Album Of The Day

Sep 21 2021 Author

5

Wow. What to say. I was going through some really bleak times in 1982. Both my older sisters had killed themselves in a suicide pact. I sought solace in the music of Dexys Midnight Runners and boy did it change my outlook on everything. 40 years on and I still have a bittersweet feeling stuck in my throat about it. To this day you can find me both dancing and crying to Come On Eileen. It did ruin my cousin's wedding, but she's a complete slut.

Feb 11 2021 Author

5

Cum on Eileen

Jan 24 2022 Author

1

fucking insufferable. the guy nobody really wanted at the party, waiting for a high five, hand in the air, for over an hour.

Aug 04 2021 Author

2

Nothing "I need to hear" aside from the song I've heard 3000 times in my life.

Jun 19 2021 Author

1

Pack of dickheads

Dec 31 2021 Author

5

I love “Come On Eileen.” One of my all-time favorites. But for reasons unknown I have never listened to this album. I’m glad I did. This is a hell of a lot of fun and I really enjoy this album. Kevin Rolland’s vocals have a Freddie Mercury-like drama to them that I am surprised to have never noticed before. Songs like “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m In Heaven When You Smile)” exude joy and make this album is a real pick-me-up. The strings and horns are exciting. The lyrics are often serious and even dark and contrast with the music, as in the peppy song’s “I’ll Show You” exploration of school boys change into ‘alcoholics, child molesters, nervous wrecks and prima donnas, jilted lovers, office clerks, petty thieves, hard drug pursuers’ all to the happy horns. This makes TOO RYE AYE a fun listen that exposes more depth than you might expect as you become more familiar with the songs. “Plan B,” “Liars A to E” and “Until I Believe In My Soul” were other standout tracks to me on the first few listens. Even “Come On Eileen” had a little surprise at the end. I also enjoyed the bonus tracks a lot as well. Great album!

Mar 30 2022 Author

5

This was actually fantastic. Ahead of its time in ways, rooted in old school folk idioms in others. Nearly every song full of emotion. I'm doing it, I'm giving it a 5.

May 02 2023 Author

2

Too rye ay? More like “Two stars, aye?”

Sep 21 2021 Author

2

The only decent thing to come out of the 80’s was me. I used to like Michael Jackson during the 80’s but turns out he has a thing for staring at bum holes.

Jul 08 2021 Author

4

Not bad, not bad at all. "Come On Eileen" is a classic, and the rest (for the most part) blended together - but into an enjoyable mash. Would revisit.

May 02 2023 Author

4

I think Dexys Midnight Runners having 3 albums on this list is the clearest example of British bias in the book. That's not to say that I dislike this album. 7/10

Sep 21 2021 Author

5

Deserves a 5 just for managing to make dungarees cool. Top effort. If it was a footballer it would be sarong wearing trendsetter David Beckham.

Feb 24 2024 Author

1

An hour is far too long to spend with Kevin and his Runners, I'll tell you that. It's just too much. It didn't take but a few tracks for me to get really tired of the schtick. Why did EVERY male vocalist of the era sound exactly the freaking same? Overly dramatic delivery, constant falsetto, every line ended with forced vibrato... They're all the same and I hate it all. I don't know, man. I'm trying to figure out why this is on the list beyond the one big hit and I think... I think "Come On Eileen" is the only reason it's here. One song shouldn't be enough. Anyway, the horns and the damn tin whistle solo were also annoying so screw this whole thing.

May 12 2021 Author

1

Wow this guy's voice is annoying!

Apr 30 2021 Author

3

Surprisingly good. Enjoyed this more than I thought. Last track is shite though

Aug 09 2024 Author

2

This isn't a band deserving of multiple entries in the 1001. Zero would be fine

Mar 07 2023 Author

5

Love their sound! These guys deserved to be more than a one hit wonder. A couple songs on here sound like they're inventing ska and made me really happy.

Jan 18 2025 Author

2

If I never hear this band again it will be too soon.

Mar 08 2024 Author

1

Ugh, Come on Eileen was on the playlist of every wedding disco through the 80s and 90s. It sucks. I’m not listening to it again because why should I make myself angry in my own home?

