Galway Girl

Album: Transcendental Blues (2000)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Steve Earle recorded this with the Irish musician Sharon Shannon. Earle met her in Galway, where he was spending a lot time and working on his music. Shannon is not the girl in the song, but she explained in an interview with RTE radio that the Galway Girl is a real person, and hinted that it's a tale of unrequited love.
  • Shannon released the song on the album The Diamond Mountain Sessions around the same time it appeared on Earle's album. In 2007, she recorded a live version with fellow Irish musician Mundy that was picked up by RTE radio in Ireland, making it a hit in that country.
  • This song is featured in the 2007 movie P.S. I Love You.

Comments: 4

  • Nessa from GermanyIf you ask the musicians in a pub in Ireland for 'Galway Girl', you will often get the answer: "But only the real one!" Just great and Irish!
  • Michael from Buffalo, NyI turned a local hooligan Irish rock band (Jackdaw) on to this song & it was the ONLY non-original song they played... and the most requested.
  • Michael from Bern, SwitzerlandI met an old guy on Inishmore (island near Galway) and asked him to play this song for my girlfriend (yes, she loves "P.S. I love you") and he told me he didn't know the lyrics, but he once met the girl this song is about...
  • Mercedies from Soldotna, AkI love this song in P.S I love you! Both the actors that sang it didn't ruin the song which I thought was nice.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.