Dexys Midnight Runners, 1982 Pop-Rock Legends, Releasing New Album ‘LOVE’ 41 Years Later
Renowned pop-rock figures Dexys Midnight Runners have recently unveiled their plans to release a brand-new album titled ‘LOVE’ after a forty-one-year hiatus. This upcoming album is the first music offering under the iconic Dexys Midnight Runners moniker since the group’s 1985 record ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’. Fronted by Kevin Rowland, the collection’s theme revolves around the multifaceted concept of love, covering various aspects like family, aging, memory, romance, and reconciliation. Scheduled for release on September 4, fans can secure their copies by pre-ordering in advance.
Eagerly anticipated, ‘LOVE’ was brought to life through the collaboration of David Holmes and Peter Schweir in its production, reuniting Rowland with his longtime comrades Sean Read, Mike Timothy, Jim Paterson, and Brian Irving. The lead single, titled “My Life In England Pt. 1,” delves into Rowland’s childhood memories, depicting his upbringing in a second-generation Irish family in north-west London. Speaking about the inspiration behind the single, Rowland reminisced about his early days in England, where there was a yearning for everything American – rock sensation Elvis Presley, boxing champions Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay, as well as fashion trends. These experiences resonated deeply within Rowland, drawing on his mother’s attempts to shield him from certain Irish rebel songs that were deemed controversial on English soil.
Dexys Midnight Runners solidified their position as a prominent band in the early 1980s with chart-topping hits such as “Geno,” “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile),” and the globally recognized “Come On Eileen”, reaching number one in both the UK and the US charts. A noteworthy accolade bestowed upon this band was winning Best British Single at the prestigious 1983 Brit Awards, with “Come On Eileen” becoming Britain’s highest-selling single in 1982.
More than four decades later, the band’s resurgence is met with fervent excitement by longstanding enthusiasts, particularly those who have longed for a revival of Dexys Midnight Runners’ original title. While the band continued creating music in later years under the shortened name Dexys, the decision to return to the original moniker is perceived as a significant move for loyal followers, given that they have not toured under this name since 2003.
Accompanying the album revelation is the announcement of an extensive tour covering regions in the UK, Ireland, and Europe. The tour features various in-store appearances followed by live performances extending from Stockholm to Berlin, Paris, Glasgow, and several other cities throughout Europe. Fans are in for an immersive experience as Dexys Midnight Runners embark on a much-anticipated musical voyage, celebrating a legacy that has endured over four decades.