Feb 04 2024 Author

1

While I have been given some really good albums, From the selections I have been given, I think this is really titled "1001 albums someone liked and listened to once" There is a reason these guys are one-hit wonders. Or one-star wonders

Mar 03 2023 Author

1

Do you like Come on Eileen? Do you want to hear 14 other songs that sound close to it but not as good? This is the album for you.

Jun 11 2022 Author

5

More glorious sounds from Dexy’s including the imperious ‘Come on Eileen’, probably the weirdest floor filler there’s ever been. The energy on the track as the piano and fiddle dance along is infectious. Across the rest of the album, keep those horns blowing. I don’t pretend to understand Kevin Rowland but I do appreciate his artistic flair and commitment to playing whatever the hell he likes. This is an absolutely classic album from the best British band of the eighties.

Aug 12 2021 Author

4

It seems Dexeys are more than one hit wonders. This album has depth to it. Catchy songs throughout, in their signature style. Well sequenced with a run of quieter songs at the end before the release Come on Eileen hoedown. The only thing that lets it down is that the singer's voice gets a bit grating after a while. Overall, really, really good though. 4/5.

Jan 19 2026 Author

3

The faster songs on here are the kind of music that are good to hear live in a pub with several pints of beer. Of course there are millions of bar bands like that, so it's not going to be a standout for me. And the slow songs required lots of patience on my part, but that's no surprise. It closes with their big hit "Come On Eileen," which is fun. (Of course that song always reminds me of this: https://xkcd.com/575/) So, I feel bad not rating it higher since Kevin on the cover there looks so sad, but: 3/5.

Mar 28 2025 Author

5

Kevin Rowland builds up song from his voice out, picks his sounds, and we get this turbulent, ecstatic stream of confession, vow and manifesto - “those guitars are cruel and noisy”.

Mar 06 2025 Author

5

Spectacular big sound, orchestral and jazzy. I would have never guessed it would be that good

Sep 19 2024 Author

5

I'm maniacally obsessed with Too Rye Ay. It's not just because of the famous "Come On Eileen" — the whole album sounds wonderfully dated.

Feb 02 2024 Author

5

Love a bit of Dexys - I don't rate this quite as highly as "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels", and if 4.5 was an option I'd probably go for that, but it isn't, so a 5 it is! "Come on Eileen" has no doubt been over played to death, but it's such a good song I don't think it suffers too much for it - I don't object to hearing it again whenever it comes up. Fave tracks - as well as the aforementioned, "Let's Make This Precious" and "Plan B" are both bangers!

Jun 01 2022 Author

5

Such a unique voice the lead singer has, and it carries the album along with some great instrumentals. 'Come on Eileen' is obviously the standout hit, but this album is just such a joyous romp from start to finish. Listen to it on a bad day and your mood is sure to improve! The album would have been 4 stars if not for the fantastic 'stick-the-landing' ending that is 'Come on Eileen,' which bumps it up to a 5.

Jan 11 2022 Author

5

A very fun listen. An upbeat album with multiple tracks that are absolutely welcome into my playlists.

Sep 21 2021 Author

5

Such a fun album!

Feb 06 2021 Author

5

Absolutely amazing. I definitely knew Come on Eileen, but I have never listened to this entire album. Definitely one of the best so far, in my opinion.

Dec 18 2025 Author

4

A teacher at our school once told me and Lola that the Come on Eileen music video was filmed nearby so we (I think unprompted) went to the locations of the music video and recreated the dancing- these videos will not be shared but does mean I sometimes cringe a little when I hear the song. But regardless of being 16 and finding everything embarrassing we still stood out on the street and danced and laughed at ourselves. Come on Eileen is exactly that kind of song, a bit silly, a bit infectious and a whole lot of fun when sung with a crowd, or just one friend. It's an album to put you in a good mood- I definitely enjoy the less upbeat songs a lot less but overall I still enjoyed the album. Favourite song: Come on Eileen Least: Old

Mar 09 2025 Author

4

Not every song can be Come On Eileen, but it’s a vibe

Feb 28 2025 Author

4

I love Dexys. Kevin Rowland’s voice is simply Joyous … a happy hour spent dancing round my kitchen 😀

Feb 19 2025 Author

4

Songs i knew "the songs" Song I liked "the songs" Sounds great, maybe there weren't the one hit wonders 8 thought they were. That song has just been ruined by too many weddings and birthdays at social clubs but still a classic. Good not great, won't be back. Low 4.

