Old Town by Phil Lynott

Album: The Philip Lynott Album (1982)

License This Song

lyrics

Songfacts®:

Running 4:19, Phil Lynott co-wrote this song with bass player Jimmy Bain; the old town in question is clearly Dublin, and the song is just as clearly autobiographical to some degree, and intensely personal. A nice, uptempo fairly commercial track, although far too poppy ever to be recorded by Thin Lizzy. An inevitable single, it was recorded at Good Earth Studios, London, produced by Lynott and Kit Woolven, and released on the Vertigo label backed by "Beat Of The Drum."

It was also recorded by The Corrs with an orchestral arrangement. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 2

Heidi from Frankfurt, GermanyI have been watching the above mentioned performance of the Corss over and over again. My first impression was indeed not positive. But from seeing it a second time and on, my appreciation for the Corss has only grown. They are professional musicians putting down a performance as good as anyone who is not Phil Lynott can do. They are Irish and love how they perform this song.
Heidi from Frankfurt, GermanyThe otherwise terrific video clip on this page has the leading line "The old Covent Garden, I remember only too well" missing.

Phil Lynott had a son born 'out of wedlock' , who has been given away to adoption. Macdaragh Lambe was often told that he bore an uncanny resemblance to Phil Lynott. When he searched the adoption papers he learned his father was 'a musician named Philip'. In 2010 Phils mother acknowledged that Macdaragh was 'without a doubt' her grandson.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

I'll WaitVan Halen

Michael McDonald co-wrote the Van Halen song "I'll Wait."

I Gotta FeelingThe Black Eyed Peas

Will.I.am, literally dreamt up "I Gotta Feelin'." Said the Black Eyed Pea: "Have you ever had a dream where there's a melody in your dream? I'll wake up out of my sleep and record that! 'I Gotta Feelin' was one of those songs."

Fortunate SonCreedence Clearwater Revival

The Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Fortunate Son" is about how the Vietnam war was being fought by soldiers without the privilege or connections to get out of it. "It's the old saying about rich men making war and poor men having to fight them," John Fogerty said.

Walking On Thin IceYoko Ono

John Lennon's lead guitar work on Yoko Ono's "Walking On Thin Ice" proved to be his final creative act. It was upon their return home after completing laying down the track that Lennon was murdered by Mark David Chapman.

Where Everybody Knows Your NameGary Portnoy

The TV show Cheers was nearly canceled after its first season, but the theme song, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," was very popular. To satisfy viewer demand, the theme was made into a full song and released as a single.

Mr. Tambourine ManBob Dylan

Bob Dylan's original version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," released on his album Bringing It All Back Home, has no tambourine, just guitars and harmonica.