To celebrate St. Paddy’s day, here are 10 Irish rockers and songs you gotta listen to today to get you in the mood for a rockin’ night!

 

 

1) Really any song by Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy were formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1969. They inspired a generation of modern heavy metal bands such as Metallica,  Alice in Chains, Mastodon and Testament. Lead Singer Phil Lynott has been described in the Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock & Soul as a “brash, black musician-poet from Dublin”

2) “Devil’s Dance Floor” by Flogging Molly

You may be tired of it, but this song is the perfect way to get the party started on ANY day, not just St. Paddy’s Day.

 

 

3) “Home For A Rest” by Spirit of the West

We’ve all sung this song at the top of our lungs, well into our cups at some point in our adult lives. A night out at the pub isn’t complete without ‘Home For A Rest’ playing at least once near the end of the night; giving you your second wind or a sign to maybe head home for the night.

 

 

4) “The Wild Rover” by The Pogues

Arguably the most performed and well known classic Irish folk song, it has been popular since at least the early 19th century.  From bands like The Pogues to the warm, well-worn walls of any Irish pub, this song is your typical sing -along Irish drinking song. John C. Reilly seems to know that too.

 

 

 

5) “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2

Bono has never been shy about supporting the people. This song is making reference to darker times decades apart in Irish history. This first ‘Bloody Sunday’ happened in 1920 when British troops fired into the crowd at a Dublin football match in retaliation for the killing of British undercover agents. The second was much later on January 30, 1972, when British paratroopers killed 13 Irish citizens at a civil rights protest in Derry, Northern Ireland. Bono chose to take a nonpartisan approach with the lyrics, while also condemning the historic bloodshed.

 

6) Any song by the Dropkick Murphys

St. Paddy’s Day just isn’t the same without at least ONE song from these loud and rowdy boys. It’s hard to pick just one, so here’s two.

 

7) “Zombie” by The Cranberries

A song that is as somber as it is a head banger, lead singer Dolores O’Riordan has claimed that this song spoke about “the Irish fight for independence that seems to last forever.” Which is apparent with lyrics like, “It’s the same old theme since 1916.”

 

8) Metallica’s version of “Whiskey In A Jar”

Paying homage to one of the bands that inspired them, Metallica smash out a roaring good cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Whiskey In A Jar”. It is actually a traditional Irish song as well that was originally covered by The Dubliners in 1967, and has been covered many times over the years since.

 

 

9) “Teenage Kicks” The Undertones

This Northern Irish punk band created an anthem for the youth of the time with this song. The line, “teenage dreams so hard to beat” are carved on British DJ John Peel’s gravestone – the man who broke the song the world. He loved it so much he played it twice in a row on his show!

 

 

10) Any song from The Dubliners

Need I say more?

 

 

However you’re celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, at some point why not play your favourite Irish songs and belt them out at the top of your lungs. Just like you would if you were at the pub, surrounded by friends and family. Hopefully this short list of amazing Irish musicians and songs just gets you started!