The Boys Are Back in Town
| "The Boys Are Back in Town" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Emerald", "Jailbreak" or "Sarah" |
"The Boys Are Back in Town" is a single from Irish hard rock band Thin Lizzy. The song was originally released in 1976 on their album Jailbreak.
Reception
It was given 499th position among the 2004 Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, though it was not included in the 2010 update.[1] Rolling Stone praised lead singer Phil Lynott's "Gaelic soul" and called the "twin-guitar lead by Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson" used "crucial to the song's success".[2] The song is played at most Irish Rugby matches.[3] In March 2005, Q magazine placed "The Boys Are Back in Town" at No. 38 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.[4]
Charts
| Single | UK | US | IRL |
|---|---|---|---|
| "The Boys Are Back in Town" (1976) | 8[3] | 12[2] | 1[3] |
| "The Boys Are Back in Town" (1991 reissue) | 63[5] | 16[6] |
Single release information
The original 1976 UK single release featured album track "Emerald" as a B-side, although in some territories "Jailbreak" was chosen. The single was remixed and re-released in several formats in March 1991, after the success of the "Dedication" single, reaching No. 63 in the UK.[5] The 12" EP featured the extra tracks "Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed", "Black Boys on the Corner" and a live version of "Me and the Boys". There are many theories regarding the inspiration behind "The Boys Are Back in Town", although none has been verified.[7]
Cover versions
 | This section may contain unverified or indiscriminate information in embedded lists. (December 2012) |
- Bon Jovi has covered the song live during concerts and have used it as a B-Side. The studio recording appeared on the compilation album Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell which featured covers of songs by artists/groups who had been touched by drug or alcohol abuse like Phil Lynott. Also featured were Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, Skid Row, Cinderella, and Gorky Park. The album was released in 1989 by Mercury/PolyGram Records.
- The Rumble Strips covered the song in 2007 as a B-side to "Girls and Boys in Love"
- The Cardigans have covered the song as a B-side to "Hey! Get Out of My Way."
- Happy Mondays covered the song for their 1999 Greatest Hits compilation.
- The Gap Band covered the song on their 1979 album The Gap Band II.
Appearances in other media
At the 2012 Republican National Convention the song was used to introduce Vice-Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan on stage. This unauthorized use of the song caused controversy. Both Lynott's mother, Philomena Lynott, and Thin Lizzy lead guitarist Scott Gorham criticised its use, suggesting that Lynott would have not wanted his music used for any political use, and furthermore would likely have objected to the policies of Ryan and his running mate Mitt Romney.[8] and would never have used his music to endorse politicians. [9]
References
- ^ The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time : Rolling Stone
- ^ a b The Boys Are Back in Town : Rolling Stone
- ^ a b c BBC - Comic Relief does Fame Academy - Home
- ^ Q lists - page3
- ^ a b "The Boys Are Back in Town (1991) Record details". 45cat.com. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
- ^ "Irish Charts - Thin Lizzy". www.irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ Bailie, Stuart – Jailbreak album sleeve notes
- ^ McDonald, Henry (3 September 2012). "Phil Lynott's mother objects to Mitt Romney using Thin Lizzy's music". The Guardian.
- ^ http://www.hotpress.com/news/9172026.html