Irish Songs for St. Patrick’s Day
The Kiboomers, “St. Patrick’s Day”
Your little leprechauns will love this kid-friendly tune. It’s guaranteed to get stuck in all of your heads and will make you really want to go green.
Dropkick Murphys, “I’m Shipping Up to Boston”
“I’m Shipping Up to Boston” is the highest-charting song from proud Irish Bostonians the Dropkick Murphys. The band set Woody Guthrielyrics to music, and the hit was featured on the soundtrack of the Oscar-winning Martin Scorsesefilm The Departed.
The Cranberries, “Linger”
From the late Dolores O’Riordan’s haunting lilt to the earworm melody, “Linger” is one of The Cranberries’ most beautiful tunes.
Thin Lizzy, “The Boys Are Back in Town”
“The Boys Are Back in Town” is an infectious and fantastic party song for any day of the year, and Thin Lizzy’s Irish heritage and frontman Phil Lynott’s subtle brogue make this a perfect barnburner for St. Patrick’s Day.
The Corrs, “Breathless”
Irish family band The Corrs harmonize beautifully and have some of the catchiest hooks in pop, period.
U2, “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
“Sunday Bloody Sunday” is one of U2’s signature songs, as well as one of the first to make them critical darlings. The song is one of their most political, detailing the Troubles in Northern Ireland, notably the Derry, Northern Ireland Bloody Sunday massacre, in which British troops murdered unarmed protesters.
Sinéad O’Connor, “Nothing Compares 2 U”
Sinéad O’Connor stunned the world with this soulful ballad, penned for her by none other than Prince.
The High Kings, “Rocky Road to Dublin”
“Rocky Road to Dublin” is a traditional Irish song first popularized in the 1800s that tells the story of a rather unfortunate trip from Tuam, Ireland to Liverpool, England…and its heroes are some truly fightin’ Irish.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, “Irish Celebration”
Rapper Macklemore honors his heritage in “Irish Celebration,” a 2009 track with longtime collaborator Ryan Lewis. Macklemore told The Sourceof the tune, “My family is Irish Catholic. I wrote ‘Irish Celebration,’ which was one of our more popular songs. You know, it’s crazy, because I went over to Ireland in the fall of 2011 and basically sold out two nights in Dublin. That was one of the craziest shows I’ve ever done—like, it was pure ruckus. As far as the music, I feel people can appreciate it and respect it, but for me it just me celebrating my tradition and heritage." He added, “It’s a part of who I am and my lineage. My grandfather is no longer here anymore, but I wanted to do something to make him proud. ‘Irish Celebration’ is something that reps our family and our bloodline.”
Flogging Molly, “What’s Left of the Flag”
In “What’s Left of the Flag,” Celtic punk rockers Flogging Mollysign of the horrors and violence of The Troubles.
The Rumjacks, “An Irish Pub Song”
Kilkenney, Guinness, Caffrey, Harp and Jagerbombs are among the names dropped in this 2010 tune from The Rumjacks’ album Gangs of New Holland.
Hozier, “Someone New”
While “Take Me to Church” is Hozier’s signature song so far, and its religious overtones may well fit with a holy day, “Something New” is lighter, frothier and more fun, making it our pick for a cheery St. Patrick’s Day. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing Game of Thronesstar Natalie Dormerin the video?
The Dubliners, “The Wild Rover”
The Dubliners’ rendition of Irish folk classic “The Wild Rover” is one of the song’s most popular versions.
B*witched, “C’est La Vie”
One of the purest pop confections in the last 30 years, the 1998 debut single from girl group B*witched is sure to get you singing along.
The Script, “Hall of Fame”
“Hall of Fame” earned Irish band The Script nominations for the World Music Awards for World’s Best Song and World’s Best Music Video.
Steve Earle and Sharon Shannon, “Galway Girl”
Steve Earleand Sharon Shannon dueted on “Galway Girl,” a 2000 country hit. It remains one of the most popular songs ever in Ireland today.
Ed Sheeran, “Galway Girl”
Ed Sheerancollaborated with Irish band Beoga on his own original song “Galway Girl,” the video of which stars Saoirse Ronan.
Kodaline, “All I Want”
Dublin-based alternative rockers Kodalineknow their way around a love song, like this 2013 hit “All I Want.”
Damien Rice, “Cold Water”
“Cold Water” by Damien Riceprobably sounds familiar: It’s been featured in a lot of movies and TV shows, including Mike Nichols’ 2004 film Closer.
Mary Black, “Song for Ireland”
Mary Black has a beautiful anthem for Ireland that’s all the more enriched by her lilt.
Van Morrison, “Brown Eyed Girl”
A classic, “Brown Eyed Girl” landed Van Morrisonin the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The Pogues, “Sunny Side of the Street”
An unabashed celebration of life as a Libertine, The Pogues’ “Sunny of the Street” will make you feel sunny just listening to it, even if it’s ugly outside.
Enya, “Only Time”
Guys, is there anything more soothing than Enya? She’s like an aural bubble bath.
Snow Patrol, “Run”
Snow Patrolare great at writing soft, moving songs that get stuck in your head and sometimes make you weepy. The “light up, light up” refrain in “Run” makes it for a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day sing-along option.
Gilbert O’Sullivan, “Alone Again (Naturally)”
Irish crooner Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Alone Again (Naturally)” spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Irish Rovers, “The Unicorn”
This song has lyrics by the poet Shel Silverstein.
Celtic Woman, “Amazing Grace”
Celtic Woman’s classic and traditional takes on songs make them their own.
Niall Horan, “Heartbreak Weather”
Former One Directionheartthrob Niall Horangets upbeat in the title track to his sophomore solo effort.
The Saw Doctors, “I Useta Lover”
The Saw Doctors’ 1990 rock song “I Useta Lover” is one of the best-selling singles of all time in Ireland. It’s a great choice if you’re going through a breakup this St. Patrick’s Day!
The Undertones, “Teenage Kicks”
“Teenage Kicks” will inspire you to rock out like you would in your youth. And why shouldn’t you?
The Boomtown Rats, “I Don’t Like Mondays”
The Boomtown Rats’ “I Don’t Like Mondays” is a dark song about one of the first school shootings in American history.
Róisín Murphy, “Murphy’s Law”
Róisín Murphy rose to fame as half of Moloko. Her solo work was critically acclaimed, including “Exploitation,” a tongue-in-cheek single from Hairless Toys.
Westlife, “Swear It Again”
This beautiful ballad was practically tailor-made for weddings.
The Fureys, “When You Were Sweet Sixteen”
The Fureys have one of the most popular covers of “When You Were Sweet Sixteen,” a song written by Irish American artist James Thornton almost a full century earlier.
The Wolfe Tones, “Erin Go Bragh”
It’s the best day of the year to shout it out! Next, check out these hilarious St. Patrick’s Day memes to crack you up over your soda bread!
