If you haven’t heard of Flogging Molly…its time to start listening! If you want to put this band into a category, I supposed you could call them an Irish Rock/Punk band, but truth be told, their sound is like no other, and they touch each listener in a personal way. If you ever have the privilege to see one of their shows, you’ll notice that they have the most eclectic mix of listeners anyone has ever seen.
Led by Dave King, Flogging Molly got its start playing at Molly Malone’s in Los Angeles (hence Flogging ‘Molly’). The band started with just Dave himself and slowly built itself up to the 7 man (and woman) band that it is today. The sound is completely original. With instruments like the mandolin, fiddle and accordion, Flogging Molly takes a traditional Irish sound and adds a rockers spin to it. The lyrics, for the most part, are fast paced, but when broken down, they tell stories just like traditional Irish music does.
Dave King got much of his inspiration from growing up in Ireland in a poverty stricken area. His songs tell stories of his childhood, the hard times that fell up on them, and how the people around him were affected. Beautiful lyrics combined with an original voice and a one of a kind sound make Flogging Molly what it is today.
With four albums on the shelves and the fifth due out within the next few weeks, it was very hard to narrow my list to 10 song picks, but I was able to manage it. Here are my top 10 favorite Flogging Molly Songs.
10. The Rare Ould Times (Drunken Lullabies)
This is a simple song that recounts Dave’s memories growing up in Ireland. It speaks of the people he met and the places he went and what the experience was like for him. This song stands out for me because it begins as more of a slow ballad-like Irish folk song but then the tempo increases and it becomes an all out rock song.
9. Factory Girls (Within a Mile of Home)
This song tells the story about the women of Ireland and how, due to a poverty stricken and war torn country, they were forced to work in order to provide for their families. The line “drinking buttermilk all week and whiskey on Sunday” shows that they worked hard all week in order to enjoy the simple pleasures on their day off.
8. Within A Mile of Home (Within a Mile of Home)
This song really sticks with me because no matter where you are in the world, if you want to be, you can be within a mile of home. When people set out on journeys, or take the steps to discover who they are, these things in life can take you very far from home. But if you can keep your memories strong and always remember where you are from and the people who love you, then you will always be within a mile of home.
7. Light of a Fading Star (Within a Mile of Home)
This song is great because it is very much open to interpretation. What I take from it is that the light they speak of is freedom. The line “Like the Glow, that christens the moon, you shone too soon, you shone too soon” Ireland was a war torn country, and what they were fighting for was freedom. It seemed that the more they fought, the further away freedom seemed; it was fading away.
6. The Son Never Shines On Closed Doors (Drunken Lullabies)
This song is a very personal song for Dave King. Due to problems with his visa, when he came to America, he wasn’t able to travel back to Ireland for 8 years. His father had died when he was a boy, and his mother was all alone. During those 8 years she suffered a stroke, so when he finally was able to return home, his mother didn’t even recognize him. This is a very sad song but beautiful all the same.
5. Drunken Lullabies (Drunken Lullabies)
Simply put, the Irish like to drink! And this is a celebration of drinking and being Irish! As the first single off their first album, this is the song that put Flogging Molly on the map.
4. The Seven Deadly Sins (Within a Mile of Home)
If you like fast paced lyrics, rock and roll, and pirates, then this song is for you! While this song does have pirates in it, the bigger theme here is freedom. Sail away with no ball and chains, can keep us from the roaring waves” This song is about fighting for freedom and being able to live your life as you choose to do so.
3. What’s Left of the Flag (Drunken Lullabies)
Like many Flogging Molly Songs, this one also is about war, the war that raged on between the North and the South in Ireland. These men were fighting for their freedom and fighting for their country. Wipe that golden tear from your mother dear, and raise what’s left of the flag for me” This song shows that any country will change because of war, but it won’t completely succumb, so you have to take what’s left and build from it.
2. Whistles the Wind (Within a Mile of Home)
This song was written by Dave King during those 8 years when he wasn’t able to return home. It speaks of the heartache he feels for not being able to see his mother “There’s an ocean between, where I am and where I want to be” This song truly expresses the heartache he feels.
1. If I Ever Leave This World Alive (Drunken Lullabies & Alive Behind a Green Door)
This song, to me anyway, is the ultimate love song. And its not just boy/girl love, its deep rooted love that cannot be broken no matter what. It’s about memories surviving even after a loved one passes on. This song is my number one favorite Flogging Molly song because the message is so strong and so real.
There are many more Flogging Molly songs, and each is better than the next, if you haven’t listened to Flogging Molly in a while, take the time to re-visit them and if you’ve never heard them before, don’t hesitate to check them out. Their unique sound will no doubt put lyrics in your head and a bounce in your step! Check them out today!
