You sound loike Enya, you do

Wouldn't mind supping on his stout...

It's "Paddy's Day Eve", dear reader [and yet again; with the long history of this blog, which recently celebrated sixteen years(!) in business, it's understandable, here's a little bit of recycling] - time to wear green and drink stout, I believe.

Just as on previous celebrations, I turn to the marvellous French & Saunders for the most appropriate tribute to all things "Oirish" on this day.

Here's their brilliant "Raspberries"...

French and Saunders - "The Raspberries"

...and here's the real thing - The Cranberries:

Cranberries - Zombie

Cranberries - Linger

Sláinte ma Cara!

Indeed.

[We still miss Dolores]

Another of my namesakes is gone

Very sad news - and quite a shock! One of the most distinctive - and one of my fave - vocalists of the modern pop era, Miss Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries is dead, aged just 46.

The Cranberries - Dreams

And oh, my dreams,
It's never quite as it seems,
'Cause you're a dream to me,
Dream to me.

RIP, Dolores. We'll miss ya.

You sound loike Enya, you do

It's Paddy's Day, sweeties. Time to wear green and drink stout, I believe.

Just as on previous celebrations, I turn to the marvellous French & Saunders for the most appropriate tribute to all things "Oirish" on this day.

Here's their brilliant "Raspberries"...

French & Saunders - "The Raspberries"

...and here's the real thing - The Cranberries:

Cranberries - Zombie

Cranberries - Linger

Sláinte ma Cara!

Indeed.

If you, if you could return, don't let it burn, don't let it fade

It is amazingly fifteen years since the phenomenon that is The Cranberries launched into the charts in the UK with Linger. Originally named The Cranberry Saw Us, it was not until they recruited the remarkable vocal talents of Dolores O'Riordan that the Cranberries' sound became fully formed, and instantly recognisable today, with her trademark "ultra-Oirish" twang.

So armed, they went on to become one of the most successful rock acts of the '90s and sold over 14.5 million albums in the United States alone. But this chart success was not destined to last, and although the band is not officially "dead", the major players including Dolores have of late been working on their own solo projects.

Still, it is for the sheer power and impact their music had that we remember them. I can recall hearing them for the first time in 1994, and being simply blown away! Enjoy...

The Cranberries - Linger

Linger
If you, if you could return, don't let it burn, don't let it fade.

I'm sure I'm not being rude, but it's just your attitude,
It's tearing me apart, It's ruining everything.

I swore, I swore I would be true, and honey, so did you.
So why were you holding her hand? Is that the way we stand?
Were you lying all the time? Was it just a game to you?

But I'm in so deep. You know I'm such a fool for you.
You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha.
Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to,
Do you have to let it linger?

Oh, I thought the world of you.
I thought nothing could go wrong,
But I was wrong. I was wrong.
If you, if you could get by, trying not to lie,
Things wouldn't be so confused and I wouldn't feel so used,
But you always really knew, I just wanna be with you.

But I'm in so deep. You know I'm such a fool for you.
You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha.
Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to,
Do you have to let it linger?

And I'm in so deep. You know I'm such a fool for you.
You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha.
Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to,
Do you have to let it linger?

You know I'm such a fool for you.
You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha.
Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to,
Do you have to let it linger?

The Cranberries official website