Oct 31 2024 Author

4

Great energy, Come On Eileen is fantastic!

Jan 15 2025 Author

3

its fine. 3 stars. they are a band I want to like more than I do, cause I normally love Irish music, but this is like a lounge singer in the 80's doing it, and it's too much for me.

Nov 20 2024 Author

3

A favorite dirty joke from the 80's: "What's worse than sweat on Olivia Newton-John?" ??? "Come on Eileen" [pause for laughter] Dexy's Midnight Runners have always been referred to as one-hit wonders, so the rest of the songs were totally unknown to me. Surprisingly, they aren't so bad. Pretty much any of them could have been the follow-up hit single. Why didn't that happen? My theory is that on MTV in 1982, there was only so much room for bands that employed an old-timey-European-vagabond-tramp visual theme. As a result, Dexy's Midnight Runners and Men Without Hats canceled each other out.

May 06 2025 Author

2

When I look up a list of "one-hit wonders", Paste magazine has Dexys Midnight Runners up there at #1 with Come on Eileen. So if Dexys Midnight Runners is a one-hit wonder, why do they have THREE albums on this list?! This is the best of the three but that is not saying much.

Mar 05 2025 Author

2

Overall: 4/10 Sigh. This was bound to happen. I like to discuss my list progress with friends and I constantly make jokes about how the listmakers couldn't add Milo Goes to College because they just HAD to make room for 3 Dexys Midnight Runner albums. This album is fine. The songs range from upbeat and danceable to incredibly annoying. I like the violins and, of course, Come On Eileen is their only truly impactful song for a reason. I hope the next two albums from them are a bit better. Fav Song: Come On Eileen Least Fav Song: All in All (This One Last Wild Waltz)

Jan 12 2025 Author

2

Favourite tracks: Let's Make This Precious, Plan B Album didn't seem to gel or synchronise as well. Did not really get a consistent theme, vision, emotion etc.

Jan 09 2025 Author

2

Tighter and more interesting than I imagined it would be. KIND OF samey throughout, but danceable and and charmingly unusual: you can't fault it for being overly challenging. Like Thin Lizzy without guitars, bass and drums. I despise the big hit though, just hate it. Hearing it makes me cringe so hard I need to go to the emergency room.

Jan 06 2025 Author

2

That voice..that damned voice. Otherwise the tunes are serviceable and same-y.

Jan 04 2025 Author

2

Why does this one hit wonder-band deserve more than one entry on this list?

Jan 02 2025 Author

2

More Irish-pub tinged than I was expecting, which I now hear in Come On Eileen, the only memorable song on the album and the only one I had heard of.

Aug 01 2024 Author

2

I wasn’t looking forward to this assignment. After all, I hate Come on Eileen with the fire of a thousand suns. It’s only gotten worse with the numerous and obvious men’s bodily fluid joke in recent years, found everywhere from American Dad to this very site. The only joy it’s ever provided me is the hilariously bad live version on their official YouTube, but alas the song remains the same. Still, you try and approach every album with an open mind. Isn’t that the whole point of this endeavour? I don’t know why there are 3 versions of this thing on Apple Music, but naturally I chose the shortest one. I have questions about why Kevin Rowland felt the need to put his own name in front of the bands for apparently this one album alone. He is the worst part of it. In his normal register he sounds fine, a little like a happy Robert Smith. But every octave outside of the mid range is like nails on a chalkboard. The second he stretches and strains his vocal cords to produce that cacophonous strangled cat of a falsetto I nope the fuck out.

Jun 04 2024 Author

2

Das ist ja ein Ding. Die Truppe war bei uns ein One Hit Wonder. Ungefähr 1234-mal habe ich Come On Eileen im Radio gehört. Und jetzt lerne ich, dass sie sogar ganze Alben gemacht haben. Dafür ahne ich jetzt, warum es keinen zweiten Titel gibt, der gespielt wird...

Dec 07 2022 Author

2

Some artists are mislabed as one hit wonders and have a great catalogue waiting to be explored. This is not one of those. 2

May 24 2021 Author

2

Un bon album de la part du sosie vocal de The Cure.

