Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Today we will drink in this festive tradition by celebrating ‘ourselves’. I hope you will join me using the inspirational song ‘Give it Up’ by the quality Irish band Hothouse Flowers as a backdrop.
The Hothouse Flowers began as a busker group on the streets of Dublin in 1985, featuring founding members Liam O’Maonlai and Fiachna O’Braonain. They went by the name ‘The Incomparable Benzini Brothers’. They were soon joined by Peter O’Toole and rapidly became known as the band to see. They were so highly regarded that they received a street entertainer of the year award in 1986. As their notoriety grew, they opted to change their name to Hothouse Flowers. This moniker came from a roundtable chat at a café with a group of friends. As the recognition increased locally, the Hothouse Flowers began to tour Ireland more diligently and during that time a couple of transformative things happened.
First, Rolling Stone magazine referred to them as “the best unsigned band in Europe’ and second, Bono from U2 saw them perform on local television and offered to help in any way. This led to them recording their first single ‘Love Don’t Work This Way’ on U2’s Mother Records label.
A short time later they were signed to Polygram and began work on their first album.
By the time their debut album ‘People’ was released the anticipation on a local level had built to a fever pitch. To this day, the May 1988 release is the most successful debut album in Irish history. It actually went to #1 in Ireland within a week of its release and #2 in the U.K. As word began to spread, Hothouse Flowers expanded their popularity and ‘Don’t Go’ became an international hit. Here is a fun studio version of ‘Don’t Go’.
Ireland’s best kept secret was the toast of the nation and a source of pride. This was the message.
And there’s a lot more loving left in this world.
Don’t go!
Don’t leave me now, now, now…
While the sun smiles
Don’t Go – Hothouse Flowers
Stick around and laugh a while
Yeah”
There is a lot more.
Hothouse Flowers’ second album was recorded during a very busy time for the band. Their relentless touring schedule required them to take advantage of opportunities to record, almost on the fly. As a result, sessions were put on tape in a combination of Dublin, London, a mobile unit in Carlow, Ireland and most famously a productive one-day session in New Orleans where the band was jammed into producer Daniel Lanois’ home studio. This occurred while Lanois and Bob Dylan were taking a break from recording sessions for ‘Oh Mercy’. The Lanois connection was another result of Hothouse Flowers’ early association with U2. The product of this busy period was their 1990 release ‘Home’ which featured the stunning cover version of ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ by Johnny Nash and today’s feature, ‘Give it Up’.
‘Give it Up’ was released as a single in the spring of 1990 and it went to #2 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart.
Today’s feature song is an introspective piece that speaks to the mindset of the band at the time. They were caught up in a whirlwind of popularity and excitement. The demands on their time were on the verge of crushing, but somehow, they seemed to recall their good fortune and promised to stay true to their roots. Much of this comes through in these lyrics.
Well, I’m coming face to face with my conscience
Coming to an understanding of myself
Clear out all the old cobwebs
Clear out all the old books from the shelf
This song is inspired by a good man and his tune
Thinking good of others sing ‘Amazing Grace’ to you
It doesn’t really matter if you’re all jumbled up inside
As long as you know that love is endless and the world is wide
As long as you know
Give it up
Share it out
Help, help who you can
Talk about it
It’s late in the morning, close to the time
And Mary’s in the alley she never stops smiling
Always love to see her she means a lot to me
But I know she’s got a hard time trying to make ends meet
Give it up
Share it out
Help who you can
Talk about it
Down Georgia Street arcade where the poor children play
Gathering up charity to help them make their day
Well me, I was once their age, once I was young
But I know, I had my family to fall back on
Give it up
Share it out, yeah
Help who you can
Talk about it
Oh, give it up
Share it out
Help who you can
Don’t just talk about it
Talk about it
Help these child
Help these child
Give it up
Share it out
Help who you can
Talk about it
Give it up
Share it out
Help who you can
Talk about it”
Liam O’Maonlai, Fiachna O’Braonai and Peter O’Toole
I have been listening to this song for thirty years. From the first day I heard it, it drew me in and three decades later I am not sure the message has ever been more important. Many of us may reside in this space presently.
There is no doubt that the last year has been full of challenges. On a daily basis, I seem to ride a roller coaster of frustration, minor accomplishment, happiness, sadness and complete dismay at what is going on around me. For the most part, this emotional journey takes place in the solace of my own home, so by no means is my perspective worldly, but I do my best to stay as informed as possible. I also strive to stay mentally active (the results are dubious at best) and physically active (failing miserably…I need to play hockey again). In my effort to stay in touch with things, I can identify with the narrative of ‘Give it Up’, especially the opening verse. Yep…that’s me…at least, I would like to think so.
