Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen - Lyrics Meaning

Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners was released in 1981 and reached number 1 in both the US and UK charts.

This song was by a girl called Eileen that songwriter and lead singer with the band, Kevin Rowland grew up with. The relationship between them became romantic when they were both 13.

The lyrics describe how the singer has known this girl for a long time, from when they were both very young and their relationship is going down the road of being more than just friends, he wants them to become lovers.

It goes on to describe how nothing will ever change for the people who live in the same town, they are resigned to the fact that things will stay this way forever but he wants things to change and he promises Eileen that if they get together things will change and the future will be really exciting for them both, because they are both far too young and clever.

The underlying theme of the song is that Eileen is growing into a beautiful young woman and the singer finds her really attractive, hence him saying that with her wearing that dress his thoughts verge on dirty.