Feb 20 2026 Author

1

This is some silly nonsense. Did not need to listen to an entire album of it. Like most people I've heard "Come on Eileen" 100 times. That would have been sufficient. The rest of the songs are the same, but worse. The only positive thing I can think to say for this is that it is distinctive. Play me a single lyric from this album and I would say "oh, is that Dexy's Midnight Runners?" They found their thing and went with it. They should have gotten into children's music, could have done great putting on shows at local theaters with comedic outfits and funny lyrics. Maybe the medium sized town public library circuit. It sounds like balloon animals. Maybe I just hate fun, but I dislike this album and am barely giving 2 stars. Edit, I've just seen that they have three albums on the list!?! How can that be? I am flabbergasted and will be giving all three albums 1 star in protest.

Feb 13 2026 Author

1

To have 3 albums by this band in the 1001 albums generator while having no Phil Collins or Slowdive is kind of the most imbecile thing you could ever think of.

Aug 29 2024 Author

1

Too Rye Ay? Fuck Off! What an insufferable band and style of music. Pretending to be Dickensian street urchins, running around urban England with their brushes, fiddles and cloth caps. Fuck Right Off!

Jul 12 2024 Author

1

Not a fan. Tried it and still not a fan. Would reconsider if I was in Ireland at an outside pub and wine drunk.

Nov 29 2023 Author

1

Such a generic british cat shreaks shit

Mar 22 2023 Author

1

I'm not fucking listening to this. Fuck this band and fuck you

Jun 25 2022 Author

1

I just can't. This includes one of the most evil songs ever concieved, and a cursory listen includes more of their jaunty irish fiddle and shout 'soul' music

May 13 2022 Author

1

I hate "Come on Eileen," but I was expecting to be pleasantly surprised by this album. I wasn't.

Jan 04 2022 Author

1

Except for Come on Eileen this album is a dud. And if you’re going to cover Van Morrison bring something to it. Why is this on the list?

Jan 25 2022 Author

1

Nah… Dreadful. Dexys reminds me of cheesy djs at family doos and weddings in the ‘80s. Not for me

Jan 24 2022 Author

1

I found this album extremely grating. I forced myself to stick with it but it almost became the first of these albums I didn't listen through all the way.

Dec 31 2021 Author

1

This is exactly what I expected from this album. Decent music with an 80s sound and horns and the lyrics are almost impossible to understand. Sometimes they literally overlapped with the backup vocals saying something else. Very confusing lyrically.

Aug 20 2021 Author

1

Awful. 1 star for Come on Eileen. Fake Irish BTW, they're from Birmingham.

Mar 04 2026 Author

5

Efter att beklagat sig över den irländska folkmusiken insamband med Pouges för ett par dagar sedan får vi nu åter ett album som tagit inspiration från den gröna ön. Resultatet blir emellertid något helt annat. Rowland har genom hela sin karriär besuttit en enorm förmåga att plocka russinen från varenda kaka i konditoriet. Å det är ju i sig en bedrift. Men att sedan lyckas blanda samman ingredienserna till något än njutbart är ytterst få förunnade (Clash kan väl räknas in här). Fiolen går hör sitt intåg på bandets andra platta. Hur man går folkmusikfelan att låta så mycket soul är lite av en gåta, men som sagt även en viktig del i Dexys storhet. använder folkmusik. Ljudmattan som fanns redan på Searching… finns kvar. Ändå känns alltid arrangemangen luftiga. Varje instrument får ta sin plats. Låtmässigt är det förstås bra, även om inte varje spår når upp i absoluta världsklass. Bortsett från underbara Let’s make this precious är B-sidan starkast (inte minst avslutningen med Until I…och Kom igen Lena). Antagligen det svagaste av Dexys 80-talsalbum, men det beror snarare på mördande konkurrens än bristande kvalitet. Klarar finaste betyget med lätt darr på ribban.

