It’s Ireland’s national holiday today, a day off for many who live on the island and a day to celebrate for the many more who live in the USA, Britain, Australia and around the world. Jonathan Richman isn’t Irish, but the Bostonian manages a decent enough Irish accent on his duet with the actress Julia Sweeney from his 1995 album, You Must Ask the Heart. In the song, Julia tries to explain to Jonathan that just because she has Irish ancestry, it doesn’t necessarily mean that she knows the location of every Irish bar in Boston. Flogging Molly are an Irish-American rock band who formed in California in the late 90s and are about to release their fifth studio album this year. The full title of the song below is (No More) Paddy’s Lament and it’s taken from their fourth album, Float (2008). Dublin’s Whipping Boy released three albums between 1992 and 2000. Heartworm from 1995 remains one of the best albums ever released by an Irish act and was the only one I had by the band until I picked up their self-titled third album in a charity shop last week. That’s where I got the Velvet Underground-influenced Pat the Almighty, a song that may or may not be about one of our patron saint’s descendants. Happy St Patrick’s Day to anyone who’s Irish or just loves the country and its people
Just Because I’m Irish – Jonathan Richman with Julia Sweeney
Paddy’s Lament – Flogging Molly
Pat The Almighty – Whipping Boy
Image taken from here
Town Full of Losers 
