out of poverty, than just sex. The sex part is just the hook to get you to listen and remember it.

I'm really surprised that the complex nature of this song is not seen by these comments.. As with many great songs, there are multiple poetic meanings, and not just the obvious one. It may have started about teenage sex, but it sure didn't end up that way. This song is about promising your love to get them out of the hell of English poverty, and make a better life for themselves. You know this from the first verse. The reason why they used Johnny Ray, out of all the 50's singer, is because was he was known as the blue caller crooner, who was beloved by working class English women, because of his extreme poverty to riches story. Hence the first verse, and why the song starts out like that. Then there's the second verse, which makes it far more complex, that has nothing to with just trying to sleep with a young love. Some teenager just looking to "get a leg over" would never say this: These people round here, wear beaten down eyes Sunk in smoke dried faces, so resigned to what their fate is But not us, no not us, we are far too young and clever (Remember) Toora Loora Toora Loo-Rye-Aye Eileen I'll hum this tune forever In the 80's to be poor in England was miserable. This song actually ends up being more about using love and a relationship to get out of poverty, than just sex. The sex part is just the hook to get you to listen and remember it. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +4 Users: Reply · 1 Share by deborah305 2y ago

@matt1111 Re Johnny Ray: he was the "blue-collar" crooner, which means that his appeal was to the working class (blue overalls rather than the bright white shirts/blouses of bankers and lawyers. Maybe 'caller' was a typo of yours, but it should be corrected anyway. Thanks for a good analysis!

@matt1111 Re Johnny Ray: he was the "blue-collar" crooner, which means that his appeal was to the working class (blue overalls rather than the bright white shirts/blouses of bankers and lawyers. Maybe 'caller' was a typo of yours, but it should be corrected anyway. Thanks for a good analysis!

@[matt1111:49779] Re Johnny Ray: he was the "blue-collar" crooner, which means that his appeal was to the working class (blue overalls rather than the bright white shirts/blouses of bankers and lawyers. Maybe 'caller' was a typo of yours, but it should be corrected anyway. Thanks for a good analysis! Reason: Edit Cancel by TusseyTheTerrible 24y ago

This song reminds me of growing up, and feeling that you are invincible in your youth....yeah.

This song reminds me of growing up, and feeling that you are invincible in your youth....yeah. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +3 Users: Reply · 0 Share by princesssarah 24y ago

it's happy, it makes me wanna dance... love it love it!! a good mood kind of song!!

it's happy, it makes me wanna dance... love it love it!! a good mood kind of song!! Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +3 Users: Reply · 0 Share by farewell to kings 20y ago

I'd just like to add that the original version of this song is many times better than the cover by Saving Ferris.

I'd just like to add that the original version of this song is many times better than the cover by Saving Ferris. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +3 Users: Reply · 1 Share by exobscura 2y ago

@farewell to kings though the Saving Ferris version comes real darn close

@farewell to kings though the Saving Ferris version comes real darn close

@[farewell:49419] to kings though the Saving Ferris version comes real darn close Reason: Edit Cancel by Paul364486 18y ago

It's about a pair of young people that don't realise that they are about to fall into exactly the same trap that their parents fell into - getting pregnant young. They think they are young and clever, but they are no younger and cleverer than all those resigned, beaten down adults were when they too were young.

Pretty soon it will be "I'm pregnant, Dexie. What are we going to do?" A hasty marriage, Eileen will lose her shape and sparkle, and he will be working 'down mill for tuppence a month for the rest of his life, just like his sad old dad.

(Compare to my comments on Bohemian Like You - another song that uses a similar irony).

It's about a pair of young people that don't realise that they are about to fall into exactly the same trap that their parents fell into - getting pregnant young. They think they are young and clever, but they are no younger and cleverer than all those resigned, beaten down adults were when they too were young. Pretty soon it will be "I'm pregnant, Dexie. What are we going to do?" A hasty marriage, Eileen will lose her shape and sparkle, and he will be working 'down mill for tuppence a month for the rest of his life, just like his sad old dad. (Compare to my comments on Bohemian Like You - another song that uses a similar irony). Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +3 Users: Reply · 1 Share by exobscura 2y ago

@Paul364486 Because the young have ALWAYS believed that they are smarter than the previous generation

@Paul364486 Because the young have ALWAYS believed that they are smarter than the previous generation

@[Paul364486:49420] Because the young have ALWAYS believed that they are smarter than the previous generation Reason: Edit Cancel by foldsfan5 16y ago

Toura loura loural is an irish lullaby. Seeing as the group is british, it is possible that the "we can sing just like our fathers" is a reference to the singer's father singing this lullaby to him when he was a child.

Toura loura loural is an irish lullaby. Seeing as the group is british, it is possible that the "we can sing just like our fathers" is a reference to the singer's father singing this lullaby to him when he was a child. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 ❗ 🤔 +3 Users: Reply · 0 Share 123...89Next »

• D
• Dexys Midnight Runners
• Come On Eileen

alert close