The Chaotic Story of Dexys Midnight Runners & “Come On Eileen“ | New British Canon

When faced with the phrase “One Hit Wonder” Dexys Midnight Runners would be one of the first bands to come to most US minds. Their megahit “Come On Eileen” is one of the eternal dancefloor fillers, a feat that they could never have possibly repeated. But for Britain, Dexys Midnight Runners represent one of the most unique, innovative and down right best bands these Isles have ever produced. Not quite the ska of The Specials or Madness, nor the new wave of The Jam or Elvis Costello, Dexys with their American R&B-inspired sound, taking inspiration from Geno Washington’s “Michael the Lover“, “Born To Run“ by Bruce Springsteen and Tom Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual, their three-piece horn section and or celtic strings stood apart from their supposed peers, not to mention the synthetic pop dominating the charts at the time. And with their numerous UK top forty hits including “Dance Stance“, “Tell Me When My Light Turns Green“, “There There My Dear“, “Show Me“ and “Jackie Wilson Said“ and a second number one in the form