Feb 25 2026 Author

5

I was mightily happy to see a Dexys record crop up here, even if it is the wrong one! Personally, I think Searching For The Young Soul Rebel stands head and shoulders above this one in essentiality, if that's a word. I can't help thinking that the inclusion of Too Rye Ay instead, absolutely wonderful as it is, only helps to confirm most peoples view that Dexys only had one song, or two at most; that they were something of a novelty act and their most memorable career highlight was performing on Top of the Pops in front of a picture of a darts player. But seriously - just LISTEN to this record. Loud. It's a joyously brilliant album, with tunes that sear themselves into your brain. Kevin Rowland really is something of an under-appreciated creative genius - I will never tire of listening to this record.

Feb 25 2026 Author

5

I suppose Kevin Rowlands voice is a bit of a marmite thing, thankfully I fall firmly in the like camp. While Come On Eileen is what they are known for by a country mile, it's a shame because the whole album is a great pop marvel. It wasn't until I listened to this that I realised, to my shame, it is also a Dexys album that I don't have. I must remedy that immediately...

Feb 20 2026 Author

5

Excellent

Feb 20 2026 Author

5

yoooo I liked this way more than I expected. I’ve heard Come On Eileen 5000 times before at bars and have fond cocaine come up memories on makeshift dance floors that come back when I hear it. there’s a bunch of great songs on here — well played and well captured with a fair share of thrilling and earnest moments. I’m not familiar with any of the rest of their music but this has me intrigued.

Feb 15 2026 Author

5

I'm a big Dexys fan, seen them twice and love the new albums. This is 42 minutes of concentrated brilliance from a true maverick innovator human tornado who was always looking to be ahead of the game, no matter what he had to achieve to do it. The focus and love on soul music set them apart on the debut and here the folk element takes them even further from their contemporaries. They have three albums on here because they were a really important band and the first two were successful despite being incredible Oddities in music of the time. The third was an insane flop (Don't Stand Me Down) but is now probably their best regarded album by fans, for all the reasons that it wasn't successful. The guy was a total disaster in so many ways, but probably had the biggest balls in bravery in any singer and band leader I've ever known. He even dressed in women's underwear on the cover of a solo album once he'd got himself straight from drink and drugs. I simply find this one hard to fault, apart from the production at times but that's even been fixed on the "as it should have been" new version.

Feb 11 2026 Author

5

Classsic

Feb 09 2026 Author

5

This is a seriously good album. Dexy’s are criminally underrated. Enjoy the horns and the violins, and whilst Kevin Rowland is not the world’s strongest singer, I believe he has soul. A great discovery

Jan 19 2026 Author

5

They’re not a one hit wonder

Jan 08 2026 Author

5

Det rycker i benen! Vit soul kan vara så fantastisk. Här möter en new wave/indie-feeling, soulens sväng. Klar femma!

Dec 25 2025 Author

5

Amazing, 10/10

Dec 19 2025 Author

5

BRILLIANT! A masterpiece & classic.

Dec 19 2025 Author

5

Unhinged sincerity sprinting directly at joy. Rating: 4.8/5 Short Review: This album is pure emotional momentum. Earnest, frantic, and weirdly beautiful, like someone yelling their feelings while running full speed. It shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does. Favorite Track: Come On Eileen — overplayed, sure, but that tempo shift still feels like a small miracle.

Nov 01 2025 Author

5

Awesome memories of junior high school, a very important album for me!

Oct 29 2025 Author

5

I’ve never listened to this band before. I’ve heard ‘Come on Ailine’ played at weddings and thought it was good fun so I can’t wait to jig along to this in my kitchen later.

Oct 21 2025 Author

5

7 of the songs were not available to hear in the US.

Oct 17 2025 Author

5

Really enjoyed this - sort of a cross between Van Morrison and 80s David Bowie. I'd always thought of them as just the 'Come on Eileen' band, and that they were a one-hit wonder, but they've got a lot of verve and style going on here, if not a ton of memorable songs. Still, Come On Eileen is great and the horns really work throughout the album. Will be listening again.

Oct 17 2025 Author

5

Bit of a Bruce, Costello vibe with some Irish flair. There is some Costello crossover in producer and horn section. First thought was these guys sound like an earlier and happier version of the band Okkervil River - Stage Names is a fun album.

Oct 03 2025 Author

5

Great album. Cohesive whole but great individual tracks.

Sep 18 2025 Author

5

Massively under-rated. Two classic pop singles and a deft melding of soul and folk. Masterful.

Sep 18 2025 Author

5

Ladies and gentlemen. Perfection. You'll hum this song forever. Too Rye fucking Aye, Kev.