Well, I’m coming face to face with my conscience
Liam O’Maonlai, Fiachna O’Braonai and Peter O’Toole
Coming to an understanding of myself
Clear out all the old cobwebs
Clear out all the old books from the shelf”
As the song goes on, O’Maonlai, O’Braonain and O’Toole recall people who they have known, and how they managed to inspire through their positive disposition, despite their lot in life. Note that the original inspiration for ‘Give it Up’ stemmed from ‘Amazing Grace’ which is a fascinating story in its’ own right.
This song is inspired by a good man and his tune
Thinking good of others sing ‘Amazing Grace’ to you
It doesn’t really matter if you’re all jumbled up inside
As long as you know that love is endless and the world is wide
As long as you know”
Liam O’Maonlai, Fiachna O’Braonai and Peter O’Toole
While the characters depicted in the song set the scene, it is the chorus that drives the broader purpose for everyone to consider.
Give it up
Liam O’Maonlai, Fiachna O’Braonai and Peter O’Toole
Share it out
Help who you can
Talk about it”
This is what makes me want to be better. Maybe this is where we can all be better?
In my position I have the good fortune of talking to people in many walks of life. There are many I draw inspiration from, but few inspire me more than the ones who give of themselves every day and give people a hand up when they need it the most. The stories they share and their capacity to help on a regular basis is impressive to say the least. They are the ones who are constantly there to help whoever they can. Whenever there is someone in need these people are always there to ‘talk about it’.
Because it seems to me, we could all use a little help now and again, and we all need someone to talk to.
Through the years St. Patrick’s Day has taken on a life of its’ own and to a large extent the true symbolism of the day has been lost. In terms of a celebratory cause the roots are dubious at best. Since 2018, I have explored this day in a series of posts. See ‘The Wild Rover’, ‘Galway Girl’ and ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’.
As a global community, while we are experiencing various stages of lockdown and personal distancing, I think the social element of St. Patrick’s Day is the message to which we should adhere. Where in the past we would gather together and celebrate the idea that on this day everyone has a little bit of ‘Irish’ blood, perhaps we could alter our focus. Take a look around and identify someone who might be struggling. Reach out by phone or arrange a Zoom meeting. Offer to get together for a curbside visit or send them a message to let them know you care.
This is what will allow us to get through to everyone. Being there for each other is the only way we are going to get through this stronger.
Love is endless and the world is wide”
Liam O’Maonlai, Fiachna O’Braonai and Peter O’Toole
Getting back to today’s feature song, rather than focusing on cover versions, I am going to present ‘Give it Up’ through the years, because in some ways it has evolved as the importance of the message has taken on different meaning.
In the U.K. the true measure that a song is going to break is when it is performed on ‘Top of the Pops’. Shortly after its 1990 release, here is Hothouse Flowers performing to an appreciative audience.
Hothouse Flowers made their North American television debut on ‘Late Night with David Letterman’ when they unveiled ‘Don’t Go’. Fittingly, in 1990, when it came time to promote the album ‘Home’, and their lead single ‘Give it Up’, they went back to the talk show host who always did his utmost to promote the artists of the day. This version gives you a clear sense of how gifted Hothouse Flowers are as musicians and how true they are to the studio sound in their live performance. The spirit and the energy are astounding.
I spent a good portion of a day listening, and watching versions of ‘Give it Up’. This performance from a pub in Cork, Ireland is perhaps the most fun. Audience participation time and I suspect it was pretty close to last call. This is so much fun. Whoever taped this captured a moment where the band and their fans became one. Trust me…watch it all. It is raw, but it will make you long once again, for the live music experience and smile all at the same time.
Here they are on the Irish ‘Late Late Show’ with the Discover Gospel Choir.
The dynamic with the choir turns the song into a religious experience. Just a stunning presentation. It adds so much to O’Maonlai’s narration. The call and response reinforce the message. I just love this version.
This live performance from 2019 captures the uplifting ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ as only he can. Never the same way twice but always presented in a way to inspire the listener to rise above what ever obstacles may be in their way. It begins at 21:00 but the whole video is amazing as he plays a range of offerings that include traditional Irish music and a version of Richie Havens’ ‘Freedom’ and another beautiful song from ‘Home’ called ‘Christchurch Bells’. So good. Just a little glimpse beyond today’s feature.
From this magnificent talent of the ‘Emerald Isle’ to you.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Ted Tocks Covers 
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