MixTape Mondays: Irish Drinkin’ Songs

To be completely honest, this is not the definitive Irish drinking song mix. I’m sure everyone has their own classics and favorites, but to me, my heart swells with Irish pride and fists will be full of Harp Lager or a shot of Jameson. So enjoy these fine Irish drinkin’ songs. Slainte!
— Bill Bodkin

“I’m Shippin’ Up To Boston” by Dropkick Murphys
Seriously, how can you not raise a beer and sing along with the chorus? First heard this song as the theme song to The Departed and have been in love with it ever since. Everything about this song reeks of bad assness, beer and Irish pride. And it’s all about a sailor who lost his leg — go figure the Irish would love this song. Or some fool would use it as the song to introduce the wedding party at his wedding in November (yes, that would be me). This is vintage Dropkick Murphys ,and if you never listen to any of their songs in your life (and you’re silly if you do that), you will still be able experience the passion, the power and the spirit of one of Boston’s favorite bands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtCAhb5QGSo

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“Seven Deadly Sins” by Flogging Molly
One of my all-time favorite bands, Flogging Molly has this amazing ability to capture the rebel spirit of punk rock and the rebel spirit of traditional Irish music and mold it into a perfect blend. It’s like the perfect pour of Guinness: All the elements are allowed to settle perfectly creating a magnificent, delicious piece of Irish tradition. Flogging Molly is simply one of the best bands, let alone Celtic-influenced bands, in the world today. Their live shows are like a rollicking night at the pub: It still has a sense of fun and intimacy even in a sold out rock club.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plfVQV-klZo

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“Drunken Lullabies” by Flogging Molly
This is the type of songs that after a few shots of Jameson will have you hands-a-clapping and doing a doesy-do with a complete and utter stranger. Don’t believe me? What do you think I was doing last Friday night? “Drunken Lullabies” is one of those songs that I believe will be a part of the Saint Patrick’s Day musical canon like “Danny Boy” and “Whiskey In The Jar.” It’s just fun, alive, bursting with kinetic energy that a smile has to come across your face. It’s pure Irish fun it all its punk rock glory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDwlGbEcJ6Y

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“Fairytale Of New York” by The Pogues & Krisy McColl
This is the ballad of ballads. This is the one where you throw your arm around the shoulder of a complete stranger and, for the next few minutes, you and the entire bar is in complete solidarity singing the entire four-minute song. It has the sadness and hope that any good Irish song would have. The crackily voice of Shane MacGowan, the same man who had an album called Rum, Sodomy & The Lash, evokes such emotion that you really feel it in your drunken soul. And to boot, this is a Christmas song. And probably one of the best ones, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwHyuraau4Q

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“Whiskey In The Jar” by The Dubliners
As much as I love Metallica, The Dubliners’ version of “Whiskey In The Jar,” a traditional Irish tune, is the best. Not that Metallica’s version isn’t a good throw-your-fist-or-drink-in-the-air type song, but the rollicking and upbeat, hand-clapping acoustic-driven version of the song is pub perfection. Seriously, if you aren’t singing “whack for my daddy oh, whack for my daddy oh, there’s whiskey in the jar!” and clapping your hands on St. Patty’s Day, you have not earned your corned beef sandwich.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoiF7Qket_k