Sep 16 2025 Author

5

bello bello bello

Sep 05 2025 Author

5

5/5 - a no skip album. Just banger after banger. Absolutely loved it!!!

Aug 31 2025 Author

5

Today’s album is one I’ve always wanted to hear: Too Rye Ay by Dexys Midnight Runners. One of my first impressions was just how good Kevin Rowland’s vocals are. He has a brilliant tone and delivers every line with real passion and drama. I also loved the instrumental sections on the B-side – they add so much texture and variety. The record spans so many genres—New Wave, ska, folk—and somehow blends them seamlessly. It’s fun, upbeat, and full of energy from start to finish. I really enjoyed this listen and will definitely be returning to it. Favourite track: Come On Eileen is a classic, of course—an iconic dancefloor filler. But I enjoyed plenty of other songs just as much, including Show Me and Dubious. A brand new discovery for me was Let’s Make This Precious, which I loved right from the start and will be playing on repeat. There are so many strong tracks here. Least favourite track: Honestly, every song was worth a listen and brought something enjoyable. Album artwork: A fantastic cover that perfectly suits the band’s style.

Aug 27 2025 Author

5

Great album, horns, pop but avant garde. Interesting and weird but nourishing. What’s not to love?

Aug 07 2025 Author

5

Reminds me of the south side Dubious goes too hard Love a little van Sucker for a string section

Aug 05 2025 Author

5

go on then have five stars. holy nostalgic

Jul 28 2025 Author

5

Perfect! Come On Eileen is a masterpiece!

Jul 09 2025 Author

5

a classic, but a pleasure to properly listen to it again, as a whole album

Jul 08 2025 Author

5

A very surprisingly good album. Awesome hooks, especially love the riff in the opening track. The use of horns and fiddle is just awesome. And we got the superhit "Come On Eileen" to wrap it all up. Wow. What a treat. Didn't need THREE from these guys though, 2 is fine but 3?

Jun 20 2025 Author

5

This album is by far the best of the three these guys have on this list. It's the best of their pub style rock/ folk with a lot of really fun songs. Obviously Come On Eileen, but Let's Make This Precious, Old, T.S.O.P., and Reminisce are all great. Is it the best music on this list? Not by a long shot. But it has a charm and style that stands out against a lot of these other early 80s groups.

Jun 06 2025 Author

5

Weird voice but I loved it

Jun 05 2025 Author

5

This made me smile and bob my head in approval.

May 25 2025 Author

5

Lots of fun and I really like this guy's voice. Kind of reminds me of some of the happier songs by the cure!

May 19 2025 Author

5

The Good: We’ve got Too Rye Ay! The Bad: We don’t know if that is hootch… The Ugly: Finding out that midnight runner is slang for skid-marks… Damn, here I thought that these guys were nothing but a bunch of weirdos who, somehow, managed to pen one good number, which turned them into the the one-hit-wonder we all know… And then you listen to the album and you wonder why realize that, like it or not, image is everything. I don’t want to call this album a hidden gem, and I don’t know if I would have appreciated it back when it came out, however, I’m about the spin this disc (figuratively) for the fourth time, because I’m really enjoying it… Does this merit a 5*? It kind of does, even though I understand that this album is not worth 5*… 4 1/2* for sure… Too Rye Ay!!!!

May 15 2025 Author

5

This has been one of my biggest surprises. “Come On Eileen” is a banger for all time, but I did not really have high hopes for the entire album. I was definitely glad to be proven wrong! This album is full of stellar tracks. “The Celtic Soul Brothers,” “Liars A To E,” “Until I Believe In My Soul,” and “Come On Eileen” are the standouts, as is “Jackie Wilson Said,” which might be better than Van Morrison’s original. I’m not sure if Dexys Midnight Runners are considered ska, but this album definitely had some ska vibes and made me think how underrepresented that genre is on this list. I know they’re considered a one hit wonder, but they definitely shouldn’t be, and this album is very worthy of its place on this list.

Apr 30 2025 Author

5

Albums like this make me wish the British had squashed the American revolution

Too Rye Ay

Dexys Midnight Runners

Album Summary

Keywords from Reviews

Rating Over Time

Reviews